How Are We Newbies Doing?

Chris Buchanan · From: Macomb, IL

It's been 3 months and a day since my S-10 E9 found its way to my house. I thought I'd compare notes with other new players. I know a lot of theory and that's helped me a lot. My biggest problems have been getting the hang of physically playing it. Mostly working the pedals-I'm very sloppy and uncoordinated. Another thing is blocking. Much harder than I thought, especially palm blocking. I have to devote practice time on that alone. The finger blocking is OK if I go slow enough. Anyone else wanna share, or maybe offer things that have made it easier/harder for them?
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James Bender Jr · From: Cincinnati, Ohio USA

I have been playing about 2 months now. Being a drummer, the pedals and knee levers haven't been much of a problem for me. I find that the finger blocking is a little easer than palm blocking, but I am still pretty bad at both. Smile

I also need to get used to moving the bar around up and down the strings to where I am playing. I tend to keep it right in the center of the neck. Overall I love playing it, and that out weighs my frustration of stinking at it! Just keep on playing!
Jamie

Dennis Lee · From: Forest Grove, Oregon, USA

Started playing about a little over 2 years ago. All I can say is align yourselves with someone locally, or get in touch with Jody Cameron in Texas. He will make "housecalls" for quality instruction. It's like learning to fly an airplane, it just takes "seat-time" to improve. Your love for this unique instrument will get you to your goals.

Lewis John Foote · From: Dorset, UK

howdy, ive been playing steel for twenty months, used to sing a bit of country, play rythm guitar,one man band, i played bass, pedals with my feet,and drum machine, so that put me in good stead for hand and feet co-ordination, didn,t find that to dificult, its the phrasing and exspression, and feeling i find hardest to achieve, but i never get bored with it, and listening to comments from other steelies, its practise and more practise, just soak it up, lew,
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Dave Stagner · From: Minnesota, USA

I've been stuck because I haven't been able to practice for a week. Sad

We're getting the house ready for a party, which means space-consuming things like steel guitars get pushed into corners. And last weekend, I was doing a recording session that didn't involve steel at all - just guitar bass drums all day in my basement. It's really frustrating, because I finally felt I was starting to get somewhere.

I'll probably fall back onto it next tuesday night like a starving man.
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1967 ZB D-10
1990 OMI Dobro
Recording King lap steel with Certano benders

Tamara James · Posted 13 Dec 2007 9:29 am

cool thread. One I can post in and be serious. I like it.

I have been at it six months. No guitar background. I do have a teacher. I would never have been able to learn anything without him. (I think he's the greatest teacher ever.) I am learning one thing at time and adding skill to skill. I got pretty good control over the bar, pedals and picks. My blocking is coming along ok. Pick blocking, palm and using the volumn pedal to psuedo block. It's starting to come together. I haven't done any knee levers yet. (Not everyone uses 'em.) Sometimes, I got some real good tones that make me look around to see who played 'em. I'm comfortable with licks in both open and closed positions, I just gotta get my timeing perfected. One of the last hurdles I have to jump over is catching the cords on the fly. I still am having trouble hearing the cord changes, but I'm working on it. I've never done that before. I have always listened for the melody or learned from paper. It's a whole new world.

I record some of my practice sessions and when I hit it right, I just can't believe that is me. Of course, when it goes wrong, there ain't no denying I need more seat time.

I still can't get enough of that steel whine....does more for me than my ex ever did...(Opps, can I say that Embarassed

?) hee, hee...

I say this to myself everyday.."Just hang in there. Learn one thing at a time and keep building skills. The end will justify the means. Steel players are special!!"

Antolina · From: Dunkirk NY

I'm an old newbie. That means I laid off playing for about 10 years. I'm back strong now and I have some advice for all exploring the steel.

There are no short cuts to learning this wonderful contraption. I know that first hand. I made all those mistakes. I wanted to sound like Lloyd the first week. Simply remembering licks and phrases won't help to understand it. I can't emphasize that enough. If you don't understand what you're doing, you'll soon burn out and join the 80% that drop out.

There's a gang of instructional material out there and it'as all good but IMHO nothing beats Jeff Newman's material. Chris, pick up Jeff's Techniques DVD. Don't let the title fool you. There's a wealth of informtion in there including picking. blocking, foot movements scales, licks and phrases to get you started on the right road. He's not a cheap date but believe me, it's worth every penny. You'll thank me for it someday. Call Fran asap. What that sweet lady doesn't know about learning the steel isn't worth talking about.

Last but certainly not least, don't be shy or self concious. Use this forum extensively and ask all the questions you want. I've never known so many great people willing to share their knowledge. I bit the bullet last night and finally asked about a lever I had no clue about. Within minutes I had an answer and the mystery is gone. That's how it works in here.
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The only thing better than doing what you love is having someone that loves you enough to let you do it.

Sho~Bud 6139 3+3
Marrs 3+4

RC Antolina

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

two years now and Im still a newb.
fun tho.
I need to join a band I think to take it to the next level. no substitute for that IMHO.

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Hi Tamara J,

You said you haven't used any knee levers yet. Then you went on to say (not everyone uses them).

Please take this advice, I can't express how important this is, and will be for you during your learning experience.

#1. The only one's who don't use knee levers, would most likely be, because they play a steel that doesn't have any.

#2. Since you do have them, please start learning how to use them immediately. Since you're learning to play, if you wait, it will be so much harder.

#3. "You should have been using them from day one" and learning how to incorporate them into your playing.

I surely hope it wasn't your teacher who told you not everyone uses them (especially since you have them).

Regardless, do yourself a HUGE favor, and start using them now. If you don't, it will be like learning all over again, when you do.

Again, if you never listen to anything else, please don't put off (any longer) learning how to use your knee levers. "ALL OF THEM" that you have.

Tell your teacher you want to use them. Don't let anyone tell you they will come later. They should have already been incorporated into your learning, experience six months ago, when you started.

How many knee levers do you have, and do you know what strings they Raise/lower?

Don't ever give up.. Practice, practice and more practice, is what it takes everyone to get where they want to be, and that includes every steel player, not just the new folks.

Don

Marc Jenkins · From: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

I've been playing for about a year and a half (played many years of 6 string though). I've been feeling pretty good about my playing. I've gigged a lot, and get humbled every time! I usually practice a LOT the week or two before a show, and it always pays off.

I'm lucky to be playing with some really great musicians too, which helps immensely.

I was learning some Lloyd Green licks this last week, and noticed that since I've been focusing on intonation so much over the last while, I've been neglecting my vibrato. So essential!

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

I'll not be a newbie the day I can hit RKR and not slam the volume pedal full ON!

Geoff Barnes · From: Sydney, Australia

1 year in and my other guitars are not getting much attention.
In Summary; I need to write more so that I can break away from painting by numbers (TAB)... translated a few pieces from recordings just using my ear with some success, and so far, two pieces published worldwide for the slot machine market Rolling Eyes

and a third in testing as I write (50-50 E9 & C6).
Small steps, and more chair time needed, but grateful to have the opportunity to play this beautiful instrument. New chops are a bonus.
Very Happy

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Too much equipment....I think I need help.

Twayn Williams · From: Portland, OR

Jim R. Harrison · From: North Vancouver, B. C., Canada

Since I finally located a good teacher, I have been making considerable progress with the techniques of playing the steel guitar. However, if you look at my profile, you will see that I'm very busy! Although I was a good teacher (one of my former students is my pharmacist & one is my chiropractor!), I am a poor student! I don't always get my "homework" done. If I were to practise more regularly, I know I would be a much better player than I am. My involvement in sports & photography goes back 50 years or more; serious learning on the steel guitar has only been two years! Thank goodness I have a very forgiving & patient teacher in Elizabeth West. More, regular practise is what us beginners need to do to improve our playing the steel guitar.

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

I am a newbie. December 15th in a few days, will mark 5 years for me. If you will stay open minded and learn all you can from anyone that will share with you, you will learn alot. Most of all, you are doing something wrong if you are not having fun. In five years, I am only scratching the surface, but its a BIG surface, and I scratch alot!! Cool

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Twayn, that's your prerogative to disagree.

Overload, never caused anyone to quit anything that they REALLY wanted to do in life. "That's a fact!"

It's therefore that I TOTALLY disagree with you, and would hope that others take my advice. Cool

Antolina · From: Dunkirk NY

Chuck Thompson · From: Illinois, USA

I have been playing for about 13 months now - i still stink to high heaven but i do love playing this thing - i played guitar for several years and that helps quite a bit theory wise - i practice quite a bit - i have some attention/concentration issues so my practice time is pretty scattered and varied - i will spend some time working on bar/intonation (i still have big problems with that and also shaking the bar silly) - i spend some time blocking (finger and pick) - sometimes i practice with my foot off the volume pedal - i spend some time practicing songs that i play in once a month band and then try to learn something new - i have spent some time with forumites tim harr and roger spratt and i learned and or twisted up what they showed me (i cant put a value on that - thanx rog & tim) - when possible i listen to and watch other players as closely as i can and probably what has helped me the most is going to jam sessions - it is the same way i learned to play guitar - half way through a song someone points at me and i sink or swim - sometimes i swim, sometimes i sink - either way i probably learned something and if it didnt sound too good, i figure they had it coming - last but not least is this forum - sooo much info and help from so many people - thank bOb and all here

Tamara James · Posted 13 Dec 2007 6:59 pm

Antolina · From: Dunkirk NY

Tamara,

You'll do just fine. Follow your teacher's advice, don't overload yourself and develop a pace that works for you.Most important, never be afraid to ask a question. There'll be times when something confuses you and you need an answer. That's what the forum is all about.
_________________
The only thing better than doing what you love is having someone that loves you enough to let you do it.

Sho~Bud 6139 3+3
Marrs 3+4

RC Antolina

Robert Harper · From: Alabama, USA

Ben Jones said it all.
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Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

I'm in a little more than a year now. Like James, I'm a drummer so the independent limb coordination is not an issue.

I'm fortunate enough to have hihjacked the band I drum for to allow me to play steel. Actually, they all approve. We have a young fellow on keys who comes and takes my drummers throne and I move on to pedal steel for 6 or so songs.

Getting out ASAP with a band (as many have stated around these parts) has helped my playing, as has Band in a Box and at least 1 hour solid (no wife or kids around) practice every day. If I miss I shake.

One thing that helped me start to get a handle on palm blocking is the concept of keeping all strings muted until such time to hear a string(s), then mute again at the end of the note length. I don't know what the instructional resource authors say about that but it works for me. Still scratchin' my #ss over pick blocking.

One thing I don't do is anchor with my right pinky. Feels wrong. The downside to that is it seems I must be positioned just the right distance from the guitar or I'm missing plucks. Usually takes a phrase or two to settle in.

No teachers around these parts. Right Ben?

Good thread. Feel at home posting.

Our band is recording a demo next month. I'll share some of my playing with you all when we're done!

Antolina · From: Dunkirk NY

Chris Buchanan · From: Macomb, IL

Looks like the common themes are: find a teacher, practice A LOT, and play out asap. Same things I was thinking. I wanted to be a little familiar with the steel before starting lessons, I feel like I'm ready now. So that will be my next move. I've made a few calls to some of my freinds about playing out, so I've got that ball rolling. I'm lucky in that I have time to practice, it's a matter of self discipline to see to it that I do. So far I've been pretty good about it. I'm glad everyone's enjoying this thread as much as I am.
Brian-can't wait to hear that demo!
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GFI Ultra S-10, Nashville 112, stuff.

Joseph Meditz · From: Sierra Vista, AZ

Well, it's been two years since I first touched a steel and bought one. I spent a lot of time practicing, in fact more time than I ever spent on any other instrument, for almost the first year playing a handful of pieces inumerable (zillions!) times. Then I just stopped! Practicing was no longer fun. And so I put the axe in its case where it sat for almost a year. Then from within the its case, the steel called me with its siren song. I thought, OK, before I sell this thing let me get acquainted with it again. To my amazement I recovered my beginner's skill level in a few weeks and now I feel quite comfortable behind it. And even though I can only play a handful of tunes from Winnie Winston's book, gosh darnit, I feel like a steeler! I have also started taking lessons with Jim Palenscar and am enjoying playing more than ever.

Joe

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