Looking for good instruction material?...enter Herb Steiner

Michael Dulin · From: Indiana, USA

I recently received some instruction from Herb.I can recommend it highly. Herb uses a format that generates playing properly with a band situation. Use of single, double,and 3-note grips in the right form to blend in and not clash with others is here. Ever work out tab at home in your 'woodshed' from someone thinking 'you got it down, sounds good' then when you play it with someone else...nope, not so good? Using the correct roadmaps of scale and pattern forms Herb directs you to the correct way to play melody oriented phrasing so can fit in well. Tracks of the song example followed by song being played without the steel are excellent for you to work with...plus a very fair price make Herbs instruction really great. If you've got a good foundation of the layout of your steel and looking where to go next..this is probably it. Thanks Herb! MD

Joe Gretz · From: Washington, DC, USA

Michael,

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been meaning to check out some of Herbs material for a while now, but at the moment I have my hands full with a few Jeff Newman courses!

Which of Herbs courses are you using, and which would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

Joe
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Dattebayo!!!

Jeremiah Wade · From: Bladenboro, NC

If you can get a lesson in person With Herb Steiner you should. I've been playing the pedal steel for less than three months. I've played C6/am7th lap steel for a few years. Herb uses the Socratic teaching method and really opened some things up in my mind. He also commented that my right hand technique was good (Thank you right hand alpha video by Jeff Newmann) but my entire left arm was to tense. He showed me how to relax and roll the bar properly. Little things only a good teacher (in person) can show you. It makes wish I had taken at least one lesson when I was first learning six sting 22 years ago. I learn best from books and always fooled myself into thinking that was enough. Cheers, I really love playing the PSG over all the other instruments I own. Herb really knows his theory, is a great picker, so one one would think all of his courses are worth owning.
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I'd rather be pickin'

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

Joe Gretz · From: Washington, DC, USA

Jeremiah,

Great points well taken about seeing a teacher in person. I am fortunate to be studying privately with Mr. Buddy Charleton. You are spot on about the things a great teacher can impart...no matter how good a book, audio or dvd course is, the one thing they will never be able to give you is feedback.

Despite having such a great teacher, I still like to get different perspectives. There is so much great stuff out there to take advantage of!

I've long admired Mr. Steiner not only for his musical contributions to our beloved instrument, but also for the advise, guidance and leadership he offers here on the forum, and hope to take advantage of some of his teaching material soon...

...but where to start? Cool

Joe
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Dattebayo!!!

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

Chris
Since I don't see an emoticon, I assume that you're asking a serious question, so I'll say that no, I'm not *sponsoring* anything written about me, pro OR con (and I have had a very occasional complaint), other than to ask that if a guy is happy with my material or learns something from me, I'd appreciate an honest comment to the Forum.

I don't even regularly "bump" my threads in the Lessons For Sale section all that often, though maybe I should more than I do. I still predominantly play live performances for my income, as I am a full-time (or try to be Smile

) musician. But as gigs wax and wane, the course material and lessons do help keep the pinto beans and collard greens on the stove.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Joe Gretz · From: Washington, DC, USA

Hi Mr. Steiner!

I've looked at some of you courses on your site, but I'm having trouble deciding where to start. I am interested in E9 material, and it may be a few weeks before I am ready to make a purchase. If you think it would be helpful I can list some of the Jeff Newman and other courses I've been working with.

Thanks for everything you've given to the forum! I've learned a LOT from your posts...one gem recently was what you said about centering the heel behind the A and B pedals! It may seem like a little thing, and perhaps obvious to many other steelers, but it was one of many eye openers I've gotten from you!

Thanks!!! Smile

Joe

P.S.: Pintos are GREAT, but I'm partial the frijoles negros! Mmmmm...
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Dattebayo!!!

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

Joe
If your teacher is Buddy Charleton, you are studying with one of the pre-eminent teachers of our instrument, as well as a legendary player. Second only to Jeff Newman, Buddy's private instruction has produced professional players on the level of Bruce Bouton, Pete Finney, Tommy Detamore, Bob Hoffnar, and other monsters. I personally would watch Buddy's hands and body posture on the old Ernest Tubb TV show during the 60's to learn the correct way to address the instrument, when I was just starting out.

I would also like to take this opportunity to talk about Jeff Newman. Jeff was a mentor to me, not that I ever took lessons from him (though I should have), but in that he dragged me reluctantly into producing instructional material, encouraged me every step of the way, and promoted my products even though I was actually a competitor of his business. Jeff was one of three men that changed my life's direction, the other two being Johnny Bush and Charlie Norris.

IMHO Jeff was one of the most important steel players ever, arguably as important as Jimmy Day or Buddy Emmons, though Jeff always disagreed with me about that. Buddy showed us all what can be done with a steel guitar, but Jeff created steel players. And that in turn created steel teachers. And that made the steel guitar world exponentially bigger than ever. Before Jeff, everyone in the business was trying to get a bigger piece of the pie; Jeff made the pie BIGGER!

Jeff became a dear, dear friend of mine. At the TSGA Jamboree just before the untimely accident that ended his life, Jeff came by my product table when Buddy Emmons was onstage. Jeff stared at all the products I had on my table and said "you've got a catalog now. I'm proud of you." Man, you could have knocked me over with a flat pick!

He came behind my table and we sat together and listened to Big E play. He pointed to the stage and said "that, right there is why this is all here," as he waved at the fully packed house. I told him I thought that Jerry Byrd, Bud Issacs, Jimmy Day, and even he had a lot to do with it, and he said "no, E9 steel guitar played by Buddy Emmons, that's the reason for all these people being here."

There's other very significant things I can say about how Jeff affected and benefitted my life, but I could go on for hours about it. So I'll save that for another time, since a huge number of Forumites have got their own stories about Jeff.

I'll end this tome with only this: God, I miss him.
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My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Joe Gretz · From: Washington, DC, USA

Thanks for the kind words about Buddy, I'll give him your best when I see him next. In addition to what you've said, I also feel compelled to add what a great human being he is. His presence is luminous!

I wish I could have had an opportunity to have met Jeff Newman. We all better for having known him directly or indirectly. I'm sorry for your personal loss of a great friend and mentor. You say that you were a competitor, but I think the term "colleague" may be more apt.

Back on topic: I think I'm leaning towards your "Shuffles, Ballads and Waltzes" course. Look for my order in the next few weeks, and I'll be sure to post my thoughts upon its arrival!

Thanks!

Joe
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Dattebayo!!!

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

Bill Lowe · From: Connecticut

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JCH D10, 71 D10 P/p fat back, Telonics TCA 500C--12-,Fender JBL Twin, Josh Swift signature.

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

I have learned a lot of the songs I play from Herb's courses, the right to the point ,
It don't take 10 pages for him to tell it like it is. Always good and well arreanged, and easy to read.ernie

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