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Topic: New here with a question |
Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2011 8:05 pm |
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| I did not know this forum existed but I am glad I found it. I have just started learning to play a guitar and really don't like it too much. I've always wanted to learn to play a pedal steel. I've only had 10 guitar lessons and today I signed up to take a few pedal steel lessons and I am very excited. Is it possible to learn to play a steel without knowing how to play ant other instrument? Am I going about wanting to learn the wrong way by not following through with a guitar first? I will get to use a pedal steel in the shop for a few lessons but if I like it and see that my mind is made up to learn, I will buy a decent pedal steel to get me by. Any suggestions or helpful comments? I am as green as anybody could be when it comes to playing an instrument. Thanks for reading and I look forward to learning from here and hopefully being able to give back in years to come. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 28 Sep 2011 8:22 pm
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Welcome aboard, Clinton, there are lots of good folks here who will galdly help you with any issues that may come up.
As for your learning path, it matters not whether you play another instrument, but an understanding of music theory and chordal relationships will become essential as you learn to play the pedal steel. On the other hand, as you learn to play the pedal steel, the opportunity will present to learn music threory and chordal relationships "on the job" as it were, so pay attention to the surprises as best you can and hang on for the ride! |
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Bobby Boggs
From:
Upstate SC.
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Posted 28 Sep 2011 8:44 pm
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I choose steel only because trying to fret a guitar hurt my tender young fingers. 
Sometimes I wonder if I took the right path?  Seriously, if your hearts not in guitar? No use wasting your time. You'll never be very good at any instrument if your heart's not in it.
bb |
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Aaron Fay
From:
Alberta, Canada
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Posted 28 Sep 2011 8:49 pm
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I'm brand new here as well but let me offer my opinion: if you have a basic understanding of music it doesn't matter what instrument you play it's going to make your life a lot easier. It just turns out that the steel guitar is such an easy instrument to fall in love with. I have put together a short video called "everything you need to know about music" and I suggest that you watch it, it will give you a better understanding of your instrument regardless of which one you choose to pursue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kjc4tKFnDA
Feedback and corrections are welcome, enjoy.
Aaron |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 29 Sep 2011 12:09 am Re: New here with a question
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| Clinton Damron wrote: |
| ...Is it possible to learn to play a steel without knowing how to play any other instrument? ... |
I was initially curious about this too, and posted this poll on what instrument folks started out on first, before they played steel. Overwhelmingly, most steel guitarists did start on guitar, and very few (only 2%) started on steel as their first instrument.
Not to discourage you, but the steel guitar is a complicated instrument, and a musical background of some sort will certainly help, but it is not a requirement. Its been done before, and it is possible. 
Clete |
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Ken Metcalf
From:
San Antonio Texas USA
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Posted 29 Sep 2011 4:15 am
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Go to a steel club and check it out first hand.
What part of Texas?
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes |
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Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 29 Sep 2011 4:52 am
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| Ken Metcalf wrote: |
Go to a steel club and check it out first hand.
What part of Texas? |
I live in Cleburne and will be taking lessons from Lambs music in Ft Worth. |
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Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 29 Sep 2011 5:06 am
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| Aaron Fay wrote: |
I'm brand new here as well but let me offer my opinion: if you have a basic understanding of music it doesn't matter what instrument you play it's going to make your life a lot easier. It just turns out that the steel guitar is such an easy instrument to fall in love with. I have put together a short video called "everything you need to know about music" and I suggest that you watch it, it will give you a better understanding of your instrument regardless of which one you choose to pursue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kjc4tKFnDA
Feedback and corrections are welcome, enjoy.
Aaron |
Thanks for the link. I may have learned something |
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Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2011 7:07 pm
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| First lesson was today. I am hooked. It all feels so natural and everything fell into place. I'll be buying a pedal steel now and sell my fender strat and amps to help fund my new adventure. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 5 Oct 2011 7:13 pm
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Yep, you're a goner now for sure. I know Tejas is a big place, but there are lots and lots of great steel players there....probably some right around the corner from you. Try to hook up with as many of them as possible and bug them for tips etc. Your instructor can probably hit you with several leads as well.
Welcome aboard and smooth sailing. |
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Jack Willis
From:
California, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2011 7:19 pm PSG first guitar...
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My first instrument was trumpet, then tuba...years ago. 6 string guitar took a toll on my fingers. Always was intrigued with PSG so 2 years ago I started studying music theory on my own and eventually bought an SD-10. I practiced everyday for at least 1.5 hours. It just clicked with me and overtime alot of things fell into place. The thought of playing a 6 string guitar now hurts my brain and fingers. I told myself I would not move on to a professional level guitar until I obtained a level of comfort with my playing and knowledge. Well, next week I a driving down to Santa Monica to meet Mickey Adams who is delivering my new (new to me) Mullen pre RP guitar that he has done his mighty magic on. So, set some goals, practice and don't get discouraged.
_________________
Mullen SD10 pre RP, Milkman 40w mini steel, Wet reverb mono, Profex II, Yamaha keyboard, lots of books about music theory and PSG. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 5 Oct 2011 9:04 pm
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| Woohoo, Clinton, you're on board now, and as a well-respected steeler once pointed out, "if you keep picking that thing it'll never heal!" |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 6 Oct 2011 9:52 am
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| Quote: |
Yep, you're a goner now for sure. I know Tejas is a big place, but there are lots and lots of great steel players there....probably some right around the corner from you. Try to hook up with as many of them as possible and bug them for tips etc. Your instructor can probably hit you with several leads as well.
Welcome aboard and smooth sailing. |
In fact, your instructor may be one of those.
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 6 Oct 2011 4:24 pm
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Clinton, you'll love playin' pedal steel. I've got cerebral palsy in my left hand and I played keyboards by ear with one hand for about five years, and at that time I was just gettin' interested in playin' steel guitar. The pedal steel guitar is a wonderful instrument to play, and the more you play it, the more you'll love it! I started playin' steel guitar not only because of cerebral palsy in my left hand, but also because I love country music. Steel guitar shows and conventions can raise your enthusiasm and interest in the steel guitar in the blink of an eye.
Brett |
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Lynn Fargo
From:
Fort Edward, NY
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Posted 6 Oct 2011 8:49 pm
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Just my opinion, but I think if any other instrument would help you with steel, it would be keyboards, because that's where all the theory is in "black and white." Wish I had learned keyboard and theory before I learned steel, but it's never too late. There are some steel courses out there that teach theory and its relation to the steel guitar that are very good. I've picked up a book on theory and a little keyboard to help me, also. You don't necessarily have to learn to read music, but I found it helps if you know WHY you're playing certain chords, notes and scales. If you're trying to replicate something you've heard on a recording, you'll have a background and an idea of where to find it. Playing by ear or tab is great, but with a little theory thrown in, it's sort of like having a road map to go with it. Hope this helps.
From a has-been and hope to be again steel player. |
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Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 9 Oct 2011 8:16 am
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| Lynn Fargo wrote: |
Just my opinion, but I think if any other instrument would help you with steel, it would be keyboards, because that's where all the theory is in "black and white." Wish I had learned keyboard and theory before I learned steel, but it's never too late. There are some steel courses out there that teach theory and its relation to the steel guitar that are very good. I've picked up a book on theory and a little keyboard to help me, also. You don't necessarily have to learn to read music, but I found it helps if you know WHY you're playing certain chords, notes and scales. If you're trying to replicate something you've heard on a recording, you'll have a background and an idea of where to find it. Playing by ear or tab is great, but with a little theory thrown in, it's sort of like having a road map to go with it. Hope this helps.
From a has-been and hope to be again steel player. |
I'm being taught some theory to go with it. My biggest problem is I need to find a pedal steel so I can practice here at the house. I have a couple I'm watching on ebay. I'm hoping to get into one that my instructor is trading for, it's a Rains. We'll see. |
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Lem Smith
From:
Long Beach, MS
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Posted 9 Oct 2011 10:18 pm
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Clinton, be very careful if purchasing a pedal steel from ebay. As I'm sure you know, a pedal steel is a complex mechanical instrument, and buying one sight-unseen can be a very risky proposition. Especially from a complete stranger. Unfortunately there are some very unscrupulous people in the world. Since you are new to the pedal steel, I would highly recommend you take a seasoned pedal steel player with you to look over any used steels before making a purchase.
If you do decide to buy one online, I'd recommend sticking with a reputable dealer or checking out the For Sale section here on this forum. |
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Jim Cooley
From:
The 'Ville, Texas, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2011 6:06 am
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Hey, Clinton,
You're a gonner (goner? gon-ner?) now, for sure. Anyway, you're pretty much ruined. Welcome to the forum. It is an invaluable source of help and information on anything related to steel guitars; there are so many great people here.
I'm in the Stephenville area. Maybe we can talk sometime.
-Jim- |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 10 Oct 2011 10:28 am
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I wasn't a musician when I started. I was a DRUMMER. (har har, bad joke)
_________________
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2011 11:14 am
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| +1 for buying from the Forum members....I've done two so far and couldn't be happier with them... |
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Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 6:41 pm
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| Jim Cooley wrote: |
Hey, Clinton,
You're a gonner (goner? gon-ner?) now, for sure. Anyway, you're pretty much ruined. Welcome to the forum. It is an invaluable source of help and information on anything related to steel guitars; there are so many great people here.
I'm in the Stephenville area. Maybe we can talk sometime.
-Jim- |
I'll have to look you up some time after deer season is over( my number 1 passion is archery hunting). I have a friend that lives in Bluff Dale and he used to play guitar on tour. He told one of the best to ever play a pedal steel lives a couple of miles from me but no one will go play with him. He's gotten so deaf he has the amp so loud you think straight   |
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Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 6:42 pm
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| Steve Lipsey wrote: |
| +1 for buying from the Forum members....I've done two so far and couldn't be happier with them... |
I keep looking in for sale section but I'm not ready to drop the coin most of them are going for |
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John Coffman
From:
Wharton,Texas USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2011 10:17 am
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I am a steel only guy too. I tried guitar and hated the frets and string wear. Never took any music lessons till I got my 1st steel in April 2005. Lambs music is a good place to start. He does some good repair work also. Best of luck and if you can Hook up with the steel clubs in Dallas and North Texas area. Ken has a good on in Austin and the SETSGA is held in Katy Tx (Houston area). I say steel all you can when you can.
_________________
ShowPro SD10, Mullens RP, Bose S1 Pro, GK MB200, MB500, Bugera T50 Tube amp with SlidgeRig, TC HOF reverb effect. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 12 Oct 2011 12:10 pm
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If you get a guitar off the net, you might wanna have your teacher or a forumite play it the day you get it. If there's problems, the seller might go along with a return.
I'd offer but I'm nowhere near Texas |
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Clinton Damron
From:
Cleburne Texas, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2011 3:11 pm
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| Lane Gray wrote: |
If you get a guitar off the net, you might wanna have your teacher or a forumite play it the day you get it. If there's problems, the seller might go along with a return.
I'd offer but I'm nowhere near Texas |
I was second highest bidder on a ShoBud Maverick on ebay and the top bidder backed out, so I trying to decide if I realy want that one or not. There was only one pic but the price is $510. I asked for more pics so maybe I'll get some before the time runs out tomorrow. |
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