Extreme Newby!

Ken Greene · From: Michigan, USA

Hey folks, I'm 54 yo, played guitar in a few bands, nothing great. Dabbled with other instruments; banjo, bass, dobro.
I just made a deal to get my first pedal steel. It's an MSA single neck that belonged to a musician whom I admire very much. I'm so excited, I can't stand it.
I've always loved the tone, the sound, the expressive quality of the pedal steel.
As a fairly mid-level guitar player, I wonder if the pedal steel might be biting off a bit more than I can chew, as it appears to be an instrument that would require great skill to play.
Ben Keith is a guy whose work I like. He played on Patsy Cline's "I fall to pieces" as well as other country hits, and is also known for his work with Neil Young. He played a simple, often single-string melodic style that I would like to learn more about.
Anyone who wants to have conversation or interact on these things, let me know.
Thanks for any suggestions and all input.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

First, get the steel tweaked by a qualified technician so that it's in perfect working order.

Second, either find a teacher, or get some courses. Many of us older guys learned from Winnie Winston and Bill Kieth's book from the 70s. Since then there have been many other good ones as well. Mickey Adams' video courses, Jeff Newman's material etc.

Third, attend a local steel show, and meet other steelers who can show you stuff.

And finally, as soon as possible, go out and play with other musicians. Maybe join a band.
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Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin

Larry Jamieson · From: Walton, NY USA

Ken,

You are ahead of the game beccause you have some
music background. You already know some theory which
you can apply to learning this new instrument. Find
a teacher if you can. Also, there are many free
lessons on the internet from folks like Mickey Adams.
When you get your guitar, see if you can find an experienced player to check it out and make sure
all the pedals and levers are working correctly and
in tune. Have fun!

Pete Nicholls · From: Macon, Georgia, USA

Ken, I hope this post will give you some encouragement that you can succeed! I have a few years on you and also consider myself a moderate guitar player, and I started playing pedal steel at the end of May. I have been documenting my progress at http://soundcloud.com/petenicholls/sets/pedal-steel/

My most recent tracks are at the bottom of the list. My approach was to study grips and chords and looking for the melodies in the chord positions, and it has done me quite well. I played my first steel show last weekend! I have learned enough that there is no turning back or giving up now. I can't get enough and have so much to learn and enjoy. I hope you also get to that point very soon. Keep us posted on your progress.
_________________
Justice The Judge SD-10, 2007
Justice Pro Lite SD-10, 2011
Quilter Steelaire
Quilter Labs Tone Block 202 Head
Roland Cube 80-XL
American Stratocaster - Yamaha Bass Guitar
1 Fender Telecaster Nashville Edition
Ham Call: N4BHB

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Ken, Welcome to the world of steel guitar. You will find we are one big family. Remember everyone starts at the bottom regardless of age. You have been given some good advice here but being a guitar player will help you as well. Once you get going you will find out about patterns and positions. I believe you will enjoy this more than playing guitar. The high 90% of steel players who play lead guitar prefer playing steel more. Getting with a band and other musicians is a big help when learning. After 33 years of playing myself I am still learning. Last but not least ask questions here on the forum. This is a great website and you will never find a better value for your dollar than what we have here in the Steel Guitar Forum.

Wesley Medlen · From: LaCygne,Ks

Ken I was a medocra guitar player and 6 string lap in major E. I bought an S10 with 3 pedals 4 knees my wife found a book in a music store from Scotty's in St Louis with a CD that helped me greatly. That was 71/2 yrs ago I practiced about 25 hrs a week using cd's to play with as I learned. Once you get started it's like heroin to a dope addict YOU ARE HOOKED good luck Wes
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Justice S10 Jr, Gibson Electra 6string, Boss Katana 100, Steelers Choice ,Gretsch 6 string lap, Hilton VP

Ken Greene · From: Michigan, USA

Great suggestions and encouragement - many thanks to all those responding. I still don't have the instrument in my hands yet, but should be here any day. I'll keep posting and and asking questions if you all are willing to share. Thanks again.

Ken

Bud Angelotti · From: Larryville, NJ, USA

Ray McCarthy · From: New Hampshire, USA

Not to throw a wrench into this, but there will be major frustrations at times. Work through them and they will dissipate, and you'll suddenly be a better player than yesterday. I started at around 50 on a Fender student model and the Winston book, and there were times I couldn't do anything right and had to take breather for a day or two. But those days are long gone and I play in a band now, and I was recently approached about doing a part on a record.
It's a love affair, thorns and all. Have at it Exclamation

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Willkommen. Bienvenue. Welcome. C'mon in.

When you get it,,, first time you sit behind it, forget about the first two strings for a little while. As someone who already plays guitar, note that strings 4,5,6,7 played open, are the same as an C chord barred at the 4th fret on 6 string, an E chord. Press the A pedal, and you have C#m at the 4th fret, 6-string guitar. Add the B pedal, and you have the common 5th fret, 6-string A chord. Proceed from there at your own risk.

Jim Curtain · From: Phoenix,Arizona, USA

Practice, practice, practice......Then it's time to practice!

Wally Taylor · From: Hardin, Kentucky, USA

Welcome to the Brotherhood, Ken and prepare yourself for a delightful ride. Plenty of help if ya need it here on the Forum.

Ken Greene · From: Michigan, USA

I"m struck by the tremendous warmth and and upbeat inclusiveness from the steel guitar community - which I am slowly becoming acquainted with. Thanks to all for the responses and encouragement.
Here's an update:

Since this post, I was finally able to get my hands on the MSA guitar and seal up the deal. A few days ago, I cleaned it up, changed strings, lubricated mechanical parts, made adjustments, tuned it up, and had my first lesson! What a kick! This is a fascinating instrument with a very cool, seductive sound. I'm sure I'll have lots more "newbie" questions in the future, and I hope to hear from all of you nice folks again.

I'm going to try uploading a photo of my dear friend (and local music hero) Bobby Lewis helping tune up my new instrument, which he purchased new in the mid-70s and just sold to me at a very fair price.

Sam Conomo · From: Queensland, Australia

hi ken,
you are so lucky to have played guitar,just
slowly put some of what you know about chords and inversions onto the steel.Try get a good grounding in where all your triads fall across the neck and along the neck,ya going to need this all da time.
work hard and enjoy.
sam.

Sam White R.I.P. · From: Coventry, RI 02816

Hi Ken welcome aboard. You are lucky you played six string Guitar. I started from scratch with no kind of Instrument experiance at all. I have been playing about 14 years and I'm not that good at all but I can play enought to save myself.It was a long hard road for me .I have friends that play steel now that played 2 String Guitar and it only took them a sort time to get going better than I am on the steel.Don't do like I did I quit and sold some nice steels in the past but never again will I do that.I have a beautiful Steel Guitar That my two friends Ray Walker who passed away and Jack Palmer built and done a beautiful job building.
Sam White
_________________
Dynalap lap 8 String Lap Steel Fender frontman 25B speaker changed Boss TU-12H Tuner.Founder and supporter of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association Founder of the New England Steel Guitar Association and the Greeneville TN Steel Jams and now founder of the North Carolina Steel Guitar Jams. Honorary member of the Rhode Island Steel Guitar Association,Member of The New England Steel Guitar Association.
Member of the Florida Steel Guitar Club,and member of Mid Atlantic Steel Guitar Association

Mickey Adams · From: Bandera Texas

Another welcome to Ken!!....Looks like youve got a good head start!!..

www.youtube.com/singlpilot
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ARTIST RELATIONS: MSA GUITARS
2017 MSA LEGEND XL D10, S10, Studio Pro S12 EXE9
Mullen G2, Rittenberry S10, Infinity D10, Zumsteel 8+9
Anderson, Buscarino, Fender, Roman Guitars, Sarno Octal, Revelation Preamps, BJS BARS, Lots of Blackface Fenders!

Jonathan Shacklock · From: London, UK

Hi Ken, I've recently been playing some of the Ben Keith parts in a Neil Young tribute band, I think he is a great role model to have for a beginner. As you know, what he played on those records is often the most simple, elegant, memorable line imaginable. Any beginner ought to be able to play the repeated gliss from the chorus of Old Man for example. It will tale a little more work to replicate the pedal movement and tone that make such a simple lick come alive. These subtleties are the things that may take years to master but are ultimately worth the effort.

Have fun and stick with it!

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