New Pedal Steel Player

Wade Wilbur · From: West Virginia, USA

Thanks to a lot of good advice on this forum I purchased a Derby SD10 from Jim Palenscar and it should arrive today. Jim really impressed me with his low key approach and willingness to talk about Pedal Steels I saw on the web.

I've played Bass, guitar and keyboards for about 50 years, although bass was my major instrument until about 25 years ago. I was a music major in college and played in the Peabody Symphony Orchestra before heading to North Carolina School of the Arts, so I have a strong theory background.

Anyway, the plan is Jim will give me lessons to start out, he recommended the Winnie Winston book. I'm looking at the Paul Franklin Method, but I thought that lessons with a teacher would probably a better way to get started.

Any advice would always be appreciated. I have pretty realistic expectations. If I can accompany tunes and do some simple solos I'll be happy.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Lucky me, I live within driving distance of Jim's shop and can go there whenever I want. Very Happy

I also recommend Winnie Winston's book. I am one of many players who learned from it.
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Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

I would suggest getting a Mel Bay E9th Steel Guitar Chord Chart. b0b has them in the Forum Store. Click INSTRUCTIONS top of page and go to page 4. Shows all Major, Minor, 7th, Diminished and Augmented chords.

This chart allows you to transpose your guitar and music knowledge right to the Steel Guitar Neck.
Best $7.00 you can invest.

Where do you live in WV.
I live in Fairmont area.
Good Luck in this adventure. bj

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Wade, I'm also an ex-bass-player with symphony experience, although just playing bass is a pretty good grounding in itself. People who come from a purely guitar background don't always have enough theory, but you should find pedal steel fascinating rather than daunting. Welcome aboard!
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Andrew Goulet · Posted 19 Mar 2021 4:42 am

Welcome! It sounds like you've got the theory, band dynamics, and composition knowledge down. The challenge might lie in the technique, such as blocking, smooth pedaling (such as when you keep one note the same while moving the bar by pressing/releasing a pedal or lever), and so on. Blocking is one of the most important, I think.

Once you get the hang of the basic A B C, E F moves and see how they give you access to the most common chords you'll need, you'll be off to the races and playing songs in no time. I think having that extensive background in music and theory is extremely helpful when you're learning pedal steel. I learned my working knowledge of theory FROM learning pedal steel, so it slowed me down. It still does ðŸ˜

I learned from the Winnie Winston book too, and it was great.
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Wade Wilbur · From: West Virginia, USA

Andy Henriksen · From: Michigan, USA

I'm a relative PSG newbie (a few years), but I never took to the Winston book. I find that it moved from Beginner lessons to Intermediate/Advanced lessons way too quickly.

I also feel that it omits some information that would have help a beginner understand why they are doing what they are doing. For example (if I recall correctly - I don't have the book with me) some of the TABs don't have the chords noted, or any rhythm notation, so it was hard to follow along, not knowing, e.g., what's a full beat bend and what's a quick pedal squeeze. Of course, lots can be learned by careful analysis of all that and writing the missing pieces into the book, but I would argue that's not a great use of time for a beginner.

All just my humble opinion. Many great players endorse the book, so...

Anyway, I am now on year two of the full PFM, and it's worth the price, in my opinion. That said, the Foundations Course is great, too, and would likely keep you busy for a year or more.

John Spaulding · From: Wisconsin, USA

Welcome to the pedal steel, Wade! In-person lessons are great and we're glad to hear you are considering getting into the Method.

As a musician and beginner to the instrument, what you probably need to learn are the mechanics of the psg playing techniques and where everything is found on the guitar. You already know where to find what you need on bass, keys and standard guitar. You can find all of that info on the pedal steel in Paul's complete Method, and also in his beginner course, Foundations: E9 Pedal Steel Guitar Basics.

He teaches musicianship on the pedal steel, beginning by having you memorize the tuning in intervals. Your previous experience will likely affirm the value of that approach. "Learn where everything is and you can systematically find whatever you want".

Check out the link above for a full syllabus and FAQ.

Joe Krumel · From: Hermitage, Tn.

Hi Wade. welcome to the wild world of pedal steel. I started with Winnie W. book many years ago. What a great book. Enjoy the learning process/curve. don't compare your playing to others. Enjoy the journey. keep us posted. Joe.

Gene Tani · From: Pac NW

Congrats on the steel. Derby's are great, Pali makes them even greater. Sometime soon I'm going to test the theory that Emmons LG parts can go on a Derby, probably by shipping to JimP.

The Winston book is a great source of info, worth reading but when I looked at the 3rd or so tab, last year, it was pretty advanced stuff already, lots of limbs flying all over the place. So I started with Skype lessons from John McClung (actually I had 2 in person lessons before the pandemic) and other people recommend the series that Paul Franklin and Travis Toy have done.
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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I echo Andy's reservations about the Winston book, as it gets too tough too quick, but as a book about the instrument it's still a must-have.
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Tucker Jackson · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

What Ian and Gene and Andy said about the tab: The Winnie Winston book is awesome. Everything you need is in there (somewhere), but even Winnie himself said on the Forum years ago that tab was too difficult for a beginner. Who am I to argue with the man? Plus, he's right.

Here's my Top 3 recommendations:

1) A one-on-one with a live player who can watch you and correct problems from the beginning. This could be a Skype/Zoom teacher too like John McClung... the important thing is that they know how to teach. At the very least, you need at least one hang with an experienced player in your area to make sure you are, say, sitting centered around the 15th fret, and other things that are not obvious to newbies:

"Yes, those pedals and knee levers are adjustable; let's adjust them.... after we get you a much taller seat."
No, you're wearing the picks backwards. They're not claws."
"It sounds bad because your A-pedal is not all the way down."
You'll want to keep your fingers down on the strings behind the bar."
"Did you know that most PSG players don't tune the contraption straight-up to zero on the meter? Here, try B0b's excellent tuning chart: https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=334580
"See? Now it sounds sweet, like a pedal steel should."
And all those kinds of issues that only another person watching and listening to you play can spot and correct.

2) Paul Franklin's Foundation course. This appears to be the Gold Standard in instruction, at least instruction that isn't one-and-one with a pro. But it is Paul Franklin in those videos and he knows a thing or two.

3) If your budget doesn't allow the Franklin course, a book/audio course, like Mel Bay's Deluxe Pedal Steel Method is good. It's similar to the Winnie Winston book, but the tab is geared for beginners and the way it's organized and presents new material is well done. You can get it from the Forum store:
https://www.steelguitarshopper.com/mel-bays-deluxe-pedal-steel-guitar-method/

.

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

I also like the Mel Bay book - it's a proper progressive tutor.
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Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
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John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Wade, is Palenscar teaching now by Skype? Great player and teacher, and he did all my tech work when I lived in Southern California. I'm doing the same thing, with an emphasis on getting music fundamentals in place, especially the Nashville number system way of thinking, and plenty of ear training, in addition to figuring out what to do on pedal steel guitar.

Derby is a great choice, by the way.

For an intro book, I think one of the best is "First Lessons: Pedal Steel" (published by Mel Bay) by my friend Jay Leach. For the price of jus $16.99, you get great tab, plus a CD, PLUS a DVD. Talk about bang for your buck!

Winston's book is great, but like Dewitt Scott's Anthology of pedal steel guitar, jumps around at various levels, not very logical or progressive. Both make for excellent reference material, and belong in any steel players library.

All best,
John McClung
Pedal Steel Lessons, Casuals, Sessions
Olympia, WA 98512
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Cell & text: 310-480-0717
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Wade Wilbur · From: West Virginia, USA

Wade Wilbur · From: West Virginia, USA

Thanks to everyone who responded. I appreciate your taking the time to help a newcomer out with some great advice!

Joe Krumel · From: Hermitage, Tn.

You're quite welcome! Keep us all posted on the details. I forgot about Scotty's mel bay book. Both winnie winston and dewitt scott's book are must haves. IMHO.

Josh Moss · From: Florida, USA

A lot of great info on here already, but I'd like to throw in Jeff Newman's instructional videos, as well. The "Up From The Top" series is great.
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Allen Merrell · From: Georgia, USA

I will agree with Josh. The Jeff Newman "up from the top" series are VERY good. If you follow his videos and backing tracks you will be making progress faster than you think. If you subscribe to the Jeffran site you will get emails often for 50% off which is a big help as some of there are not cheap but his teaching if top notch. The Paul Franklin Fundamentals is in my opinion is a must you will be learning from one of the BEST steel players who is still with us.
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