Youngsters and Steel Guitar

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

My 13yr old grandson lives in Austin and I'm an hour away in San Antonio. A couple of months I fixed up a lap steel for him. He's showed some interest but not enough to sit down and work with me. He was here this week-end and was talking non-stop about the guitar. It turns out on of his 13 year old buddies has a "30 some string" guitar. The friends is trying to learn. It was really good to know this is something drawing interest of the average (we love rock-n-roll)crowd. I played him a couple steel cd's and he thought that was pretty cool. I sometimes think kids take for granted the wonders of steel when they are around it all the time. Sometime it takes a friend to boost that interest. I have some of my mom's old Ohau books she taught with- He can read music so maybe it will help. I hope things like this keep this great instrument alive.

Mark Edwards · From: Weatherford,Texas, USA

Roger - I assume you are a steel or lap player too, this can also be a plus in keeping their interest by leading by example. I remember my Grandfather playing acoustic guitar and at age 13 I was not interested, even though I had my first guitar at age 12 it sat in the closet and gathered dust. My grandfather kept on playing throughout the years, when I turned 15, and all my buddy's were playing guitar, then all of a sudden I wanted to learn more. I of course remembering all those times grandad would sit on the front porch and play, I knew who to go to, not only did I learn to play, those were some of the best times of my life watching my grandfather help me position my fingers on the frets, and encouraging me to keep on practicing.

Today those lessons even though he is gone, remind me when I started playing the steel guitar are with me, and as I sit and become frustrated at what I'm trying to learn, I can still hear my grandfather in the background telling me don't give up, you'll get it with enough practice

So in my own opinion, lead that boy by example he will always remember these days, and talk about them when he is our age. Good luck.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

here is my (perhaps not so popular) opinion

Kids like what they like. They resist adults' efforts to change their preferences.

If they have no interest in music made more than five or ten years ago in any musical style other than rock or pop, trying to get them to listen to old country (or even NEW COUNTRY) or western swing will not work -- UNLESS it's THEIR IDEA. There are a few teenagers who think old stuff is cool but they are usually WAAAAAAY in the minority. Most just like what everyone else likes.

If I wanted to cultivate an interest in steel guitar for a 13 year old I would buy a couple of Robert Randolph CD's and explain that a lot of players have played music that is very similar to blues and rock on lap and pedal steel. He will probably be much more receptive to that music than anything country or western. Get him a small amp -- cheapo single 8 or single 10 -- and let him use the natural distortion of the amp to play with settings for the lap steel. He will relate to that distorted rock/blues guitar tone much more than to a clean pedal steel tone. Once you have kindled the interest he may be persuaded to listen to other stuff -- maybe even country/western.

There is a lot of steel in a lot of different styles of music -- pop, alternative, even some blues and jazz -- that will attract a kid whose taste is more rock oriented than country oriented.

Trying to cram a new instrument AND a style of music the kid doesn't identify with down his throat may be just too much. I wish you the best of luck -- just don't push too hard or he'll push away.

JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

Millions of homes have pianos sitting idle after the kids have taken a year or two.
No child has been hurt by a few music lessons.
We offer kids the opportunities we can, and let them take it from there.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I started loving the steel guitar when I was nine years old and I've always loved country music. I first loved the guitar, but when I turned nine years old, I started loving the steel guitar after my aunt told me what a steel guitar was. Having cerebral palsy, I strummed a guitar with my right hand and played keyboards by ear with my right hand, but I couldn't get a good country sound on the keyboard, so that's when I decided I wanted to play the steel guitar. I started playing the steel guitar in 1999 when I was eighteen, and I've been playing it ever since and I will not stop! I've been a steel player for six years now, and I'll be playing steel all my life. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

Larry,

You're absolutely right. You cannot force a music style or instrument on a kid. He came to me for guidance and seems to be ready to work a little at it. I had already fixed him up a 6 string Fender lap steel and a small amp.

Rodney Garrison · From: Montague County , Texas (deceased)

CHICKS DIG GUITAR PLAYERS ! ! !
CHICKS DIG GUITAR PLAYERS ! ! !

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Rodney,if that's true,why does the D##n drummer always leaves with the girl at the end of the night?

Dana Stewart · From: Kansas, USA

My two cents is not worth anything, but I will tell of my experience anyway. I am the mother of two young boys, one 11 and one 8. My father plays the steel guitar, my mother plays the bass and the piano, and sings(I got none of the talent in this family). My 11 year old started getting on my dad's lap behind the steel guitar at age three, by age six he played his first steel guitar show and has never stopped since. My 8 year old has had the same oppertunity, but never showed interest. He loves the old Hee Haw shows and old country music, but still shows no interest in playing a guitar. So, in my experience, the child either loves it and will take charge and do it, or he doesn't and that is fine as well. I expect my little one, will take more interest as he gets older, but if he doesn't, we will support whatever it is he decides to do. Right now, he is just enjoying being a kid. I enjoy watching my children just be children. People always ask me how we keep my older boy interested in the steel. I don't think I am believed when I say we don't. He has his own interest, we can't force that. Here at home, he is just a kid playing in the mud and going fishing. I think it's important that he gets to forget guitars here and get out and do other things.

Dana

Fred Justice · From: Mesa, Arizona

Dana, very well said and I admire you for speaking up about your boys, and I want to tell you (off subject a little) you and your entire family are among some of my favorite people on this whole earth!!!

------------------
Fred Justice,
Fred's Music www.fredjusticemusic.com
Rains Steel Guitars

JAMES BANKS · From: Mineola,TX USA

This an interesting topic. My 5 yr old grandson wants me to teach him to play steel. He wanted me to teach him last Saturday. I told him I was really busy and we would work on it later. He got upset, he wanted to learn and he wanted it now. I told him it would take more than one day to play any instrument. He did not like that answer. He is definately interested in steel guitar. I am thinking of geting him a lap steel and getting him started on Joe Wrights right hand dvd.
James

Dana Stewart · From: Kansas, USA

Thanks Fred. We have enjoyed getting to know you & Brenda the last few years. You guys are great and lots of fun!

Dana

Jerry Lee Newberry · From: Prim, AR USA

James, You can't go wrong with Joe Wrights material. It has helped a lot in our house. After Austin showed an interest, Jerry sat up 2 steels. Jerry would be playing along with a CD and Austin would be sitting at the other steel making ALL kinds on noise. I don't really know how Jerry did it, but after a while what Austin was doing started making more and more sense and it has just grown from there. Them playing steel together has really made a difference in our lives. We have one granddaughter that is taking piano lessons. The other 2 grandkids don't play anything yet, but maybe they will later. They are still young yet. If not then that is ok too. Donna

JAMES BANKS · From: Mineola,TX USA

Hi Donna, I guess if the other grandkids aren't musically inclined, you can teach them to fish for the big fish. I have 2 granddaughters and they are into tournament softball although the younge one really likes to sing. I agree, those Joe Wright videos are great.
James

Jerry Lee Newberry · From: Prim, AR USA

James, The way my fishing has been going this year I couldn't teach anyone anything!!!!!!!! The other 2 have shown some interest, just haven't done anything about it yet. They still have time. Donna

John McGann · From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.

quote:
CHICKS DIG GUITAR PLAYERS ! ! !
CHICKS DIG GUITAR PLAYERS ! ! !

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

My grandson dosen't seem to have a problem attracting chicks so maybe he will be ok with steel.

I had to do the bait and switch routine with my wife. The night we met I was playing bass but the next week she found out I also liked to play that "whinny" thing she heard on her moms' hillbilly records.

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

I did a gig last nite in Wilmington DE. There were a couple of events going on at the same time, the Greek Festival, the last nite of the CLifford Brown Jazz Fest, and a huge rap concert a block away at the Grand Opera House. The city and especially the hotel was crawling with rappers and wanna-be gangstas. We did our usual chicago style blues jam, but a bit louder than usual. WE just flat ripped it up .. 2 guitars, bass , drums and me on pedal steel. I could not believe how well it went. They actually knew what it was I was sitting behind and playing. (THANK YOU ROBERT RANDOLPH!)
It was the biggest and best crowd since we moved here 8 weeks ago. We also had a couple people sit in and sing a tune or two. We played for about 2 1/2 hours straight, all tunes we never played together before. After the long set, at least 6 young people, black and white, came up to me to say what a great performance they had seen and how much they liked what I played and how good it sounded. (Thanks again RR, but they never mentioned your name

)
A knocked out pretty blonde in her late thirties even tried to pick me up, she sent me a drink and smiled a lot, so I went up to thank her. (no further details available.

)

[This message was edited by Bo Borland on 09 June 2006 at 10:34 AM.]

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

go Bo!!!

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Jody Cameron · From: Angleton, TX,, USA

Roger, that is very cool!

My wife and I do a jazz education program geared toward elementary age children. She was a music teacher for 10 yrs. before we had our baby and she quit. Now we go into the schools and show them the steel, sax and flute demonstrated against Abersold tracks. It's a ton of fun, and the kids are really fascinated with the steel.

Thanks for the post.

JC

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

Hey Jody,

Our fiddle player,Richard Helsley,is a school music teacher. I did a school presentation with him to an auditorium full of young musicians. It was a lot of fun.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I give lessons whenever i can fit them in.

Maybe half of my students are 30 years up and coming to steel, lap or dobro after some time spent on guitar, or sometimes just having wanted to play steel for years.

The other half are younger kids who have a burning passion to get into steel, many wanting to add it into the mix of already existing bands. Some have been turned on by Robert Randolph, but more and more are fired up by old Bakersfield or 70's Nashville stuff. The newer "Alt-Country" bands are drawing a lot of inspiration there.

It looks like a very healthy time for Steel around here.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Dana Stewart, I really like your attitude toward parenting.

Would you like to adopt me?

------------------
My web site

Dana Stewart · From: Kansas, USA

Thank Mike, but I think two boys is enough for me. LOL

I always thought I wanted a house full of kids. Once I got a couple, I decided they cost too much. Especially when one decides to play the steel guitar. Thank goodness for Grandpa.

Roy Rosetta · From: Nederland, Texas.. On the Texas Gulf Coast

We love ya Dana. As a matter of fact we love all of the Stewart / Newberry families.
We agree with Mike, your style of parenting is a class act. All one has to do is be around your boys for just a while to admire their behavior and politeness towards those of us who are not so "young" anymore.
As a matter of fact, Austin loaded all my equipment into my Yukon after the show in Indianapolis. Sure took a load off me.
It goes without saying what a great job Jerry and Donna have done helping you and your husband with the boys. Like I said before, the Stewart / Newberry families are at the top of our list, and Barbara and I are proud to call you our friends.
Our best to you and yours and say "hello" to Jerry and Donna for us.
...Roy and Barbara

------------------
Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy

[This message was edited by Roy Rosetta on 14 June 2006 at 07:45 AM.]

Forum Index > Steel Players	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic