Jeff Newman Courses

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Has anyone tried the "up from the top" classes from Jeff Newman? looks kinda cool but I am scared by the price. Any recommendations on his other stuff?
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Jonathan Shacklock · From: London, UK

Hi Steve, I would recommend the Up from the Top courses if you are looking to improve your pedal/lever/bar co-ordination while learning harmonized scales and some simple but effective fill-in licks from those scales. The thing I got out of the courses (and you really need all three) was being able to move laterally all over the neck while using the pedals and levers. It's kind of like learning to waltz! I really don't have to think too much about what my feet and knees are doing now, the instrument feels quite natural (I'm about 2 years in) compared to the awkwardness at the beginning. To me that was worth the money. Also by the time you've done all the practice neccesary to play along to all the tunes, you'll have a pretty good ear for the scales and a good understanding of 'position playing' although I can't remember if he uses that term for it.

Don't expect much in the way of theory, and the lessons go at a fairly slow pace – if you are already an experienced musician you may find that a little frustrating. The quality of the backing tracks is good so you shouldn't get bored with the practice. It's trad country stuff, Silver Wings, Another Bridge To Burn etc.

If you want to dip your toe in the water, Just Play The Melody is along similar lines but based around a different set of harmonised scales. It's centered on the Hank Williams tune A Mansion on The Hill. Unsurprisingly the emphasis is on playing the tune rather than fills.

You will want to have a basic grasp of right hand blocking technique before starting Up From The Top, so the Right Hand Alpha might be for you, but I haven't seen that particular class myself.

The packaging could do with a facelift and the DVD's don't have chapter markers, but those are superficial complaints. The courses were recorded in the 80's but I'd say they haven't dated too badly, the information is all valuable and Jeff was an excellent, engaging teacher.

Calvin Walley · From: colorado city colorado, USA

i think that for a rank beginer , it might be a bit confusing at first. to me at least it was not a good place to start, i needed to get a better grasp of the basics before a lot of it made sense ..could have been just me i guess
_________________
proud parent of a sailor

Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!

Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Im good at playing all the chords in one position, or playing a lot of riffs in one spot then moving to the next without much inbetween. The sound I like when I watch old school players and the 60's guts, seems to come from a lot of bar movement than. Thats what it looks like the courses teach, Sounds like that from Jonathan as well, thanks guys!
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

John Coffman · From: Wharton,Texas USA

I have found that there is a reason it costs so much. Because it is worth it. Not sure were you are in you skill set but coming from nothing it has helped me greatly. Invest in your future you can always sell the courses to another beginner later

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Sounds like good advice to me
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Brandon Ordoyne · From: Needville,Texas USA

Fran is a great person to deal with. I just ordered Up from The Top Parts 1 & 2. This is the first material I have ordered from her and I am planning to order more. Smile

Good Luck on your venture in this wonderful world of Steel Guitar! Smile

_________________
'74 Emmons D10 P/P 8x5,'15 Rittenberry D10 8x5, Peavey Nashville 112, 400 & 1000, Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master, Hilton, Goodrich L120, Boss DD-3 and RV-3

Jeff Coffell · From: Killeen Texas

Can't beat Jeff Newman's stuff. He was, and is "still" the greatest teacher of steel guitar. From the beginner to the pros. Just ask anyone who knew him and they'll agree with me.

Jeff C

Chris Sims · From: Middleburg,Florida, USA

Here's my view on the subject.
1. Yes, you should know basics before going with Up from the top.
Where I bought my steel the owner suggested as a beginner to try JEFF'S PEDAL STEEL 101 video and he especially recommended the RIGHT HAND ALPHA.
I just recently bought the Just Play The Melody, and Up From The Top A&B PEDALS (THE FIRST VIDEO).
If you are a very beginner then you need 101 it will teach you the proper right hand picking method that a lot of people don't use, but should be using, as well as basics of using the pedals, volume pedal, and bar technique. you will then learn the basic chord positions and melody patterns to the A chord and that they can be moved to become the patterns to any key you want. There is a song and rythm tracks to play with.
It was great for me i enjoyed it! It was better than the supposed 101 that came with my steel.

2. If you already have the basics, "the real basics", then The Right Hand Alpha basically shows you the proper Picking technique as 101 does, but a bit more detailed with a few more picking exercises that you will need if you aren't picking like a pro yet, use these to speed and improve your picking, it's worth the money!
3. With UP FROM THE TOP, the price is a bit too much yes, but everybody has their price. I wish this one was lower, $99 for that one, yet around $65 or so for most of the others.
I think this one should have been priced lower since it was part of a 3 part series.

4. You don't need all 3 to learn something. I haven't been completely thru it yet but have watched a curious few minutes or so. It is completely different from JUST PLAY THE MELODY IN WHAT IT TEACHES...But it basically shows and teaches the same scales or patterns you learn in "JUST PLAY...", the difference is you will learn more about these patterns and how to use them.
Jeff doesn't like to use the word scales it sounds "scary" they are called patterns. You will learn to use the A&B PEDALS if you are newer to playing and will learn more pattern work to play with.
5. JUST PLAY THE MELODY I am on now and have been thru it once, i think it is pretty awesome, supposedly once i learn this thoroughly, as the video says i should be able to find the melody to any song i want, and i believe it!
As well as play behind a band even without knowing the licks of the song just by knowing the key the band is in, and the "PROPER ROUTE THRU THE MELODY PATTERN" which he teaches, not by following or wandering around in the key the band is in like a lot of players might do if they don't know the song.
Sorry Jeff says a "lot of players," I don't mean to say everybody.
By the time you finish the UP FROM THE TOP series, and the other videos mentioned, you should be well enough along to feel out your own patterns, i am already inspired to put the groups together forming my own melodies.
Plus you'll be good enough to start band work.

Now i heard the poster above say there was not much in the way of theory...i don't know what true music theory is like this my first serious attempt at an instrument...but i thought this was the theory of the steel...If there are any better Theory videos please recommend.
Also, You do learn a lot about fills, even in Just Play The Melody. You learn where they go, You learn how the melody lines or patterns can be used for fills.
On pace I think the pace is just right for beginners, accomplished players should know most of this stuff and it would be boring.
Sometimes some length of the video is wasted because he plays the pattern 2 or 3 times, then goes into a song with the rythm track and the pattern but it gives you a chance to keep the video going and hear that phrase or pattern again as you try to pick it for the first time.

Steve the videos are worth the money...You'll be playing all over the fret board once you learn the patterns and chords in all positions.
It will give your playing a lot more "soul" and "feeling"

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

Thanks everyone!
lot of real good input. I am self taught so probably have a lot of bad habits, thats why I was thinking of seeing how I should be playing! Embarassed

What I really want to learn is how to use more bar movement. Watching the You tubes of Tom Brumely suprised me. He moves the bar more than I thought he did, which is what the up from the top appears to teach.I think I am gonna get a few of these from Jeffran.
_________________
GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Forum Index > Pedal Steel		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: