i finally made it, gfi s 10 bought.....

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

after posting a topic a while back askin`you experts if it might be a good idea to get started with PSG at age 46 i got lots of encourageing replies.
so i got a nice used gfi s 10 all the way from canada.
after fooling around for two weeks i of course still have a hard time getting somewhere.
although i regard myself as an experienced guitar player and can pick some banjo it`s a tough job.

-left hand: intonation is poor
-right hand: don`t find the right strings
-left foot: hard to hit the pedals right
-right foot. don`t expect too much
-knee levers: which one`s for what?

i truely love the steel guitar for a long time but
when will i start to like my own playing?

bob Ousby · From: Nevada, USA

Norbert...I think you're ahead of me! I'm a newbie as well, age 57, and have an Excel S10. I've purchased some courses and make it a point to practice each day. I feel kind of intimidated being around the experts here but the Forum has provided me with a wealth of information. I recently inquired of the Forum owner to see if a new forum index could be added: Beginner's Corner. I feel that would bring more of us newbie's together and we could discuss our frustrations and limitations with the beast. Those more advanced could chime in and say: "I remember when I was at that point of frustration and here's what I did...". Feel free to email me at any time. And that goes for any other newbie. We'll figure this thing out!...Bob in Reno, NV

Chris Buchanan · From: Macomb, IL

Norbert-I'm just a few years younger than you and have been playing my GFI S-10 for 7 months now. I feel like I've finally found my calling. 30 years of guitar has taught me about theory and how to play a string instrument. It's still a difficult transition. Lots of bad habits to replace. I just got my DVD of Right Hand Alpha by Jeff Newman. Check out his website. I have no doubt his other material is top notch. Let's all get into good habits now. There's a wealth of learning material out there, so you can get it right from the start. You can do a search of past discussions on what is recommended. It's pretty consistant. And b0b has links to all the sites. The Carter site is also good. It explains the workings of the PSG.

I like the idea of a beginners corner, but you can always start a thread and folks wil be happy to chime in with good advice. I read as much as I can here and write down things of interest so as not to forget.

PS My biggest problems are with the footpedals and right hand technique. But I'm working on it. It was just in the last month or so I started feeling like I was playing musically on it, that I understood how it all fits together. Still have a lot to learn about playing it, though.
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Roger Francis · From: kokomo,Indiana, USA

It's great to see there's new steel players making the steel world bigger. Stick with it and don't let the steel play you.
Norbert, I've been playing over 30 years and i still don't like my playing Crying or Very sad

Matti Viitala · From: Etelä-Pohojammaa, Finland

Hey all! I'm 43 years young newbie.
I have had WBS Student S10 about a 1 year and every now and then i may hit the right note when my wifeys Casio keaboard plays a 3 chord song...

My frustation goes to the pedals and tuning.
How can i make pedals move less than now? A-pedal seems to make a longer journey than B-pedal.
And tuning.... it aint easy to find Peterson tuner here, in reasonable price. I just found this: http://www.aptuner.com/cgi-bin/aptuner/apmain.html
Anybody used it?
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Norbert Dengler · From: germany

you`re good folks, thanks for your replies so far.
it`s good to hear others experiences.
i think everybody has some periods of frustrations.
of course i`m too green to expect wonders.
the pedals are a critical point to me too, i broke my left leg skiing 30 years ago and the left foot is not as flexible as the right one especially for angle rotation.
i have to find out how to adjust the pedals and the right height of the chair.
i also realized that my comfortable home shoes don`t
allow accurate pedalling...
anyway i really love my new guitar, it sounds and looks great and i get my picks and steel bar as often as time allows.

Phil Halton · From: Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA

Hi Norbert,

In my opinion, you would do well to get the following videos from jeffran.com (Jeff Newman's website):

PSG Techniques
Right Hand Alpha

PSG Techniques will get you started on good Technique for the left & right hands including shaping and wearing the picks, as well as using the pedals/knees and the Volume pedal. Right Hand Alpha is an expanded hour of a shorter segment on the right hand technique from the PSG Techniques video. The right hand is so crucial to good playing that he broke it out into its own video.

In addition to basic technique, the PSG Technique video gets into some common major scale patterns and ends with a nice little song to learn including Intro, pads and runs (Fort Worth).
I found it useful to use both videos simultaineously, devoting some time every day to the material on the right hand alpha--but not burning out on it. You won't go wrong with this stuff, and you'll avoid picking up alot of bad habits that'll have to be broken later.

The materials a bit pricey, but well worth it if you're serious about learning to play. Just my humble opinion.

Brent Carithers · From: California, USA

I'm a beginner too, maybe a little bit ahead of you, but certainly no expert so take this as you will...

There's a *lot* to this instrument and its very easy to get overwhelmed with it all. I think the reason that I've been able to stick with it and make the progress that I have is that I've focused on taking one thing at a time.

Start with basic right and left hand technique. Definitely get Jeff Newman's Right Hand Alpha course and work through it. I'd also suggest getting Band In a Box to practice with as having some music to play along too ought to help your intonation.

Practice slowly and don't try to rush it.

Don't even worry about pedals or knee levers until you feel comfortable with basic technique. Then, get Jeff Newman's Up From the Top and Maurice Anderson's Missing Link.

I'm working through Up From the Top now and while I get overwhelmed thinking about how far I've have yet to go, I feel pretty good about the slow-but-steady progress I've made by focusing on fundamentals and building up from there.

I've barely scratched the surface of The Missing Link, but having read through it it seems like an excellent comprehensive course with probably a career's-worth of work. Just reading it made a lot of things click for me.

John Coffman · From: Wharton,Texas USA

Glad your loving your GFI and playing PSG. I started at age 41. With no musical training. So keep at it and get the best teaching material out there. Jeff Newman stuff is a great start. The other is to start out with some easy tabs and get the basic moves down. Have fun and keep at it and the skills will come.
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bob Ousby · From: Nevada, USA

Norbert... I've found great value in Joe Wright's DVD#6 (Beginner E9th Steel) and Jeff Newman's Pedal Steel Guitar 101. Also, Don Sulesky has an E9 PSG course with tabs/cd. On Don's cd, I've focused in on an old Elvis song: "I Can't Help Falling In Love". Since this is a melody that most everybody knows, it was fairly easy to pick up. Again, the people on this forum are great to learn from. I find the "Search" feature very helpful. Most questions that I come up with have been asked before. Now, my biggest temptation to "not practice" involves the changing weather. Spring is here, the Sierra lakes are thawing, and my 14' fishing boat is begging to go. However...practice, practice, practice!

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

thanks bob, i just can try to imagine how nice it is in nevada at this time of year.
i`ve been to the states many times but never in your state.
it`s a pleasure to meet you guys here!

Bob Mainwaring · From: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Hi there Norbert,Bob Here,

Glad that you're liking the G.F.I. and "sticking with it" as you're doing.
The Steel Guitar is a real back breaker in more ways than one but when you're "hooked" like a lot of people here on the forum, including myself, you'll come awake at night dreaming about them...believe me.

Yes it's strange to find out there are many steel pickers calling it quits these days. There are 5 pickers' in this neck-of-the-woods that have called it quits for one reason or another in just a matter of a few months sad to say, some of them had played for many many years.
It's always good to see/hear new pickers out there.

Like you've mentioned in our personal e-mails, you're not new to musical instruments as you're well into regular guitars and other stringed instruments with some of your friends in the music business which is always a big plus especially when you're looking for goodies to buy which will always be in your mind.

Did you manage to buy/build youself a seat yet plus did you get sorted out with volume & effects pedals?

The G.F.I. has a good following here on the forum with guys in the "know" always willing to help out their forum buddys.

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

matti...i'm not familiar with your steel, but look to see if there are: other holes on the bellcrank that the pull rod to the changer can be moved to to change the leverage on that pedal...or a different position at the changer end to change leverage.

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

hi bob, great to hear from you.
i also don`t understand people who quit playing music. a lot of times it seems to have to do with
wife- or other relationship trouble....
anyhow someone gives up his passion is propably not strong enough to fight the hardships.
i play music at home and on stage for more than 30 years and at age 46 i love music even better than ever before.
i`m glad to have the chance to take profit of the knowledge all the forum members.

i haven`t built a seat yet but will be soon.
let`s stay in touch bob.

Twayn Williams · From: Portland, OR

Bob Mainwaring · From: Qualicum Beach Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Hi there again Norbert,

Yes - these days, especially here on the Island, there are a lot of pickers like I said have called it quits.
Some of the guys have played for many years backing up their local singers and have had the luck/oportunity to go "gigging" every weekend, but as luck would have it, the gigs have got real quiet.
Luckily for me we're still doing our three weekend gigs and just loving it.
Health problems and the old problem of old age work against us all sad to say Sad

and being in your mid 40's is very good especially as your'e already into "twangin' " ......you'll have many years of playing your G.F.I. Cool

I'm sure.
Regarding the seat, if you e-mail me, I can give you some ideas of how you or your good friends back home could build one that would work out real handy.

All Z.B.est.

Bob.

William Fraser · From: New York, USA

Get a pair of comfortable hard soled moccasins. It helps to have room around the pedals, especially if you have big or wide feet,do you have "the Bible" Winnie Winston & Bill Kieth's book ? it is a must. Keep at it. Bill Cool

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Norbert Dengler · From: germany

thanks bill, i do have the bibe and it`s really useful although even the first tune "red river valley" is a tough one to me.
but i`ll hold on for sure!

Micky Byrne · From: United Kingdom (deceased)

Hi Norbert, Glad you've taken up pedal steel. Never concern yourself with the problems you mentioned, like left hand, right hand, feet etc. Even the great names of the pedal steel world were once in the same situation as yourself. I myself couldn't even hold the bar, I had to have a "ring" attachment added to it, but this was years ago. You will be suprised with how quick your co-ordination of hands, knees and feet....and accuracy will come together. All you need is as your early guitar playing days ... daily practice!! Good luck to you....by the way I played 2 weeks in Zurich once...lovely place, lovely country Smile

Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.micky-byrne.co.uk

Norbert Dengler · From: germany

hi micky after reading your story of health troubles i`m really glad you`re alive.
first because you must be a nice guy, second because you play a wonderful steel guitar.
thanks for your encouraging words, i`ll keep on practicing....

Rick Hulett · From: Hood River, OR

Love the idea of the Beginner's Corner. I'm 56 and I've been at it about a month. I've got a pretty good theory background and lots of years on a six string so I've been busy figuring out the following:

I-IV-V progressions in 3 different inversions.

harmonized scale from 2 different places (no pedals and A&B pedals down)

harmonized scale on two strings at once

and then just playing with Band in a Box every day.
I'm still not very good, but it seems like every day I get a little better. My main problem right now is trying to remember all the possible pedal combinations for minor chords. For some reason, I'm having a hard time getting it to stick in my brain, but I'm having a blast with it.

Rick
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