from drums to pedal steel

Matthew Wilson · Posted 26 Mar 2010 1:24 pm

Hi! I have played drums for many years and wondering are there any other drummers out there who have switched to pedal steel and find that the coordination it takes to play different drums simultaneously helps with playing the many different hand/feet movements of pedal steel? Basically I know it is all about practice but could I have an advantage having played drums or is it a totally different beast?

Thanks for thoughts! matthew wilson Muttering

Roger Crawford · From: Griffin, GA USA

Matthew, I did the very same thing. The coordination is definately a plus. Drummers use both feet and both hands, and steel players use both feet, both hands and both knees! However, the coordination may not be the biggest obstacle. I was fortunate to have had music theory in school, so the keys and chord changes weren't totally foreign. A lot of drummers know rhythym patterns only. However, there are those that can hear a song and write you a chart as they go. If you aren't already familiar with distinguishing intervals (hearing a note with another following it and knowing that it's a 4th, 5th, etc.), do some ear training to be able to identify those. A crash course on the Nasville Number System will also be a big benefit to you. Most of all, find some that is willing to work with you to get you started in the right direction. If there isn't anyone close by, there are a lot of courses available that have DVDs and CDs. Jeff Newman's material is among the best. This won't happen over night for you, so don't get discouraged. Good luck, and enjoy the journey.

Brian McGaughey · From: Orcas Island, WA USA

I've played drums for years and started pedal steel about 3 years ago. I'm not sure if the independent coordination helped me or not, probably a little. The biggest hurdle really is learning and applying theory. The clearer you understand theory of scales, chord structure and intervals, the easier the E9 lay out will be to understand and manuever.

I will say that as a drummer, my timing is better than most in our band. Wink

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

...same thing goes for driving a ten-speed truck you know....

David Beckner · From: Kentucky, USA

Matthew..I too am also a drummer ..switched to guitar and now trying psg..I have found that it has greatly improved my rhythym and ear toward different beats..I also think that my hands feel a little more comfortable as well
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David Higginbotham · From: Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

I started playing drums at 14. Started playing steel at 26.(Still trying to learn at 43) Oh Well

It helped my timimg a great deal. Other than that, it was the only other instrument I could play sitting down Rolling Eyes

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

David, that's not always true,for about three decades I played sixstring guitar in lounges on a stool,keyboard players sit down,some horn players sit,even seen SOME lazy assed singers sit down. Smile

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.
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John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

Frank Parish is a Drummer who took up PSG many years ago and has never given up on either one. He is still active and playing both well today!
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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I switched from drums to PSG (39 years ago). I'm not sure that using all my limbs helped, but I found it difficult to use the volume pedal at first. My right foot kept wanting to pump down as if playing the bass drum.

And, using the sticks for a bar and to bang on the strings produced some pretty ugly sounds. Whoa!

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John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

Richard; I think I saw that same scenario on Late Nite/Fallon, the other night!
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