PS courses that teach how to play melody.

Allan Haley · From: British Columbia, Canada

Hi Steelers.
I'm about three years in- can lay some simple chord backup, moving between chord positions. A few simple solo licks.
I really dug into Jeff Newman's No Speed Limit course. Mostly I learning good finger and thumb usage.
I have little desire to play fast or fancy. I want to work on melody, to be able to play nice melodic lines based on the melody of the songs the band is playing.
Any suggestions for courses that can point me in the right direction?
Thank you,
Al

Bo Borland · From: South Jersey -

Hey Allan, I think the best way to start learning to play melodies is to start with the ones most familiar to you so why not nursery rhymes.

Approach it as a single not instrument.

Jeff Mead · From: London, England

Jeff Newman's "Just Play The Melody" course?

Jeff Garden · From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA

I agree with Jeff Mead's suggestion of "Just Play The Melody". (lots of Jeff's here!). Jeff Newman's approach was always not to concentrate on teaching you specific songs in his basic courses but to give you the tools so that you can play any song.

James Sission · From: Sugar Land,Texas USA

I agree with Jeff and Jeff, Newman's " Just play the Melody" is a good course. He also has a good one called " give me an into" that teaches very versatile intros/turn arounds that can be used for tons of songs.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

Allan,
I would suggest you try some of my tabs.
I am an advocate of "just play the melody".
My playing style is chordal melody and you can learn a lot from my tabs.
Good luck,
Erv

Scott Duckworth · From: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies

I agree with Erv, the melody is in the chord...
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!

Jack Stanton · From: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey

Probably almost impossible to find now, but Jeff Newman's Music To Steel By taught me how to play the melody back in the day.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

multiple instrumentals based on melody

www.tprior.com
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website

Quentin Hickey · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

Another vote for Jeff Newman. His courses are great.

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

It sounds like you have the basics down, the mechanics of playing. Now you have to learn how to use those skills. I think that beginners sometimes get overwhelmed by trying to use all the standard 3+4 pedals and levers right off the bat. Learn to play melody the same way you learned to speak...simple phrases and sentences first, and then move on to the more complex. Anyone can get frustrated if they try to begin with stuff like "Another Bridge To Burn". I recommend you start with very simple melodies..."Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", or "Rock Of Ages". Choose songs you learned as a child, stuff you know well and can sing or hum. Use just the A&B pedals for awhile, and learn songs that just use the three major chords.

And remember, playing the melody requires that you know the melody and chords. Baby steps - easy songs first!

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

One of the best examples of this style of playing is Jimmy Day's album "Steel and Strings." He plays so melodically and with such vocal phrasing that one can almost hear the lyrics of the song in his performance. Get that recording and study the way he did it. He was the master of soulful melodies.

My suggestions to help you get started are these:

1. First, find the melody with single notes, the notes that the singer would be singing. Avoid pedaling "licks" that are familiar and fill the space, but aren't notes that the singer would use.

2. After finding the single melody notes, use your pedals and chord positions to add the correct harmony notes, but not change the melody note for convenience or mental laziness.

3. Finally... and this is the most important part, IMHO... is to play the song like you would be singing it if you were a vocalist. Sing the song to yourself while you're playing it. Rarely are lyrics interpreted by singers right on the beat. Way too mechanical and "un-human." People don't talk like that. Listen to the way Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Tony Bennett, and Frank Sinatra sing songs. They count on a steady rhythm section that allows them to interpret the lyrics to accent the story of the song.

The courses mentioned above are all excellent. If you'll excuse just a bit of self-promotion, I stress close-to-melody playing in my course material, available from me or from b0b on the Forum store.

Learning scales and melodies within those scales will free you from often cliche'd lick playing and into your own personal expression. Good luck in your search.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Allan Haley · From: British Columbia, Canada

Once again Steelers, thank you for the generous advice.

My plan is to choose a simple melody and drill it, in what I think of as the four basic positions (Open, AB pedals, A pedal F lever, and E lever for 6th chords).

When I have it cold, I'll work at improving a bit around the melody in each position.

Then, I'll try to move between positions while playing the melody.

That's enough to work on for now.

Also, I bought the Jeff Newman "Just Play the Melody".

Thanks again. What a great instrument.
Al

Allan Haley · From: British Columbia, Canada

Improvising, not improving. Either would be ok with me though

Buck Reid · From: Nashville,TN

What Herb said!
_________________
www.BuckReid.com

Stuart Legg · Posted 1 Nov 2016 9:10 am

Well you can learn a lot from Willie
Click here

Skeeter Stultz · From: LOMITA, California, USA

"I Love You Because" is a good one to start with.
_________________
GFI ULTRA D-10, EVANS, FENDER 2000 (WORN OUT) TWIN REVERB W/JBL'S, OLD 4-10 BASSMAN

Mike Archer · From: church hill tn

my dvds teach melody/ cords and fills and solos

also pedals and knee levers usage

mike Very Happy

_________________
Mullen sd10
Nashville 400 amp
Tele/ fender deluxe

Buck Reid · From: Nashville,TN

My Dad used to tell me "if you learn the melody, you'll never run out of things to play". Very sage advice that has served me well.
_________________
www.BuckReid.com

David Mason · From: Cambridge, MD, USA

I start my guitar students out on nursery rhyme songs and Christmas carols, because it's IN your head already. I repeatedly go through the same rigmarole with the newest -

"Do you know "Mary Had a Little Lamb?"
"Of course!"
"O.K., play it."
"???zzzt??? But that's not what I WANT to play!"

"??zzztt?? Believe me kid, if you've 'know' Mary Had a Little Lamb in your HEAD, but it won't come straight out through your FINGERS, the Mahavishnu Orchestra is NOT going to come easier!"

"ZZZZT...."

At the risk of overcomplication, I'd say, if you want to learn to play a melody, learn to play a melody? It starts with one note, then it goes to another, then some more after that. I don't think there's a nifty shortcut here? Boy I sure would like one!

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

The clip that Stuart posted of Willie's solo is an example of just what I'm suggesting. 90% melody, with a bit of improvisation, but single note improvisation that can be sung. Very melodic. Thanks for the clip, Stuart.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.

Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg?

Ray Thomas · From: Goldsboro North Carolina

Allan, good melody is a problem for me, what does work best for me is single note the song and then add to that as I can, not necessary to 3 note or even 2 note every word, no substitute for practice, practice, practice.

Authorized Dealer For"LIVESTEEL" Steel Guitar Strings. Email rthomas17@nc.rr.com call or text 919-920-5482, Pricing same as Manufacture, Click here for detailed Information http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=308361
_________________
Ray Thomas
Livesteel Strings Dealer
Call 919-920-5482
Text rayssteel@gmail.com or email

James Kerr · From: Scotland, UK

As a little bit of cream on the Cake presented by everyone here, have a listen to the man himself playing a strange Guitar with someone else's set-up.

I never ever heard anyone say a bad word against Jeff Newman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC9RijH9E5M

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

Much good advice here. I'll agree some of Jeff's courses are very good at laying the groundwork for hearing and playing melody in various tunes.

With respect to everyone, the hearing part is not something you'll find in a Tablature course, and simply has to be developed. Ever wonder why everyone except the irrevocably tone deaf can join in on "Happy Birthday"? They've accustomed themselves to the melody, the contours and relative relationships of the notes, so when someone starts it off, they can join in.

Traditionally, learning many, many, many songs has been the pathway. In some genres, like Bluegrass, Irish, and Old Time music, instrumentalists like the fiddle and dobro have usually committed hundreds of "standards" to memory before getting too advanced with their own improvisations. Same thing with the jazz idiom.

A great place to start is nursery rhymes, as mentioned, since you "know" the correct notes and will self-correct mistakes. Something I did for years was keeping a guitar by the couch and playing along with TV commercials, theme songs, and so on in every position I could find. It gets faster and easier as you develop your ear.

I will say that, apart from a few oddballs, most "songs" take their melody from scales. so courses that emphasize scale knowledge, repetition, and exploration will take you a long way.
_________________
Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com
www.musicfarmstudio.com

Ron Funk · From: Ballwin, Missouri

Try the grade school "Do Re Mi" song....

out of various starting positions:

Open position
Closed position
"Inverted" position = A pedal + E to F lever engaged
E to E flat lever engaged

And using various two-string combinations

That might keep you busy for a while....and also familiarize yourself with the function of the pedals and knee levers

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