Critique request from beginner

Thomas Wagner · From: Ontario, Canada

Hello, I've been playing steel for effectively 3 months. I just finished Paul Franklin's E9 course and wanted to try a few songs.

I know I have some mistakes and areas for improvement on the recording, but I would appreciate some feedback and recommendations on my playing Very Happy

Yesterday | Pedal Steel

Per Berner · From: Skovde, Sweden

OK, here goes:

Firstly, you could use a much gentler approach regarding the volume pedal. Too much on/off pumping. It also looks like you are not using any blocking technique at all, neither palm nor pick style, which is important to get used to early on. (I didn't, and it's hard to re-learn once a bad habit is well established).

A bit out of tune here and there, but that will get better with more hours in the seat.

Thomas Wagner · From: Ontario, Canada

Thanks Per, I will work on being easier on the volume pedal.

I alos will work on blocking. I have a hard time understanding when to use blocking - one thing is to you block a long-ringing note even when its about to die? Also blocking fast notes in succession is a challenge with fingers, I guess using a combo of pick and palm is the trick.

Much appreciated feedback, thank you.

Dale Rottacker · From: Walla Walla Washington, USA

I agree with Pat on your Volume Pedal usage, less is more. It may be that you're using it the way you are as a work around to not blocking. BEEN THERE ...

To my eye you look pretty tense and uncomfortable, and to be expected 3 months in. Your right hand looks very flat and tense, with your right elbow quite a ways from your body, and higher than I'd like to see, causing an unnatural bend your wrist. It would help both blocking and accuracy if you moved that elbow both lower and closer to your side and rotate the back of your hand so the side of your palm rather than the entire base of your palm is resting on the neck. Those things would reduce the severe bend at your wrist. Maybe reach up with both hands like you're grabbing a steering wheel at 10 and 2 and maintain that position with your right against the strings.

Hope that helps ... its definitely a process, and I might also suggest that you didn't just finish Pauls E9th course, you've only just begun. After 50 odd years I've learned its a lifelong learning experience.

You'll get there, just keep at it, and don't expect too much too soon or be discouraged with the whole journey. Its, both discouraging frustrating and rewarding if you stick with it.
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Doug Taylor · From: Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA

As far as blocking I recommend going over Jeff Newmans Right Hand Alpha if you can find it and Joe Wrights 32 moves

https://www.pedalsteel.com/prt/members/flash/v1/32moves/1.html

Spent months going over the 32 moves. When I started I could not play with a metronome but when I could I started at 60bpm and increased 1 bpm a day. I did this for 6 to 9 months!

I started taking right hand alpha seriously in August of this year and it is the first thing I do when I start my practice session. I have slowed it down to 50% and work up to 100% then slow it down again. I’m at the point of getting comfortable with palm blocking and can switch between palm and pick blocking. It’s a long term process!

Thomas Wagner · From: Ontario, Canada

Dale- I will look into my posture. I never would have thought about elbow position. I will try this to get better hand position & try to get the side of my palm on the neck. I'll need to be conscious of my volume pedal vs blocking - sounds like I need to rework some things. I'm glad this seems like a beginner trap that others have recovered from. I finished the e9 essentials course, want to proceed with applications but figure I should try playing and get some feedback. No PSG teachers around me so the forum is the next best thing.

Doug - what a resource! I think I may commit to doing what you did for the next few months before committing to new lessons. Now when you do the exercises, specifically with thumb - are you palm or finger blocking?

Thank you again so much Mr. Green

Doug Taylor · From: Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA

Joe Wright videos are pick blocking and Jeff Newman is palm blocking, in my case it helps to be able to do both. If you still have the Paul Franklin course, he has some good videos on the different ways to block and perms!

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