New Beginner

Sandra Harlor · Post by **Sandra Harlor** » 24 Nov 2007 12:22 pm

The word ''beginner'' is an understatement. I have a good understanding of the theory of music. I teach classical piano in Australia, but this pedal steel is an art in itself. Lots of time and practice I suppose.
Cheers
Sandra

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 24 Nov 2007 12:46 pm

Sandra,
How exciting! You know your way around the piano and the theory of music. And now, with these skills, you are ready to tackle the pedal steel guitar!
Please do yourself one favor before you do anything else: Buy some courses from acclaimed pedal steel guitar teachers in order to get the technique down right from the start. In my opinion, this has to be the First commandment, especially for one who already knows a lot of theory.

I am currently trying to get my right hand technique down, after having taught myself a whole bunch of bad habits over the years.

Jeff Newman's Right Hand Alpha course is highly recommended. Jeff even says there, that he finds it easier to teach a beginner the proper right hand technique than to a player like me who has a bunch of bad habits ingrained through the years. It is SO hard to unlearn a bad habit!

You'll find Jeff's courses at www.jeffran.com
...in case you can't get them where you are.

I wish you good luck on your new venture. Do keep us posted of your progress!
Bent

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 24 Nov 2007 12:46 pm

Welcome, Sandra! You've come to the right place. Lots of fun and interesting information here!

Best regards, Walter

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 24 Nov 2007 1:05 pm

Good luck Sandra, you'll learn a lot here. This is a great forum.

Michael Dene · Post by **Michael Dene** » 24 Nov 2007 2:10 pm

Hi Sandra,
Welcome to the steel and the forum.
This place is an amazing source of information.
I'm sure your theory background will assist you greatly.
Michael

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 24 Nov 2007 2:20 pm

Hi Sandra; are you playing a D-10 by chance? May I ask what brand? I agree whole heartedly about Jeff's courses.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 24 Nov 2007 3:05 pm

Sandra

as much as you already know about music, its not going to be that hard for you....hell i would have been happy to have known a G from an C when i started....
welcome aboard

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 24 Nov 2007 3:35 pm

Welcome from upstate New York, Sandra!

Stuart Devenish · Post by **Stuart Devenish** » 24 Nov 2007 7:18 pm

Hi Sandra,

everyone is a beginner with this instrument; even the older more experienced players. Welcome to a world of wonder, and a wonderful instrument.
I suggest you find some steel guitar crazies in your area and learn all you can; as WELL as what the other guys have said. Where are you in NSW, what instrument do you play (ie S10, uni or D10, and brand?), and what styles of music are you into? Have fun.

Stuart

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 24 Nov 2007 7:55 pm

Welcome Gal, from Missouri USA.

Sandra Harlor · Post by **Sandra Harlor** » 24 Nov 2007 8:05 pm

Thankyou all for your wonderful encouragement and support. I have an E9 anapeg pedal steel guitar. My husband, Chris,is a talented dobro player and also plays pedal steel a bit. I started playing because he said he was going to sell it but now that we have it set up all the time he is playing more again. I mainly like easy listening music, something with a nice melody like 'Danny Boy' and 'What a Wonderful World'
We live on the south coast of NSW and run a charter business on Jervis Bay. You can see our website address from my profile page.

Cheers
Sandra

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 24 Nov 2007 8:33 pm

The lady STARTS on an Anapeg...!!! $:\$

So... what'ya gonna get when ya wanna move up?

Well you must know some other good steelers in the area,
get yourself a few pointers from on or more.

Best of luck,
and do regular search for your questions here.
If they're not answered ask and you shall receive

Terry Winter · Post by **Terry Winter** » 24 Nov 2007 8:58 pm

Welcome Sandra to the world of Steel Guitar and the Forum. You have a headstart for sure with your music knowledge just have fun with it!

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 25 Nov 2007 6:51 am

Hi Sandra, from Oklahoma!! It seems it is too late for you already---your probably hooked by now!! Enjoy!!

Bob Lawrence · Post by **Bob Lawrence** » 25 Nov 2007 7:16 am

Sandra,

With your background you are all ready of to a tremendous start.

RE: "Lots of time and practice"

That's the key.

The Jeff Newman courses recommended are A1

Best of luck!

Bob

Damien Odell · Post by **Damien Odell** » 25 Nov 2007 1:58 pm

G'day Sandra!!

Good to see another aussie steeler getting started. If you get to Tamworth next Jan make sure you havea listen to Michel Rose play steel somewhere - he is amazing. On a lesser note you could come and listen to me play with Tall Timbre or Mark Lucas.
Feel free to email with any steel guitar queries,

Damien

Sandra Harlor · Post by **Sandra Harlor** » 25 Nov 2007 3:20 pm

Thanks again for all your comments.
Its a bit of a long story but Michel Rose has actually played this PSG. My husband bought it new and met him in his home many years ago.
Cheers
Sandra

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 25 Nov 2007 7:51 pm

Welcome, Sandra, to the glorious and frustrating world of steel guitar. With that Anapeg, you will never be able to blame the instrument for any problems. But knowing theory and having a pianists visual understanding of scales and chords, you are in good shape. Your inclination for slow simple songs is good for developing the hand-ear coordination that is so important for steel guitar. Good luck, and remember to ask lots of questions.

Tamara James · Post by **Tamara James** » 26 Nov 2007 5:30 am

Welcome to the forum. I am SO happy to see you here. I have learned so much just from reading the discussions here. The guys are great to help with whatever question you may have. Don't be shy.

Dan Burnham · Post by **Dan Burnham** » 26 Nov 2007 6:48 am

Welcome Sandra to the Forum. I also play piano more so than not. Send me an email and I'll go through so transitional concepts that will help you smoothly move from one to the other. Understand that I am talking about concepts not technique. As you know, learning proper fingering to do scales takes time and practice. I can help you merge piano theory over to steel.
Last, do you know Graham Griffith? He is a good friend to myself and BMI.

Dan (BMI)

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 26 Nov 2007 7:08 am

Welcome to this Great Forum Sandra

you're gonna love it here ....as much as steelin'
any help you need, the good folks here will provide

Barbara Crowell · Post by **Barbara Crowell** » 29 Nov 2007 1:17 pm

Hi Sandra. I don't post here often but I've found the SGF to be a wonderful resource for learning. Keyboards are also my main instrument....or at least they used to be....until I started playing the pedal steel several years ago. It has been an absolute joy to learn and to play, and the steel guitar players I've gotten to know have been great people, and very very helpful. There aren't many women around who play, so welcome.

Myrna Beasley · Post by **Myrna Beasley** » 29 Nov 2007 9:29 pm

Hi Sandra,
You are correct about spending lots of time in practicing. It is important to begin with the right technique, as mentioned in previous posts. Your piano and theory backgrounds will serve you well. Just play the heck out of that guitar, and you will get a lot of enjoyment and personal satisfaction as you progress. After you know your way around the neck pretty well, find people to "jam" with. That provides you with another form of learning and is sooooo much fun! This Forum will help you with encouragement and lots of tips and information.
Welcome to the ranks.

Myrna

Dean Gray · Post by **Dean Gray** » 3 Dec 2007 3:21 am

Hi Sandra, my name is Dean Gray, and I am new here also. I'm from the northern beaches of Sydney. I did a full introduction over on the Steel Without Pedals Forum, as I am mainly a dobro and non pedal steel player. Good luck with the steel, and if you are in my neck of the woods send us an email and we could have a pick... I will be in Tamworth this Jan playing at the Oasis, if you are going I would love to meet you and your husband - maybe he could give me some pointers!

Stuart Devenish and Damien Odell - hi guys, I would love to meet and pick with you also if you are in Sydney, or Tamworth in Jan.

What a great place this is!
All the best,
Dean Gray

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 3 Dec 2007 6:44 am

G'day, it's no secret that Aussies are my favorite people. And to see more and more female steelers is very refreshing. When I was a kid Barbra Mandrell was one of my heros from the multi instrumentalist stand point. I've always wondered why there isn't more women steelers / multi instrumentalists.

Welcome to the forum Sandra!

If you have a chance, you might want to check into another great resource. www.isgcc.com

JW

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