How long have you been playing steel?

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 9 Dec 2008 2:13 pm

off and on for about 12 years total playing maybe 5 years

Bob Baringer · Post by **Bob Baringer** » 9 Dec 2008 3:06 pm

Playing 58 yrs. never had time to learn,

too busy playin'

Allen Kentfield · Post by **Allen Kentfield** » 9 Dec 2008 5:18 pm

I fooled with playing a flat top with the strings raised up (on my lap) in the late sixties. In 1971 I traded my '67 Tele and Vox amp for a 1937 Dobro. I got my first Sho-Bud in 1972, a Pro I. I think I had to wait about six months for it. I got the Pro-II (Super) that I play now at Heart of Texas Music in 1978. I got my Vibrosonic Reverb in 1979.

Al Kentfield
Jonestown, Texas

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 10 Dec 2008 4:45 am

54 1/2 years.. 55 in April

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 10 Dec 2008 4:53 am

Got my first pedal steel - an MSA Semi-Classic in 1973 and started trying to figure the thing out... So, I guess I have been learning for about 35 years now.
Larry J.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 10 Dec 2008 5:26 pm

Dobro and Lap Steel about 45 years. Pedal steel about 3 years. (I couldn't afford a pedal steel in the 60s when I really wanted one.)

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 10 Dec 2008 5:26 pm

...duplicate posting.

Gary Richardi · Post by **Gary Richardi** » 11 Dec 2008 5:35 pm

I think I started on steel in '01 (started playing 6 string in '65). I keep promising myself to learn how to really play both instruments someday.

Marke Burgstahler · Post by **Marke Burgstahler** » 12 Dec 2008 1:19 pm

I've been playing the six string for 40+ years, got a Carter S10 about 3 years ago, but I've only really been playing it daily for about a year. The steel wasn't working for my band (blues/rock), but a new band I started about a year ago affords me the chance to play it a lot.

It's been said here before (and it's SO true)that the quickest way to "learn" this cotton pickin instrument is to play it with other people.

Rick Winfield · Post by **Rick Winfield** » 12 Dec 2008 1:34 pm

In 1979 I bought a used Maverick. I had 2 young kids and not enough time so... IT had to go.
I never foregot about that sound. So finally, in May 2007,I sold some rock equiptment and bought a used steel. Sept 2008 I bought a brand new one, after selling the old one, and the last of my rock equiptment. That gives me 19 months. I know a whole lot more than I can do, but sometimes, it actually sounds the way it should. I practice every day between 1 to 3 hours. Recently, I've been working on modal scales.
I'm hooked and there ain't NO going back.
I can't see myself without one !
Rick

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 12 Dec 2008 1:37 pm

"It's been said here before (and it's SO true)that the quickest way to "learn" this cotton pickin instrument is to play it with other people."

Maybe, but, as my golf-pro incessantly reminds me whenever I complain that my game is in disarray, "How often do you PRACTICE, Roger?"

He's right - mostly I go out to the net for maybe five minutes, then I'm on the tee. That's why I'm still a 13.6 handicap, and not any better.

Steel? I mostly figure stuff out rather than practice whenever I sit down at it at home - two very different things.

Mind you, I wouldn't mind being a '13.6' on steel guitar!!!

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 12 Dec 2008 1:47 pm

You think I'd be better after playing this thing half my life (26 years)

Don Brown, Sr. · Post by **Don Brown, Sr.** » 12 Dec 2008 6:01 pm

I'm just a young dude, playing pedal steel since around 1968.

Hey Dick, long time since hearing ya.. Are you still using the 4416?

I've never plugged either one in to date.

Don

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 12 Dec 2008 6:10 pm

I mostly figure stuff out rather than practice whenever I sit down at it at home - two very different things.

Very astute indeed, Roger. I never thought about it before, but now, man, how different they are!

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 14 Dec 2008 11:17 am

Maybe the question should be:
"How long have you been playing steel competently ?"
or
"How long have you been able to make some sort of musical sound from a steel ?"
or even
"Can you make a musical sound from a steel ?"

Having played steel for 40 years is no indication that anyone would want to hear one play. I've probably played steel of one sort or other as long as Buddy Emmons, but there the comparison stops.

Harry Teachman · Post by **Harry Teachman** » 14 Dec 2008 1:05 pm

Too damn long and not long enough !!!!!!!! $:\$

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 14 Dec 2008 3:25 pm

Hi Don,

Haven't used the 4416 lately due to the bands busy schedule but I got a new Jeff Newman CD so I hope to get some new tunes up soon.

Don Brown, Sr. · Post by **Don Brown, Sr.** » 14 Dec 2008 4:31 pm

Dick, we'll be waiting to give a listen, for certain.

Darn, Alan Brookes is right! I sure do wish I could learn to play one of them there dang nab things.

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 14 Dec 2008 10:00 pm

Just marking [60-yrs.] I started in 1948 on 6-str. Supro, than graduated to 10-str. EHArp, than D-8 Gibson Console Grande, then Fender D-8 Stringmaster, then installed 1-pedal in about ’54 and then graduated to a real D-8 pedal steel (Sho~Bud) in ’57. And now, since about ’80, I'm playing at both styles!

Paul Foster · Post by **Paul Foster** » 15 Dec 2008 8:44 am

About a month, Thanks to Mickey Adams I can play 3 songs {Not Well} but what a great help he is. I have a musical background, I play a little guitar, a little 5 string, bass player by profession, loved steel since I first heard Webb sing "Slowly"
What a great Hobby!!!! I love it and the forum is incredible, Found my last Sho-Bud here Thanks for all your help

Mark Treepaz · Post by **Mark Treepaz** » 15 Dec 2008 10:36 am

Pedal Steel = 2-1/4 years.
Lap steel = 3-1/2 years
Trumpet/Fluglehorn and Bass Guitar = 38 years

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 15 Dec 2008 10:44 am

I was in the house band on the Arc!

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 15 Dec 2008 11:23 am

I began in 1982 with a Sho-Bud Pro. I practiced for 6 years before giving up. 1n 1993 I purchased a mint Emmons PP, and started over. I played it very little for the next 7 years. I traded it for a Mullen D10, that for an HWP, and now the G2...al tolled:...Im looking at about 16 years, and only about 6 now seriously...What a long process huh?

Jon Irsik · Post by **Jon Irsik** » 15 Dec 2008 12:20 pm

I played a bit from about 1978 until 1981, then I set steel aside and focused on guitar.

But I'm jumping back in......I just bought a steel last Saturday, so here we go again!

Jon

Allen Peterson · Post by **Allen Peterson** » 15 Dec 2008 12:31 pm

I've got six months experience 52 times.

Allen Peterson

The Steel Guitar Forum

How long have you been playing steel?

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how long you been playing

1982