What Are You Working On?

Harry Dove · Post by **Harry Dove** » 10 Feb 2011 7:37 pm

I found a book written for guitar called "Scales over Chords" and thought it might give me some new ideas for picking for fills, etc. Thought I might spend this year learning more about scales as they relate to chord changes and such. Just wondered what everyone else is working on or trying to learn.

John Burton · Post by **John Burton** » 11 Feb 2011 7:01 am

I'm currently working thru two things:
First I'm working (actually, re-working thru) Billy Cooper's "Born To Lose" book/cd. It's a great introduction to Chords/Chord theory. I highly recommend it to beginner/almost-intermediate guys like myself who want to get a handle on chords. Besides teaching a great version of Born To Lose, it has a lot of chord exercises. I only wish there was more "Instruction" in it, a lot is presented without explanation. Still, it's good stuff.

Second: I'm working thru Dewitt Scott's "Mel Bay's Deluxe Pedal Steel Guitar Method" book and cd.
It's a good way to learn note names, etc. up and down the neck. I've been using it to learn to read music as it applies to the Pedal Steel.
This one will keep me busy for awhile. Lots of scale work, etc.

Jim Hankins · Post by **Jim Hankins** » 11 Feb 2011 7:19 am

Mike Neer`s Bebop lap steel course with accompanying scales and complete verticle system of modes, revisiting Randy Beavers Bach minuet in G, and Doug Jernigan 100 hot Nasville licks for pedal steel, and various Emmons tabs from his swing series (brilliant!). Jim

Harry Dove · Post by **Harry Dove** » 11 Feb 2011 11:02 am

This all sounds like good stuff. I know I need to work more on playing directly from standard music notation, or sheet music. It's easy to get in the habit of just playing from the chord positions and not really think about the actual notes you are playing. For me anyway. I won't speak for everyone else.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 11 Feb 2011 12:06 pm

I've been spending an hour a day on playing ii V I arpeggio patterns over 7/4 and 14/8 rhythms as a warmup. Particularly Rupak Taal and Deep Chandee taal. Sorta useless when it comes to gigs but helps me be more conscious about my phrasing.

Then I work on tunes for gigs and play over jazz standards as best I can.

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 11 Feb 2011 4:48 pm

Oliver Nelson's "Patterns for Improvisation".

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 11 Feb 2011 4:59 pm

Adjusting a new steel to suit my tastes.. Then it's back to scales and some old tunes Buddy rocked on .

Allan Jirik · Post by **Allan Jirik** » 11 Feb 2011 6:22 pm

Swingin' On E9th Vol 2 by Herb Steiner, Hot Licks and Cool Tips for E9th Tuning by Tommy White, various licks and runs by Greg Cutshaw, Greg Wisecup/Dick Sexton, and Mickey Adams. And... Winnie Winston's Pedal Steel Guitar, going back to the stuff I was too impatient to learn when the book first came out in 1975.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 11 Feb 2011 7:39 pm

Right now, a Foster's Premium Ale, some Ruffles potato chips with French Onion dip.

Sorry, feeling a little "sassy" tonight.

Rick Winfield · Post by **Rick Winfield** » 12 Feb 2011 8:00 am

BE Basic C6 course, hoping to play jazz standards, in chordal note fashion.
Rick

Michael Robertson · Post by **Michael Robertson** » 12 Feb 2011 8:07 am

I’m still working on Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain….

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 12 Feb 2011 8:12 am

Like Rick, I was just this evening working through the Buddy Emmons BASIC C6 course too. Then, into Part 1 of Jeff Newman's C6 AND SWINGING COURSE. For me it never hurts to review these two. stevet

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 12 Feb 2011 2:07 pm

Pedal tones that crawl around (not, necessarily, with the instrument's pedal engaged). Like, play a 3-5-8 against the root, then play the same notes against the 2nd, the move the notes to a 2-6-9, then move the "root" again... the pedal note can be lower or higher, the others can move in either direction. The pedal can be two notes... it sounds sort of Bach-ish once in a while, and it's a real, real good way to learn where stuff is in relation to other stuff. And the wheels fall off the bus and the bus goes over the cliff real, real easily too.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 13 Feb 2011 11:06 am

I have an upcoming audition for a slot on a program with a symphony orchestra, so I'm just practicing the tunes I will be playing at the audition. The guy I'll be auditioning for told me he hates the steel guitar, and is convinced that it can't possibly be used to play classical music, so I really have to work hard to overcome his prejudice. (I'll be starting another thread about that.)

I want to remind everybody that I wrote an article on how to read music on the E9 neck, which I will E-mail to anybody who requests it. If you send me an E-mail, I'll send you the file.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 13 Feb 2011 12:01 pm

Learning songs for a theater production called "Stand By Your Man" The Tammy Wynette Story. Also some George Jones tunes in the show.

Jim Pitman · Post by **Jim Pitman** » 13 Feb 2011 1:38 pm

Just figured out:
1. Beatles "Yesterday". I've tried to do all triads.
2. My window faces the south.
3. Comander Cody (Bobby Black) "Cravin your love. a classic slow shuffle. Bobby does horn lines though out.

Stephen Cordingley · Post by **Stephen Cordingley** » 13 Feb 2011 2:47 pm

FYI:
There's a nice version of "Yesterday" in a Herby Wallace E9 package (I could look up the course number if you want it.) I've been playng the songs in this package over and over...

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 14 Feb 2011 12:28 am

Jazz Improvisation books and CD's by Jamey Aebersold.

www.jazzbooks.com

I am staying with the easy beginner stuff.

Thomas Ludwig · Post by **Thomas Ludwig** » 14 Feb 2011 2:29 am

Jeff Newman Up from the top DVDs
Buddy Emmons Basic C6th
Buddy Emmons "Crazy Arms"
getting used to the National NP2 picks

pete shaw · Post by **pete shaw** » 14 Feb 2011 8:48 am

Soon will be installing the LKR lever on my old S10 Dekley to lower the 5th string. Hope I like the change!

Will Hart · Post by **Will Hart** » 14 Feb 2011 12:31 pm

Three finger rolls using the index, middle, and ring finger. Giving my thumb a break

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 14 Feb 2011 12:39 pm

tuning...

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 14 Feb 2011 12:46 pm

Attempting to learn Dave Berzansky licks off the Sugarballs and his 18 Wheelers Cd for the sub gig I'm doin. Not easy!!

Keith Schuler · Post by **Keith Schuler** » 14 Feb 2011 10:30 pm

From Jim Cohen's CD: "Home James"

A medley, 'Walk Away Renee/ Pachabel's Canon/ As Tears Go By'

Also from that disc....'Whiter Shade of Pale'

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 15 Feb 2011 6:05 am

Lotta C6th. Now, it's "Straight, No Chaser" by Jim Loessberg. I'm always working on some C6th tune by Jim.

Yesterday I pulled out and dusted off notes and tab from 20 years ago when I went to Jeff Newman's week-long course. Re-familiarized myself with those so-called "beginner" licks. Wow, are they great. (Guess what I'll be playing next gig?) Boy, was Jeff ever the teacher....and player.

"All My Lovin" by the Beatles.

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