How old were you when you started playing, and in what year?

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 10 Feb 2013 10:51 am

I was 33. That was in 1979 I had been playing the 6 string for 19 years and mandolin for 10, but once I started playing steel, I forgot all about the other instruments.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 10 Feb 2013 11:48 am

Age 7.........1943,

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 10 Feb 2013 12:28 pm

I bought my first pedal steel at the ripe old age of 19 in 1979. Looking back down the road after 34 years, it has sure brought me many years of enjoyment. If I had the chance to do it over, I would do it again.

David A. Jones · Post by **David A. Jones** » 10 Feb 2013 12:29 pm

I was 58 - started taking lessons in 2004.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 10 Feb 2013 12:34 pm

1971 at 17 years old

Marc Friedland · Post by **Marc Friedland** » 10 Feb 2013 12:50 pm

1993/94 is when I first started on Pedal Steel at about 42/43 years of age – I had been playing 6-string Guitar, Keyboards & Bass Guitar for almost 30 years at that time.

- Marc

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 10 Feb 2013 1:07 pm

10th/11th grade timeframe.
1978/1979.
15/16 yrs old.

Here we are at the Cranford Community Center in 12th grade:

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 10 Feb 2013 1:08 pm

Ray Montee wrote:Age 7.........1943,

Ray wins.

Robert Thomas · Post by **Robert Thomas** » 10 Feb 2013 1:27 pm

Age 10 years old in 1944 and started my journey then.
What a nice memorable trip.

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 10 Feb 2013 1:44 pm

Age 10 in 1948 on Multi-Kord.

Pete Nicholls · Post by **Pete Nicholls** » 10 Feb 2013 1:45 pm

Age 64 in 2012!! Better late than never.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 10 Feb 2013 1:49 pm

Pete Nicholls wrote:Age 64 in 2012!! Better late than never.

That's the spirit Pete.

If you ever find yourself in Los Angeles, I'll give you a free lesson.

baxter vaughan · Post by **baxter vaughan** » 10 Feb 2013 1:56 pm

1976...tender age of 19. A steady love affair ever since!

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 10 Feb 2013 2:02 pm

Took up six-string at 13 in 1957,and steel 21 years later.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 10 Feb 2013 2:23 pm

I was eighteen years old when I started playin' steel on Christmas Day in 1999, playing a student model Emmons S-10-that was thirteen years ago and now at thirty-two, I still love playin' steel!

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 10 Feb 2013 2:37 pm

Hmmm, I got my first pedal guitar, a shiny new birdseye maple Maverick, in late 1972 or early '73, at the ripe young age of 19.

I had some prior experience with the piano, harmonica, flute, sax, trombone, tuba, stringed basses, and guitars, and had grown up fooling around with my grandpa's hawaiian guitar, but I knew those bar slants were never going to get me all the way there....

I HAVE heard brother Ray use those bar slants to get all the way there, though, so I know it can be done....

John Peay · Post by **John Peay** » 10 Feb 2013 2:48 pm

Mike Perlowin wrote:
Pete Nicholls wrote:Age 64 in 2012!! Better late than never.
That's the spirit Pete. If you ever find yourself in Los Angeles, I'll give you a free lesson.

Started on pedal steel at age 50 in 2011...long-time 6-stringer who's always been in love with the pedal sound. I have noticed my 6-string callouses getting soft since I started pedal steel!

I don't feel so "late" now, Pete,thanks!

And Mike, I've had one lesson from you already...your book "Music Theory in the Real World" as well as your "E9th Supplement". Good stuff, if you don't have these, guys and gals, I highly recommend them!

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 10 Feb 2013 3:31 pm

Started in 1970 at age 25. Finally trying to move away from novice status. Played baritone, sax, guitar and bass from age 10. Have always played Emmons P/P on stage and have a S12 MSA E9 Classic set up to practice. Extra two strings drive me crazy so I took them off.

Jim Seay · Post by **Jim Seay** » 10 Feb 2013 3:51 pm

1975. I was a young 21 years old! Still picken!

Fred Thompson · Post by **Fred Thompson** » 10 Feb 2013 3:57 pm

1992, at age 61, self taught with the help of Winnie's book.
Fred

Glenn Uhler · Post by **Glenn Uhler** » 10 Feb 2013 4:05 pm

Started playing lap steel in July 1960, taking lessons from Eddie Alkire, when I was 11 years old. Switched to six string after 3 or 4 years of steel lessons. Had a Multi-Kord for a couple of years, until I could afford a "real" pedal steel. Played the Marlen off and on since then.

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 10 Feb 2013 5:07 pm

I started in August,2005 at the age of 53.I've played guitar,5 string banjo,mandolin,and bass fiddle since I was a kid.I've all but given up everything but banjo since I got the steel.

I wished I had learned the fiddle,which I dearly love.I have a very good fiddle but have never tried to play it.

Andy

Gordon Borland · Post by **Gordon Borland** » 10 Feb 2013 5:56 pm

43 in 1988. Still trying to learn.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 10 Feb 2013 6:40 pm

1971 Age 17.

Mike Spaeth · Post by **Mike Spaeth** » 10 Feb 2013 6:41 pm

I was 8 years old, it was 1969

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The Steel Guitar Forum

How old were you when you started playing, and in what year?

How old were you when you started playing, and in what year?

Age is important?

Re: Age is important?

Long, long ago!

43 in 1988

re