Have guitar, looking for learning resources

[Baron Collins-Hill]

I am now the proud owner of a Justice S10 3x4, and would love to know everyone's favorite online or book related learning resources.

So, how do you suggest I tackle this machine?

Thanks!
Baron

[Pete Nicholls]

I, too, am a Justice owner, so welcome aboard. I started playing 5 years ago, and admit I am not a traditional player. I have, however played in clubs for the past two or three years. Guess I'm a honky tonk player! I also play guitar and bass. The secret to any success I have had is learning how to properly tune one, and studying the chords and their inversions. That means learning your copedant. There is a chord chart on this forum that was provided to us by someone I remember as Warnock. Do a search on the forum for chord chart and it should come up, if not, I will find it and send you the link. That is where I started. I also recommend Joe Wright's tutorials at http://sierrasteels.com/lessons/e9th-lessons.html

[Al Evans]

I am now the proud owner of a Justice S10 3x4, and would love to know everyone's favorite online or book related learning resources.

So, how do you suggest I tackle this machine?

Thanks!
Baron

Being less than two months from where you are...

What I did was scrounge the net and find stuff that looked useful, try to play (or play with) it, try to figure out how to tune the guitar and the pedals, and generally try to learn my way around.

After I had my bearings a little (about three weeks), I signed up for Paul Frankin's course. It isn't cheap, but it is totally worth the cost. There's an associated Facebook group that adds a lot of detail and texture, both from Paul and from the other students.

I am quite pleased with how I am progressing after not quite two months. I can play stuff! In tune!

--Al Evans

[Michael Meader]

Im 4 months in and use the winnie winston book along with paul franklin method. Both excellent.

[Charley Bond]

I like the Frechy Messier instructional material. It comes with play along CDs & Tab

[Allan Haley]

I'm also a proud Justice PSG owner. I have been cycling Mickey Adams and Steelpicking Youtube vids for the past few years. I keep coming back to them to refresh what I've learned and to tease out the details that I couldn't get the time before. Also, you cannot go wrong with Jeff Newman material.

After the initial learning curve, it has been long plateaus and then a little step up, followed by another LONG plateau. It's important to look back once in a while to see our progress so we don't get frustrated.

BEST ADVICE- As soon as you can play a couple major and minor grips, get out and jam with humans.

Al

[Mark van Allen]

Yes. The very best thing I did was join a band the same day I got my first steel. I became a collector of instructional material, everything I could afford, beg, or borrow. (No internet back then) I found I made the most progress when I took a small slice of material, or even one concept, and shoehorned it into every song or musical situation I could play or imagine. That helped me internalize the lick or concept better and faster than just playing through every song tab or exercise one after another, although I did that as well. Playing with others as much as possible is key.

[Chris Tarrow]

I like this guy's videos:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHM8uF ... za2nDRsvCQ

[Erv Niehaus]

I learned a lot from some of Scotty's material. I believe one of the publications was "The Anthology of the pedal steel". They should still be available through Mel Bay.
Erv

[Fred Justice]

Baron, welcome to the Justice family.
I suggest getting in touch with Jody Cameron, he has several courses to offer.
Here's his contact info.
979-922-0293
emmonsd10@yahoo.com

Arron at Steel Picking is a great You Tube channel as well.

[Pat Chong]

Hello,

This not being your first instrument, I would figure you can think out chords needed to play a song, right? Can you play a little by ear? If so, then you have a good start. And, getting a chord chart would help you put what you know along with what you are learning. Full speed ahead!

.............................Pat

[Baron Collins-Hill]

Thanks everyone!

I spent the day playing along with some of my favorite recorded music (a lot of Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms). As mentioned, I've got some previous musical experience and have been following mostly I IV V patterns in a variety of grips, but haven't give much thought towards pick or palm blocking, though I have found myself doing a little pick blocking naturally.

I hope to be able to get out and play with some folks once I have the basics down, but finding the right group in rural Maine might be a challenge.

I appreciate all the suggestions, I will look in to them all! I already have the winnie winston book, which I picked up on a whim. I'm glad it is well regarded. I also live nearby some players who can show me a thing or two.

Thank you Fred for building such a lovely instrument! I'm still waiting for my volume pedal to arrive, but once I do I'll be in full working order!



Thanks again,
Baron

[Paul Sutherland]

Very good choice. Enjoy the journey.

[Edward Rhea]

Very nice guitar...Fred builds some nice instruments!

[Bill Moore (RIP)]

The Jeff Newman courses are really good. William Litaker has a beginner's course, I haven't seen it, but I know his other material is really good, so you might consider that. You need to be pretty selective with youtube lessons, there is good material there, but also a lot of stuff that won't help much at all. The best thing is to find someone nearby that can give you some help. Have patience, it takes time. By the way, I think you will be very happy with your Justice guitar. I had one just like it and only sold it because I got another Justice, a Pro-Lite. They are excellent instruments.

[Chris Walke]

Thanks everyone!

I spent the day playing along with some of my favorite recorded music (a lot of Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms). As mentioned, I've got some previous musical experience and have been following mostly I IV V patterns in a variety of grips, but haven't give much thought towards pick or palm blocking, though I have found myself doing a little pick blocking naturally.

I hope to be able to get out and play with some folks once I have the basics down, but finding the right group in rural Maine might be a challenge.

I appreciate all the suggestions, I will look in to them all! I already have the winnie winston book, which I picked up on a whim. I'm glad it is well regarded. I also live nearby some players who can show me a thing or two.


Thanks again,
Baron

Play with others before you think you are ready (not necessarily gigs - jam sessions, open mic night). Because you'll never feel "ready" before you make the decision to take the machine out.

Play with ANYONE, any genre. Find out how the psg fits in any context you are presented with. You may find a band that never expected a pedal steel to be right instrument...until they hear it in the music they are playing. I've yet to find a single musician that doesn't think the instrument is cool and has a place. Whether or not they want to add another member is another question, but it's up to us to spread the steel gospel.

[Chris Walke]

AND....check this:
viewtopic.php?t=147199&highlight=wall+chart

If you can print on an 11x17 sheet, it'll be easier to read. There's a whole big bunch of information at a glance on this chart. Helped (and helps) me immensely.

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

Yes. The very best thing I did was join a band the same day I got my first steel. Playing with others as much as possible is key.

I agree 100%. You will learn more by playing in a band than from any book.