Newbie questions

[Steve Maclauchlan]

Hi all,

I'm a guitar player with interest in learning the pedal steel. Someone was kind enough to lend me a Sierra Session - 12 string. I've already found a few "how to" videos on youtube, and the helpful link to lessons/info (psgbeginner). However, I'm finding most lessons are taught on 10-string instruments.

My hope would be that someone can link me to lessons/info on the 12-string.

Failing that (remember, I'm a raw beginner), how should I proceed? Is there a huge difference between the 10 and 12? Can I remove 2 strings and play it that way? If so, which 2 strings?

Looking forward to the day I can laugh at my silly questions, but in the meantime, I'll be thankful for any guidance...

Thanks.

[Bill McCloskey]

A lot depends on what is currently on the steel. Is it set up as a Ext E9th? Then, yes you can take off the bottom two strings or keep them on and avoid them. Or better yet, learn to incorporate them into your 10 string tuning.

Or is it set up like a universal tuning? How many pedals do you have? 3 or 4 or 7-8?

[Fred Treece]

You could also contact Ross Schafer of Sierra Guitars here on the forum, or through the website: http://sierrasteels.com/
Lots of great beginner lesson videos by Joe Wright there too.

[Steve Maclauchlan]

A lot depends on what is currently on the steel. Is it set up as a Ext E9th? Then, yes you can take off the bottom two strings or keep them on and avoid them. Or better yet, learn to incorporate them into your 10 string tuning.

Or is it set up like a universal tuning? How many pedals do you have? 3 or 4 or 7-8?

Thanks for the reply. It's tuned thusly; F#, Eb, G#, E, B, G#, F#, E, B, G# E, B, but I don't know if that's standard E9 or, as you say Ext E9th.

It has 8 pedals.

[Steve Maclauchlan]

You could also contact Ross Schafer of Sierra Guitars here on the forum, or through the website: http://sierrasteels.com/
Lots of great beginner lesson videos by Joe Wright there too.

Great suggestion, thanks.

[Bill McCloskey]

You have a universal E9th/B6th tuning. E9 lessons won't work and you need all 12 strings. You can certainly adapt E9th lessons although you'll be missing the 9th string D which many find valuable. There aren't a lot of lessons for the universal. It sort of assumes you are already familiar with E9th and C6th.

[Steve Maclauchlan]

Looks like I hit the jackpot of obscurity; 12 string AND universal tuning.

Same disclaimer (ignorance) applies to this question; couldn't I just tune it to E9?

[Bill McCloskey]

It isn't the open tuning that is the problem. The setup of the pedals and levers will have to be reconfigured. Do you have a pedal steel guitar tech near you?

[Fred Treece]

There is nothing obscure about the U12 E9/B6 setup. It may not be as common as S10 or D10, but a lot of players swear by it and wish they had started on it. The beauty of it is that the pedals and levers are set up so you can transfer both E9 and C6 learning materials to the tuning (C6 - 1/2 step = B6).

Basic technique is the same no matter what tuning you decide on, so the Joe Wright beginners videos still apply.

Just be patient with yourself, and try not to blame everything on the guitar.

[Steve Maclauchlan]

Thank you and thank you.

This looks like just the place to start https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw4Q1jQXBVo

[Fred Treece]

Yes!
You could do a lot worse than starting there, for sure. Good luck, soldier!

[John Sims]

Check out Jeff Newman's 'Universal E9/B6 Course'