Larry Bell--'Forum Friend', Teacher & Player,

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 4 Aug 2005 4:51 am

Some years ago I was intently looking for a teaching method for the Universal tuning. I had been in contact with the great Al Marcus, tuner personified, and he recommended I get in touch with a fellow Michagander, Larry Bell. I did that and he referred me to his website. What a surprise!! There it was already worked out for me.

In the subsequent years I've kept in contact with Larry, inclusive of his recent move to Florida, and I have imposed on him several times for assistance of all kinds. Here's a gentleman who not only talks the talk, but he can walk the walk.

Take a trip to his website and immerse yourself, not only in steel guitar technics, but also take the time to listen to his renditions of songs he has written, and for you new 'forumites' pay attention to his efforts in order to make your journey easier and happier while participating in Forum activities. You'll find it worth the time spent.

A great guy who stands ready to assist anyone in the business, but he ain't no pushover. Here's some of his website's offerings:

Home page-- http://www.larrybell.org/

Steel recordings-- http://www.larrybell.org/id9.htm

Tuning explanations-- http://www.larrybell.org/id5.htm

Forum new folks-- http://www.larrybell.org/newbie.html

Phriend Phred

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"From Truth, Justice is Born"--Quanah Parker-1904

[This message was edited by Fred Shannon on 04 August 2005 at 05:56 AM.]

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 4 Aug 2005 5:11 am

Hear here!
No one helped me more initially than Larry.
Lots of encouragement, and a wide range of musical knowlege. I'll pay to hear him live any day. And shake his hand.
Quite committed to the forum, too.

Larry Weaver · Post by **Larry Weaver** » 4 Aug 2005 5:50 am

I completely concur. Larry's web site is absolutely brilliant! I joined the forum a month or so ago, and Larry's site was one of the first I explored. Great information there...especially concerning tuning. I would recommend all new and returning players pay a visit to this site.

Thanks for the heads up Fred. It reminded me that I've been wanting to buy Larry's "Friends in Cold Places" CD. His playing, tone, etc, well, are nothing short of inspiring. For me, his take on Bird's "Anthropology" is alone worth the price of admission. I agree Charlie, I'd be in the queue to buy tickets to see him play.

One other point: Since rejoining the PSG world, I've been constantly reading and searching through the Forum's archives. In almost every case, Larry has made a contribution to the threads I have searched.

Thanks Larry, for making it a pleasure for guys like me to come back to this instrument!

-Larry W

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 4 Aug 2005 6:03 am

I've gotta chime in here.

A little while ago, I was obsessing over how I could fit all my favorite personal changes on my D12 10+6 to fit on a U12.

By golly, after ALOT of thought that he really didnt have to spend on a forum stranger, Larry came very close to the solution.

Thanks Larry!

When I get some extra dough to buy a new steel, I'm gonna use you ideas!

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 4 Aug 2005 6:34 am

When I started up playing steel again a couple of years ago, Larry's example was a big influence in my decision to try a U12, and he advised me in my purchase of one. His intellectual approach to the instrument and experimental spirit are very inspiring, and his playing even moreso. I'll just never understand how he uses 6 knee levers in one cluster.

Evelyn Whitney · Post by **Evelyn Whitney** » 4 Aug 2005 6:52 am

Larry Bell is a member of the Michigan Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame.
We are very proud of him.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 4 Aug 2005 10:03 am

Cool! Who knew?

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 4 Aug 2005 11:28 am

WOW!
You guys are so nice. I do try to share all the experiences and screwups I've been through in my 30 year odyssey on the pedal steel, but I have drawn heavily on the advice and knowledge of others.

Phred, you are a true Phriend.

Charlie, it was really my pleasure to help out.

Larry W, your CD is on its way.

Rick, let me know when you have the uni version of Porkpie Hat -- that one really blew my hat in the creek.

Dave, coming from a scholar like yourself, that is a true compliment.

Evelyn -- my Michigan Mom -- big hugs to you and Leonard and Frank and Molly.

I'm humbled.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 4 Aug 2005 7:59 pm

The Humbler

The guy on guitar isn't bad either.

[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 04 August 2005 at 09:01 PM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 5 Aug 2005 4:39 am

For those who don't fully appreciate Drew's comment (not to mention those whose computer monitors were broken by that horrid picture

), that's the Iron Man, Frank Rogers on guitar in the pic.

Talk about humbling, to play a steel set with one of the finest steel players on the planet sitting behind you calmly playing some of the most inspiring guitar solos you've ever heard can be a bit unnerving. But, seriously, Frank is such a good friend and all around White Hat kinda guy, I had that stupid grin on my face the whole set.

Thaks, Drew.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 5 Aug 2005 7:46 am

I first met Larry back before either of us started on Pedal Steel, when I was looking for some help with 6 string fingerpicking. He was a fantastic teacher- turning me on to the amazing Richard Ruskin among lots of other mind expansion. As I remember he had just put palm pedals on his dobro- he had the itch pretty bad!
This is a guy I've been proud to call a pal for many years. Monster player, but even more impressive as a human. Love ya, Larry!

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 6 Aug 2005 5:16 am

Thanks Mark
And I can't tell you how proud I am of your accomplishments. It was great fun following you around Michigan for a few days when you were with BGUG.

BTW, two tunes ('You Won't See Me' and 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number') off my new CD were tunes I learned with Ruskin last time he was at my house. Great guy. Pete Grant plays with him on the west coast on occasion -- or once did. Ruskin is the real deal.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 6 Aug 2005 6:36 am

Why is this man smiling?
Does he enjoy what he's doing?

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 6 Aug 2005 8:40 am

Yes, Larry Bell is the man that shows just how great a person can play on a S12 guitar, and do it all.

I am glad to have met him, known him, and heard him play at the shows in Grand Rapids, MI.

I hope to see him the next time he is up here in Michigan....al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Jim Meiring · Post by **Jim Meiring** » 7 Aug 2005 5:38 am

anyone interested in the U12 could not do better than to get in contact with Larry Bell. His playing says clearly what can be done on one 12 string neck. His advice and support has been a great help to me.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 7 Aug 2005 6:46 am

<img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_1_125.gif' alt='Famous 26' border=0></a>
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxdm825' target='_blank'> that's cold...[This message was edited by Charlie McDonald on 07 August 2005 at 07:45 AM.]

Klaus Caprani · Post by **Klaus Caprani** » 7 Aug 2005 10:46 am

I encountered Larrys site before finding and joining the forum.
Very informative and helpful!

"These are important inversion positions. LEARN THEM!"

Well. I'm still lernin'

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Klaus Caprani

MCI RangeXpander S-10 3x4
www.klauscaprani.com

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 7 Aug 2005 11:02 am

Larry is an absolutely wonderful player and magnanimous to a fault in sharing his wisdom and experience.

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Jeff's Jazz

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 8 Aug 2005 8:06 am

He's a great player, and I always enjoy reading his informative posts.
Thank you Larry!!

GB[This message was edited by Brandin on 08 August 2005 at 03:50 PM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 9 Aug 2005 6:11 am

making friends with guys like you is what this Forum is all about

you folks are the greatest

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Bob Smith · Post by **Bob Smith** » 9 Aug 2005 9:07 am

Larry, The encouragement and advice you give all the new guys here( including myself)is of utmost importance to a newbie. Thats a special thing in it self, to be able pass on advice ,and take interest in a stone beginner. Most newbies are doomed without someone like yourself to take some interest in them. so thanks again, bob

Tom Stolaski · Post by **Tom Stolaski** » 13 Aug 2005 6:21 pm

I miss the days when Larry and I would take Paul Franklin and Buddy Emmons solos and slow them down to half speed so we could pick out a few licks. He was the only guy I knew that had the Just Pickin solo down note for note. I wonder if he can still play that solo today?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 16 Aug 2005 12:33 am

forgive me fer not jumpin' in here sooner
i have'nt had the pleasure of meeting Larry but like many of you, i always enjoy reading his posts
Larry is an asset to this great forum
you go Bro' !

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 17 Aug 2005 9:58 pm

I got to spend some quality time with Larry last night, and he left me with a copy of his latest CD. We were jawin' so much I didn't get to really listen hard until tonight, and man, there's some truly great playing on there. Do yourselves a favor and get a copy. Great playing, arrangements, and tune selction. Yum!

joe long · Post by **joe long** » 19 Aug 2005 4:04 am

Fred, thanks for bringing Larry to our attention. I went to his website and really enjoyed it. Ordered both CD's and looking forward to listening to them on my home stereo instead of my laptop at work. Sometimes work really gets in the way of my pleasures. Thanks again Fred.