You Tube, The Embodiment Of Desirable Viewing

[Bent Romnes]

Bill, I don't think that youtube will ever compete with Newman, Emmons et al teaching videos.
That is because youtube throws a wrench in the works by steadily inventing roadblocks to prevent you from downloading. It IS possible to do so with programs and know-how but I think most people can't be bothered when the 'real' ones are available for a reasonable price.
Also, once you get the video downloaded, you have to put it through a conversion process to make it viewable on your home DVD player and TV. Again, this is possible but it is a royal pain. I venture to say it is less time consuming to go out and buy the Newman ones.
Youtube vids are more like an addition to instead of replacement for - the commercial ones IMNSHO.

[Bill Hankey]

Bent,

Thanks for the helpful notes. I think it's time to burn the midnight oil. So many different things helps a player to move forward. We may be better off to listen to other players, and then go about developing new techniques to dress up a melody.

[Don Brown, Sr.]

I truthfully think too much time is spent on trying to take the easy way out.

All a person can do, is give another so much information, and after a while people get used to having the guided tour (so to speak) and try taking the "easy way out" approach. That being: To learn everything they can, but only as far as copying what they're seeing before them.

Folks, if you continue doing that, you'll never, in a million years learn to play. You have to take the knowledge that you get, and then do something with it. Meaning, learn to use that information by placing it into other areas, and start finding (on your own) exactly what pedals do what, and what sounds you get with this combination, and that combination of knees and pedals used. If not, you'll never become a good player.

Learning complete songs, should come after you become a little familiar, with how things work and the results you get with what you have to work with.

Tab is great, you can find how other people do it, but you should never, learn licks before you learn other areas of music, and your guitar.

I'd moreso, suggest you study the fretboard, and get to know where all of your Major Triads are located and with what pedals, knee lever combinations. Start feeling out your Chromatic Strings, to see how they're used, etc. Then after you get a good knowledge, move on and incorporate what you (then) already know. It's just possible that tab will become much more usable to you then, as you'll understand where it's all coming from.

Bottom line is, there is NO easy way out. It simply don't work that way..

[Bent Romnes]

Don,
I couldn't agree with you more. This is the way Jeff Newman taught us and it's a no-brainer that this is the right way. He said: no sense in me showing you how to play the intro to whatever song. I am here to show you how to navigate the fretboard so you can reason your own way on how to find the intro.
Jeff was a wise man and a musical genius. I believe in his every word in that regard.

That said, we still don't have to throw youtube by the wayside. The beauty of it lies in people like Mickey Adams who so unselfishly gets on there and posts 100's of how to videos. Some are "This is the intro to bla-bla, here's how you play it". Others are in the spirit of Newman: "This is how you figure out how to teach yourself the intro or run to bla-bla song" Others again are technique, like: "pick-blocking for beginners" or maybe "this demonstrates what X or Y pedal does and the value of them".

A guy like me, well I know I am going about it the wrong way. But I have no ambitions to become another Hughey- I simply want to satisfy my own thirst for re-acquainting myself with the instrument I love so, after a 25 year hiatus. I am perfectly happy sitting down with Dave Seddon's video like Sweet Memories and copy off of him...Lo and behold the stuff is coming back to me. Then I go back to making knee levers and changer fingers
Yep, at 61 I have found the ultimate learning tool for me: Youtube and the kind people that contribute.

[Don Brown, Sr.]

Bent you are absolutely right. Mickey Adams, and others do a Fine job, and I'd hope that the folks know what he does, isn't any easy job at all.

Back in the day, we didn't have things that way, the reason why I stated as I did. The folks that do take their time to show the new/er players what the instrument is capable of, sure deserve one heck of a lot of credit.

My hat's off to those who go out of their way to help others. I simply hope they all appreciate the information, that is being shared by many.

And the best way to show it, is to go on and really learn it, love it and enjoy it for a lifetime. Music can take you to places you've never dreamed of going before.

Don

[Bill Hankey]

Don,

I believe that we learn more on days when we seem to "feel fit as a fiddle". If we feel dragged out, those pedals don't push the same as they do when our spirits are at their best. There must be at least a dozen things that can make steel practice a waste of time. Some of the quality practice sessions occur when you get the chance to find a buddy who enjoys jamming. You Tube is a wonderful reserve of the finest pickers in the land. It works for me.

[Don Brown, Sr.]

Bill, I honestly feel, that the only thing that separates greats from the not so greats, is, an uncanny desire, to continually sit down behind the steel, and practice, practice and practice some more. I honestly believe that's the only way to ever produce great results, in any givin instrument. Others may feel quite different, but I think if you could have been a little mouse, hiding in a corner of the room, where folks were learning and discovering, you'd have gotten sick of hearing the many, many hundreds of hours put into it, over and over again and again, day in and day out. And had it not been for that drive, nobody would have ever made it to any great degree.

Don

[Bill Hankey]

Don,

The average steelers whom I've known through musical association, do not have the wherewithal (finances) to ignore that 7-3, or 8-5 job 5 days a week. The majority are working on jobs that takes them indoors as they prepare for retirements and family needs. Rarely seen, are the ardent musicians who quickly advance musically by making a few sacrifices. In most situations, getting looped into obligations that prevents players from entering into constant practice and study sessions, results in this blanket of mediocrity that we are witnessing in entertainment halls. Great percentages of the population can't play the same note more than once. Sadly, they are the individuals who turn up the most annoying recorded material I've ever heard, in the midst of crowded shopping areas. The oppressive nature of these takeovers of street language in recent years is whittling away an era of our most precious gift of harmonic accord. You've no doubt heard stories told by those who have persisted in musical pursuits. Most are very encouraging in terms of overcoming hardships. Everything we do in life, depends on using the very best judgment that is within our capabilities. Don't be pressured into moving away from the dictates of your conscience.

[Brian Kurlychek]

I think you can benefit more from 10 one hour sessions than one ten hour session. 20 half hour practices may be even more beneficial. A person who plays 1 hour a day, if so inclined, has the same chances if he has potential. Someone playing 10 hours does not make him good either.

[Bill Hankey]

Brian,

I'm guessing that your point is the equivalent of saying; get all things done daily that needs doing, and then try to remove your musical studies off the back burner. In other words, retire an such notions of giving your musical studies preferential treatments. Well, just for the record, I'd find a way to free myself from such rigidity and working too many hours for less pay. Years ago, people worked year 'round without a day off. To submit to such practices is distasteful. America is referred to as the "Land Of Opportunity". A prominent notion of late, is to find a job that you enjoy doing. Luckily, the musicians of note have done just that.

[Bill Hankey]

After observing the writings of the fluent and discriptive writers on this forum, I'm satisfied that the multitudes back off from subject matter that does not concern their immediate interests. It may be true, when fuss-budgets declare that; "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right." Well, those who profess in support of that notion, should carry that thought to all aspects of human relations. The potential of You Tube cannot be overstressed. It would be impossible to stress excessively the great benefits derived from such a service. The self-styled smooth as silk players, with virtually flawless deliveries, hopefully, will keep the proponents of doing things right on their toes.

[Don Brown, Sr.]

Due to modern technology, there are literally too many advantages to list. One instance, "Looping a playback" The ability to have any portion/s of a song do a continuous playback loop. And, at slowdown speed at that, and yet retain it's pitch.

It sure would have been good to have had around, instead of lifting a record player arm, to reposition it over (the maybe) "two second" portion, with only a "best close guess" at where you placed it.

As I've said, the new players for all practical purposes, "Have it made now." Yet many may not be old enough to even know it wasn't always like this.

As they say, a person can't appreciate how it is now, unless they've been around long enough to know how things were before all of the newer modern technology came into play.

Wow! What we'd have given to simply have had a place to go to find out all of the things that folks find out right here as well.

There wasn't any instant access to have people lay out descriptions of exactly how to do things. And right on this (B0b's) forum, is (in itself) a lifetime's wealth of information.

Don

[Bill Hankey]

Don,

We must consider our abilities to absorb that which is demonstrated by those who are extremely adept at arrangements, bar control, speed, and various techniques that appeal to most steel players. Always remain reasonably aware that the formation of cliques in all competitive endeavors, do exist. An awareness of the knowledge is the key to succeeding in musical interests. This is by no means the most direct route to reaching goals. Number one, IMO is, DON'T attempt to advance halfheartedly on the pedal steel guitar. I took a similar stand with the energized factory worker plodding home with everything but the steel on his mind. We live in a world filled with problems. It hasn't changed since history began. Pointing out examples would be very easy to do. Matter-of-fact language would only serve to stir controversy. I must admit though, that I'm not immune to disregard, and its intended affect. Sugar-coating problems related to the steel guitar, have always been a common practice, presumably assuming that such actions will correct any situation in time. I'm not comfortable with that premise. Soft-spoken dictates oftentimes yield to matter of opinion discussions. Bitterness comes in many disguises. Selected verbs that offer no pathway to agreement, vastly forewarn of constituencies who offer zero thresholds for problem solving. "Just go away", and let me do my thing attitudes, can be easily targeted for overhaul. Prolific tendencies in productivity, will win over time in reaching goals of musical expectations.