Right hand technique - Newman & Wright

Peter Timaratz · Post by **Peter Timaratz** » 6 Dec 2003 10:47 am

I got my first pedal steel yesterday. I want to order an instructional video or two. I've been reading through the old threads for the past week and the two most popular sources for videos seem to be Newman and Wright.

The impression I get that these guys have different right hand styles. I'm wondering if there is any way to get a feel for which style I might be more suited to.

DJ Sillito · Post by **DJ Sillito** » 6 Dec 2003 11:39 am

Congrats on the first steel guitar. I haven't tried Wright's instructional material but have heard good things about it. I have had several Jeff Newman courses and have been quite happy with them. Jeff seems to simplify the learning process and is very methodical in his learning style emphasisizing technique, patterns, etc(IMHO). Good luck I'm sure you can't go wrong with either.
DJ

Bowie Martin · Post by **Bowie Martin** » 6 Dec 2003 2:18 pm

I also have heard good things about Joe's tape; I learned from Jeff Newman's and they are excellent! The right hand Alpha tape course will get you miles ahead in how to get started right, and then he has many other courses that will walk you right through it..its builds your playing from the ground up...I can't praise them enough..

Ad Kersten · Post by **Ad Kersten** » 8 Dec 2003 12:39 pm

I have had both Jeff and Joe as a teacher when they came over here to give workshops. I guess I have attended four workshops with Jeff and one (last year) with Joe.
Jeff is a tremendously good teacher and I think Joe is too, I just have more experiences with Jeff. Jeff's material really helped me from the basics to the intermediate level. He has a very structural approach. Joe showed me how to use pick blocking, that I am using more and more. It is another technique and in my opinion more versatile.
I think you would want material from both of these guys.

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Peter Timaratz · Post by **Peter Timaratz** » 8 Dec 2003 1:31 pm

Thank you for the responses. I guess I'll try out a video from each source.

Bob Smith · Post by **Bob Smith** » 8 Dec 2003 4:56 pm

If you can, go see Joe Wright at one of the steel shows, you will never forget it!! Bob

Peter Timaratz · Post by **Peter Timaratz** » 8 Dec 2003 5:14 pm

It looks like I'll able be able to see Joe at the end of February at the Iowa Steel Guitar Jam.

Jack Strayhorn · Post by **Jack Strayhorn** » 8 Dec 2003 7:33 pm

Jeff Newmans technique is the Emmons style. This is what I was taught by Ron Lashley. I once took lessons from Hal Rugg just after he began his change over to the Paul Franklin style of pick-blocking. It did help create speed but had a different tonal quality. I prefered the tone produced by the palm-blocking style and have stuck with it since. It really depends on the tone and playing style you wish to accomplish.

Aaron Garrett · Post by **Aaron Garrett** » 8 Dec 2003 7:37 pm

Can anyone suggest introductory material for a U-12? I'd really appreciate it.

Peter Timaratz · Post by **Peter Timaratz** » 8 Dec 2003 7:42 pm

Jack, How does the blocking method used affect tone? I don't see the connection.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 9 Dec 2003 9:10 am

Aaron,
Both Jeff and Joe are proponents of the U-12 tuning (E9/B6) and both have excellent introductory courses and videos available. You can't go wrong with either teacher. As others have pointed out, Jeff uses more traditional technique -- palm blocking as a primary technique, and Joe is primarily a pickblocker (but can palm block as well). THERE IS NO ONE RIGHT OR WRONG WAY. If it works for you, IT'S RIGHT. (or Wright

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And Peter,
Listen to Buddy Emmons or Doug Jernigan and then listen to Paul Franklin or Joe Wright to hear the difference between palm or finger blocking and pickblocking. Pickblockers are more legato sounding, with each note flowing into the other. Some phrases sound smoother to me pickblocked (so that's what I'll use some times), but if you want to play staccatto style 'chicken pickin', you'll have a hard time pulling that off with pickblocking. I also find ascending patterns much easier to palmblock. It's another one of those personal decisions that can help make your playing unique. Explore all the techinques you can and use what you like best.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 09 December 2003 at 09:16 AM.]

Aaron Garrett · Post by **Aaron Garrett** » 9 Dec 2003 1:48 pm

Thank you very much.

Bowie Martin · Post by **Bowie Martin** » 9 Dec 2003 5:39 pm

Jack, you old devil!! So great to see you on the forum again; believe you built and lead me down the right path on my first Emmons. Jack was the man at Emmons for a long time, great picker..Also thanks for redoing some problems I had on a Legrande II and for just doing great servicing on my Legrande. Sure do miss you in the business and in the shows...You have a lot of fans...how about coming to the next Wilson NC MASGA jam March 13-14? It would be a treat to have you here..

Terry Wendt · Post by **Terry Wendt** » 13 Dec 2003 12:49 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>
Both Jeff and Joe are proponents of the U-12 tuning (E9/B6) and both have excellent introductory courses and videos available. You can't go wrong with either teacher. As others have pointed out, Jeff uses more traditional technique -- palm blocking as a primary technique, and Joe is primarily a pickblocker (but can palm block as well). THERE IS NO ONE RIGHT OR WRONG WAY. If it works for you, IT'S RIGHT<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ditto!

THERE IS NO ONE RIGHT OR WRONG WAY. If it works for you, IT'S RIGHT

Terry Wendt

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