I soon realized (and I see you might have too) that I needed a real live human being to get me started in the right direction. I knew I needed someone I could talk to and watch, and ask questions. And so I did find a great teacher, and it's made a world of difference!!

Sam, don't get discouraged. I think there are many good teachers in your area, and perhaps other forumites closer to you could name them. Guys! Pitch in with some names and phone numbers! If you don’t mind a four hour drive North, Billy Cooper is an excellent and patient teacher (he’s in central Virginia – phone 540-854-5940)

And hey... Don’t knock Jeff’s vid’s too hard. Sure, nothing is like a real live teacher. Still I know Jeff’s vid’s get great reviews here.

My best to you, -Dave

B0B, perhaps move this to "Steel Players" section?

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Mullen (See! No "S") D-10
Photo page

I have some early Music City News publications, from the 60's, when Faron Young was president of the MCN newspaper. Jeff Newman was soliciting students from those early times. ( I'll sift through the issues, as I wouldn't want to find myself in error.) He is the foremost teacher of steel guitar, and many accomplished musicians stand by his approaches to progressing successfully on the road to mastery of the instrument. One method that will help in getting a "handle" on the learning process, is to select a particular melody, as for example, "Wild Side Of Life." Then, work your way through the melody, day after day, one note at a time. Don't move on to other experimentations, before you've finished your goal. Later on, try to set up your steel with a country steel guitarist, who is advanced on the instrument. You'll have a great time picking up on new ideas, and fills that can be added to what you have learned.

if you can help me out with these questions i think i can help you

I have the the video you're talking about. No disrespect to Mr. Newman but he is much better at explaining how than explaining why. I suggest that you cross reference the video with other material. Different teachers emphasize different aspects of this very difficult instrument to learn. Keep on keepin' on - it'll come to you.

Actually, I "borrowed" it from Dylan's "Tangled up in Blue" - and it's sage advice regardless of who says it. But back to the topic at hand:

Samuel, five hours? Dude, give yourself a break. Take it slow and steady (my apologies to Aesop)

Ray Beale

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"STRINGBUSTER" again
MSA S-12
Ray Beale Rosenberg,Tx

Sam I don't know the tape you are talking about but, could it be it's not for a new player. I know he has some for the new player. You really nedd to find a good teacher,but if you can't the tapes are the next best thing.

For Ian; I know no one gives a big rats butt, but, i knew the guy who coined that phrase and his initials were not A or J or N. Now is that something or whut.
For Mr. Sam White; I forgot to ask, if you would condider lowering yourself that far and would be willing to send me your phone number by email i would be happy to spend time on the phone with you to see if i can be of any use to you. "You Can't Judge A Book By It's Cover". (ASEOP MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE SAID THAT BUT EITHER WAY WE WONT HOLD IT AGAINST HIM)
For Bob Drawbarr; YOU ARE READIND THIS CRAP??
SHAME ON YOU!!!!

Sam... I looked at Newman's web site he tells you up front the A&B video is not kids stuff. Get what you can out of the video. In six weeks come back to it and see what else you can pick up. Then six weeks latter come back to it again,ect, ect, ect. This is how you learn. Just keep it up, it's fun so have fun with it. If all else fells call Newman he can clear up the problem for you.

[This message was edited by bob drawbaugh on 17 July 2002 at 03:59 PM.]

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If you will check back i said that Jeff Newman is an "ASTUTE BUISNESS MAN" . I do not know of a better compliment to extend to a person in buisness. Maybe you lost your dictionary??

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I'll take the Jeff Newman clone comment as a compliment. Thank you, Gordon!

"Music theory" is term used to describe how notes, chords and rhythms are combined to form music. It is a very useful body of knowledge, for any musician who cares to explore it. An understanding of music theory allows you to improvise with confidence, and to compose.

I have yet to see a steel guitar method that teaches music theory in any real depth. I haven't seen everything, though.

#1 - Here is a "chromatic" octive.
(C-C#/Db-D-D#/Eb-E-F-F#/Gb-G-G#/Ab-A/Bb-B-C)
This is playing the note at each fret or every 1/2 step starting on C and ending on C one octive higher, then it repeats again if you go by 1/2 steps or each fret.
You can play this by starting on the 5th stg at the 1st fret and move up 1 fret each time for the next note. You will end up at the 13th fret on the note C, one octive higher that the C note you started on.

#2 - "ALL" major scales follow a set"pattern" of Steps/Notes.
(1-1-1/2-1-1-1-1/2) = "Steps
1 Step = 2 frets & 1/2 Step = 1 fret
Do-Ra-Mi-Fa-So-La-Te-Do
There is only 1/2 step between B-C & E-F.
Thats why the black keys on the piano are arranged the way they are. The notes B & C are both white keys and next to each other.
Same thing with E-F.

#3 - If you apply the "Pattern" of steps to the "Chromatic" octive, you can create "Any" major scale you want.
Example: C Major played on 5th stg.
Notes = C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C
Steps = 1 1 1/2 1 1 1 1/2
Frets = 1 3 5 6 8 10 12 13
Example: G Major played on 4th stg.
Notes = G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
Steps = 1 1 1/2 1 1 1 1/2
Frets = 3 5 7 8 10 12 14 15.
Just follow the "Pattern of steps" and start on the note that the scale you want to make is named for.

#4 - Once you have your Major scale, you can find out the 6 most commonly used chords for that "Key" by using this rule.
Pattern: (Major-Minor-Minor-Major-Major-Minor
Chord # 1 2 3 4 5 6

Example: G scale.
Notes: = G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
Chords = G - Am -Bm -C - D - Em
(there is a chord for the 7th tone, but I'm trying to keep this simple for now.
When a chord is written as "G", that is a major chord.
When a chord is written as "Am", with the lower case "m" that means it's a Minor chord

To quote Glen Fry on an Eagles song,
"Are you with me so far?"