Pedal Steel Help

Subject: Pedal Steel Help
From: Vixen
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 11:50 AM

D'Cats--

Reynaud, my dearly beloved, got a 10-string Carter pedal steel guitar for his birthday this year. For Christmas, I want to give him an instructional video (at his request--not on my assessment of his playing!) SOOOO--I go out on google and get 900+ hits, the first 100 or so of which leave me in no doubt that I am not qualified to select an instructional video on this instrument. Reynaud's an experienced musician, playing a variety of instruments (banjo, concertina, hammered dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, mandolin) and a variety of musical styles. He is, however, a beginner on the pedal steel.

Any advice or suggestions???? I don't even know who the "names" are in pedal steel performance...

Many thanks,

V

Subject: RE: Pedal Steel Help
From: GLoux
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 12:28 PM

Vixen,

While I can't say that these are great because I've used these lessons specifically, I have nothing but the highest regard for the instructional audio and video tapes from them on instruments that I play.

Homespun Tapes have a selection of tapes on Steel Guitar, some of which are Pedal Steel...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Pedal Steel Help
From: Vixen
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 02:18 PM

Hi Greg--

First, thanks for the Homespun reference--I have the catalog here, but they only have the one pedal steel video. I sort of thought there might be more out there. Also, the video description from Homespun doesn't describe the instrument used in the video. I know there seem to be lots of different arrangements of pedals, levers, and strings--but I don't even know if the one in the video should be similar to one my husband has--it's got 3 pedals, 4 knee levers, and 10 strings.

My ignorance is showing all over the place here...but I really know *NOTHING* about pedal steel...

V

Subject: RE: Pedal Steel Help
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 02:52 PM

Vixen,

I would second Greg's recommendation. I am no pedal steel expert, but from what I know, the tape is focussed on the beginning student with help in learning what the pedals and knee levers do. It should the start of something good.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Pedal Steel Help
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 21 Nov 05 - 09:24 PM

Try this site: Pedal Steel Guitar Club of Canada. know a few fellows that got started here and did well on Pedal
S
teel. http://www.ambrec.com/Homepages/steel/steel.htm

Subject: RE: Pedal Steel Help
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 08:33 PM

call Scottys Music in St Louis
(no affililiation other than that they were willing to talk to me on phone with advice for a beginner..advise as to learning tapes, books, equipement etc..look em up on internet. Experts on pedal steel. Meanwhile..tho..find out if your hubbys guitar is E9 tuning..with the normal tuning of the pedals and knee levers.

Subject: RE: Pedal Steel Help
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 23 Nov 05 - 10:11 PM

Mike Auldridge is the former dobro player from the Seldom Scene who also played pedal steel with Chesapeake. His website has contact information for private lessons, but maybe he might give you some advice for an instructional video. He has his own videos for resophonic but not pedal steel. Maybe he'll get someone to videotape a private beginner lesson for you! (Hey, it doesn't hurt to ask...) http://www.mikeauldridge.com/

Oh, and by the way, is there anything Tim does NOT play???