This video allows beginning players have a better understanding of the pedal steel neck. It uses 2 easy scales to help you progress faster and reduce the frustration that many new players experience. I hope you find it useful.
Many thanks Gilroy...starting out at age 77 and love your way of making me feel like this is something I can learn. I have played guitar for many years but in my heart always wanted to learn the pedal steel. Tried once before with a little Shobud but back in those days the internet didn't even exist or at least not as we know it today. I had a guy tell me that if I really was serious about learning it the only way would be to go to Nashville and get tutored. Sold it a week later. Tks to guys like you and Doug Earnest this time I will make it happen. Giving myself a year and again many tks. You are a great inspiration to people like me. Learning on my brand new ZUM Stage One.
Don't worry. I am 80 and also started to learn pedal steel.I cannot agree that I did not learn it earlier. It is the best instrument I ever had and I have a lot. But here in Germany the pedal steel is very seldom.
I’m starting at 73. Played drums for 65 years went to Bass 3 years ago cause the group I was in had a drum machine, which I can easily out play. But picked up bass and took to it like water and a duck. Now I want to be in demand more so looking at steel. I have a Robro to trade made by Gretch. But going with a entry level steel.
I still say this is the most insanely beautiful instrument known to man. When someone knows what they are doing playing a SPG, it truly must be what heaven sounds like.
Been playing pedal steel since 2011 when I started at the age of 42 after ordering a GFI student model from the US.I knew how to play guitar before so I had some musical knowledge under my belt. Anyway bought the classic 1975 textbook Pedal Steel Guitar to go through. I soon got tired of the exercises and decided that listening to Sweetheart of the Rodeo record and Buck Owens tunes would be more helpful in learning pedal steel licks. I think it took me 2 years to remember what pedals and levers did what. Now I prefer playing pedal steel to just playing normal guitar.
I hear ya, similar story here. I’ve found that deconstructing classic tunes and solos taught me more than any one lesson ever did. The trial and error of “how is he doing that” on a given lick made me understand the pedals and levers, and how to combine them. About six years in now and am happy to have stuck with it.
I love the sound of the steel guitar and would love to learn how to play. You make it seem possible even at my age 79. It’s something I’ve wanted to try. Even though I don’t have a formal music background, I love country music and especially music that features the steel. I may indeed give it a try.
I bought and sold one for the very reason you spoke about. I found a dozen ways to tune them, a hundred ways to play them, and had no idea where to start. I flat gave up. Even in this video, I don't know how you have it tuned or how the pedals and levers are set, unless there's a new standard I've not seen. Thank you.
82 1/2 years old .. 13 kids and a great wife .. I have an EMMONS push-pull double neck steel and I was ready to closet it. Your method works well and it iks alot easier than trying to figure this on your own. Thanks for sharing your talent ..
Been playing the guitar most of my 72 years. Took up the steel late in life and I’m struggling to find decent instructions. Here in NYC this instrument is far and few in between with even less pedal steel teachers available. These lessons are not only helpful but much appreciated. Thanks for posting this video and please make more videos for entry level players.
Thank you thank you thank you. You make this playing sound very easy, even if we all know it is not. I found your videos and at 80 years old, I dug my guitar out of the closet and am inspired to try it again. I love the fact that you are talking to us that love the instrument but gave it up from all the technical theology many instructors use. Please continue to KEEP IT SIMPLE, their are more like me out their than studio professionals.
Thant you everyone for your kind comments. If my videos encourage even one person to take up the pedal steel and stick with it, then I have been repaid in full.
I've been playing bass guitar in country bands since I was about 12. Now it's 30 years later, and I like the steel sound so much that I want to play it. I've always heard how hard it is, but this video makes me think I can do it. The bass is a about positions and scales, and it sounds like the thought process will transpose easier than I thought. I did want to commend your comments at the end of the video. Truer words have never been spoken! A mediocre player of ANY INSTRUMENT that has a good attitude and is a team player will be called before the most technically correct person that nobody can stand to be around.
Whether it's a ukelele or a PSG you are going to get nowhere without knowing scales and chord progression. You address that straight away and make sense of a very difficult instrument. No-one else seems to have got that reality on YT. Thanks again buddy, keep the lessons coming, I'm a fan already.
I find that this guy has a better understanding of what new guys to the steel are thinking. He described what I have been going through with getting frustrated and laying off practicing. Very good with his instructions.
Wow that lesson was a bit of alright....stumbled on you by accident. After that first scale you showed us I immediately went into the bedroom and uncovered a steel I've had for 5 or so years. There may be hope after all. Best lesson ever...thank you so much....
Just bought a GFI Expo from Billy Cooper in Orange, VA. Ive played guitar and bass for over 40 years. I know music theory, chord structure very well. Got the fever for pedal steel again.
Wow! I've played keys, guitar, you name it. I'm 70 and have had my pedal steel for over 10 years and about to let it go. This video gave me inspiration and a new direction. Listen to this video again and again. Practice it. Apply it to the music you already know and it will become second nature. Solid advice! Thank you, Gilroy!
Good information for beginners. Instrument can be frustrating at first but is also quite rewarding when things start coming together. It’s important to work on the basic techniques.
I only have about a year under my belt learning steel and this was the perfect lesson to open up the neck for me. So very helpful and encouraging. Thank you so much for this and all you do for fellow steelers!
I’m not even a steel picker, but watched EVERY single second of this sir, and I am inspired by your instructions that I want to purchase one and give it a go! I’ll be checking out your other videos soon. God bless
Thanks Chad...If you love the sound a steel guitar don't be afraid to get one and give it a go. Keep things simple at first, then progress as your natural talent and practice time permits.
I've played pedal steel guitar for many, many, bands for many, many, years, but, your technic of "simple" teaching, has opened my understanding, to things on this instrument, I would have never learned on my own. Thank You .
You’re a great teacher and a great player too. The way you speak is very inviting. I appreciate your help, b0b (Pedal Steel Forum founder) has lent me a pedal steel to learn on and your videos are helping immensely.
Thank you so much for the lesson and even more for the encouraging words. I am more confident now that I know I don’t have to play like a professional to be be “good enough”. I am 75 so I don’t have enough time left to play that good. 😊
I'm a guitar player and came across this video and I have to say your advice about staying to the melody and keeping it smooth and simple during lead breaks is spot on for Guitar players also. Great video, love your style partner. Thanks.
You and Tony Browne are the only two that shows the neck and knee levers . Most videos show only the neck view and this is very helpful; however, they use the knee levers but don’t show or explain it. Thank you for your instructional videos. They are great and very informative!!!
This is by far the best sounding instrument when played right. I’ve always wanted to learn to play this. However I probably wouldn’t even know how to set it up and or tune it. I recently bought a Banjo and I’m struggling to learn that. Hopefully 1 day I will master it and will move on to the Pedal Steel.
Aloha Gilroy. In this day and age, aside for being a practical and pragmatic teacher, truth, normalcy and sanity are also much appreciated! Mahalo for a very informative tutorial! Johnny Kealoha Pal
Hello Mr. hollister. i'm writing here from germany. am unfortunately already 70 years old. but i have been trying to tame this infernal machine for two years. unfortunately there are no teachers for this instrument to be found here. now that i have found your yutube canal, a little light comes into the dark. I hope I will get a little further with your lessons. Thanks a lot for this. Stay healthy.
I can not thank you enough - I have been trying to break through on the PSG for a couple of years without much luck and this is unlocking some of that - the scales are SO useful - thank you from London.
Thanks for posting this. I'm just learning PSG (not even a month into learning). For decades my main two axes were banjo and dobro (even played professionally on the bluegrass circuit) but the PSG is something totally different. Your expertise is much appreciated.
Gilroy, you're nailing it for me. Coming back to it after 20 years away from the band I am inspired. It'll be me and the guys in the garage from now on but like you say that's where the fun is if you've already seen your share of the road. Thanks to you and the internet I am learning things about the instrument I never knew.
This is a great video - I remember once saying to a Nashville steel player "I need to just sit down and work on 3rds all up and down the neck".. His reply "You and me both!" Sometimes we're thrown in front of an audience too soon (or throw ourselves there). I came from a background in 6 string jazz guitar, and don't even want to try C6 - country swing is jazzy enough for me right now. Your teaching style is great - don't stop :)
Wise words. When learning to play the Banjo, with basic tab style lessons self taught, it sounded like something then once my speed and picking improved, I was able to get out of the barn. Cheers Enjoyed watching this video.
This was a very good explanation. Thank You! Another man said you need 10,000 hours to learn to play. Total bummer. It seem like simple works for many things other than music.
Thank you many times over for this fantastic video! I'm a beginner, but I already feel like I'm not flailing on the instrument as much as aiming for the right stuff. This is truly solid gold, as another comment says.
Very nice lesson. Also, starts us out with Welcome to My World, a positive song. And, Silent Night, a beautiful religious song. Good job. Realistic advice.
We have a great well known steel player here in Ontario Canada you may know...Al Brisco...my retirement includes learning to play the pedal steel, I play 5 string banjo and dobro so I do have a leg up, and Al is a great fan of our old country rock band, and I am going to hire him to set me up and get me going with intros endings licks, making it fun...
Thank you for your contributions. You have helped me grow as a player. I have been playing for 15 years and sometimes it is good to go back to basics and simplify what you are trying to do. This is one the best videos that I have ever seen on playing steel guitar.
As a keyboard player learning the pedal steel, I find your approach and style the easiest to grasp and apply. I've always loved the steel sound, and as a working musician, it seems good steel players are getting harder and harder to find. Thank you for your channel and your encouragement.
By far one of the best videos on pedal steel. Especially the words of advice toward end of the vid pertaining to sticking with melody and know straying away to far. This goes for any lead instrument in a working band. Great video
Beautiful baby!! That first 2 notes major scale you sbowed is exactly what I been trying accomplish!!! Just started a few months ago...got major, minorand7th chords in several positions and trying to figure out "fills"....so THANK YOU so much!!!
An excellent video presented with good attitude and sage advice. Thanks for your presentation. I do not play steel and do not intend to, but I wish I’d had something similar when I took up Dobro.
Great beginner lesson sir. Thank you. It is always nice to hear all psg lessons played to a song for the beginner so that he could practice along to a song. Seems to be something most psg teachers don’t do? Please do a lesson on which strings to play and also the string groups to play for the 4 levers and how they are connected to string groups? Thanks for the lesson.
Hi Gilroy, that was an eye opener for me. I've startet 2 Year ago with playin the steel and started watching steel lessons on You Tube much earlier. That Video really showed me a bunch of options to Improvise and back up a Song. I would love to see more Lessons like that. These Lessons on You Tube are very essential for student Players like me. Specially when you're a German guy. Cause there are no teachers here for this Instrument. So thank you very much and Kind Regards from a German Steeler /Student. P.S. Sorry for my horrible english :-)
Thanks. I took your advice and the advice of others and did a video of simple fills to the George Jones song "He Stopped Loving Her Today". Hope that one helps you along your way to becoming a better pedal steel player!
Thanks mate I reckon I've viewed most videos relating to learning PSG. I'm a 72 year old learner and it's easy to be discouraged. Trying to learn has taught me some valuable lessons to which your advice is invaluable. You did it in such a quiet manner and your encouragement at the end was so reassuring. Many videos I see always includes the author adding fast links etc an myself always feeling I will never be able to do that then you find out they got their first PSG at 12 years old. I'm aiming to be able to play melodies nice and slow and you have encouraged me to do just that. I'm actually thinking of making a video of what I have learned and interestingly enough it's much along the lines of what you mentioned but with a few more ideas that I have developed. Interestingly I bought a GFI EXPO 3P 4L and I am extremely happy with it. Once again thank you for the approach you took with this video. You really are onto something with this style. By the way I have subscribed to your channel for quite awhile. Never commented before and this video is worth commenting on. Thanks and greeting From Down Under Alick. Ps. Keep safe.
We had a great steel player in our band...we used to tell him...rip one off on that electric cheese slicer....love the blues tunes ...ie Oklahoma stomp on the E neck or whatever the second neck is...real bluesy...its hard to play...like picking your nose and your arse at the same time you are are patting your head and rubbing your tummy, plus the volume pedal...anyone who wants to take this on is a masochist
Thanks for this video! Really relaxed my own expectations with my pedal steel. Just starting and this video made it clear using 2 strings and a couple scales for now is OK! Thanks again!
Thank you so much for this. There's so much instruction about intro's and breaks but few with examples that show what we should be doing during the song. I really just want to sound good playing over a simple three chord country song. I love what John Hughey did on those Conway Twitty albums and Ben Keith did on some of those more deep cut Neil Young songs like Tired Eyes.
