The British Steelies Society

Hi,
Teaching myself PSG with the Winnie Winston book (all tab) and the De Witt Scott book (Notation & Tab). Is Tab the norm for PSG? I guess the notation helps to learn the chord inversions in different positions on the fingerboard and also the note values. The tab shows the raises and lowers etc. Do most PSG's use tab?

There are so many ways to play particular notes on a pedal steel that I think it is difficult to use standard musical when starting out. Tab shows how to play tunes / phrases. If you can recognise notation associated with tab that's probably a worthwhile skill but getting started learning from books, tab is more useful. I started out using tab but now mainly like to figure out by ear. Don't think I'll ever be able to read dots.

Tab in conjunction with regular sheet music is best I suppose. The DeWitt Scott books use this approach.

Being able to play by ear and read music are definitely complementary skills. I would consider learning a lick or a tune from tab as a last resort. You really should make an effort to work it out by ear. After you've given it an honest attempt then consult the tab. If you got it wrong try to figure out why. Can you hear a difference between your arrangement and the original steelie's? It's all part of expanding your knowledge of the instrument and the tuning. I'd suggest taking something like Emmon's version of Danny Boy from Scotty's book. Learn it from the tab but while you're doing that ask yourself why did the Big E choose some of the string and grip arrangements he used. Then take some of these arrangements and try to apply them to other tunes you're trying to work out.

Have you discovered this web site? http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html

Good thread. All the above advice is so sound. Emmons' "Danny Boy" is not beginner's stuff but contains some alternative positions/inversions and string grips that can expand your thinking after the basic "Winnie". Alan's point about the dangers of notation is very appropriate and underlines what John does - like him, you need to aim at producing the notes that you "hear" in your head without having to think "fret; pedal; string etc.". You get there by wading through as much of the excercise stuff as you can manage; but figure out why any of it works.
One new suggestion -how about, learn to get familiar with the basic tuning itself. Can you find notes, scales and phrases by pushing the bar around without using the pedals/kl's? That should help your ear figure what the changes are doing for you when you do use them.
Let us know how you get on and if you have any specific issues needing help?

to tab it or not to tab it,
use what ever you can,but the more understanding of intervals and chords you have the better,I use a mix of tab for quick results,But i always find out why things are working,I use my ear to transcribe licks,solos ,and chords,I am not too proud, sometime i have to slow things down a bit,I also use a lead sheets from the real books,so i can learn the melody and harmony as writen.Then change it as i feel like.
sam from Australia.

Hi All,
Many thanks for all your advice re tab or notation. As you suggested I have already tried working through some of the pieces in the Winston book and looked for another way to play them. I will certainly give all your suggestions a go and keep you posted on my progress. I have just ordered a new PSG from Bernard Curnow and he informed me that I should change the pot in my Ernie Ball volume pedal from a 250K Ohm to a 500K Ohm that is more suitable for PSG. One other query is what price do you pay for a Tone Bar? I saw some BJS bars that are supposed to eliminate string noise. A considerable cost is this something I should consider? Does the volume pedal contribute to eliminating string noise when using the bar? I have taught all styles of guitar for nearly 40 yrs but I do appreciate that the PSG is a real challenge

Cheers,
Jack.