The British Steelies Society

Hello everyone...I've joined this forum in search of advice...After many years of pondering, I purchased a 2nd hand Carter Starter... I have played lead guitar in a rock band for many years and am grade 3 in Piano, but have always loved the pedal steel sound...I have started by tuning it (lol) and have an instruction DVD from Rob Haines..

It seems a bit daunting at first, but after 2weeks I can use all the pedals and the left (E flat) lever, but my biggest problems are the finger picks, the Volume pedal, and vibrato with the bar (quite a lot really)...

The picks hurt and I can play much better and accurately with my fingers...can anyone give me some advice?

Also I find it hard to co-ordinate the Vol pedal with what I am doing...again any advice?

With the vibrato I notice some players roll it and others kinda waver it about...which is best?

Finally, is there any advice on what height, relative to the instrument, I should sit..

Sorry for such a long post and thanks in advance and I hope this is in the right section...BTW, I'm situated in County Down, Northern Ireland so if anyone knows anyone local I could visit to wrack their brains...lol

Thanks for the reply...I shall stick around this forum for advice, but seat time seems to be the answer...

This is my first effort at helping, it seems to have helped a few......]

John is right.
Keep playing, even if it sounds bad. You will improve.
As far as fingerpicks are concerned, stick with them. Everyone finds them uncomfortable and unnatural at first. What I did was buy some very light gauge Dunlop picks as these are easily shaped to suit you fingers and style of playing. Look at Youtube videos as well.
Once you have a comfortable shaping, progress to heavier picks, using your light gauge ones as a template. Heavier gauge picks will give a better tone - watch Youtube and see how most players really 'dig in' to the strings.
Vibrato is very personal but new players seem to use it to mask inaccuracy in bar placement. Go for accuracy and a still bar and use your ears!
I'm no great shakes on the vp so don't have much in the way of advice - but use it smoothly and not to hide clumsy changes/bum notes. By doing this you build in a bad habit (I know all too well!). Set it so you always have some volume in reserve - good for sustaining notes/chords by countering natural fade by compensatory increases in volume .
It is all practice. there's such a lot to get to grips with all at the same time - but well worth it. If you haven't got a copy of the Winnie Winston book, get on to John ASAP. It will help.
Good luck.

Thanks guys...I don't want to get overwhelmed...
I think you are right, John and Nick...best to learn to play accurately first before I worry about vibrato and vp...I can just about play with the picks but find them really uncomfortable....

I seem to playing a lot in the key of G at the moment...it seems to lend itself to that..
Also I'm recording acoustic guitar backing tracks for myself as it is easier to play with accompaniment...I am getting a nice enough sound for me to continue

BTW any advice on amps?...I'm using a Peavey Bandit through the clean channel (set on warm) with plenty of reverb...have an old selmer treble and bass which I may dig out..

Anyways...I will persevere..and thanks

Hello and welcome to the best forum in the land.

Everything John and Nick have advised I can fully endorse (although I'm just an auld newbie myself). The initial learning curve is steep, but with each small step this amazing instrument gets further under your skin. One site I would like to point out to you, is....

http://www.sierrasteels.com/lessons/lessons-index.html

These lessons have been, and still are, a tremendous help for me.

So, stick with the picks!
Don't wobble that bar till your intonation is on the ball!
Don't pump the volume pedal!
And in ten years you should be no' bad.
Your at the start of a great trip, enjoy

Thanks Danny...Had a quick look at the lessons on your link...look comprehensive...looks like I've plenty to be getting on with lol

Hello, welcome to the site, all of the above information is vital, what John said, seat time, seat time, seat time. I have been playing steel since about 1969 I still find heavier picks uncomfortable, I have for many years used Dunlop .015 and they suit my style. Keep your picks on even when not playing, helps you get used to them being there. What Danny said is correct, forget about vibrato until the intonation is correct, then treat it as a singer would, hold the note, then bring in some vibrato. If you continually use or overuse vibrato you won't be able to use it when you want to, it will control you.There are too many things to think about when you start pedal steel and the brain can't cope. Set a volume level on the pedal then don't use it, that way you can concentrate on your hands. .
On the sierra site with Joe Wright follow the exercise on the basic grips, 3 4 5,4 5 6, 5 6 8, 6 8 10, you have to be able to do it without thinking, that lets you concentrate on your left hand position. Do it forward and backward for at least 15 min at the start of any practice time. You could contact Ted Nesbitt at Rainbow Music in Carrickfergus. I believe he runs a monthly meeting. Nice man, great player.
Make a video of yourself playing, follow the practice regime for a month, then do it again, I sure you will see a big difference. Seat time is 1hr per day minimum, anymore is a bonus. Regards, Donny.

Call me anytime I'm available to help. just a phone call away. 07800-646-645.
I can answer most questions..