Hi; How do you keep the momentum?

[camaro cowboy]

Evening folks;greetings from sunny North Oxfordshire.
Just dug the steel out from under the bed where it has lain for the last 2 years. Within minutes had zipped through 'Crazy Arms' on page 38 of Winnie Winston.
The magic was back starightaway. The trouble is,I have never got beyond this.
Hopefully without boring you good fellows,a bit about my history.
I bought a Sho-bud Maverick from the steel Mill in1977,had a few lessons with Mr Hogan no less & played a bit in a small young band in the late 70s. I loved the scene then and spent many a happy evening at gigs watching heros like Al Barratt/Vision/Hobo etc etc-even remember being wowed (not wooed) by Sarah Jory at Peterbro Festival when she was 12! Sadly though,the steel spent most of it's time in deep slumber,coming out every few years for a blast through the bits Gerry had taught me for a few weeks,only to hibernate again. A couple of years back I sold the sho-bud & bought a Carter Starter,thinking more knee-levers would equal more versatility-and to an extent I hope that is true;although the build quality is nowhere near as good as the old sho-bud; even if that was a student model covered in fablon!
I shall be 50 this year & would dearly love to master the thing (or at least knock out Highway 40 Blues with some degree of satisfaction) before arthritis gets my thumbs! How do you folks out there in steelie land manage to keep up the momentum? Admittedly now,there's the internet to make learning easier (Mr Adams' in Texas looks to be providing a great service...) whereas 30 years ago all I had was Winnie & Mel Bay!
Cheers

[Jim Pritchard]

Hi Andrew, and welcome to the site.
Its a pity your guitar has been in hibernation, all being well it had to see the light of day .

Keeping up the 'momemtum' ?.... go out and see as many bands with steel players as possible, there are also a number of steelies in your area who can be very helpful, or come along to one of 'Uncle Roy's' regular monthly meetings at Siston, where information and all things steel can be discussed .
I agree the internet may be of great value to some, but on a one to one basis at a meeting with fellow steel players has got to be much better.
regards Jim.

[ZBSD-10]

Hallo Andrew from hot, sunny Corfu !
As Jim said, welcome to the fold, you'll meet some great guys here who are very helpful with any queries that
you will undoubtably have.
Before my wife and I moved here I played with a Welsh band called Frisco and did a lot of gigs up around your
neck of the woods and again ,as Jim pointed out, get to see as many steelies as you can,even bands with no
steel players, have a look and say "I could put this or that in there", you'll soon be eager to play with other
muso's.
It would be of great interest to you to get to Uncle Roys monthly meeting at Siston,not a million miles from
you (nearer than me !) where you'll be warmly welcomed !
All the best
Frank. Corfu

[Donny Johnston]

Hi Andrew, Unfortunately both of the previous old saddos are correct, if you see someone playing something that you don't know how to play, just ask, the minute you have a new riff learned you'll want to learn another one. That's how you keep it going. Try to get over to the Irish Festival in October, you'll see more steel players than you can shake a fist at. Donny.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Hi Andrew, I am up here at St.Neots Cambs, ans I hold student sessions on a Monday Evening 7pm until 10pm, closer I think than Uncle Roy`s and I never have more than 3 students at a time, give me a ring if your interested in coming over 01480 393900 "How do you keep the momentum?" think of a toon you really like and can stand hearing quite a few times and we could soon put it together......... JD

AS a complete beginner, I would suggest the same Thing I say to fellow six stringers-
Dont Leave it in the case.
keep it out, ( or set up ) wherever possible. that way it's never too much trouble just to sit down and have a quick go.

[ZBSD-10]

Hey Jim !
Do you think Donny's got it in for us hallowed ZB owner/players
All the best (Donny included !)
Frank. Hot (28C), sunny Corfu

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[camaro cowboy]

Wow!
What a reception. Many thanks for all your encouraging noises & tips. I will pm John about perhaps a trip to St Neots- Google Maps says 1hr 43min. Siston (assuming its the one in Glos) is 1hr 48! Couldnt be better placed for both you say! I think this is just what I need. I assume that John Davis is the one to be found on YouTube and some of you guys are playing at the meeting in the sports hall on there too. Grey hair seems to be a pre-requisite of attending; am able to confirm that my subs are up to date in that dept......
It is interesting to see many names and references on this forum that I recognise-many who are resposible for getting me hooked on the steel as a teenager in the mid 70s. It was probably Pete Willsher on a Jonny Young Band album that first pricked my ears up,along with Derek Thurlby on Kelvin Henderson's 'Black Magic Gun'. Dave Hayward,Brian Cole & of course the late Mr Huntley who I was fortunate to see at a gig at Witney football club with Roger Humphris.Nostalgia IS what it used to be....
Anyroadup,many many thanks for all your encouragement-its good to know what a friendly enthusiastic clan there is out there

[Shaun]

Welcome Andrew,
There's a great crowd of folks on here with plenty of Advise and encouragement for us beginers.
Keep on Steelin'
I second the adivise about not leaving the steel in its case. mines always set up ready to play.

[camaro cowboy]

Thanks Shaun. 'Leave it out' seems to be the soundest advice then. The Mrs will keep badgering me to play it if she keeps tripping over it too..........