I will never play Jazz...............

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Much as I love it, apart from straight melody on old Jazz standards, that is as far as I go..... Know how lucky you are!, you guys that started your musical journey learning the basics from the bottom up, The notes, the scales, the chords, the music all of that before you even touch an instrument. I wish this was the path I had chosen, unfortunately I have some sort of learning disability and over the last fifty years so many people have tried to help me overcome this but , after about half an hour my eyes glaze over and I am in danger of falling off my chair. I learned a lot from watching my dear friend Gordon Huntley play but he was a good piano player before his achievements on steel guitar so that basic grounding was clearly visible in his steel playing.
I know there are quite a few retired nubies on here that are just starting to play because they love the steel sound but are without "The knowledge" I wish them well and will continue to try and help them but for the younger wanna be's my best advice is start at the beginning get your theory nailed!.

[hickenjr]

If I'm honest. I was in the same boat. Playing country standards with my family band was easy but as soon as I was asked to play with young Americana bands I got sacked and replaced with less experienced steel players who were multi instrumentalists, with big brains.

I used to over-complicate theory. Most of the videos on YouTube already expect you to have a good knowledge and non of them tell you how to incorporate theory onto steel...only piano and etc.

I learnt the Nashville number system when I was 17 but again, still didn't know how to incorporate the minors because all I knew was 1,4,5 I'm gunna break your heart.

Joining the Paul Franklin Method was great for my theory knowledge because not only does it present theory in baby steps, it also tells you how to do it on steel rather than other instruments and having to transpose it.

Learning intervals was the game changer for me. Play runs that are based on scales without actually having to know scales. I can now calculate extended chords and work round my copedent with pedals/kneelevers I'm missing. How to bodge moves other people do with levers missing from my guitar, and if there are no bodges for it...what do I ask Bob Adams to do with my guitar.

I don't totally regret being self taught though. I formed a style without copying tabbed licks, "my ID card" as my old man puts it.
I may get things wrong sometimes, but that's part of the learning experience. The Paul Franklin Method has given me the knowledge of where I am and what else I "need" to learn. At this point in my progression, music theory is just speeding the thought process up. I don't have to form licks by trial and error anymore. I've still got a long way to go but I hope to get to a point in the next couple of years where I can hear something in my head and instantly be able to play it.

I've got to say, I was dead chuffed yesterday when I gave information out about minors and flat thirds and their relationship with changes I don't even have on my guitar. Last year I only knew the root of a triad chord.

I might have done things backwards, but I'm getting there.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Steven, That's great and I am pleased for you, you represent the young blood and enthusiasm we need to take our instrument forward. There are a lot of old farts on here (Me included) that have past sell by dates who still want to have fun with it and I reckon we will .... I was just be moanimg my limitations above as I expect most of us do......

[bazmusicman]

Hi John,
Yes I am one of the retired nubie 'old fart' past my sell by date on here. Can I join your club or is it automatic once past a certain age?!

I've only had my PSG a week and like you am too old for all that theory stuff. Like your video's and I am learning basic 1, iv, v, tunes at the moment.
I have played 6 string guitar for 60 years so that helps with the structure of songs.

I would like to buy some spare SIT strings from you please.

Regards,
Baz.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

No problem Baz, send me a pm and you will have them in the morning....

[bazmusicman]

Hi John, I sent you a PM.

Regards,
Baz.