Pedal Steel- Barriers to entry

[timdjango]

A lot is made of why there aren't more young British steelers. While I actually believe that things are in some respects better than they were before, I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring, as a young British steeler myself, with the view of provoking some conversation. All my opinions are my own, and of course are not meant in any way to criticise any other musicians, who I hold in the highest esteem.

Complexity.

The Pedal Steel is a notoriously complex instrument. However, I think that its supposed difficulty is compounded by the fact that the steel is mostly approached by guitarists. Guitarists often apply their learning through fretboard based visual stimulus (chord shapes, scale patterns), which are largely stripped away by the steel. Although theory is arguably easier to apply on the steel than the guitar, it requires guitarists adopt a more generalist (theory based) approach to harmony, which they may have previously circumvented. In short, the guitar is actually very poor mental preparation for the steel, even if it helps with the right hand.

Price and availability

There is only a small first hand market for steels. While the second hand market is booming, it can be difficult to navigate safely, even for relatively experienced steelers. Steels are very expensive and require a car. Generally young musicians (without an older family friend) have to buy a steel in order to try it out, rather than experimenting in their school or music college. This can be intimidating and requires a robust cash flow and sense of adventure. Starter models are OK, but require prompt upgrading and don't represent particularly good value, or in the case of the Stage 1, barely qualify in terms of price as starter models at all.

Access to instruction and diverse materials

Young players need instruction. I have had great fortune to learn with accomplished steeler who shares my taste and attitude. However, many players do not have these sort of opportunities, meaning that pedal steel is largely auto-didactic and thus inaccessible to many. Even with the internet, good instruction is rare and frankly there are too many poor quality resources swamping the good ones. Mickey Adams can't do it all on his own. Another issue is the massive prevalence of instruction in purely country music (Together Again, anyone?), which surely does not represent a diverse range of musical styles that the steel is capable of contributing towards. Other esoteric instruments usually have a wider set of tunes (Concert harp) or deeply embedded institutions for its practise (Bagpipes, military snare). This may simply be a mark of the instrument's relative youth.

So what does this mean. Ultimately it means that young players have a series of hurdles to rise above, some musical, others financial and logistical, which prevent easy access to and experimentation with the pedal steel. On a more downbeat note, it also means that possibly the players who are most able to take up the steel are possible not those potentially best at it, but simply those who can afford its significant requirements of time and money. I would love to know what you all think. Tim

[SteelieAJK]

Don't reckon pedal steel will ever be taken up by many young players, an instrument that looks like a knitting machine just ain't sexy enough...

[SteelieAJK]

... and you can't put a foot on the wedge during your solo...

[Will C]

Still trying to work out what Alan is saying about the wedge. I thought "wedge" was money!

Tim, I think you are right. I came to the steel after almost 40 years of messing around with a 6-string guitar. Frankly, the greatest value in that, for me, was that I got a chance to work out some of the basic rules of musical theory, step by halting step. And you are right about pigeonholing the instrument too.

JD (bless him) never loses a chance to tell me I'm not playing enough country. I reply "Yes, there are quite a few chords in this piece. It's complex. No, it isn't country. But I'm doing it precisely because that's how I learn, and the piece is pleasing." So I do "Fly me to the Moon", "When I Fall in Love" or any of the old Lennon-McCartney classics from my boyhood, and I enjoy the sound. With everyone turning against bands, and particularly steels in bands, playing for my own pleasure may be all there is left. Keep the faith, brothers. One day the pendulum will swing back, and we'll be the old 'uns passing it on. (Well ok, I'm already old, but what the hell)

By the way, "The Snowman" sounds good on steel.....

[Nick Bidmade]

A very thoughtful and well-argued piece. Cost, transport and complexity of the instrument do conspire to make psg a difficult 'entry-level' instrument for a young player to take up without support. Then there's a golden period where one may have the resources (car, income) to start out on psg before the golden period ends, one's memory starts to wander and the back goes, making the steel impossible to get into the car anyway

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

I disagree about the help not being available Tim, If you look in the British Steelies Mag. there is a whole bunch of us eager to help and that's a lot different to when I started, back then there was no internet help either good or bad.
A little while ago I tried to get a few people together for a mini-steel-meeting and it was a struggle to get three takers so, instead of booking a hall we are having a meeting in my flat (where the tea and bacon sarnies are more accessible!) I know there are more takers out there but the date you choose is never going to be convenient for everyone.
The young guy that came up from London (on the train) on Thursday, I gave about four and a half hours to, and it was a pleasure to help someone who showed such aptitude and had never played a pedal steel before.
Re.Guitars, I still feel that so called "Student" guitars are the road to frustration for people that are really serious about playing just MHO.

[Gretschnut]

Just hope I don't disappoint on the steel although I am pretty good at Tea and Biscuits these days!

[David Hartley]

Tim, good thoughts.
I think a bit like JD, but it's our age probably, there is loads of help these days.
There was lots of venues years ago to so that was a good learning tool, just playing and seeing others.
You're doing good, I like your last song.

[Tony Smart]

As far as learning goes, if you're a beginner or anywhere within the learning process,(aren't we all) Dave is a very good teacher. If he holds another get together, try to get there.

Having been to one of his days, he's got a lot of patience, knows what to show you without being patronising and is full of encouragement.

That's not to say others aren't as good.