New member seeks help!

[shrub]

Hi,

At the grand old age of 71 years and with absolutely no musical knowledge, I am considering learning to play an instrument - just for my own amusement.

As I have always liked country music and, in particular, the steel guitar, I would like to learn to play that instrument.

Being a wrinkly, I have quite a lot of time to practice, but I would like some pointers as to which instrument, the best way to learn - and, more importantly, is my plan feasible??

Shrub

[nevada150]

Hello Shrub and welcome to the Forum.
No, 71 isn't too old to learn a new instrument. I'll be 75 in a couple of months and I began playing Lap Steel Guitar a little over a year and a half ago and I think I'm improving ! I'd played standard guitar for a long time, and Uke for a couple of years, so I had a bit if knowledge about melody and chords.
There's lots of material to watch on YouTube and also on the Forum under Recordings and Videos. You should be able to see something that you like and come to some kind of decision on what to buy and what you'd like to play.
You'll get lots of advice and information from the Forum members. Just ask and someone will help.
Regards,
Keith.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Hi Shrub, welcome aboard, tell us where your from ? , If your within travelling distance of St.Neots Cambs. I have 5 guitars here that your welcome to try without obligation and the help and advice comes free.
They are a good crowd on here and you will find the help you want with no probs.

[shrub]

Thanks for the replies

I'm from Manchester, so thanks for the invitation, but Cambridge is a bit too far out.

I wonder if it may be better to learn the basics on another (maybe, easier) instrument, as looking at the videos, the steel players seem to either concentrating very hard or appearing to be under torture , whilst the guitar players are happily strumming away with grins on their faces.

Has anyone ideas as to a Plan B?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

If you have been bitten by the steel bug......... then nothing else will cut it for you.... unless of course you are a banjo player??

[Uncle Roy]

Yes welcome aboard Shrub,
I have a friend here in the West Country who started at the ageof 71 and just like yourself he had no musical knowledge at all. Now aged 75 he's playing along on a pedal steel to many backing tracks at home and having a ball and takes time to smile as well
Go for it.

[Jif]

Hi Shrub,

Welcome to the forum.

It's always an option to start on a lap steel to see how you get on before tackling the contortionist moves of the pedal steel. You could learn the basics on lap, such as how to use a bar, how to block strings, (damping strings to stop them ringing forever!) etc.

However, if it's the pedal steel you really fancy learning, then I say go for it

But you are right, I always had a happier face when playing 6 string guitar. Pedal steel does require a lot of concentration and practice but it is very rewarding. And you're never too old if all your body parts are still working reasonably well

Good luck.

[shrub]

Thanks for the posts - and the encouragement!

As I am a firm believer in the KISS principle, I think I would be better starting off with something a little more simple, such as a lap steel. I have great problems co-ordinating my legs at the best of times - as my wife's bruised feet and my swimming coach's despair will testify

So, what make or model of lap steels are worth considering?

I am on holiday next month and I plan to take the plunge on my return. In the meanwhile, I will continue to read up on as much as I can.

[nevada150]

Hi again Shrub,
If you do decide to go ahead with a Lap Steel Guitar (Plank as it's affectionally named) check out eBay, there are always Lap Steels on there. Don't spend too much of your pension on one in case you decide it's not for you. New Harvey Benton models are reasonably priced and get reasonable reviews. If you can still use a few hand tools, you could consider making a guitar yourself! It's not too difficult, I know because that's the route I took until I managed to buy an old classic from eBay. C6th or A6th tunings seem to be the favourites at the moment, and if you've never played an instrument before it's a good starting point. Lots of beautiful chords available and good for all genres of music. As I said in my last reply, ask on the Forum and you'll get lots of help.

[shrub]

OK, I have now bought a Harvey Benton 6 string and am taking tentative steps to learn to play it - together with music theory.

As I am a total newcomer to music, I now understand the A to G notes and the repeats, an octave up (or down).

What I don't understand is how do I differentiate one, say, C from a C an octave different?

I have a Boss TU-80 tuner and when I play a note, quite often in flickers between, say, D3 and D4. Are D3 and D4 an octave apart and is the Boss usage of the note and a number their method or is it a universal method?

I would appreciate help to clear the fog.

Harry