Andy Volk C6 Lap Steel book

[Will C]

I promised Jon Shackleton and others I'd get a copy of this as I don't have to pay the punitive postage and import duties, provided I don't tear the proverbial out of it - small items only.

It's a solid, well put together book,with a sturdy glossy cover. The pages are of a good weight, heavier than the Mel Bay and Hal Leonard books. It's obviously built to stand a lot of use, which is a big plus. In terms of content, it is going to appeal more to some people than others. It doesn't do much in terms of teaching specific songs, preferring to major on technique - right and left hand - and musical theory behind the content.

I suspect he takes this approach to avoid any copyright issues in respect of musical content. There's a lot on scales and technical matters. If you are a pedal player looking to learn lap as well, just a few songs to get started, I'd recommend the Mel Bay / Scotty book or, at a pinch the Hal Leonard book - that one spreads itself rather thin as it tries to cover many different tunings.

If you are looking for a really solid theory grounding so you can be maximally flexible, go for Andy Volk's offering. Just my two cents' worth, y'all.

[jonshack]

You may have got me mixed up with a famous explorer but thanks for the review Will!

Here's a link to the new book which does sound quite impressive at 120 pages: http://www.volkmediabooks.com/products- ... eel-guitar

The shipping is $18 dollars though!! I was going to see if any forum members wanted to come in on a bulk buy to save on postage but the shopping cart doesn't offer a reduction for multiple purchases. It might be worth contacting Andy about this if there's enough interest. Any takers?

Jon

[Will C]

Sorry about the finger trouble on the surname Jon, put it down to old age. But as I said, I can get copies of this book mailed to me at lower cost provided I don't try to get them sent in bulk.

[DaveC]

Will,
I don't know if you would be able to get one before our next Clapham meeting, but looking at the preview, it might help me a lot more with technique which Hal and Mel Bay are a little light on. Having met at the last meeting, what think you for me? sounds like a good silent tutor for me?
regards,
Dave

[WineRider]

You can buy any of Andy Volk books on Amazon UK, although the prices I saw shocked me...they are not cheap £40 downwards, but there are no import charges.

WineRider

[Tawpick]

I bought the book when it first came out. there is a lot of good info in there for someone like me who's relatively new to C6 tuning. I'm still finding it a good resource to refer to.
With regard to extra costs importing. I didn't have to pay anything. As i understand it there is no VAT charged on books when importing into UK and therefore no collection charges apply.

Back to books, I also am finding Mike Neers' Book 'Steelin' scales and modes' a great resource.

[nevada150]

Slightly off topic I know.
I bought the Andy Volk book 18 Arrangements for B11 Tuning, and whilst the arrangements are very good, there isn't a disc included. Instead Andy makes available online MIDI files of his tunes. I found them to be a bit disappointingly "Plastic" to tell the truth. However, the book is well produced and cost a little under £40 from Amazon.
Keith.

[WineRider]

Ok when I first built the Elm 6 string lap I thought I'd buy the 'Lapsteel Guitar' book from Hal Leonard...not at all impressed although at $19.99 including post I wasn't complaining. I also bought the Mel Bay book 'Don Helms' I was even more un-impressed especially as there were a load of typo's that a good proof reader should have picked out.

The first book led you to believe from the advert that it was dedicated to lap steel when in fact it more than resembled a book of open tuning G,D,E that one would find with a Dobro. No diatonics, no triads just all single string work. No wonder youngsters or oldies coming to lap steel fall by the wayside.

The second book is OK, but it is angled at E13th no problem there but most of the dots and tabs are for backing a singer, which doesn't always work out too well if you are learning how to navigate the 'machine".

If you want to start from a fairly basic position then 'The Art of Hawaiian Steel Guitar' by Stacy Phillips is far more informative, plus there are different arrangements of the tunes and also different tunings.

If you are just looking for tabs then I will always reccomend BILL CHAVIERS his site lists stack of tabs from Jazz, Classics, Country and loads of Swing. Most of Bill's tabs are for A7th but they play the same for C6th and I think he has some different tunings also. The tabs and postage are all free and his tabs have both chords and timing for the notes, I always put them onto Guitar Pro 6 which makes it easier for me to read as in many instances you get the melody line.

Sorry if all that is long winded.

WineRIder

[henry]

Hi WineRider,

I'm interested in learning more about E13, should I get this book? are there any other good ones?

Cheers,

Henry

[WineRider]

Hi Henry,

I'm not the one to ask about E13th tuning, but if you are interested in covering the postage from France you can have my copy it comes with a CD to help, if help is the right word!!!! You're than welcome to it.

I'll check on the postage tomorrow, if you send me a PM I'll let you know the cost.

WineRider