How do you learn a new musical instrument?

July 11, 2005 6:48 PM

How does one go about learning the pedal steel, or any musical instrument for that matter?

I have become infatuated with the pedal steel in a way that is completely unreasonable, and have begun to think about learning how to play it. I've heard it's impossibly difficult, and the fact that the last instrument I played was the piano, when I was 10, makes me concerned that I'm in for a bout of serious frustration.

Are my concerns founded? Does anyone have any experience taking up a completely foreign instrument as a grownup? How would you go about pursuing this?

posted by catesbie to sports, hobbies, & recreation (13 comments total)

Here's a near brilliant essay by David Fair (late of the band Half Japanese) entitled 'How To Play Guitar'. In four paragraphs, it pretty much covers everything you need to know.
posted by Item at 7:55 PM on July 11, 2005

Impossibly difficult? If so, no one could play one.

If I were to begin pedal steel, I would look into renting one for a month or two. Finding a teacher shouldn't be too difficult. From what I have gathered reading Guitar Player, the real trick is learning to mute the unplayed strings.
posted by mischief at 8:57 PM on July 11, 2005

It's great that you want to play pedal steel with such fervor!
You could start on the cheap by getting hold of a lap-steel (you can get one new for less than 100 bucks..also a small amp could cost about the same). Then you could practice picking (metal fingerpicks, plastic thumb-pick) and using the bar (held by left hand & used to stop the strings). i mention this because i know that pedal steels can be quite expensive and the cost could be a deterrent. learning on a lapsteel affords one the chance to learn a bit and have fun right off the bat, and all the techniques learned will apply directly to the pedal steel.
I urge you to just start playing music and be undeterred, there will be frustration but one can move past it. Once you get your instrument, begin w/ some basic exercises (lots of stuff online..or a method book may be helpful). Always experiment. Practice daily. Make sounds.
The way will open for the adventurous student, young or old. Good luck!
posted by The_Auditor at 10:19 PM on July 11, 2005

Pick whatever instrument you choose up, and attempt to poorly play your favorite music.
posted by angry modem at 10:27 PM on July 11, 2005

A friend of mine plays pedal steel and the way he tells it, he made him his mind that he wanted to play pedal steel and he wanted to be good so he just practiced like crazy until he got good. And, even now, he still practices quite a bit (and he's been playing pedal steel for a number of years).

Practice, practice, practice. You will suck at first, you will get frustrated but just keep going. Don't lose faith.
posted by whatideserve at 10:39 PM on July 11, 2005

Thoughts on pedal steel:
It will get as technical as you want it to. You can play slow floating notes, mile a minute picking, or distorted chords, there's always somewhere to go. I could see someone getting frustrated because they can't sound like that soon enough, but if you let yourself be happy with sounding like yourself, you're on the right track.
The popular lexicon of pedal steel players is full of guys with insane ability, who can be quite intimidating. But there are bands out there that might free up your conception of pedal steel, the only one that pops off my head is Hula (about Hula). Actually, looking at your profile, there's also a guy called Slo-mo in Philly that plays lap steel (maybe pedal) with a number of groups. Also, a guy in Philly (I think) who plays a ton of instruments, among them Pedal Steel. His current band/project is Wind Up Bird (primarily electronic I think, with violin). Interview.

They are expensive, and getting a cheap lap steel might be a decent first step, unless you have some cash to blow. It's a pretty big step between lap and pedal IMHO, but if you keep playing, you won't regret having a lap steel to take on trips, or leave in an alternate tuning.

I guess I just feel a quick path to frustration is feeling like you have to sound like something in particular, when with an instrument like pedal steel, it will be a long time until you sound like someone else, and you better get comfortable exploring.

Playing with other people is probably a good idea too.. slide often finds a place as an accompaniment instrument. Trying to play solo can be frustrating, so either to a recording or with other people, not having to hold the entire song together can give you some breathing room.

Probably the #1 starting point for steel guitar info is Brad's page of steel.
Yeah, I play lap steel, and want a pedal steel, but don't have the time.

You'll never play if you don't try.. that's the only truth.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 12:42 AM on July 12, 2005

listen to a lot of music with pedal steel in it and practice. like angry modem said too, try to imitate/play along with your favorite players

ditto what Jack said about playing with others, very important
posted by poppo at 5:25 AM on July 12, 2005

The Pedal Steel Pages

The Pedal Steel Pages - Steel Guitar Tunings

Rebel™, Ricky and Jeffs' MP3 Audio Clips And Tab - listings of pedal steel intros, turnarounds and breaks by year

See also Welcome To Planet Dobro!
posted by y2karl at 5:34 AM on July 12, 2005

And never forget the ultimate pedal steel website: Brad's Page of Steel. A lot of good info there for newbies.

More than any other instrument, the pedal steel seems to invite this kind of radical conversion experience. For good reasons. The instrument is huge in South Asia and Africa as well. Make it cry. Just be patient.
posted by realcountrymusic at 6:55 AM on July 12, 2005

There is relevant information on purchasing a steel in this thread. In a bit I'll post about learning the instrument.
posted by stet at 10:07 AM on July 12, 2005

First off, while it is very, very helpful to start on a lap steel, a lap steel will never get those crying pedal steel sounds. They are a result of having pedals.

The instrument is demanding and requires an excellent ear and a knowledge of music theory to play well. On the upside, one can have a lot of fun before learning to play well. This sample (WMA), for example, is very easy to play and great fun to listen to. The characteristic sound of a pedal steel is a movement from the 1 chord to the IV chord (for example, C to F) that is accomplished by stepping on two pedals and not even moving the bar (the slide thing that stays in your left hand). When I sat down at my first steel, I had the move figured out in about a minute and a half.

The Carter-Starter, as others have mentioned, is a great instrument to start on and runs $500 or so used and $700 or so new. You'll also need a bar, a seat, and a volume pedal as well as an amp. The Peavey Nashville 112 runs around $500 as well and is all the amp many pros need. I would strongly advise buying a new Carter-Starter as the steel is a complex instrument that is very easy to screw up. Many used instruments are great, but many are unplayable and untunable wrecks. Without an experienced player to help you select an instrument, you're likely to end up with one of the latter. If you find someone to help you shop, follow his or her recommendations.

Carter Steel Guitars has a huge number of resources for the beginner on their web page. They also maintain a steel guitar information resource which is a splendid resource for the instrument.

Probably the best thing for you to do is find an experienced player to show you around the instrument. Fortunately, steel players have a passion for introducing others to our instrument and for sharing information. If you'd like, I can post on the Steel Guitar Forum looking for a teacher in your location or just someone to let you play their steel and see if it really is the instrument you'd like to play. Offhand, I can think of three or four players in your area who'd likely love to help you out.

Personally, I spent years wanting to grow up to be a pedal steel before I realized I could just learn to play one. It's an evocative instrument and I would urge you to accept no substitutes. It's the instrument you want to play and you should by all means go for it. It's neither easy nor cheap, but what's worthwhile that is?
posted by stet at 1:37 PM on July 12, 2005

This is all tremendously wonderful advice. Thank you all so much! I will definitely check out your recommended Philly player, Jack.

You guys think lessons or no?
posted by catesbie at 2:20 PM on July 12, 2005

Taking lessons will be invaluable, especially because, as a not-yet-trained musician, your ear is likely to need some help. Also, minor problems in technique tend to become serious problems if one picks up bad habits early on. A teacher should help correct those problems.
posted by stet at 3:08 PM on July 12, 2005