For all you guitarist who want to learn how to play steel

Steel guitar web sites, videos and recordings on the Internet

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

User avatar
Johan Jansen
Posts: 3334
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Europe
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Johan Jansen »

First of all:

I don't believe in video-teaching.

A video doesn't grab your hand when you are destroying musclegroups in your hands, arm shoulders, back and so on.
A video doesn't explain exact what you need.
A video maybe gives some answers on your questions and demands, but also can make you very unsure about your level, mostly it makes you feel very little and a nono.

At my teachingroom, I use a daw, record my students and from time to time I let them experience their progressions.
A lot of students record their lessons on video, but that as a backup and reminder of the teachinghours.

I think the guy thinks he does a good thing to the steelguitarworld. I don't think he deserves pulling him down. Maybe he should be invited to this forum and get the experiences that there are other ways to get guitarplayers to pedalsteel.
And to learn some playin' :) .
JJ
User avatar
Joachim Kettner
Posts: 7685
Joined: 14 Apr 2009 1:57 pm
Location: Germany
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Joachim Kettner »

Judging from the two minutes he played, I must say that I played almost exactly like him 'till about ten years ago. No wrong notes, but the same phrases all over again. I thought I should do something about it and learn something new. A Herby Wallace course was very helpful, showing ways to go from one chord to another, intros and endings...
User avatar
Bent Romnes
Posts: 5985
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 2:35 pm
Location: London,Ontario, Canada
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Bent Romnes »

Johan Jansen wrote:First of all:
I don't believe in video-teaching.
A video doesn't grab your hand when you are destroying musclegroups in your hands, arm shoulders, back and so on.
JJ
First of all, I found little value in this guys teaching. Why even bother with this level of video teaching when we have teachers like Mickey Adams?

Johan, of course you are entitled to your opinions but I found it odd to note your disbelief in video teaching. Like video, learning form a record or tab is the same then. It does not grab hold of your hand either. It does sound like the only method you do believe in is one on one personal teaching.

Of course you are more qualified than I, but in fact I have never heard of destruction of muscle groups and the like. I would venture to guess that so-called normal, accepted playing styles will cause tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome in some people when they play a lot, somewhat the same as a typist maybe?

If one on one teaching method was all that was offered, I am afraid that this would be a huge hindrance in learning.
User avatar
Johan Jansen
Posts: 3334
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Europe
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Johan Jansen »

Hi Brent,
what I am talking about is from what I experience.
If you try to learn from scrap (sorry, wrong word, I mean scratch) you are searching for all you can get and fool around with. There is nothing wrong with that. But wenn you are trying to learn it seriously and willing to make good progressions and spending money on that, try to find a good teacher!
I still feel the slap from the rule from Jeff Newman:), he was a very good teacher that helped you really out with good sitting and hand-positioning. Yes, he also made amazing good TAB and Video, but I won't recommend that as a start with pedalsteel. His classes were far-out nr 1 on teaching, and I guess the one-on-one teaching topped that!
And yes, I see a lot of muscle-problems and wristpain that is not necesarry from students that made some experiences with just tab and video.
regards, Johan

Editted for the 6th time, I keep on seeing spelling-mistakes :)
Last edited by Johan Jansen on 12 Sep 2010 7:00 am, edited 6 times in total.
User avatar
Bent Romnes
Posts: 5985
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 2:35 pm
Location: London,Ontario, Canada
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Bent Romnes »

Johan,
Scrap, yes, I agree. There is 'scrap' in-person teaching too.I hope you are not equating all video with scrap. I find it odd you should choose that word here in the context that we are talking.

However, lets not hijack this thread any more than we already have. If you want to discuss it further, just start a new thread in Steel players.
User avatar
basilh
Posts: 7710
Joined: 26 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: United Kingdom
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Ambiguous usage of "Scrap"

Post by basilh »

Starting from "Scratch" = to start from the beginning..

FWIW lads..Not correct usage of Scrap = no connotation with the "beginning"... on the contrary, scrap is usually the end product.. :roll: :roll: :roll:

JJ What are you trying to say when you say
If you try to learn from scrap you are surching for all you can get and fool around
If you mean Scrap as in the meaning = "Rubbish" or "Garbage" I THINK I understand..
Please Do NOT take this comment as anything other than helpful in trying to understand your intent..Bas (Lovingly)
User avatar
Johan Jansen
Posts: 3334
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Europe
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Johan Jansen »

Thanks Basil !!!
Yes, I (as a Dutch language-nono) mean Scratch!!
I know what I am talking about, I don't mean to argue with someone, I just like to help out with my experience.
And this is the thread where it belongs to in my opinion.
Johan
User avatar
basilh
Posts: 7710
Joined: 26 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: United Kingdom
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by basilh »

I thought you meant scratch, so I'm glad you didn't mind me pointing it out.. Contrary to what some people think, I have a great love for the Dutch people, the sales of my EMI Albums in the sixties and seventies were more in the Netherlands than elsewhere in Europe..
And as A member and secretary of the European Steel Guitar Hall of Fame I've actively promoted the nomination of the players from Holland.
(Just be careful you never know who's been nominated for NEXT year)
I think so far we've done well to cover most of the "Ground Roots" players in the Netherlands..
This year :- Koos Biel, Jan Visser and George de Fretes, last year Theo Ehrlicher and Rudy Wairata.

If you have suggestions for NEXT year (For any country) please post your comments and short bio of them Click HERE
User avatar
Bent Romnes
Posts: 5985
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 2:35 pm
Location: London,Ontario, Canada
State/Province: -
Country: United States

Post by Bent Romnes »

Johan Jansen wrote:mean Scratch!!

And this is the thread where it belongs to in my opinion.
Johan
Ok, 'scratch' puts a different meaning on it. Sorry I misunderstood your word and intention.

But to say you don't believe in video teaching..Well, like I said at the start, you are entitled to believe in what you want. But for a teacher of some experience to make a blanket statement against video teaching, makes me question said teacher's motivations.

Johan, so many examples of quality video teachings have been demonstrated and have proven to be a fine and legit way of teaching/learning.
Jeff Newman (the guy who slapped your hand with a ruler!) taught in-person as well as video. In fact, video was a huge part of the Jeffran way of teaching. Mickey Adams is a modern day video teacher who has helped many become better players.

I am sure you agree with me that Jeff's way has grown to be the best method around.

You want to help out with your experience, that is a very fine way to be for sure. But for an obviously experienced and good teacher to state right away that he doesn't agree with video teaching, just goes against the grain of what good teaching is all about. We use all the tools in our arsenal to teach the students - not only one or two but the whole spectrum of teaching aides. And in this day and age that certainly includes video.
User avatar
Ron Anderson
Posts: 488
Joined: 10 Jan 2011 7:23 pm
Location: Keystone Colorado, USA
State/Province: Colorado
Country: United States

Post by Ron Anderson »

Ok,

I'm:

An idiot :D
A beginner :D
A Guitarist :twisted:
And I have $4.00

So I bought the download as I need all the help I can get. I'll let y'all know what I think.
User avatar
Ron Anderson
Posts: 488
Joined: 10 Jan 2011 7:23 pm
Location: Keystone Colorado, USA
State/Province: Colorado
Country: United States

Post by Ron Anderson »

Ok,

I've spent more money on less worthless stuff in my days than this video.

If nothing else he demonstrates an easy way to find the relative minor for any played major and I'm thankful for that. While some may scoff, I found this video very good for the guitarist trying to make the transition to E9 pedal steel.