Question for steel teachers

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Jul 2002 8:34 am

Just curious... are you finding any change in the number of new students seeking you out for lessons? There seems to be a real spurt going on around here and I'm wondering if it's happening all around the country...

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Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 13 Jul 2002 9:18 am

Jim, I haven't had any students in almost 10 years! I know Buddy Charleton keeps pretty busy (he's only about an hour and a half away), but I really don't know anyone else in this area that's teaching steady. Mike Auldridge might teach a little, too. But, as far as I know, that's about it for the Balto./Annapolis/ D.C. area.

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 13 Jul 2002 9:29 am

I have 2 occasional students, an a couple interested. Buying one is the problem. I don't teach them without one.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 13 Jul 2002 9:47 am

Its picking up around NYC also.

Bob

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 13 Jul 2002 12:06 pm

I've had several "highly interested" inquiries during recent weeks.....but, in spite of my enthusiasm and encouragement, they fail to follow-thro' and never call back. I just don't see the personal commitment that is required from the majority in today's "instant gratification" crowd.
If they can't accomplish learning the steel in a couple of weeks, they'll.....get a boat, or a ATV, or RV or skateboard.
Oh well........

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Jul 2002 12:15 pm

Speaking of commitment, I had a new student today who is just getting started and who is completely enthusiastic about sitting down for hours at a time and just playing one note over and over again until it's clean and beautiful. I told him that's what's required (tho' I don't make all my students do that, mind you!) But this is definitely the kind of attitude that goes places.

FYI, his stimulus for starting steel was getting totally blown away by the Campbell Brothers. Right on!

jc

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 13 Jul 2002 6:17 pm

Jim- I think there is a lot more interest now for steel than there was 40 years ago.

In my area I have had a few inquiries to teach, but I can't stand the stress anymore.

You are lucky to get a new student like you mentioned. They only come along once in awhile like that. Then it is a pleasure to teach them.......al

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 Jul 2002 4:54 am

No, not yet.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 14 Jul 2002 7:00 am

Hi Jim,

I'm seeing more interest in dobro and lap steel. In the past couple of months I've taken on 2 new lap steel students and 2 dobro students (weekly lessons). Pedal steel continues to be slow because of the cost involved and the weight, etc, etc... although I always have a couple of pedal steel students at any given time. And of course guitar students are plentiful. I've got more than enough of those... 45 a week.

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Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 15 Jul 2002 6:43 pm

I live in Champaign Illinois and I've been working at Corson's Music for around a year. The owner, Dyke Corson, is also a steel player. He doesn't have the time to teach so he sends anyone who asks about lessons to me.
It does seem as though more people are becoming interested in playing steel lately. I currently have two students and have talked to another guy who is interested in taking some lessons sometime soon. It's funny, but I ocassionally play a guitar/steel gig with a guy that plays tunes like old Dylan songs, Steve Earle, old Stones tunes etc., we play at different venues than the country bars and the audiences seem to love Steel guitar, but the same people don't come out to the country bars to listen to it. Go figure![This message was edited by Bob Watson on 15 July 2002 at 07:51 PM.]

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 15 Jul 2002 6:48 pm

I had a friend from Chicago call the other day to ask me what kind of Steel he should advise a friend of his who is a beginner to buy. I told him that the Carter Starter model is reasonably priced and is advertised in a mail order company's catalog, American Music Supply. Maybe the availibility of an inexpensive Steel will help promote the steel to a new generation of players.[This message was edited by Bob Watson on 15 July 2002 at 08:00 PM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 Jul 2002 7:21 pm

I agree. Most of my new students show up either with lap steels or Carter Starters.

Quesney Gibbs · Post by **Quesney Gibbs** » 16 Jul 2002 2:56 am

I have to agree with Ray M. on this one. I did a little teaching in New Orleans in the eighties and usually after a few lessons a student would vanish. Same old story...Expensive instrument...very hard to play...Requires total dedication.

Most of my students were experienced guitar players but the steel was just too much for them. Just my own thoughts on this.

Ques