New to pedal steel, nit pick my playing!

[Asher Roseman]

Hey all! My name is Asher and I'm a little less than 2 months into playing the steel, as I started in the beginning of June. As a 19 year old, I'd like to pick some of you older players' brains for tips, wisdom, etc. Linked below is me covering Cowboy Eddie Long's solo on High Cost of Living by Jamey Johnson. LMK what I'm doing right, wrong, etc. Bear in mind that I did just learn this solo a day or 2 ago. Also, give me your best practice tips and specific things to learn. Literally any and all wisdom is appreciated

https://youtube.com/shorts/yRtSEvMLQso?feature=share

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Thank you!

[Dennis Detweiler]

I couldn't hear or see anything that you're doing wrong. You're on the right track. Your ear is good. Keep woodshedding. Outside of that, try and play with musicians that are better and more knowledgeable than you, being the weakest link in the band, and you'll move forward faster.

[Donny Hinson]

For only playing 2 months, you're doing amazingly well! Keep doing whatever you've been doing.

[Asher Roseman]

Dennis, yeah I’ve felt a little uncomfortable doing that but I’m def going to make a concerted effort to jam with others in the near future.

[Asher Roseman]

And thank you Donny!

[Jason Altshuler]

Sounds great Asher! Very impressed.

I'm relatively new myself but something that has been helpful for me to spend time shedding is blocking (with the right hand)... learning to really control the length of each individual note will make your phrasing sound cleaner and more intentional. It definitely feels weird at first and takes some practice.

PS I think our moms are friends...

[Dennis Detweiler]

Also, concentrate most with the right hand technique, blocking, muting and pick attack. The middle finger and thumb match in tone more than the thumb and index finger. I think, because of the angle of attack. Buddy Emmons and Tommy White are prime examples of middle finger and thumb when single noting. Overlapping the thumb and middle finger across the strings is a challenging technique. The left hand and bar are easier to master. The common phrase, "it's all in the right hand" is true.

[Lee Baucum]

Dittos to all the previous posts!

Also, concentrate most with the right hand technique, blocking, muting and pick attack.

To add to that, maybe tuck the right elbow in closer to your side. That can help rotate your right hand into a better position for striking the strings.

NOTE: That doesn't work for everybody!

~Lee

[Dale Rottacker]

2 months??? ... I started at about 15-17 about 1972? and guessing that was before YOUR parents were born. I STILL wouldn't be able to pull off what you just did. I applaud you ... If this is something you're gonna stick with, I'd expect you to go far.

[Ian Rae]

I'd just like to pick up on what Dennis said about finding others to play with. I've been playing for ten years now, but I've covered very few songs with any original steel in them. That way I've had to figure out what to do from scratch, which in turn increases vocabulary. Fortunately, less is more, so you can always allow yourself time to think. I'd say you're off to a great start.

[Asher Roseman]

Thank you all, very helpful. I love this instrument and really appreciate y'alls willingness to share your knowledge.

[Bobby D. Jones]

Very Good licks.
You have a good set of hands, Be careful with them.
Enjoy your journey with Steel Guitar. Happy Steelin. BJ

[Larry Dering]

Asher, good job. Keep at it and you will develop all you need.

[Clyde Mattocks]

You're well on your way. Good attack, you're not scared of it.

[Rick Campbell]

I think it amazing that you can play that well in such a short time. I hope you keep it up and share more with us.

RC