BEX17: Pick-Blocking 101, Beginner Steel Guitar

[7474ace]

Hello Micky : AL here thanks for that lesson. You are good at showing things.

[serafinpol]

Thank you for sharing your talent. I do appreciate it.

[Singlpilot]

Absolutely!...

[jpeanrkode]

Is this the technique that Welson Myrick used on "I'll Come Running"? I know it has to be a relatively easy lick but it blows my mind. i've been trying to figure that one our for some time now.

[clewi1091]

i have played guitar and bass for years but the blocking on the steel is alot different to me. do you block always with your picks only and not with the palm at all? thanks for any answer.

[clewi1091]

i just started learning the steel today. my dad played and i learned a little watching him. he passed away about 3 years ago and i got all of his equipment. it took awhile for me to set down at it and try to work on it just because of memories of my dad.. ill continue in another post.

[Singlpilot]

Bill, you are so right...So many of the finer players are simplifying thier setups nowadays. Ive gone to 3 and 5 on an S12, and I think thats where I will stay for a while...thanks so much for taking the time to post my friend....Write anytime...Mickey

[packingten]

Mickey thank you for this article,I have been Steeling for 29 years,I swapped my Dinette set when I was single for one of those Old Fender(Sho Bud made em) student Models. I saw Paul Franklin Jeff Newman&Larry Sasser all play Student models at the PSG Convention in the 80's to show how much you can do on one, lets face it if you ca raise 5/10 3/6, raise and lower 4&8 you can play most Nasville type songs, of course now I have 5 knee levers on my franklin.Your a friend to anyone trying to learn

[VictoryRoadBand]

Man thanks so much for this lesson I got it! Well not the fast part, but I will.

[Singlpilot]

Awesome VRB...Lots more stuff in my upcoming ew book!..Stay tuned!...Mick

[kparsons83]

all of a sudden.. its clear! thanks,

kyle, from frisco/plano area.

[ponyrider50]

I have been playing 6 string guitar for 30 years, I want to learn something new, got a mandolin, but it's not too hard to learn, although still learning!! I recently got a Carter starter pedal steel, this is my first lesson, I will start this lesson, but would like to know witch lesson should be next? You explain things very well, like to learn the right way, willing to crawl before walking. Let me know what lesson 2 should be please and thank you!! Bill AKA ponyrider50

[Singlpilot]

Hey Bill...!...All the BEX lessons are exercises...i still use them all EVERY day...Go there I say!....Mickey

[vbgpaul]

Mickey..call me. Paul.

[Singlpilot]

Here Paul!......LOL...

[Singlpilot]

I think thats fine...all your work on it can be transferred to the pedals too...Mick

[wvanhorn]

Thanks for the lessons, they're a big help. I'm interested in learning pedal steel (I'm currently a banjo player - bluegrass and swing mainly) but can't afford one. My friend is giving me a complete steal on his lap steel and I'm thinking I'll learn on it, build an 8 string, then see where I'm at. What do you think about starting on lap steel? I've been using C6, figuring it will transition best. Thanks!

[Singlpilot]

You can absolutely start off with a better instrument. My 1st guitar was a Sho-Bud Professional D10 with 8+5. If you can afford a higher end guitar, get one. You can always sell a higher end instrument for close to what you paid for it, on the other hand if you get a student model, and its doesnt fit your needs, it will deter your learning process and frustrate you...Theres a Magnum E9 S10 on Ebay right now,search magnum steel guitar.....Keep me posted..we'll find you the right guitar...Mickey

[lesy1]

A little help here, I,ve procrastinated long

enough. This bass player wants to go for it.

Would I be better off with a student model,

or can one start with a better instrument?

[lesy1]

Thanks for the tip. I've seen a mullins located in Mn. D10 looks good around $2,000

Iam really starting to like the sound that I hear when guys like you and HW play the mullins. I've been around Emmons and ShoBud,

most of the time. This is going to be tough there sure alot of fine guitars out there.

Les

[Sandwich80]

yeah! you shure know very well what youre talkin about.

[CaptainBeeFart]

BTW, I agree with Mickey that if you "dampen with authority" the squeaking isn't audible. Also, playing through a pedal steel pickup (esp. a humbucker), with the high freq.s rolled off a bit and just a touch of reverb, is going to conceal the squeaking substantially. On a steel string acoustic, though, it can get pretty annoying...

[Singlpilot]

Hey Cpt!...Id like a link to those if you can find one...Thats an interesting concept....Mickey

[CaptainBeeFart]

Re: fingerpick material: Has anyone tried cobalt-plated picks? I've just started to see these for sale recently... Stock metal fingerpicks (can be from any manufacturer) are coated with a thin layer of cobalt, and SUPPOSEDLY this cuts down on the metallic squeaking. (I haven't tried 'em yet, curious if anyone else has...)

[basstutor]

If you used plastic/nylon finger picks insread of metal, do they a) dampen the sound any better, b) sound any better or worse ?

[Singlpilot]

The for me with nylon picks is that they arent rigid enough and cant be bent easily...Surely though the less rigid material would absorb more vibration with less residual noise or accidental overtones...hows your playing coming man?....Making progress?

[Singlpilot]

Guess I better start proff reading..LOL

[kwschainman]

I'm sorry i meant right pinky.

[Singlpilot]

Ive seen several players play with their fingers doubled up under, over the strings. This would allow the pinky to accomplish the block. As for me I have found that to be uncomfortable...but thats just me!

[kwschainman]

WooHoo I'm the first one to see this!! Just a quick question though. When you use your picks to block, does it not give it a slight ring when the picks touch the strings when they're still vibrating? Thats what I was told when I was taking lessons and I was told to block with my left hand and left pinky. Is using the picks to block the same thing?

[Singlpilot]

As a matter of fact it does, can you hear it?...LOL..If you dampen with auhority though it is very minimal. How could you possibly move your pinky around the bar?..Are you confusing blocking with dampening?...Dampening the strings behind the bar has a definitive purpose, explained in another video. More questions?..fire away..Mickey