How to Learn to Play a Steel Guitar
The steel guitar typically is associated with country music, but it actually is used in a variety of musical genres, including jazz, blues and gospel music. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys helped to popularize the steel guitar in the 1930s and '40s. Wills played a style of music referred to as Western Swing, which combined elements of jazz, country music, fiddle tunes and blues. The steel guitar has evolved from a six-string lap steel guitar to the contemporary pedal steel guitar that typically has 10 strings.
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Instructions
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Purchase steel guitar instructional books and DVDs for the style of steel guitar that you are interested in learning. Instructional books are available for pedal steel guitar and lap steel guitar.
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Take lessons with a steel guitar teacher. Finding a steel guitar mentor is the best approach in learning the steel guitar. Inquire about lessons at local music stores in the area. Place an ad in the local music paper for a steel guitar instructor. Check online sources, such as Craigslist, for a steel guitar instructor. When you see a band with a steel guitar player, ask if he gives lessons.
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Visit online steel guitar sites. A large amount of instructional tips and advice about the intricacies of the steel guitar is available online. Two of the most informative resources are Scotty's Music and Brad's Page of Steel. Both sites provide an exhaustive amount of knowledge about the history of the steel guitar, tips about different types of steel guitars, information about steel guitar tunings and techniques, and a list of additional resources about the steel guitar.
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Watch, listen and learn from steel guitar players. Take the opportunity to watch steel guitarists play in live performances. Attend steel guitar conventions. The largest steel guitar convention, sponsored by Scotty's Music, is held every Labor Day weekend in St. Louis, Missouri. It is a three-day event that features the top steel guitar players in the world and features performances, workshops, discussions, jam sessions and instruments for sale.
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