So you've been swept away by the sounds of the steel guitar and have decided to learn to play. You'd not only like to learn play, but also play western swing style with a steel guitar. Here's learn to play the steel guitar in that western swing style.
Instructions
1. Start with the basics of tuning. Knowing treat your steel guitar is as important as playing it. You cannot play a guitar, steel or otherwise, if it's not tuned properly.
2. Familiarize yourself with all the parts of the steel guitar. The cabinet, or body, the changer, or control bridge, endplates, keyhead, necks, pedal rods and pedals are some of the parts. Learning use the pedals is imperative to playing the western swing style.
3. Listen to some of the great steel guitar artists. Guys like Leon McAuliffe, Herb Remington and Noel Boggs were all instrumental in developing the swing style. Listening to their recordings and styles will give you a fuller understanding of the instrument.
4. View some of the greats on video. Nothing compares to seeing the greats perform on their steel guitars. Not only will seeing them play inspire you, it will also give you valuable visual on the techniques they use.
5. Buy one of Cindy Cashdollar's "Learn to Play Swing Steel Guitar" DVDs. She covers all sorts of basic techniques, such as scales and pick techniques, as well as some advanced swing style techniques.
