Cindy Cashdollar shows you how to play the eight-string, electric non-pedal steel. Starting with the basics of C6 tuning, you'll learn how to use the bar, picks and volume pedal, plus important techniques such as bar slams, octave slides, palm blocking, chord inversions, back-up licks, harmony lines, scales, slants, augmented chords and much more. Put it all into practice with classics such as Cold, Cold Heart and San Antonio Rose.
Product details
Aspect Ratio
:
1.33:1
MPAA rating
:
Unrated (Not Rated)
Product Dimensions
:
7.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches; 4.8 ounces
Item model number
:
2230384
Director
:
Traum, Happy
Media Format
:
Closed-captioned, Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC
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Great video. I will say this it is NOT for a true beginner. If you are a pro or semi pro guitar player or any stringed instrument this is right up your ally. You will have to know the Nashville number system cause she calls out numbers a lot. She uses a lot of Chord inversions. but if you don't know what a chord inversions is it will be a problem. She doesn't explain those things. She expects you to already know it. Not many people's first instrument is a lap steel so maybe that's why Cindy expects people to have basic music theory. If you never played a instrument before and looking for a video I would recommend a different video to get started and get this one after you get some basics down. A beginnier watching this video will get overwhelmed and frustrated quick.
This is a very good instructional video, well worth the price. I would not recommend this for a total beginner - start with another lap steel beginner's video or book. But anyone with basic knowledge of music and novice skills would benefit. And I would suggest that, while it could be adapted for 6-string lap steel, it is best to have an 8-string steel.
The songs that are taught will take some work to learn, but they are very nice renditions - not overly simplified. Cindy is an excellent teacher who explains things simply and concisely.
Some of the songs have just a drum track behind them - easily done with a computer and free downloads. Others have drum and bass - I have suggested that the producers offer those backing tracks via their website - it just helps with timing and getting a more "finished" sound, which can be encouraging to a novice player. That is about the only reason I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars (even free instruction on web these days provides basic backing tracks).
My only other advice - be aware that the DVD is only 1 hour (2 if you buy Volume II also, as I did) - do not expect to be ready to audition for ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL after completing them - steel guitar is a difficult instrument to learn to play, with some fairly unique challenges. This course is a foundation you can build on, but it will take years to master.
Good stuff from one of the best. If you're just starting out on lap steel you maybe want to get a more basic tutorial and then move up to this one next. She assumes some experience, it's more like a master class.
Unfortunately Steel guitars come in many varieties with 6, 8 10 or 12 string varieties. I was using an 8 string peddle steel tuned to E9 but there wasn't much material on this video that I could use. Cindy Cashdollar plays very well but the tuning she used was useless for my needs.
I bought myself an 8-string lap steel, and discovered very soon that I was unable to figure it out although I've played standard guitar for abt 15 years. When getting the DVD I very soon got a better grip on the instrument, and the lessons are built up in a way that I find useful and interresting. As my native language is Norwegian I also found it interresting to be able to pick up the english music terms that Cindy uses.
I love Cindy Cashdollar's steel playing and like her choice of songs covered in this DVD, but I have two suggestions for her if she were to release any more instructional material; 1. Have a count-in for each song. I'm sure when she's playing with her band she doesn't expect them to start when they feel like it. I hate trying to play along without a count-in. I always miss the start and it's really annoying. 2. Have the songs mixed so that you can isolate the rhythm, or have a separate jam track. That way you can play along without her steel playing and thereby be able to tell how well you're coming along with the material.
Pretty basic stuff. Other than that, the songs included are written for an 8-string steel guitar. However I had no problems adapting them to my 6-string instrument.
