Buddy, this is solid gold, nobody ever seems to give the beginners simple scales. Thank-you.

Many thanks Gilroy...starting out at age 77 and love your way of making me feel like this is something I can learn. I have played guitar for many years but in my heart always wanted to learn the pedal steel. Tried once before with a little Shobud but back in those days the internet didn't even exist or at least not as we know it today. I had a guy tell me that if I really was serious about learning it the only way would be to go to Nashville and get tutored. Sold it a week later. Tks to guys like you and Doug Earnest this time I will make it happen. Giving myself a year and again many tks. You are a great inspiration to people like me. Learning on my brand new ZUM Stage One.

I still say this is the most insanely beautiful instrument known to man. When someone knows what they are doing playing a SPG, it truly must be what heaven sounds like.

I love the sound of the steel guitar and would love to learn how to play. You make it seem possible even at my age 79. It’s something I’ve wanted to try. Even though I don’t have a formal music background, I love country music and especially music that features the steel. I may indeed give it a try.

Been playing pedal steel since 2011 when I started at the age of 42 after ordering a GFI student model from the US.I knew how to play guitar before so I had some musical knowledge under my belt. Anyway bought the classic 1975 textbook Pedal Steel Guitar to go through. I soon got tired of the exercises and decided that listening to Sweetheart of the Rodeo record and Buck Owens tunes would be more helpful in learning pedal steel licks. I think it took me 2 years to remember what pedals and levers did what. Now I prefer playing pedal steel to just playing normal guitar.

82 1/2 years old .. 13 kids and a great wife .. I have an EMMONS push-pull double neck steel and I was ready to closet it. Your method works well and it iks alot easier than trying to figure this on your own. Thanks for sharing your talent ..

This is the best teaching lesson I have ever seen I am so glad that i have found it. Thank you very much.

Started steel then stopped. This video is exactly what I needed. Thanks!

Thank you thank you thank you. You make this playing sound very easy, even if we all know it is not. I found your videos and at 80 years old, I dug my guitar out of the closet and am inspired to try it again. I love the fact that you are talking to us that love the instrument but gave it up from all the technical theology many instructors use. Please continue to KEEP IT SIMPLE, their are more like me out their than studio professionals.

I bought and sold one for the very reason you spoke about. I found a dozen ways to tune them, a hundred ways to play them, and had no idea where to start. I flat gave up. Even in this video, I don't know how you have it tuned or how the pedals and levers are set, unless there's a new standard I've not seen. Thank you.

Been playing the guitar most of my 72 years. Took up the steel late in life and I’m struggling to find decent instructions. Here in NYC this instrument is far and few in between with even less pedal steel teachers available. These lessons are not only helpful but much appreciated. Thanks for posting this video and please make more videos for entry level players.

You are a teacher, best I've seen.

You just inspired me to take a crack at it one more time. Thanks.

I find that this guy has a better understanding of what new guys to the steel are thinking. He described what I have been going through with getting frustrated and laying off practicing. Very good with his instructions.

Good shout man. been yo-yo-ing an old Sierra steel for ages and I got more ‘’sense’’ out of this 15 mins than I did 15 years!

Wow! I've played keys, guitar, you name it. I'm 70 and have had my pedal steel for over 10 years and about to let it go. This video gave me inspiration and a new direction. Listen to this video again and again. Practice it. Apply it to the music you already know and it will become second nature. Solid advice! Thank you, Gilroy!

You’re a great teacher and a great player too. The way you speak is very inviting. I appreciate your help, b0b (Pedal Steel Forum founder) has lent me a pedal steel to learn on and your videos are helping immensely.

I’m not even a steel picker, but watched EVERY single second of this sir, and I am inspired by your instructions that I want to purchase one and give it a go! I’ll be checking out your other videos soon. God bless

Good information for beginners. Instrument can be frustrating at first but is also quite rewarding when things start coming together. It’s important to work on the basic techniques.

I only have about a year under my belt learning steel and this was the perfect lesson to open up the neck for me. So very helpful and encouraging. Thank you so much for this and all you do for fellow steelers!

Wow that lesson was a bit of alright....stumbled on you by accident. After that first scale you showed us I immediately went into the bedroom and uncovered a steel I've had for 5 or so years. There may be hope after all. Best lesson ever...thank you so much....

Thant you everyone for your kind comments. If my videos encourage even one person to take up the pedal steel and stick with it, then I have been repaid in full.

Just bought a GFI Expo from Billy Cooper in Orange, VA. Ive played guitar and bass for over 40 years. I know music theory, chord structure very well. Got the fever for pedal steel again.

I've played pedal steel guitar for many, many, bands for many, many, years, but, your technic of "simple" teaching, has opened my understanding, to things on this instrument, I would have never learned on my own. Thank You .

I'm a guitar player and came across this video and I have to say your advice about staying to the melody and keeping it smooth and simple during lead breaks is spot on for Guitar players also. Great video, love your style partner. Thanks.

You and Tony Browne are the only two that shows the neck and knee levers . Most videos show only the neck view and this is very helpful; however, they use the knee levers but don’t show or explain it. Thank you for your instructional videos. They are great and very informative!!!

Guitar player who recently picked up psg, and this lesson was a revelation! Thank you!

Thank you so much for the lesson and even more for the encouraging words. I am more confident now that I know I don’t have to play like a professional to be be “good enough”. I am 75 so I don’t have enough time left to play that good. 😊

This is exactly what every new pedal steel player needs to know!! Just Great!!

Aloha Gilroy. In this day and age, aside for being a practical and pragmatic teacher, truth, normalcy and sanity are also much appreciated! Mahalo for a very informative tutorial! Johnny Kealoha Pal

Hello Mr. hollister. i'm writing here from germany. am unfortunately already 70 years old. but i have been trying to tame this infernal machine for two years. unfortunately there are no teachers for this instrument to be found here. now that i have found your yutube canal, a little light comes into the dark. I hope I will get a little further with your lessons. Thanks a lot for this. Stay healthy.

Great, great lesson! I'm from Brazil and there are no pedal steel tutors around here at all. Thank you so much for taking the time.

For your information you’re a really great teacher of the instrument and thank you for the time you put in.

Thank you for posting these videos. It helps more people than you know.

Thanks for posting this. I'm just learning PSG (not even a month into learning). For decades my main two axes were banjo and dobro (even played professionally on the bluegrass circuit) but the PSG is something totally different. Your expertise is much appreciated.

I can not thank you enough - I have been trying to break through on the PSG for a couple of years without much luck and this is unlocking some of that - the scales are SO useful - thank you from London.

This is a great video - I remember once saying to a Nashville steel player "I need to just sit down and work on 3rds all up and down the neck".. His reply "You and me both!" Sometimes we're thrown in front of an audience too soon (or throw ourselves there). I came from a background in 6 string jazz guitar, and don't even want to try C6 - country swing is jazzy enough for me right now. Your teaching style is great - don't stop :)

Thank you for this lesson. I just bought my first steel yesterday and this is a very helpful place to start!

Gilroy, you're nailing it for me. Coming back to it after 20 years away from the band I am inspired. It'll be me and the guys in the garage from now on but like you say that's where the fun is if you've already seen your share of the road. Thanks to you and the internet I am learning things about the instrument I never knew.

Wise words. When learning to play the Banjo, with basic tab style lessons self taught, it sounded like something then once my speed and picking improved, I was able to get out of the barn. Cheers Enjoyed watching this video.

Thank you for your contributions. You have helped me grow as a player. I have been playing for 15 years and sometimes it is good to go back to basics and simplify what you are trying to do. This is one the best videos that I have ever seen on playing steel guitar.

That’s right this is solid gold. Thank you so much for posting this, taking the time to do it and share your knowledge.

This is a great learning tool for novices like myself, and it's making it easier to learn where there chords are.

Great video. Chock full of great advice regardless of what instrument you play.

Thank you many times over for this fantastic video! I'm a beginner, but I already feel like I'm not flailing on the instrument as much as aiming for the right stuff. This is truly solid gold, as another comment says.

Thank~you very much for your lesson! I’m looking forward to starting my journey playing the steel guitar!

This was a very good explanation. Thank You! Another man said you need 10,000 hours to learn to play. Total bummer. It seem like simple works for many things other than music.

I love the sound of steel guitar, traditional country sound

This is by far the best sounding instrument when played right. I’ve always wanted to learn to play this. However I probably wouldn’t even know how to set it up and or tune it. I recently bought a Banjo and I’m struggling to learn that. Hopefully 1 day I will master it and will move on to the Pedal Steel.

Great lesson and advice! Thanks for helping keep pedal steel alive. My favorite instrument.

Thank you for explaining these lessons in simple form

Thank you for another great video Gilroy!

Very nice lesson. Also, starts us out with Welcome to My World, a positive song. And, Silent Night, a beautiful religious song. Good job. Realistic advice.

Easily the most awesome instrument there is. Been playing guitar for 20+ years and have always admired the pedal steel. Gotta snag me one now.

Excellent, love those scales, they are melodies unto themselves! How about a song using those scales, say Take these Chains, by Hank.

best lesson on KZfaq

Wow thank you. I turn 60 tomorrow. I can definitely play this instrument. I play piano, lead guitar, and fiddle now. I just need a couple few grand for a steel. Going to be fun

Appreciate you Gilroy! Got my first steel early 2021 and I been digging the shed and tracking for artists I work with!

Most helpful video I’ve found yet as a beginner, and good tips at the end!

I love that sound.

We have a great well known steel player here in Ontario Canada you may know...Al Brisco...my retirement includes learning to play the pedal steel, I play 5 string banjo and dobro so I do have a leg up, and Al is a great fan of our old country rock band, and I am going to hire him to set me up and get me going with intros endings licks, making it fun...

Thanks mate I reckon I've viewed most videos relating to learning PSG. I'm a 72 year old learner and it's easy to be discouraged. Trying to learn has taught me some valuable lessons to which your advice is invaluable. You did it in such a quiet manner and your encouragement at the end was so reassuring. Many videos I see always includes the author adding fast links etc an myself always feeling I will never be able to do that then you find out they got their first PSG at 12 years old. I'm aiming to be able to play melodies nice and slow and you have encouraged me to do just that. I'm actually thinking of making a video of what I have learned and interestingly enough it's much along the lines of what you mentioned but with a few more ideas that I have developed. Interestingly I bought a GFI EXPO 3P 4L and I am extremely happy with it. Once again thank you for the approach you took with this video. You really are onto something with this style. By the way I have subscribed to your channel for quite awhile. Never commented before and this video is worth commenting on. Thanks and greeting From Down Under Alick. Ps. Keep safe.

An excellent video presented with good attitude and sage advice. Thanks for your presentation. I do not play steel and do not intend to, but I wish I’d had something similar when I took up Dobro.

I am 71. Just. Got a Sierra Artist. Love your videos

Great advice from an experienced player and great guy. Thank you.

Great vid. I wish more players would keep it simple. Thanks.

Good job, Gilroy. I’ve learned a lot from you in past year or so. Thx RF/

Hi Gilroy, that was an eye opener for me. I've startet 2 Year ago with playin the steel and started watching steel lessons on You Tube much earlier. That Video really showed me a bunch of options to Improvise and back up a Song. I would love to see more Lessons like that. These Lessons on You Tube are very essential for student Players like me. Specially when you're a German guy. Cause there are no teachers here for this Instrument. So thank you very much and Kind Regards from a German Steeler /Student. P.S. Sorry for my horrible english :-)

Beautiful baby!! That first 2 notes major scale you sbowed is exactly what I been trying accomplish!!! Just started a few months ago...got major, minorand7th chords in several positions and trying to figure out "fills"....so THANK YOU so much!!!

By far one of the best videos on pedal steel. Especially the words of advice toward end of the vid pertaining to sticking with melody and know straying away to far. This goes for any lead instrument in a working band. Great video

That was the most helpful advice for me as a beginner on steel guitar. THANKS A LOT.

looking forward to part 2 on this.. great job!

Great beginner lesson sir. Thank you. It is always nice to hear all psg lessons played to a song for the beginner so that he could practice along to a song. Seems to be something most psg teachers don’t do? Please do a lesson on which strings to play and also the string groups to play for the 4 levers and how they are connected to string groups? Thanks for the lesson.

Feet AND Hands, That's what we need. Well done!

Thank you for the great video Gilroy! I really appreciate your help and will put this instruction to great use...

As a keyboard player learning the pedal steel, I find your approach and style the easiest to grasp and apply. I've always loved the steel sound, and as a working musician, it seems good steel players are getting harder and harder to find. Thank you for your channel and your encouragement.

Thanks for the optimism at the end of the video! What you reap is what you saw :) Great lesson!

Awesome vid btw...I'm sure Hwy 40 Blues will take awhile. You explained your approach extremely well. I'd love to hear you let loose!

Top class instruction and sounds great 👍👏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

"Tasteful" is the key takeaway here. Goodd video man!

This vid is great and has some great advice I guess it 67 its not too late to start learning something that I have always loved Thanks Gilroy

You’ve got me...! I’m all in, thank you

Easily the best pedal steel guitar instructional video I’ve seen, hands down. Eye opening and informative. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it

Great lesson, great advice; so musical!

Very nice, best I’ve heard.

Thanks for the helpful video!

Very encouraging thanks!! I'm just starting out got my first steel guitar GFI S10 student model.. Thanks!!!

Thanks for the advice. I play the guitar and the bass. I'm thinking about learning to play the Steel Pedal Guitar as well.

Thank you so much for this. There's so much instruction about intro's and breaks but few with examples that show what we should be doing during the song. I really just want to sound good playing over a simple three chord country song. I love what John Hughey did on those Conway Twitty albums and Ben Keith did on some of those more deep cut Neil Young songs like Tired Eyes.

Makes me want to drive over to Gilroy/Hollister today! You’re only 443 miles away! Great job!✌️🤪🎸🎶🎵

Thanks for this video! Really relaxed my own expectations with my pedal steel. Just starting and this video made it clear using 2 strings and a couple scales for now is OK! Thanks again!

A lot of wisdom there. great job thanks

You just opened up a can of worms. Very helpful. Thank you

Great lesson! Thank you!

this is a great video amd has helped me connect a few more dots...subscribed and look forward to anything else you share on your channel.

Excellent teacher!! Thank you very much!

Great advice

Very good instructions , I'm trying to teach myself, this is very helpful 👍

I really do appreciate the video.. thanks.👍

thank you so much!