It’s the HARDEST Instrument to Play and It SOUNDS INCREDIBLE (ft. Travis Toy)

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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction to the pedal steel guitar
1:59 - Not just an instrument for country music
2:39 - Meet Travis Toy, one of the best steel guitarists in the world
3:47 - The difference between electric guitar and steel guitar
6:03 - Why and how to learn steel guitar
7:59 - The traditional and beautiful sound of steel guitar
9:38 - The INCREDIBLE mechanics of steel guitar
14:39 - The steel guitar slide is dangerous
15:20 - Steel guitarists use effects pedals too
15:57 - The origins of the steel guitar
17:03 - Don't put steel guitar in a box, unless you're packing it up

[@travistoy]

Thanks for having me Tyler! So much fun!

[@thismasonkidd]

Sorry bro thats prob not the hardest instrument

[@Mitosiscellularblues]

It’s was really fun being there with y’all! I hope to be back soon

[@saulgoodman1390]

I'm dying to know, and I've always wondered... what's that second board closer to you for? No one ever seems to touch it!

[@bldallas]

This was absolutely fascinating. You are an amazing players and really great at explaining the whole thing. Those are two skill not after found together. Do you have a YT Channel? I would LOVE seeing you as a regular guest on Tyler’s channel, maybe a limited series where you continue the explain the pedal steel and then jam together a bit at the end of each epi. Fascinating stuff.

[@bldallas]

@@thismasonkidddon’t be a dick.

[@RILEYLEIFSON_UTAH]

"When you hear twin fiddles and a steel guitar... You're listening to the sound of the American heart..." - George Strait

[@johnd5398]

Actually, that was Steve Dorff and John Bettis. GS just sang it.

[@P-J-W-777]

The Steel Guitar has always been the instrument that makes you feel the music in your bones. Country is not country without a Steel Guitar and a Fiddle.

[@ethan-sq6zv]

Amen brother

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

"Switching it over to AM Searching for a truer sound Can't recall the call letters Steel guitar and settle down" - "Windfall", Son Volt

[@ruffestneckaround]

Well in Hank Sr's time, country wasn't country if you had a drum kit, or anything electric. I mainly agree with you though, love a pedal steel on a country song.

[@Bob_Adkins]

Some of my favorite rock songs have steel or at least a slide sound.

[@althejazzman]

As a British man who knows nothing about country, I had to put down my tea and listen to his impromptu arrangement of Amazing Grace because it evoked something in me that was so expressive and vocal that I couldn't tear away from it.

[@travistoy]

Thank you!

[@leechild4655]

So simple yet, so powerful. An old ukelelle I bought at a garge sale years ago I later noticed the fretboard wear it had. I played some chords on the worn spots and found Amazing Grace must have been the tune this old uke played decades earlier. Everytime I pick it up I play that song. I may never know what was played before on it but the wear pattern kind of fits.

[@GuillermoSmyser]

Put down my tea?! lol Britishness checks out.

[@althejazzman]

@@GuillermoSmyser I wasn't even making that up. I was literally having my breakfast with a mug of tea while watching this.

[@samcurrey2442]

Country music gets a metric ton of hate, but the real stuff speaks to your very soul. And it don’t matter where you’re from. God bless you brother.

[@brianwooten5022]

I play pedal steel in a psychedelic rock band in Knoxville TN called Chameleous. So glad to see steel represented!

[@michaelhaydenbell]

No you don't. *I* play pedal steel in a psychedelic rock band in Knoxville TN called Chameleous. WTF man??

[@brianwooten5022]

@@michaelhaydenbell ??

[@LeeC-rx9cb]

@@michaelhaydenbell😂

[@LeeC-rx9cb]

@@brianwooten5022he’s missin’ with you, brotha. 😂

[@marcus8710]

Well I can't find any evidence of said band on KZbin so I am not convinced until I hear some music!

[@Crispy1320]

I could listen to the steel guitar being played all day

[@TankGuitar42]

not I

[@misterknightowlandco]

I’m with you. I don’t even like country music much but I could just listen a guy playing steel all day too. It’s a great instrument.

[@frodeleirvik]

Dude, this is mind-blowing: literally YESTERDAY I was thinking I wish there was a good video on the concepts of pedal steel guitar!

[@rngcatastrophe5749]

Synchronicity

[@silasbucur685]

Same bro (I been tapping the strings on my guitar lays flat)

[@vernacular1483]

The AI is listening

[@chrisbarnes7367]

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to play upright bass alongside some of the greatest up and coming pedal steel players alive. Thank you for covering this incredible instrument! As a good friend and phenomenal pedal steel player said to me, “it takes at least ten years to suck at this.” I gave it a shot, and was completely lost.

[@KibatsuMusic]

That rendition of amazing grace is legitimately one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard in my life! Amazing video and instrument. Thanks Tyler!

[@2760ade]

4:50 When you jam together it sounds soooo good!! Could listen to it all day!

[@bldallas]

A great pedal steel player can subtly add so much emotion to a song. I just can’t image the point where someone sits down at one of those contraptions and decides, yep, lead guitar is too damn easy to play and carry around, I want to become a master of this guitar version of a cathedral organ and decides on a path moving forward. Amazing stuff.

[@DCJayhawk57]

Robert Randolph was the first person who introduced me to non-country steel playing. For those unfamiliar, he plays a bluesy shred style with gain. There are clear gospel influences, but he plays a lot of guitar style licks, just in a way very few could pull off on guitar.

[@bigmonmagoomba9634]

Back in the ‘70s Stephen Stills had a rock band called Manassas. Most of the heavy lead work was done by his pedal steel player Al Perkins. Killer leads.

[@beeker_8190]

I've seen Robert Randolph a couple of times and was absolutely blown away with his playing style... for anyone who hasn't seen him him check him out you won't regret it

[@MitchM240]

Used to love him too bad his new stuff is commercial crap.

[@bruceprosje9243]

Rusty Young (RIP) from Poco was doing it starting back in 1969. Saw them in concert in 1980 and he shredded.

[@cajunfid]

Check out sacred steel. Those players are awesome.

[@rocketpigrecords3719]

"That's the sound we love!" That's right! We do 😁

[@johnnybullseye3622]

My grandfather used to hand build pedal steel guitars. I was all of 3 or 4 when he stopped, I only barely remember the last one he made. I do remember getting in trouble for going near it, though. I grew up hearing stories of my mom and aunts having to hand wind the pick-ups for him, and him dissappearing into the shop for days on end. I don't know how many he made over the years. That info is lost to time. I do know that the very early Porter Wagner recordings were done on one of my grandfather's pedal steel guitars. And that one went for quite a lot of money at an auction in Michigan. For whatever reason, he stopped hand crafting steel guitars in the late 1980s and switched over to hand crafting ridiculously accurate benchrest .22LR target rifles.

[@morganahoff2242]

I worked for a company that made pickups for MIDI guitar, and at the NAMM show, I met a group of people that were in the process of making MIDI pedal steel instruments. Talk about, right down the rabbit hole!

[@user-ke8if6ri9r]

I went to a show at a club in Boston. Two bands from Nigeria. The powers that be thought the headliner would be the next "Bob Marley". The "big name band was King Sunny Ade. The show was incredible. They played with a mix of traditional and "rock" instrument. Talking drums,gourds covered with shells,etc... The instrument that got my attention was a steel guitar about 6 feet long. The musician playing it was very tall. He could reach the entire length of the guitar. This guy knew how to make talk,cry,etc...I recommend giving King Sunny Ade a listen. Start with "Synchro System".

[@CzBMusic]

Steel player out of Fayetteville, AR here. Thanks for showcasing this awesome instrument!

[@JordanClark-cd9fl]

My mind and face are both melted. Travis is a monster player

[@chasegallagher1326]

Travis is the man! I’ve been playing for a little over a year and learned basically everything from the online course that Travis teaches.

[@randychadwick3776]

Holy Cow!! I was never a big fan of steel guitar in the way it was played in traditional country songs. But this guy just changed my mind with his ability to take the instrument into a whole new atmosphere. WOW!!

[@Peron1-MC]

same im not into country. and steel guitar always feels kinda cheesy but wow the precision required to do what he does is really impressive. its always fun watching someone who is really good at their craft :). ive never heard of pedal steel guitar. its like all the difficulty of an organ plus guitar on top of that XD.

[@brandondavidson2200]

Check out Robert Randolph.

[@shawnreap]

I love watching the absolute joy you two take in playing together.

[@AlexDMast]

2:39 the moment when you just have to stop the video and just look at how many GOAT's are on the stage

[@travistoy]

It was an extremely powerful gathering of musical wizardry.

[@GuillermoSmyser]

Was trying to think of some kind of country/goat joke... but it would have been too baaaaaaad.

[@Thejoshrandall]

Please share, can't id any

[@stevenhickenjr]

Lovely stuff! Great to see both Travis and our instrument get the exposure they deserve.

[@VoidMaker407]

That second to last chord on Amazing grace gave me goosebumps, so cool

[@obsoletecd-rom]

Probably the best thing you’ve featured on this channel. Really cool to see another perspective.

[@hudsonja]

The grin on Tyler's face during the Amazing Grace piece makes the whole video worth it, just look how amazed he is by the sounds coming out of that thing! Awesome video, steel guitar is so unique and I wish it was used more outside of country music.

[@MikeRay1978]

I got to meet Don Helms. The steel player for Hank Sr’s driftin cowboys. Fantastic man. Traditional country and pedal steel is something special.

[@user-nu7kk4uw6k]

Didn't Don Helms move to Hawaii after Hank Williams passed away to start teaching? I believe I read that somewhere.

[@MikeRay1978]

@@user-nu7kk4uw6k as far as I know he stayed local. Greenville I think. During his set he told stories as he played and he said people are stunned that he just kept his iconic steel guitar set up in his garage.

[@user-nu7kk4uw6k]

Thanks a lot.

[@x3a3x3]

There’s something about witnessing greatness that sometimes brings tears of joy to my eyes… Travis is definitely a great musician, we can grasp that from this short video..

[@05645ci]

The sweetest sound in music is a pedal steel in the hands of a master; no other instrument can bring you to tears or fill you with total euphoria like a pedal steel; great video!

[@huckleberrylarry3186]

DUDE, thank you for having this guy on!!! I loved this video

[@BMT3691]

It brings your heart and soul down home every time you hear the steel guitar, especially songs like Amazing Grace. It surrounds your body in comfort. Banjo does the same thing.

[@awsomegamer9217]

My great grandfather played steel lap/table guitar and even though I never got to hear him play it, I heard he was a hell of a musician.

[@0xDEAFF00D]

Welp, there's a reason Daniel Lanois uses the pedal steel for his ambient electric stuff. Such nice textures.

[@BradColemanisHere]

This was cool. Great run-down of how it works.

[@justinanderson9972]

How many people just got inspired to go learn this instrument thank you I'm not going to got enough instruments trying to learn but man what a great again thank you

[@willmorrison1022]

The pedal steel is one of those instruments that, when you tell someone you play it, there is one of two common responses: 1) What's that? or 2) Oh, I LOVE that sound! There really aren't many others, at least not that I've gotten. A friend of mine years ago sold me hers when she decided she wasn't going to be playing it anymore. It's a double neck MSA Classic, and it's the most intimidating thing I've ever sat down next to, behind, in front of, or really, anywhere near. I've been working at it for a while, and can make some basic chord licks with it, but I must admit, soloing is still beyond me. I'll get it, but it's a chore. I honestly believe that this is the hardest instrument around to actually master. The slide is the least of it. You are using both hands, both feet, AND your knees to make this thing work. I always find it funny that they show the player's hands when they show a pedal steel on a video, when it's BELOW the deck where all the important stuff is happening. Oh, and there is also the issue that all the serious players do their own things with the pedals and levers, so good luck trying to steal licks off of songs. You may get close, but you won't be able to do exactly what they do. This is a great instrument, find yourself one and start the journey. It's a wide open field, you can do whatever you want to with it.

[@Stlie1]

David Lindley passed away last year, not properly been recognised by the guitar community how important of a string player he was. Why not buy an old 6 string Supro/Oahu/National/Silvertone etc (they all had Valco pickups in them) lap steel and try some of the licks from Jackson Browne's classics? I mean Lindley pushed Dumble to develop his amps to master that sound and was therefore an important guy in the development of speakers and sound as a whole. I mean, the guy played EVERYTHING with strings on it, so the best string player ever - Absolutely. And he also helped Cooder create the Coodercaster, remember? Hot tip for anyone with a Tweed Deluxe. Use two pedals : Catalinbread Topanga and a Moore Ana Delay.... and suddenly your sound is in Ry Cooder territory!

[@cliff2891]

I absolutely loved this video! Thank you Tyler & Travis 👌

[@robsampson2016]

Great job on a wonderful interview/jam. Love to hear more collaborations “outside the box”. 🤙🏽

[@liamcristello2591]

I keep coming back to the Amazing Grace performance at 8:23, the multi-layered voicings this instrument is capable of are unreal

[@Stratsafact]

Scotty’s music in Overland, Mo was the place to go for me. I started with his book and a C6 lap slide. I still miss the annual conventions.

[@picker63028]

I attended the Convention from Scottys for almost 30 years. I also went to others in various States. Now I only get to a few each year. The fire is still burning.

[@dinostrunkguitarist]

@@picker63028I was blessed to be the staff lead guitarist for the last 5 years of Scotty's ISGC after Bobby Caldwell passed away. I sure miss it! We've started a new show here in Branson, Mo. this year. July 13th -14th. Sarah Jory from England is our headliner for this first show. Going to be held at Wrangler's Star-Studded Honky-tonk.

[@petervrabcak5597]

Thanks I needed that. You guys are very accomplished.

[@aregesafechier]

that glimpse of super mario was great, the face while doing it made it even better XD I feel like a full cover of the song on steel would sound pretty amazing

[@reubenkincaidband9781]

Wow! As a 6-stringer myself, that was incredibly enlightening! That instrument is amazing. And so is Travis! Great vid Tyler.

[@castlecrashers515253]

Literally saw Slash play on one of those yesterday and got confused as to what that instrument was. Great video and great timing for it to get recommended to me

[@morganahoff2242]

I worked in a guitar shop, where we had a couple of pedal steel guitars on consignment, and customers would always ask, "What is that?!" And I would tell them, "You know in that Eagles song, there's those licks between vocal lines, '...to comfort an old friend who's feeling down...' THAT'S the thing that makes THAT sound!"

[@wichitatim]

Gentlemen, that was a cool listen. Thanks!

[@TheEleckt]

One of my favorites that you have made! Great playing and chemistry between you two. I would love to hear some music with the both of you.

[@liftedbythewind9002]

Hey, thanks guys. I’ve always loved the steel guitar. Yes guitarist Steve Howe was a player of the steel that caught my interest in it beyond its country home. The tutorial was excellent!

[@davidfrischknecht8261]

I see pedal steel, I click. One of my favorite instruments to listen to. A while back I watched a video of Paul Franklin showing off his pedal steel.

[@PeranMe]

This was amazing, thank you so much!

[@Fallub]

What a crazy instrument. Great video. Thank you.

[@michealodrisceoil6595]

As someone who has been messing around with pedal steel for years got to say this is inspirational.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you both.

[@ConnorHammond]

How beautiful! The Uilleann pipes is my favourite sounding instrument but this can't be too far off. So emotional.

[@ethan-sq6zv]

Travis your mission is good, to get people into steel. I got one a year ago I’m 21.

[@MarcCoteMusic]

Good on you... I hope you just crush it in the years to come. I feel like pedal steel is a dying form of expression... and it definitely needs to hang around.

[@laysonsamson8749]

I’m 22 and I really wanna learn. My uncle plays so I’d have good mentor. That being said I’ll have to save up quite a bit for even a cheap one…

[@kevind3094]

Great video. Just watched Chris Stapleton play last night and he had legendary Paul Franklin on the steel! Holy smokes what a great show

[@twjonckheere]

Wow wow wow... That's a lot going on for one instrument. Awesome dive into it! Thanks!

[@dankmyers1]

That was fascinating; I had no idea how those instruments worked. So cool!

[@tblx2675]

I absolutely love the pedal steel. Thanks Tyler!

[@gsbguitarsgsb679]

I could spend the whole day listening to this. Awesome love it.

[@vicguitar1]

All I can say is WOW 👍 Thanks so much for showing us this incredible player!

[@heavymetal19610]

I inherited my grandfather's lap steel many years ago. I occasionally open up the case, look at the 8 - string left handed beauty and close the case and pick up my strat....lol

[@Bongoweez]

Now that's some great playing 🤙

[@ethan-sq6zv]

Awesome vid man I play steel really appreciate this

[@mikeLisle]

Wow.. this guy is incredible

[@bobdrawbaugh4207]

Travis is a great ambassador for the steel. He’s also one of the best playing the instrument today.

[@user-bb1fl2vt6e]

I have been blessed to play bass in a few bands with an awesome steel guitar and fiddle player and man it is heaven on earth 🙂

[@chriswilliams1096]

I'm not the biggest fan of country music but I could listen to you and your pedal steel all day long. Such a pity that we don't get to hear the instrument much in other genres of music. It has so much potential, it could catch on.

[@chrisg5271]

I had no idea what or should I say how advanced these slide laps were wow that was awesome my eyes are opened

[@smagliaro]

Definitely one of the coolest instruments out there. More musician/instrument highlights please!

[@jrcrawford4]

I've always loved the sound but had no idea how complex and versatile pedal steel is. Thanks!

[@samcurrey2442]

Man Tyler you have a lot of connections. Pls talk to someone to produce an affordable steel guitar. I want to play this instrument SO bad but I don’t have thousands to shell out on one and probably won’t anytime soon.

[@kgxtofpugjrzoyclhc5330]

Amazing grace made me cry

[@rodrigosequetin]

WHAT A VIDEO, man!!! 👏👏👏

[@crushlife5243]

All as I can say is I love it. Great to watch gentlemen 👍😎

[@christopherw3221]

Great playing as usual Travis

[@Berndaddie]

Tyler that was a lot of fun. More than I thought it would be, ha. Thx

[@AlexMillerCountry]

Travis is the best! He’ll make anybody that plays anything, want to work on their chops!

[@picker63028]

Travis is the bomb. One of the fastest set of hands in the trade and he keeps it musical. Love to watch him go at it.

[@christophrercook5642]

Thank you for the great sounds and Education to you both...Thank You.

[@mikehamelin7520]

this is so interesting. thanks for this video, man

[@RCrosbyLyles]

Yeah he's right! Lap steel is it! For sure!! Thanks for this. That opening sequence. Wow! Just wow!

[@tristanyoungquist7121]

Wow! Such a beautiful and nuanced instrument!

[@fredskolnick1183]

One of the best Steel Players to interview!!! One of the best Steel Players Period!

[@jasonbrandtcomposer]

That was a great video! Good job guys!

[@AZFunk]

Love it, and am so enamored with the possibilities of pedal steel

[@JoeyJoJoJr51]

I bought an Emmons SD10 a few years back, but haven’t found the time to learn anything on it. It’s still my main goal in life though. It makes me happy just seeing it every day to be honest. Hopefully some day I can take my foot off the gas at work, and get to learn it and do it justice

[@freesk8]

Wow, that was fascinating! Thanks! :)

[@ChurchOfTheHolyMho]

Glad to see all the Robert Randolf love in the comment section. I honestly didn't know much about how this instrument worked until this video. Thanks Travis for the educational and fun video. Really great chops you have. I certainly enjoyed the non traditional chords thrown in! :)

[@andyw5150]

Travis Toy!!! He's only spoken of in hushed tones. What an amazing episode!

[@johnn58]

This is a really interesting video that kept my attention. Thank you

[@jonathonmain9157]

You playing along with him sounds really cool!

[@Pepedc01]

I’m seeing more pedal steel in various genres of music these days, and they’ve been showing up with some of the more prominent modern bluegrass bands. For anyone willing to explore this, you can find the simpler lap steels to start with at very affordable prices. Pedal steel is an ultimate goal of mine to learn, and watching this video just inspires me that much more. Tyler, thanks for making this plug and posting this, I truly hope to see the pedal steel make a comeback!

[@coreysgarden6169]

He makes it look so easy, great player.

[@TedSchoenling]

I can barely wrap my mind around the normal guitar.. this is other worldly.. and it sounds amazing...

[@justinanderson9972]

Great content Great exposure to new instruments or maybe new old instruments but in a new way great jamming keep the great content coming sir we appreciate it

[@richardervins]

One thing that strikes me over and over again is just how dedicated and truly nice people pedal steel players are. Travis is one more testament to this notion.

[@dougberry5003]

Great vid Tyler, steel guitars are so cool, way outta my league for understanding, six strings are hard enough !!

[@joshstauber3335]

So rad! One day I’m going to get my hands on one and learn. I have always wanted to play steel.