Paul FranklinMar 253 minChord Tones and ExtensionsHere are the intervals derived from the Harmonized Major Scale chords that made the 60’s steel guitar styles famous. From John Hughey . . .
Paul FranklinFeb 22, 20211 minMaking It FitWhat I play onstage in any situation goes towards "How do I arrange my role for what is played onstage" The more musicians that are...
Paul FranklinSep 4, 20204 minNumber TheoryThe Nashville Number System (NNS) uses the formula of the diatonic harmonies. It is a shorthand system which does not follow exact textbook
Paul FranklinAug 29, 20204 minA Perfect CopyLet's look at how to learn to play a part from a popular song. We can get the notes right, but sometimes it still does not sound exactly ...
Paul FranklinJul 19, 20202 minE9 Pedal Steel VocabularyI'm very pleased to announce a brand-new course I've just launched called Paul Franklin's E9 Pedal Steel Vocabulary. For many years . . .
Paul FranklinMay 6, 20203 minDynamic PhrasingEveryone that wants to play fast or slow starts out copying their heroes (as I did) in my early teens. Most players that learn this way ...
Paul FranklinFeb 15, 20202 minBacking A SingerBecoming a good backup musician depends on knowing where the “holes” are located. We either pad or layout until those holes appear.
Paul FranklinFeb 5, 20203 minChange Is GoodWhen I played the 1 & 2 & 7 raise lever and the PF4, many said they were just “lick pedals”. That’s not how I was looking at it, and . . .
Paul FranklinNov 28, 20194 minMusician’s Honey-DoThe pedal steel often can not invert every chord type like a piano can, so you’ll need to learn as many inversions as you can find.
Paul FranklinOct 29, 20194 minCopedent CopingThe secret to finding logical copedents is to understand how chords and single note phrases are created. We do that by having a complete ...
Paul FranklinJul 30, 20192 minPedal ToningA question about pedal trills and adding quick pedal moves came up on the Facebook Group…
Paul FranklinJun 5, 20192 minImprove Your SwingSteelers were never really taught the importance of volume dynamics while it seems like all other instruments are taught to master this ...
Paul FranklinJun 2, 20195 minEternal BeginnerWhen I listen to Buddy Emmons, Robert Randolph, Lloyd Green, Tommy White, Curly Chalker, or other pedal steel guitar legends, I hear . . .
Paul FranklinApr 8, 20192 minC6 Essentials CourseThanks so much to all the players who attended Paul’s seminar at the Texas Steel Guitar Association Jamboree. Paul covered a lot of , , ,
Paul FranklinJan 23, 20192 minSpeed TrapA question about the challenges of playing fast was recently posted on the Paul Franklin Method Facebook Group. Many students joined . . .
Paul FranklinDec 11, 20182 minFoundations: E9I believe we need more pedal steel guitar players in order to keep the instrument alive. We need to expand our presence in all genres, in al
Paul FranklinDec 8, 20181 minSoloing OptionsI don’t limit myself to one side or the other. If I did my career would have ended years ago. There are many valid approaches to recording
Paul FranklinNov 24, 20183 minE9 Blues EmotionPaul replies to a student on the The Paul Franklin Method private Facebook Group, who as a regular guitar player is accomplished at . . .
Paul FranklinNov 16, 20185 minProgressOne of the best things about The Paul Franklin Method is the students-only Facebook Group that gives active students the ability to have ...
Paul FranklinSep 4, 20182 minSlow Down-Speed UpThe key to unlocking great technique is to find the fingerings that work best for you. Some players who are having issues playing clean .,,
Paul FranklinAug 24, 20183 minTipping The ScalesThe difference between a pedal steel and guitar has to surface for students to realize a one-size-fits-all approach is not necessarily . , ,
Paul FranklinJul 12, 20182 minThrees and FoursI improvise thinking in 3 and 4 note combinations. I learn everything this way. Thinking in small amounts frees my mindset to rearrange ...
Paul FranklinJul 7, 20181 minPaul On The WebPaul’s been all over the web lately in podcasts, video interviews and of course the Lloyd Green interviews here on the blog. We’re . . .
Paul FranklinJun 14, 20181 minChurch In A BoxI had the pleasure of meeting the great Daniel Lanois at a video shoot I did recently for D’Addario’s “Guitar Power” YouTube series.
Paul FranklinMay 3, 20181 minChristmas PastThe Christmas album I recorded many years back, began as a test of sorts. I had three DA-88 digital recorders (24 tracks) and a 32 . . .
Paul FranklinApr 28, 20183 minThinking In IntervalsIt’s great to know all of the names of the notes on every string and fret and you should strive to do so for completeness’ sake. It’s . . .
Paul FranklinApr 5, 20181 minModern SteelThe pedal steel guitar can perform in place of synths and is often the choice of many producers looking for unique bending textures.
Paul FranklinMar 31, 20182 minHandling TensionA Method student recently asked for comments on a common practice and gig issue: tension felt in his neck and shoulders after playing . . .
Paul FranklinMar 16, 20181 minDo It RightHere’s the late great Dawn Sears, backed by Time Jumpers Kenny Sears, Andy Reiss, Joe Spivey, Ranger Doug, Paul Franklin, Rick Vanaugh, . .
Paul FranklinFeb 19, 20182 minTackling BlockingI was 17 when I moved to Nashville. The great Hal Rugg named my blocking technique for controlling the length of notes “Pick Blocking” . . .
Paul FranklinFeb 8, 20182 minPRACTICE!hey say “practice makes perfect”, but what they mean is “perfect practice makes perfect”. We’ve all been there: we’re working on a new . . .
Paul FranklinJan 17, 20183 minTo The StudentSeveral students have asked about my constant emphasis on memorization. It’s my belief that internalizing these concepts is vital to . . .