Author Archives: Mike Neer

New lesson available: Waltz of the Roses (the ultimate slant workout!)

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Mike Neer

I’ve just finished putting together a video/tab/notation package for Tom Brumley’s “Waltz of the Roses“. It is a really nice arrangement (if I do say so myself) and it is quite a challenge geared toward strengthening your slanting abilities. This … Continue reading →

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One year and counting….

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Mike Neer

I didn’t realize it until yesterday, but last Thursday (9/15/11) marked the one year anniversary of this blog. Not a big deal, but it has been a very interesting year for me. In one year’s time, there have been over … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Jeremy Wakefield

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Mike Neer

“Jeremy Wakefield is more like Speedy West fused with Jerry Byrd. And a little bit of Noel Boggs.” Those are the words used by Wayne Hancock to describe Jeremy Wakefield’s playing, and he isn’t far from the truth. Throw in … Continue reading →

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New lessons available at Steelin’ From The Masters

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Mike Neer

I’ve just completed 2 new video/tab/notation packages and they are available at Steelin’ From The Masters. The first is Speedy West’s dreamy and beautiful, “Afternoon Of A Swan” for 8 string C6 tuning. This is a difficult one to play … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Frankie Kay: Kansas City Steel Man

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Mike Neer

Frank Kuebelbeck was born before the first electric guitar was ever made, in 1930. By the time he was in high school, Frankie Kay (as he would become known) was already a bandleader in his native Kansas City, Kansas, playing … Continue reading →

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Intervallically Speaking: Fun with Tenths, Part 2 (“Blue Monk”)

Posted on July 27, 2011 by Mike Neer

Let’s put our tenths to use. This is one of the simplest ways we can do it, using the tune “Blue Monk” by Thelonious Monk. It may be a Jazz tune, but it is based in Blues and much of … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Henry Bogdan, Part 2

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Mike Neer

Lookie, Lookie, Lookie Here Comes Cookie – The Midnight Serenaders M: There is a pretty good scene in Portland, right? H: Yeah, there’s a big acoustic scene here—it’s more old-time Country music, Bluegrass is really big. There are a lot … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Henry Bogdan, Part 1

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Mike Neer

Henry Bogdan is one of the few players of the modern era who has embraced the National Tricone resonator as his main instrument. His playing with The Moonlighters was particularly influential (especially to myself) in the resurgence of traditional string … Continue reading →

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Intervallically Speaking: Fun with “Tenths”

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Mike Neer

One of the most common devices of Blues and Stride and even Jazz piano players is the use of tenths in the left hand. What do I mean by “tenths”? Well, it is the interval of a tenth from the … Continue reading →

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New book in the works and other news….

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Mike Neer

I’ve begun working on a new book called Concepts For Improvisation that I am really excited about. It is geared toward the steel guitarist, although it will be broad in scope and not focused on any specific tuning. It will … Continue reading →

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Talking Steel Guitar with Joel Paterson, Part 2

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: Your record has a really good balance of hot rod steel tunes and pretty tunes mixed with just some great swampy, greasy things. It’s just super. Your Panhandle Rag really invokes Jimmy Day for me. And Boppin’ Steel Guitar … Continue reading →

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Talking Steel Guitar with Joel Paterson, Part 1

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Mike Neer

Joel Paterson is a helluva musician. He is widely recognized as a guitarist in the Rockabilly, Jazz, and Blues styles from his associations with Chicago groups like Devil In A Woodpile, Jimmy Sutton’s Four Charms, Kelly Hogan’s Wooden Leg, and … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 4

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: I had once heard a story about how your Bigsby was stolen. Can you tell me about it? L: What happened was we went to a Western Swing meeting up in Sacramento at the Sky Lanes, which was a … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 3

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: How did you end up in California? L: I went to Austin to play a gig and we do a show with Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys and I’d already met him in the UK and I did … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 2

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Mike Neer

M: Do you think you picked up a good sound approach from the beginning or did you have to go back and correct a lot of bad habits? L: I’m sure I’ve got a ton of bad habits and stuff. … Continue reading →

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Conversation with Lee Jeffriess, Part 1

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Mike Neer

Lee Jeffriess, to many of us, needs no introduction. He has been one of the driving forces in the revitalization of steel guitar in Rockabilly and Western Swing for more than 15 years. As a member of Big Sandy and … Continue reading →

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Some exciting new things for Lap Steelin’

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Mike Neer

I’m really stoked to announce that I have some really great things brewing for the Lap Steelin’ blog beginning in a few short weeks. I will begin a series of interviews with some of the top players in the world! … Continue reading →

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The shape of lap steel guitar music to come

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Mike Neer

The lap steel guitar has always been an instrument with a strong connection to the past; in fact, because of its perceived limitations, it was rendered obsolete by technological developments in pedal/changer mechanisms, just as the music of its heyday … Continue reading →

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More on the subtle nuances of style

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Mike Neer

There are so many little details about steel guitar playing and the production of great, expressive tone, that it can be overwhelming to players who are learning the instrument. But this is where we begin to use our ears–those great … Continue reading →

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The subtle nuances of style

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Mike Neer

I’ve spent a lot of time working my way up to snuff on the steel guitar by going back to the beginning and working my way up through the styles of the times. Taking what I like from the players … Continue reading →

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