My main influences on the steel are Lloyd Green, Jay Dee Maness and Buddy Emmons, but I learn something new from almost every player I hear. There's no Suzuki method for pedal steel guitar; it's a very lore-intensive, oral type of tradition, and I have sought out instruction from some fine teachers, notably John Widgren, Russ Wever and the late Jeff Newman. I have also benefited enormously from the help and advice of other steelers, who are as convivial a little cult as you could ever hope to find.
I am therefore pleased to continue in that tradition and offer lessons in pedal steel guitar. (For a basic overview, check out my Howcast videos.) I have two guitars set up in my lower midtown apartment; students need only bring their picks and a desire to learn. The lessons incorporate exercises, theory and song structure, building usable knowledge by applying the material to tunes as quickly as possible. All levels are welcome.
"One of the key strengths throughout was the pedal steel
player Jonathan Gregg. He made that instrument sing time and
again, adding a number of fast, but taut runs to really power
the sound."
Jeffrey B. Remz, Country
Standard Time
"Gregg is the titular 'King of That Thing,' an ode to and a showcase for his prowess and its effect on some female listeners."
Vintage Guitar, review of Arty Hill's Another Lost Highway
"The sound of The Doc Marshalls is in no small degree determined by the masterful playing of Jonathan Gregg on pedal steel. Especially on 'Pennsylvania' he is masterful in the background."
Alt.Country. NL (Netherlands), review of the Doc Marshalls' Look Out, Compadre
"The C&W shuffle Smart Ass, spiced with Jonathan Gregg’s rippling pedal steel, offers a sardonic look at the value of higher education."
New York Music Daily, review of Maynard & the Musties’ Fall On In
"'Dark Blue Room' is Nashville-fine, sad and yet hopeful with some of the most tasteful pedal steel runs I’ve heard as of late…"
Popdose, review of George Usher & Lisa Burns’s Last Day of Winter
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