(Newswire.net — March 25, 2014) — Country music enthusiasts will be excited to learn of the latest announcement coming from the Terry Bandy Music School. Known for offering its students a broad selection of instruments and styles of music, the school announced that it will add steel guitar lessons to its comprehensive catalog.
The school’s founder, Terry Bandy, made the announcement this past week. “We are very excited to add another instrument to our curriculum. The steel guitar is an important part of musical history, has a unique sound and will allow students to experience a style of playing they may have been previously unaware of.”
The steel guitar has an interesting history. While most are aware of its place in country music, the steel guitar actually originated in Hawaii. Upon its arrival on the mainland, it quickly gained popularity among players of the blues, bluegrass, folk and country, but was tuned a bit differently to accommodate the sound of a banjo player.
Bandy has said that part of the instruction will include some of the historical background.
“We intend to include several types of steel guitar in the curriculum, but I am particularly excited about the inclusion of the pedal steel,” said Bandy, clearly enthused with the announcement. “There is just something so unique about the sound; it has a lot of soul.”
Bandy referenced contemporary players such as Robert Randolph as the inspiration for adding the steel guitar to his catalog at the music school. “I saw Robert Randolph & the Family Band at a festival recently, and I was totally blown away by the things [Randolph] was doing with the pedal steel guitar. While I was watching him play, I thought that we had to add this to our school. It’s so versatile and unique.”
The steel guitar lessons will be taught by Bandy and one other instructor. Both instructors have many years of playing experience, and will be focusing on teaching students a variety of different styles of play on the steel guitar. Bandy also mentioned that he expected to have a few guests visit the school to offer their professional advice. “I have spoken with some session guitarists and touring professionals, and they have agreed to come in to give the students some additional instruction. It’s going to be a great addition to our program.”