Which should come first Pedal Steel, lap steel, or guitar?

[Ian Rae]

Inspiration, motivation, whatever you call it is mysterious and hidden.
I first heard Buddy Emmons when I was about 18 and I thought "Wow - what is that? I want to do it!"
But if I hadn't already got some steel guitar in me I'm sure I would just have thought "so what?" and moved on.

[Bill L. Wilson]

I started on lap steel in the mid 50’s, and it taught me how to use the bar, picks, and play songs. The guitar, and pedal steel came easier with my knowledge of the fretboard and music theory.
This was my very first instrument and it still works.

[Bill Fisher]

I believe Donny Hinson has it right. Just remember this, if things don't progress too well. It's a gift.

Bill

[Jim Pitman]

Bill, I had that exact same Supro lap steel. It was great sounding. Mine was made in 1962. Still wish I had it. It got stolen off the back of a pickup truck during load-out at the Hardwick Legion here in VT.
Still playoing yours?
Thanks for a walk down memory lane.

[Bill L. Wilson]

I very seldom get the old Supro out of the case. I have a ‘56 Fender lap steel that I use occasionally. Since I took up pedal steel it’s about all I play.

[Dom Franco]

I believe that it would be very difficult to start out on pedal steel with no previous musical training.

That being said, someone with a good ear and perhaps some experience singing in a choir at church or school could do quite well because they would be able to hear the pitch properly and learn to position the bar to play in tune.

However so much of playing Pedal steel is dependent upon following chord progressions and using the bar, pedals and knee levers to achieve the correct notes and harmonies.

So some experience with a polyphonic (chord playing) instrument is practically essential. The most common of these would be guitar, piano, organ, accordian... etc.

Just my 2 cents...

[Brett Day]

For me it was keyboards, pedal steel, and to add to pedal steel recently, Dobro

[Bud Angelotti]

If you start with guitar - it will help you learn pedal steel.
If you start with pedal steel, it will help you learn guitar.

So.. start with trombone.