PAUL FRANKLIN'S
E9 FOUNDATIONS BUNDLE!

In this two-volume beginner course set, Paul guides you through the essential techniques and practical theory you need to make real music on the pedal steel guitar.

" A firm grasp of the basics is the first step towards Mastery". - Paul

Foundations 1 gets you comfortable on the instrument, covers your technique options, demonstrates: major, minor and dominant chords; picking & blocking; and other essential skills you'll need.

In Foundations 2 Paul helps you continue your development by introducing more techniques, musicianship & practical applications, based on what you have learned so far - guiding you through the licks, phrases, solos, and concepts you need to effectively back singers and other instrumentalists and make real music on the pedal steel guitar!.

BEGINNERS

Start your E9 journey with our acclaimed Foundations 1 course. Learn the essential skills you'll need to play in any style.

PLAYERS

Lost in the weeds and can't seem to find your way forward? Revisting the basics will put you back on the right path!

GUITARISTS

Play standard guitar? Paul demystifies the E9 tuning & shows you the similarities between the two instruments.

In Foundations 1 You Will Learn:

PLAYING TECHNIQUE

  • Bar Movement

  • Picking & Blocking

  • Pedal Expression

HARMONY & THEORY

  • Major & Minor Chords

  • Dom 7 Chords

  • The Harmonized Scale

MUSICIANSHIP

  • Vibrato

  • Pedal Dynamics

  • Thinking In Intervals

In Foundations 2 You Will Learn:

HOW TO BACK A SINGER

Master the pedal steel guitarist's first job: Backing A Singer. Concepts, licks and musical approaches.

LICKS, PHRASES, SOLOS

Build your stylistic vocabulary with classic Country, Blues, Rock and Americana pedal steel licks.

PICKING & BAR TECHNIQUE

Next-level technical skills including picking permutations and backward and forward bar slants.

Backing A Singer

Pads, subtle moves, imitating other instruments, playing lyrically - these are some of the musical tools needed to keep your guitar up in the mix . . . on stage or in the studio.

Paul covers that and more as he breaks down songs into two-chord sections, giving you a variety of ideas and concepts to analyze and make your own.

BONUS: Paul's complete Shenandoah mini-course is included in the Backing A Singer section.

Licks, Phrases, Solos

Paul uses examples from the classic pedal steel guitar vocabulary, including popular intros and solos from hit records that he has played on over the past several decades.

Dozens of useful phrases (plus variations) covering Rock, Western Swing, Classic Country, Memphis R&B, and West Coast Country.

Picking & Bar Technique

The next level of right and left hand techniques are training your picking hand to master all possible string/fingering combinations.

Learning how to use slants for emotional effect is the next step in mastering the bar.

Paul expands on picking/blocking using his "Picking Permutations" approach, including up close videos of 24 unique permutations.

FROM THE PRACTICE ROOM TO THE STAGE

Go from the practice room to the stage! Foundations 1 gets you playing the right way, right away.

FIND AND FIX YOUR BAD HABITS

If you have been playing for awhile and seem stuck in a rut, you may have developed bad habits. This course will help you find and fix them.

learn a musician's PeRSPECTIVE

Paul will teach you to be not just a pedal steel player, but a Musician who plays the pedal steel guitar.

PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP MEMBERSHIP!

Got questions? Ask Paul directly in the Facebook Group and commune with your fellow players.

TESTIMONIALS

“Studying with Paul Franklin is a rare chance to study with a pro master of our instrument. If you're planning to make a career from playing, look at it as a great investment in developing your knowledge and skills.”

No better way to learn than Paul's course. I wish something similar had been available when I learned many moons ago."

“Paul is a great teacher. Its not just good for beginners , but even for people that have been playing awhile. You don't just learn how to do something, but why it works. You can't go wrong getting this course, especially if you are a beginner.”

“I started the course this week. Paul is great at explaining things so they instantly click in my head."

“You get to choose which technique fits you. My right hand technique improved dramatically in about a month's time."

PAUL FRANKLIN

Pedal Steel Guitar and Musician's Hall of Famer Paul Franklin brings 50 years of insight and experience to his courses.

From his teenage years playing gigs and sessions in his native Detroit to his many years in the Nashville touring (Chris Stapelton, Vince Gill) and studio scene, Franklin is the go-to pedal steel guitarist of his generation.

Mentored by the early legends of the instrument like Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Weldon Myrick and Hal Rugg, Paul brings a sense of history to his lessons while always pushing the guitar forward. From George Jones to Megadeth, Streisand to Dire Straits, Paul's style encompasses all genres.

His ability to convey complex concepts to beginners and pros alike sets him apart from other teachers on the pedal steel guitar.

Watch A Complete Lesson
From Foundations 1

Clip From a Foundations 2 Lesson

Foundations 1 Course Syllabus

GETTING READY TO PLAY

A Message From Paul

Strategies for Learning

The Parts of the Pedal Steel Guitar

For 6-String Guitarists

Harmonic Centers for 6-String Guitarists

How To Sit Behind The Guitar

Timing: Working With A Metronome

Paul's TAB Symbols Explained

TAB Basics - PDF

THE E9 TUNING

Open Strings/Intervals

The Open Strings - QUIZ

Why Is My Guitar Tuned Like This?

Thinking In Intervals PDF

E9 Tuning: Intervals and String Names - QUIZ

FAQ image

TUNING UP

Tuning Your Guitar By Ear

Tuning Your Knee Levers

Tuning Your Guitar With A Tuner

The Jeff Newman Tuning Charts PDF

THE PICKS AND THE BAR

How To Wear Your Picks

Intro To Picking and Blocking

Choosing And Holding The Bar

Bar Pressure

Bar Exercises

THE PEDALS AND LEVERS

Introduction To The A & B Pedals

Intro To The Pedals - QUIZ

Intro To Pedals TAB PDF

More on Pedals and Levers

Adjusting Pedals

INTRODUCTION TO CHORDS

Chord Names On The Fretboard

Chord Names On The Fretboard -QUIZ

Intro To The Four String Groups

The Four String Groups - QUIZ

String Groups and Intervals - QUIZ

Practicing The String Groups

Fretboard By The Numbers

Basic Music Theory

The 1-4-5 Progression

More On 1-4-5 Progressions

Goodnight Ladies TAB PDF

1-4-5 Chords In Every Key PDF

1-4-5 Chord Progression - PRACTICE TRACKS

PICKING AND BLOCKING

Warming Up Your Right Hand

Picking Exercises: The Arpeggio

How To Practice H.O.T.R.S. TAB PDF

Intro to Blocking The Strings

Pick Blocking

3-Element Blocking: Tommy and Buddy

Picking and Blocking Exercises

EXPRESSION: VOLUME PEDAL/PEDAL SQUEEZES/VIBRATO

The Volume Pedal

Adding Expression With The Volume Pedal

Squeezing The Pedals

Mastering Pedal Squeezes

Bar Movement and Vibrato Concepts

FAQ image

CHORDS: MAJOR AND MINOR

Using The Pedals To Make Chords

The Pedals - QUIZ

The Four String Groups - Major Chords

Beginner Chord Etude TAB PDF

Major Chord - PRACTICE TRACKS

The Four String Groups - Minor Chords

Minor Chord - PRACTICE TRACKS

Minor Chords - QUIZ

Pads & Power Chords

Major Chord Workout

Minor Chord Workout

Chord Formulas - PDF

Chord Progressions

Chord Progression Workout

Must-Know Chord Positions

DOMINANT 7th CHORDS

Open Position Dominant 7th Chords

Pedals Down Dominant 7ths

Dominant 7th Extensions

Dominant 7th Workout

Playing The Blues

Simple Blues Progression

SCALES AND HARMONY

The Major Scale

Basic Harmony PDF

Major Scales and Triads PDF

Adding Harmonies to the Major Scale

The Harmonized Major Scale

The Harmonized Scale PDF

Harmonized Major Scale QUIZ

Practicing Chord Movements

Putting It All Together

Drones In Various Keys - DRONE TRACKS

STYLES AND LICKS

Western Swing

Rock Guitar Licks

5511 Ballad Intro

Americana Music

WHAT'S NEXT?

No Longer A Beginner

Thanks From Paul!

RESOURCES

Tips On Practice Routines

Lesson Notes Template

Thinking In Intervals - PDF

Basic Music Theory

Major Scales and Triads - PDF

Basic Harmony PDF

Chord Formulas - PDF

Chord Substitutions

Nashville Number System

Links to Some Pedal Steel Resources

Cycle Of 4ths and 5ths - PDF

How To Read TAB

Blank TAB 10 String - PDF

Suggested Listening

COURSE SYLLABUS

GETTING READY TO PLAY

A Message From Paul

The Parts of the Pedal Steel Guitar

For 6-String Guitarists

Open Strings/Intervals

The Open Strings - QUIZ

Thinking In Intervals PDF

Why Is My Guitar Tuned Like This?

E9 Tuning - QUIZ

How To Sit Behind The Guitar

TUNING UP

Tuning Your Guitar By Ear

Tuning Your Knee Levers

Tuning Your Guitar With A Tuner

The Jeff Newman Tuning Charts PDF

THE PICKS AND THE BAR

Choices For Picking Techniques

How To Wear Your Picks

Choosing And Holding The Bar

Bar Pressure

Bar Exercises

Vibrato Concepts

THE PEDALS AND LEVERS

Introduction To The Pedals

The Intro To The Pedals - QUIZ

TAB Basics - PDF

Intro To Pedals TAB PDF

More on Pedals and Levers

The Volume Pedal

Adding Expression With The Volume Pedal

INTRODUCTION TO CHORDS

Intro To The Four String Groups

The Four String Groups - QUIZ

Chord Names On The Fretboard

Chord Names On The Fretboard -QUIZ

Fretboard By The Numbers

Timing: Working With A Metronome

Practicing The String Groups

The 1-4-5 Progression

More On 1-4-5 Progressions

Goodnight Ladies TAB PDF

1-4-5 Chords In Every Key PDF

1-4-5 Chord Progression - PRACTICE TRACKS

PICKING AND BLOCKING

Picking Exercises: The Arpeggio

How To Practice H.O.T.R.S. TAB PDF

Intro to Blocking The Strings

Pick Blocking

3-Element Blocking: Tommy and Buddy

Picking and Blocking Exercises

CHORDS: MAJOR AND MINOR

Using The Pedals To Make Chords

The Pedals - QUIZ

The Four String Groups - Major Chords

Beginner Chord Etude TAB PDF

Major Chord - PRACTICE TRACKS

The Four String Groups - Minor Chords

Minor Chords - QUIZ

Minor Chord - PRACTICE TRACKS

Pads & Power Chords

Power Chord TAB PDF

Chord Progressions

Chord Progressions - PRACTICE TRACKS

Major Chord Workout

Minor Chord Workout

DOMINANT 7th CHORDS

Open Position Dominant 7th Chords

Pedals Down Dominant 7ths

Dominant 7th Extensions

Dominant 7th Workout - PRACTICE TRACK

Dominant 7 Workout - PDF

Playing The Blues

Simple Blues Progression - PRACTICE TRACK

Simple Blues - PDF

SCALES AND HARMONY

The Major Scale

Basic Harmony PDF

Adding Harmonies to the Major Scale

The Harmonized Major Scale

Harmonized Major Scale TAB PDF

Major Scales and Triads PDF

Putting It All Together

Drones In Various Keys - DRONE TRACKS

STYLES AND LICKS

Western Swing and Blues Rock

Western Swing and Blues Rock TAB PDF

5511 Ballad Intro

5511 Ballad Intro TAB PDF

WHAT'S NEXT?

No Longer A Beginner

Thanks From Paul!

RESOURCES

Tips On Practice Routines

Suggested Listening

Basic Music Theory

Thinking In Intervals - PDF

Paul's TAB Symbols Explained

Nashville Number System

Links to Some Pedal Steel Resources

Chord Formulas - PDF

Cycle Of 4ths and 5ths - PDF

Major Scales and Triads - PDF

How To Read TAB

How To Read TAB - PDF

Blank TAB 10 String - PDF

Foundations 2 Course Syllabus

COURSE OVERVIEW

About This Course

NEW! News

SONG INTROS

West Coast Style: Above and Beyond (FREE PREVIEW)

West Coast 1511

Weldon Myrick Shuffle 1511

Advanced 1511

Farewell Party

5511 Ballad

5511 Ballad Advanced

5511 Traditional Country

LICKS

5 to 1 Resolution

Banjo Roll

West Coast Country

1 To 1dom7

Bakersfield Hammer-On

Pull-offs

The Rake

Chordal Pull-Offs

Walk Down to the 1 Chord

5 to 1 Ballad

Pentatonic - 70's Country Style

60’s Country: 5-1 Walk-Down

Memphis Groove

Western Swing Style

Beautiful Ballad Phrase: 1 – 1dom7

Rock Style

Speed Exercise

1 to 4 with C6 Sounds

My Baby Thinks He's A Train

Americana Music

Rock Guitar Licks

Bluegrass Ending Licks (FREE PREVIEW)

Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

Together Again Solo

TECHNIQUE

Picking Permutations

Intro to the Permutations

Perms 1-4

Perms 5-8

Perms 9-12

Perms 13-16

Perms 17-20

Perms 21-24

Forward Bar Slants

Backward Bar Slants

Slant Exercises

Bar Exercises

Know Your Intervals: Ear Training

Focus

Practice Towards Originality

BACKING A SINGER: PADS & FILLS

Introduction To Backing A Singer (FREE PREVIEW)

Pads: Applying The Harmonized Scale

Fills: Playing in The Gaps

Counterpoint and Connecting Phrases

Playing to the Lyric

Foundational Fills: Intro

Foundational Fills #1

Foundational Fills #2

Foundational Fills #3

Foundational Fills #4

Foundational Fills #5

Foundational Fills #6

Foundational Fills #7

Foundational Fills #8

Foundational Fills #9

Foundational Fills #10

Fills: Expanding Your Toolbox

BONUS: Shenandoah

GEAR

Setting the Amp for Tone

Compensators

Paul's Effects Settings

RESOURCES

How to Navigate The Course - PDF

Lesson Notes Template

Glossary

TAB Basics - PDF

Paul's TAB Symbols Explained

Thinking In Intervals PDF

Basic Music Theory

Chord Substitutions

Major Scales and Triads - PDF

Nashville Number System

Background Drones In Various Keys

Blank Tab Sheet - PDF

Some Pedal Steel Resources - LINKS

Ad: All Our Courses (FREE PREVIEW)

Choose Your Plan

GET BOTH NOW!

FOUNDATIONS 1 & 2

Only $149!

  • Foundations 1: Basics

  • Foundations 2: Toolbox

  • $198 If Bought Separately

  • Save $50 By Bundling

Just FOUNDATIONS 1

$99

  • 12 Month Enrollment

  • 90+ Lessons

  • Private Facebook Group

Just FOUNDATIONS 2

$99

  • 12 Month Enrollment

  • 90+ Lessons

  • Private Facebook Group

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Foundations 1 Course all about?

The Foundations 1 course is designed to give beginning and intermediate players a start-from-scratch method to learn how to play the E9 pedal steel guitar. All of the basics you'll need to play songs are here. Paul shows you the essential skills, techniques and musicianship needed to get you onstage and playing.

What is the Foundations 2 Course all about?

Foundations 2 is designed to be a next-level up course following Foundations 1 that gives intermediate players a jumpstart into real-world, practical applications. It uses the basic techniques taught in Foundations 1, teaching you licks, phrases, and solos and includes an in-depth study on how to back a singer.

Can you explain the Course Format?

Foundations 1 is a streaming video course hosted by Modern Music Masters. Your enrollment includes 12 months of 24/7 access. Review the materials by watching the videos over and over, use the video player to slow things down, and print out TABs and other relevant lesson materials.

You’ll have all the necessary close-up shots of Paul’s bar hand, pick hand and the pedals and levers, perspectives you simply could not get all at once at a private lesson.


The Course is comprised of video content, downloadable PDFs, TABs and Practice Tracks.

I've heard about "The Paul Franklin Method". How are these courses different?"

The Paul Franklin Method (PFM) is Paul’s comprehensive online 'academy' (580+ videos) that covers everything you need to know to master both the E9 and C6 tunings.

Foundations 1 & 2 use material selected from the PFM that covers the necessary skills you'll need to begin playing play music on the E9 tuning.

Refer to each Course's syllabus to see the difference in the Lessons taught.

How much do Foundations 1 and 2 cost?

Foundations 1 & 2 can be purchased separately for one single payment of $99 each. For that you get a 12-month long enrollment, 24/7 access to the lessons.

Is there a bundle of both Foundations 1 and Foundations 2 available for purchase?"

Yes! You can get either course separately, or both courses at once for $149 for 12-months access.

Are Foundations 1 & 2 just for beginners?

Foundations 1 and 2 are great for beginners, but players at all levels can benefit from the materials presented. The technique and musicianship essentials taught in the Course are what Paul still works on to this day in his practice sessions.

How is this course different from other pedal steel courses I see online?

Steel Guitar and Musician's Hall of Famer Paul Franklin is a master of the instrument player and teacher, with decades of experience both playing and teaching.

Learn from one of the greatest players in pedal steel history who can be heard on thousands of recordings and live performances. Decades of playing on the road and in the studio give Paul a unique perspective that translates into deep knowledge he shares in his lessons.

All Paul Franklin courses are available online 24/7 on any device with an internet connection.

What devices can I watch the videos on?

The Course can be viewed on desktop computers and most mobile devices – phones, tablets, laptops – as long as they have a compatible browser on them and they are connected to the internet. Chrome and Firefox browsers are recommended.

You will need to keep your OS and browser fairly current, as how browsers display items changes over time. For example, in the Mac world, you may need iOS 16.x or higher.

What kind of pedal setup do I need to take this Course?

Paul teaches using the standard pedal setups as used by Buddy Emmons, Jimmy Day, Lloyd Green, Rusty Young, Tom Brumley, etc.

Pedal placement is your personal preference, so Paul refers to them as “A”, “B” or “C” pedals. Wherever you have those changes on your guitar is your call.

On the E9 tuning, you should have the two basic knee levers that raise and lower the 4th and 8th strings a half-tone (E to F and E to Eb)

Am I allowed to download the videos?

The Foundations 1 videos are not available for download.

However, other course content such as PDFs and MP3s are. Your enrollment allows you access to view the videos online 24/7 for 12 months.

Copyright Modern Music Masters, Inc. 2026