PAUL FRANKLIN
PAUL'S COURSES
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The Paul Franklin Method is a complete course in pedal steel guitar for E9 and C6 necks, with wide-ranging in-depth lessons covering all topics for players at every level.
E9 Pedal Steel Basics features a selection of essential lessons that demystify the E9 neck, correct bad habits you may have, and quickly get you playing music on the pedal steel guitar.
In C6 Essentials , Hall of Fame pedal steeler Paul Franklin guides you through a new way to look at the C6 tuning. Dust off that back neck and get started!
Paul's Toolbox course is the next step after Foundations . Packed with the licks, solos, and bar techniques you need to make real music, including an in-depth section on how to back singers.
Paul breaks down and teaches 50 licks and phrases covering multiple grooves and styles. Genre-defining sounds that artists and producers ask for, a full musical Vocabulary for you to drawn upon.
Paul Franklin guides you through his personal approach to the C6 tuning. All the pockets, positions, and practical theory you need to master the harmonic and melodic possibilities in any style.
A complete set of lessons taken from The Paul Franklin Method, this is a free a mini-course in the art of backing a singer, using the classic folk tune " Shenandoah ".
Join Paul as he teaches one of his most frequently requested solos, breaking down his iconic ride on "Together Again" , from Bakersfield , his duet album with Vince Gill
Join Tommy White & Paul Franklin as they teach the History and Evolution of pedal steel guitar technique, including 3-element blocking, tone, and modern harmony.
An in-depth exploration into the pedal steel styles pioneered by Ralph Mooney, Jay McDonald, JayDee Maness, Tom Brumley and others. Many of my Intros, Solos and Licks (w/practice tracks) from the "Bakersfield" album.
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Pedal steelers Tommy White and Paul Franklin sit down and trade licks, talk-teaching over some of the most popular and frequently-encountered chord progressions.
An in-depth exploration into the Texas Country pedal steel style. Paul teaches the Intros, Solos and Licks he played on the Grammy-nominated 2023 "Sweet Memories" album and shows how they can be applied to other songs.
Paul explains the modes and shows you how to find them on the E9 Pedal Steel Guitar.
PAUL FRANKLIN
Paul Franklin began playing steel guitar at age 8. Taking lessons from a Hawaiian guitar master, he quickly progressed and when pedal steel guitars came about, he got one immediately.
Paul was already gigging in local clubs at 11, and a member of the Musician’s Union. Soon calls came to the house asking for a pedal steel player for sessions in the thriving local music scene.
Not only were Pop, Motown and Jazz popular, but the “Hillbilly Highway” of Southerners heading North to build cars fueled a burgeoning Country music scene.
Paul got his first taste of national success as a teenager on Gallery’s “It’s So Nice To Be With You”, a #1 hit single. He also guested on Parliament’s “Country Boy” track and worked with Motown producer Dennis Coffey (of instrumental hit “Scorpio” fame).
The pedal steel was being embraced by Country music, and Nashville was the place for this young prodigy to be, so he headed to Tennessee as a senior in high school to join Barbara Mandrell’s band at the invitation of her father, Irby. He also toured with Dottie West, Lynn Anderson, and Donna Fargo.
Franklin joined Jerry Reed’s band and recorded solo albums of original pedal steel instrumentals and Jazz standards. A long stint with Mel Tillis’ Statesiders playing classic country and honky-tonk with an excellent road band was next. Nashville Studio stalwart Pete Drake hired Paul to play on jingles and a few demo and master sessions.
In the early '80s Franklin turned his full attention to session work. He reached as high a level of success with this venture as with his first. Over the years he performed beside more artists than could possibly be listed here. Some of the bigger names are Rhett Akins, John Anderson, Susan Ashton, Brooks & Dunn, Shania Twain, Tracy Byrd, Suzy Bogguss, Faith Hill, Deana Carter, Alan Jackson, Wynonna Judd, and Clint Black.
In 1991 he took a call from Mark Knopfler that led to playing on The Notting Hillbillies album and eventually with Dire Straits, touring the world and recording On Every Street with them.
In recent years, besides his busy studio schedule, Franklin
is a member of Chris Stapleton's touring band and holds down the pedal steel seat with the Time Jumpers who showcase Western Swing and classic Country every Monday night at a local Nashville club.
During Franklin's extraordinary career he has won many awards. In both 1999 and 2000 he was nominated for the Country Music Association's Musician of the Year award.
