THE
PAUL FRANKLIN
METHOD
A complete Course in E9 and C6 Pedal Steel Guitar
ABOUT
THE METHOD
Learn From
A Pro
Pedal Steel Guitar Hall-of-
Famer Paul Franklin shares
his 50 years of playing and
teaching experience with
you.
From Beginner
To Mastery
From Beginner through
Advanced and all the way to
Mastery, there are lessons
for whatever stage you may
be at.
Multiple
Music Styles
Paul’s Method is applicable
to all forms of music —
Modern Country, Classic
Country, Blues, Jazz, Rock &
Pop.
Watch
Listen
Learn
JUST GETTING STARTED? Paul de-mystifies the pedal
steel by breaking down concepts into easily learned
lessons and gets you playing the right way, right away.
No bad habits, nothing to unlearn!
BEEN PLAYING FOR YEARS? Check out Paul’s advanced lessons on chords, theory and improvisation. Learn the
essential exercises and techniques he uses in his
practice routine.
WONDERING WHAT TO LEARN NEXT? If you’ve been playing pedal steel for a while and are stuck in a rut, let Paul guide you past the plateaus and help you break through to the next level.
NEED MORE LICKS? Paul teaches dozens of his classic recorded licks and solos and shows you how to adapt
them to create your own!
HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST? Paul adds dozens of new
lessons every year. Let us know what you’d like him to
cover, and we’ll add it to the list!
Eight Courses In
One!
The Paul Franklin Method is delivered
as a stand-alone course and as a
collection of three Workshops and four
Break-Outs.
You can focus your learning by using
the Workshops and Break-Outs as
handy sub-sets of the Method's 475+
lessons.
The Three Workshops
Each neck separately, plus all the licks
E9 Complete contains every single E9 lesson from
the full Method. Perfect for those only interested in
the front neck.
C6 Complete has just the C6 lessons from the full
Method. A one-stop shop for all things C6
Just the Licks breaks out every Lick lesson found in
the entire Method, including all of the licks in the
stand-alone E9 Vocabulary course.
NOTE: These 3 workshops are curated from the complete PFM for student convenience. Not offered separately.
The Four Break-Outs
Beginners can start in E9 Foundations and then
explore E9 Applications Toolbox, and maybe grab
some manageable licks from Just The Licks once they are ready.
Intermediate players can brush up on their skills
in E9 Foundations, then study the E9 Applications Toolbox material and move on to E9 Complete for more in-depth coverage.
C6 fans can spend their time getting the tuning mastered in C6 Essentials, then using Paul’s personal approach in C6 Toolbox to apply what they know to tunes. After that, C6 Complete has all of the C6
Improv lessons.
NOTE: These four courses can also be purchased separately by student not yet ready for the full Method Course
Paul's Student Say:
"I've seen most all of the
instruction materials that have
come over my playing life. This is
by far the absolute best, & as long
as Paul desires to continue
sharing his knowledge, I'll be there
to take lessons from him."
" I have never had an instructor
like Paul. He tells, explains, demonstrates, and inspires. No
teacher I have ever had in any
subject has done that."
"It's like having Tiger Woods help
you with your golf game. I can't
think of any other profession or
hobby or avocation where regular
folks have this kind of access to \the best on the planet."
"It has been a transformational
experience for my approach to the
PSG. In my experience it is
vanishingly uncommon for an
artist of Paul’s level of
accomplishment to have the
interest, generosity, and work
ethic required to create a course
of this depth, breadth, and
quality."
"One of the highlights of my year
was discovering the PFM and
joining this great community. My playing has improved more than I could have hoped, and my
enjoyment of playing has
increased commensurately. Your teaching (and inspirational
attitude) has made a world of difference for me."
"As a 2nd generation steel
guitarist I believe this is the most important thing to happen to the
future of the instrument. 25 years
ago I did 10 instructional videos
for steel, so know the amount of
work it takes to do this.
Congratulations on a masterful
job, Paul!"
Facebook Group
Your enrollment in The Paul Franklin Method
includes an invitation to join Paul's Facebook
Group, where actively enrolled players get direct
access to Paul!
Ask Paul any question, suggest future lesson
topics, post videos of your progress, get
personal tips and guidance, glean exclusive
insights from his session and touring life, and
interact with your fellow students on the main
feed and in the Student Chat.
Watch Four Lessons From
The Course
Complete Lesson List!
Click on a Section to see the Lessons
A MESSAGE FROM PAUL
A MESSAGE FROM PAUL
NEWS/FACEBOOK GROUP/RENEWALS
LATEST NEWS & LESSONS
How To Join The Facebook Group
Enrollment Renewal Information
About the PFM Bundle!
SITE AND COURSE NAVIGATION
How to Navigate The Course - SLIDES
How to Navigate The Course - PDF
GETTING READY TO PLAY
The Parts of the Pedal Steel Guitar
Tuning Your Guitar - By Ear
Tuning Levers With Pedals
Other Ways of Tuning the E9th
Changing Your Strings
For 6-String Guitarists
Harmonic Centers for 6-String Guitarists
Open Strings and Intervals
The Four String Groups
Chord Names on the Fretboard
The Open Strings - QUIZ
Fretboard By The Numbers
Nashville Number System - PDF
The E9 Tuning In Intervals
Why Is My Guitar Tuned Like This? - TEXT
Fretboard and Pedals (A&B)
Thinking In Intervals - PDF
E9 Tuning - QUIZ
The Four String Groups - QUIZ
Chord Names On The Fretboard -QUIZ
How to Sit Behind the Guitar
How to Read TAB
Learning
FOR BEGINNERS ONLY!
THE PEDALS & LEVERS
History Behind The E9th Floor Pedals
Basic E9th Pedals & Knee Levers
The Pedals - QUIZ
Pedals and Chords - QUIZ
Adjusting the Pedals
Rocking The PedalsKnee Lever Placement
Volume Pedal Basics
Using the Volume Pedal for Expression
Volume Pedal Mastery
Mastering Pedal Squeezes
The Emotional Sound of the Pedals
PF4 And Pedal Placement
Pedal Exercises
TOOLS: PICKS AND BAR
Choices For Picking TechniquesThe Picks – Why The Choice MattersMastering The Bar (Tuning And Tone)Bar Pressure.
THE PERMUTATIONS
Intro to the Permutations
Perms 1-4
Perms 5-8
Perms 9-12
Perms 13-16
Perms 17-20
Perms 21-24
Permutations: Melodic Shapes
Permutations: Melodic Subtraction
Combining Permutations
PICK HAND TECHNIQUES
Warming Up Your Right Hand
The Arpeggio
House of the Rising Sun TAB PDF
BlockingPick Blocking
Blocking the "Picked Rake"
Creative Speed Picking: Permutations
Scale Permutations TAB - PDF
Applying Permutations TAB - PDF
Chimes
Chimes Exercise
Viewing Paul’s Right Hand Technique
3 Element Blocking: Buddy Emmons
3-Element Blocking: Tommy and Buddy
Building Speed
Building Speed Pt 2
My Right Hand
Blocking With Chords Pt. 1
Blocking With Chords Pt. 2
Building Finger Strength
BAR TECHNIQUES
Bar Precision: Playing In Tune
Bar Exercises
Controlling The Bar
Forward Bar Slants
Backward Bar Slants
Bar Slant Exercises
Viewing Paul’s Bar Technique
Vibrato Concepts
A Deeper Look Into Vibrato Techniques
Hammer On Exercise
Exercise for Bar and Pedal Coordination
CHORDS: MAJOR AND MINOR
The Four String Groups (Major)
Major Chord Piano & Click - Practice Tracks
The Four String Groups (Minor)
Minor Chords - QUIZ
Minor Chord Piano & Click - Practice Tracks
Timing: Working With A Metronome
Practicing The String GroupsThe 1-4-5 Progression
More On 1-4-5 Progressions
Goodnight Ladies TAB - PDF
1-4-5 - Piano & Click Practice Tracks
1-4-5 Chords In Every Key - PDF
Major Chord Workout
Minor Chord Workout
Chord Progression Workout
Chord Progressions
Must-Know Chord Positions
Basic Music Theory - PDF
HARMONY: MAJOR & MINOR
Major Scale Key Of C
Basic Harmony - PDF
Major Scale Harmonies
Harmonizing the Major Scale In 3rds
Applying the Harmonized Major Scale Pt 1
Applying the Harmonized Major Scale Pt 2
Two-Note Major Scale Harmonies
Alternate I to IV Chord Moves
New Discovery: Chromatic/Diatonic Lick
New Discovery Part 2
Thinking Simply: Major Chords
Thinking Simply: Minor Chords
E9 Minor Approach - Pt 1
E9 Minor Approach - Pt 2
E9 Minor Approach - Pts 3 & 4
Relative Major Licks Over Em
Modern Chord Voicings
Putting It All Together
Next Level Diatonics
Approach Chords For Diatonics
Major Chord Modulations
Beautiful Maj7 Voicings
Open String Chords
Harmonized Scale Over Minor Chords
MORE CHORDS
Pads and Power Chords
Dominant 7th Chords
Sliding Into 7ths With Pedals
More Positions For 7ths, 9ths & 13ths
Playing The Blues
Simple Blues Progression
Dominant 7th Workout: Chart & Track
The Major 6th
The ‘add9’ & ‘add2’ Chords
Using the Flat 5
Diminished Chords
Augmented Chords: Basic Positions
Using An Augmented Chord
Augmented Chord Progressions
Augmented Chord Progressions TAB - PDF
HARMONY: EXTENSIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Extending Fretboard Knowledge
Expanding The E9 Neck
E9 Chord Substitutions
Modern E9th Chords: Diatonics & Intervals
Chromatic Scale Positions - E9
Color Chords Using Intervals
Thoughts On Chords: Tritone Subs & Extensions
HARMONY: MODES
The Modes: Ionian
The Modes: Ionian Part 2Diatonic Harmony: Ionian Mode "Danny Boy"
GEAR AND GUITARS
Setting the Amp for Tone
Setting Amp Volume
Using Compensators
Copedent Advice
Kemper Steel Amp Profiles
Paul's Effects Settings
Memory Man
STRATEGIES
Facebook Group
Filling In The Gaps
Nashville Session Players
Why A Metronome?
Strategies: Morphing
Finding Your Own Path
PRACTICE ADVICE
How To Practice
How To Practice Without A Guitar
What If?
The Importance of Memorization
Being Analytical
Buddy Emmons and "Absolutes"Influences
Building Speed Towards Originality
Learning By Listening - E9 & C6
MUSINGS
Keeping An Open Mind
No Longer A Beginner
How To Make Everything Your Own
FocusDestinations
Combining Knowledge
INTROS, LICKS & FILLS
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
West Coast Style: Above and Beyond
West Coast 1511
Weldon Myrick Shuffle 1511
Advanced 1511
Additional Bakersfield - BACKING TRACKS
Farewell Party
5511 Ballad
5511 Ballad Advanced
5511 Traditional Country
Additional 5511 Ballad - BACKING TRACKS
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
My Baby Thinks He's A Train
Thinks He's A Train TAB - PDF1 to 4 with C6 Sounds
C6 Sounds 1 to 4 TAB - PDF
Chromatic Fill Licks
Chromatics on E9
Hammer-On Licks
Bluegrass Ending Licks
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Four PF4 Licks
Speed Lick #1
Speed Lick #2
Speed Lick #3
Speed Lick #4
Speed Lick #5
Speed Lick #6
Speed Lick #7
Speed Lick #8
Speed Lick #9
Speed Lick #10
Speed Lick #11
Speed Lick #12
I to IV Speed Lick "B-Bender"Single Chord Licks #1
Single-Chord Licks #2
Single-Chord Licks #3
Single-Chord Licks #4
Flashy Lick Ideas
1 to 4 Ballad Lick
Cajun Steel Lick
Rock Guitar Bending Lick
Flashy Minor Lick
Double-Stop Minor Lick
Unison Bend Minor Lick
Pedals Down Minor Lick
Minor Ballad Lick
"C6 on E9" I to IV Move
MinMaj7 Chord Move
E9 Open String Drone Lick
E9 VOCABULARY 1-10
Vocabulary Study Guide
1) - Modern Walk Down
2) - 60's Nashville Country Walk Up
3) - Funky B&C
4) - Four-chord Ending Lick
5) - PF Lick
6) - Chicken Pickin' In F
7) - Bakersfield Whammy
8) - 4 to 1 Melodic Lick
9) - Chord Cluster Ending/Fill
10) - Hot Wired
E9 VOCABULARY 11-20
11) - Diatonic Cascade
12) - PF's Easy Speed Lick - 5dom7
13) - Resolution Licks
14) - Descending 4 to 1: Modern Harmony
15) - Fast Banjo-style Lick
16) - Minor Key Chord Lick
17) - Aggressive Dom7th Chord Walk
18) - 70's Speed Sliding in G
19) - Up The Scale
20) - Open String Lick
E9 VOCABULARY 21-30
21) - Walk Of Life: 1 to 4
22) - Bakersfield, Indiana
23) - Wide-Grip Lick
24) - Walk Down Lick in G
25) - The Infamous Rake
26) - Minor Walk-down Licks
27) - Blues Rock Rake
28) - 90's Country Voicings
29) - Jazz Up the E9th
30) - G7th Chromatic: Combining 2 Licks
E9 VOCABULARY 31-40
31) - Nervous Breakdown
32) - Loose Changes
33) - Jeff Beck Whammy Lick
34) 1 - 3dom7 - 6m Move
35) - Ascending Train Beat
36) - 90's Country Hats
37) - Pickups
38) - Uptempo Intro
39) - Lap Steel Vibe
40) - Hook Lick
E9 VOCABULARY 41-50
42) - Unison Rake
41) - Time Jumpin' Ballad Lick
43) - Easy to Play Fast Lick
44) - Blues Rock Ideas
45) - Get Your Mind Right
46) - Liquid Lick
47)- Downward Sliding Cascade
48) - Bottleneck Lick
49) - Minor Chord Rake Lick
50) - 2-String Ballad Walk
BACKING A SINGER
Introduction To Backing A Singer
Pads: Applying The Harmonized Scale
Fills: Playing in The Gaps
Counterpoint and Connecting Phrases
Playing to the LyricFills: Expanding Your Toolbox
Shenandoah: A Complete Breakdown of A Recording Session
Some Further Comments
WHAT WAS I THINKING?
Together Again
All My Exes
The Bottle Let Me Down
Don't You Ever Get Tired?
When I Call Your Name
I'll Break Out Again Tonight
MUSICIANSHIP
Approach Notes
Applying Approach Notes
Pivoting / Pedal Tones
Counterpoint
Connecting: The Volume Pedal
Connecting: Pedal Squeezes
Connecting: Vibrato & SlidesTechnique Options: Drum Rudiments
Technique Options: Piano Licks
Technique Options: Hal Rugg Licks
Knowing Intervals in Any Tuning - TEXT
Permutations As Shapes: Pt 1
Permutations As Shapes: Pt 2
Open String Licks
Pulling ToneCreative Arrangements
Applying Intervals - Pt 1
Applying Intervals - Pt 2C6 Sounds on the E9: Turnarounds
Translating C6 Sounds to E9
Putting Improv Concepts Together
How to Build New Licks
Buddy's "Donna Lee" Chromatics
Jazz Blues on E9
Steel Drum & Marimba Muting Effect
E9: Mapping The Fretboard
Jamming Using PFM Concepts E9 & C6
Targeted Muting
Bringing Out The Upper Voice
Modernize Your Fills
Intervallic Playing: Adding Approach Notes
Intervals Over Chords
Technique & Expression
Pulling Tone Expanded
Playing In Tune
PHRASING
Introduction To Phrasing
Phrasing Part 1
Phrasing Part 2
Chord Structure for a Modern Groove
Swinging Over a Modern Groove
Grooves & Feels With Billy Thomas
Train Beat Groove
Cajun/Zydeco Groove
Half Time Feels
Buck & Ray Shuffles
Ballads3/4 Time
Blending Styles
Bo Diddley/Clave Grooves
Flat Tire Shuffle90's Shuffle
Boogaloo
Waylon Groove
Billy's Pocket & Conclusion
Phrasing: Developing Themes
Learning By Listening
MODERN STEEL STYLES
Sounds and Techniques
Crafting a Rock Solo
Joe Walsh Style
Americana Music
Ambient Pedal Steel
Preparing to Sacred Steel
Hippie Steel
Hippie Steel Part 2
C6 ESSENTIALS
The C6 Neck: Overview
C6: Tuning The Open Strings
C6 Open Tuning - QUIZ
C6: Tuning the Pedals & Levers
C6: Fretboard Explained
C6: Open Strings Explained
Chords in Open Tuning - QUIZ
C6 Essentials Etude #1 - PDF
Differences Between E9 and C6
E9 to C6: The Difference (for Toolbox Students)
Thoughts on the Tuning & Buddy's Setup
C6: Buddy Emmons Pedal Setup
C6: Tuning the Emmons Pedal Setup
C6: Paul's Pedal Setup
C6: Chord Pockets (Maj & Min)
C6: Single Note Pockets - Pt 1
C6: Single Note Pockets Pt 2
C6: PFM Blues Pt 1
C6: PFM Blues Pt 2
PFM Blues Backing Tracks - MP3s
C6: Blues With Extensions Pt 1
C6: Blues With Extensions Pt 2
C6 HARMONY
C6: 2-5-1 Progression
C6: Harmonized Scale in 3rds and 4ths
C6: Turnaround Progression 3m 6 2m 5
E9 Sounds on C6
Translate C6th to Lap Steel
C6: Big Band Turnaround Changes
All My Exes
Lenny's Lesson
C6 Finger-Style Creative Concepts
C6 Triads Over Bass Notes
C6: Applying Intervals to Build Chords
How to Access Minor Chords
Exploring C6 Common Tones
C6: Alt Dom7 Chords: The #5 Interval
C6 Altered Dom7: The #9 Interval
C6 Moving From 1 to 4: Diminished to Min7
Moving From 1 to 4: Sus Chords
C6 Moving From 4 to 5: #9 Sounds
C6 Moving From 4 to 5: Counterpoint
C6 Using 2-5 to the 4 Chord Pt 1
C6 Using 2-5 to the 4 Chord Pt 2
Moving From 4 to 5: 13th Interval
Moving From 4 to 5: Maj9 & Diminished
Moving 4 to 5: Strategies
Moving From 4 to 1: Diminished Sounds
C6: Playing Chord to Chord
C6 IMPROV
C6: Study Strategies
C6: 2-5-1 Eb and Bb
C6: Pedal Change
C6: Intervallic Improv VS Scales
Soloing Advice - Pt 1
C6 Giant Steps Pt 1
C6 Giant Steps Pt 2
C6 Giant Steps Pt 3
C6 Giant Steps Progression and TRACKS
Intervalic Improv - Resolving 7ths Into Minors
C6 Intervallic Improv: Resolving Chords
C6 Jazz & Swing Chromatic Pockets
C6: Jazz Blues
Lick 1: Bluesy Pull-Off
Lick 2: Blues Roll
Lick 3: Jazzy Blues
Lick 4: Funky Horn Section
C6: Minor Chords Using Permutations
C6: Jazz Phrasing On A Minor Key Pop Tune
C6: Jazzy Notes For Majors & Dom 7ths
C6: Phrasing Over Rhythm Changes
C6 LICKS
C6: Lick #1
C6: Lick #2
C6: Lick #3
C6: Lick #4
C6: Lick #5
C6: Lick #6
C6: Lick #7
C6: Lick #8
C6: Lick #9
C6: Lick #10
C6: Lick #11
C6: Lick #12
C6 Single Chord Lick #1
C6: Single Chord Lick #2
C6: Single Chord Lick #3
C6: Single Chord Lick #4
C6: Swing Grips Ex 1
C6: Swing Grips Ex 2
C6: Swing Grips Ex 3
C6: 4 to 1 Chord Lick
C6: Open String Lick
C6: 4 to 1 Chord Lick
C6: 1 to 4 Chord Lick
BEST OF THE FACEBOOK GROUP
How To Create A Facebook Account
Improvisation
Applying The Basics
Bluegrass Backup and Soloing
Right or Wrong
Interval Memorization Application
E9 BluesDifficult Is Good
Applying Your Interval Knowledge
Chord Tones and Extensions
RESOURCES
How to Maximize the Paul Franklin Method - PDF
Lesson Notes TemplateBlank Chord Sheets
PFM Course Outline & TOC
Paul's Copedent 2020
TAB Basics - PDF
Basic Harmony - PDF
Basic Music Theory - PDF
Chord Formulas - PDF
Major Scales and Triads - PDF
Cycle Of 4ths and 5ths - PDF
Chord Substitutions
The Harmonized Scale
Browser Settings for PDF filesThoughts On Chords - TEXT & PDF
Suggested Listening - LINKS
Some Pedal Steel Resources - LINKS
Background Drones In Various Keys - DRONES
Drumbeat Practice Tracks - Shuffle and Ballad - DRUMBEATS
II-V-I Practice Tracks In All KeysBlank Tab Sheet - PDF
Paul's Christmas Collection
All Our Courses
THE INTERVIEWS
Lloyd Green Part 1
Lloyd Green Part 2
Lloyd Green Part 3
Lloyd Green Part 4
Lloyd Green Part 5
Lloyd Green Part 6
Lloyd Green Part 7
Tommy White Part 1 of 2
Tommy White Part 2 of 2
Dann Huff Part 1
Dann Huff Part 2
SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS
Tuning
Chimes and Picks
Buddy Emmons
Tilting the Pedal Steel
Bar IssuesJerry Reed
Chorus Effect
Vibrato Skills
Change The Learning Mindset
Emotion and Accuracy (1 of 2)
Paul Franklin Seminar (2 of 2)
ENROLLMENT PLANS
All plans give you immediate access to all the Paul Franklin Method lessons.
Monthly Plan
Auto renews, cancel at any time!
$49/mo
Billed $49 Per Month.
Watch 24/7. Anywhere. Anytime
Cancel Anytime
3 Month Plan
Pre-pay for 3 months of access
$149/mo
3 months of access
Watch 24/7. Anywhere. Anytime
Re-choose plan after 3 months.
One Year Plan
One year pre-paid enrollment
$575/mo
1 full year of access
Watch 24/7. Anywhere. Anytime
Re-choose plan after 1 months.
Course FAQ
What is The Paul Franklin Method
The Paul Franklin Method is a streaming video course
brought to you by Modern Music Masters.
Launched in Jan of 2018 and added to continuously
since then , the course library now contains over 475
wide-ranging lessons. And more are added on a regular
basis.
The idea is to create an virtual classroom environment
you can do 24/7 from your home on any device that can
stream online video.
You can 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, and
perspectives.
This complete approach to teaching is what Paul means
when he calls the Method a “living, breathing course”.
Online streaming allows Paul to truly create a Method,
not just an hour of hot licks or techniques – though of
course hot licks, solos and intros are included!
We are aiming to set a standard of quality and
completeness. You should be able to start from scratch
and come out playing at a high level. Paul has committed
to keep teaching as long as students are willing to learn.
How is this different from Paul's E9 Foundations Course?
Foundations is Paul's $99 starter course for pedal steel
guitar. All of the material in Foundations is also
contained here in The Method, which then continues on
from the basics and goes deeper into all aspects of the
PSG.
What do I get when I enroll?
The Paul Franklin Method is a streaming online video
course, with 7 mini-courses spun off for targeted
learning, as explained above on this web page. Your
enrollment includes over 475 lessons. You can view all
of the videos and content 24/7 when connected to the
internet.
How is this course different than other pedal steel courses I see online?
Pedal Steel Guitar and Musician's Hall of Famer Paul
Franklin is a master player and a master teacher. With
decades of experience teaching via cassette and in
person at clinics and seminars, the arrival of online
teaching finally allowed Paul to reach many more
players and get deeper into subjects that earlier
methods and in-person appearances cannot rival.
Paul draws on his five decades of live and studio playing
with a who's-who of musical legends, from Country
titans like George Strait, Alan Jackson and many others
to Barbra Streisand, Harry Connick, Jr. and Megadeth.
He is expert on both E9 and C6 tunings and has an
encyclopedic knowledge of classic steel styles from the
early masters of the instrument. Paul was mentored by
legends like Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Pete Drake,
Weldon Myrick, Hal Rugg, John Hughey, all fellow Hall
of Famers. He toured the world with Dire Straits and
continues to be the first-call pedal steel player in the
Nashville studio scene.
From ripping Rock, to twangy Country, to Jazz, to
Western Swing and all points in between, Paul honors
the past and keeps pushing the instrument forward. It is
his desire to share all of the knowledge he has acquired
for future generations to study and carry the pedal steel
guitar torch into the future.
What devices can I watch the videos on?
The Paul Franklin Method can be viewed on desktop
computers and mobile devices – phones, tablets, laptops –
as long as you have a supported browser on them and
they are connected to the internet. 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.
Am I allowed to downlload the videos?
The Paul Franklin Method videos are not available for
download, though other items like PDFs and TABs, are.
Your enrollment allows you access to view the videos
online 24/7.
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-
t7 one (E to F and E to Eb). On the C6 tuning, the standard
Buddy Emmons setup is taught.
Universal or Extended tuning users can benefit from
the Course, just apply the concepts to your own
tuning/copedent.
Is there a way to try before I buy?
Yes. We offer a free Test Drive of this course, containing
a select sample of Paul Franklin Method lessons. Just
scroll down to bottom of this page.
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About 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 sessioin 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.
Session steeler Pete Drake hired Paul to play on jingles and a few recordings.
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.
After leaving Tillis, his studio career took off and he was featured in many of the
albums of the 1980’s-2000s. 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 Vince
Gill’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.untry every Monday night at a local Nashville club.
OTHER OPTIONS
Free Test Drive?
Not ready to buy yet? We offer a free Test Drive containing a few selected lessons from the full course
Start With Foundations?
The $99 price of this introductory course can later be applied towards enrollment in the full
Paul Franklin Method
