Join Hall-of-Fame pedal steelers Tommy White and Paul Franklin as they sit down to trade licks over a collection of frequently encountered chord progressions.

"We wanted to give players an insight to how we think and what goes into deciding which approaches we take on any given chord progression or Intro, Verse or Chorus. Sitting down next to each other was the way to do it!"

THE CONCEPT

Learn to approach songs as small chord progressions.

Learn to play from chord to chord in 4-bar phrases

THE APPLICATION

Learn how Tommy and Paul play over these common chord sequences and progressions:

4511 1144 1455 5511

PRACTICAL THEORY

You'll be guided through their approach to Minor, Augmented and Diminished chords

THE CONCEPT

Learn to approach songs as small chord progressions.

Learn to play from chord to chord in 4-bar phrases

THE APPLICATION

Learn how Tommy and Paul play over these common chord sequences and progressions:

4511 1144 1455 5511

PRACTICAL THEORY

You'll be guided through their approach to Minor, Augmented and Diminished chords

4-BAR BREAKDOWNS

When you break any song down, you eventually get to a collection of chord sequences in 4-bar increments.

You can consolidate this concept to a few key harmonic movements:

  • 1 chord to the 4 chord, (2 to the 5, 3 to the 6)

  • 4 to the 5, (1 to the 2, 5 to the 6)

  • 5 to the 1 (6 to the 2, 4 to the b7)

  • 4 to the 1 (5 to the 2, b3 to the b7)

Finding ways to move from one chord to the next four bars at a time is the key to unlocking ideas for Intros, Fills, and Solos.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Tommy and Paul share their choices in moving from one chord to another, and how they look at the 4-bar journey with the end in mind:

  • Knowing what chord you're starting on

  • Knowing what chord you are ending on

  • Knowing what to play in the middle

This approach makes any chord progression easy to navigate.

YOU WILL LEARN

  • How To Break Down Songs in 4-bar Chord Sequence

  • How To Move From Chord to Chord

  • How To Create Rhythmic and Melodic Single-Note Lines, Diads and Chordal Moves

  • How To Incorporate Phrasing and Dynamics

  • How To Play In A Band Context

  • How To Find New Positions and Voicings

  • How To Use The Steel’s Unique Ability To Imitate Other Instruments

  • How To Navigate Minor, Augmented, & Diminished Chords

STUDENT

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.”

“Too often over the years, trying to improve my playing has felt like a heavy and often-frustrating lift. [Paul's] teaching (and inspirational attitude) has made a world of difference for me."

“I’m beginning to get how you approach it. I feel like someone seeing the whole earth from space for the first time.”

Clips From The Course

Purchase Plans

COURSE SYLLABUS

COURSE INTRO

Introduction to Trading Licks!

THE 4511 PROGRESSION

Tommy Intro Lick #1: 4511 (With Pickups)

Paul Intro Lick #1: 4511

Tommy Intro Lick #2: 4511 (No Pickups)

Tommy Intro Lick #2: 4511 As a Ballad

Paul Intro Lick #2: 4511

Tommy Chorus Lick #1: 4511

Paul Chorus Lick #1: 4511

Tommy Chorus Lick #2: 4511

Paul Chorus Lick #2: 4511

THE 1455 PROGRESSION

Tommy Chorus Lick #1: 1455

Paul Chorus Lick #1: 1455

Tommy Chorus Lick #2: 1455

Paul Chorus Lick #2: 1455

THE 1144 PROGRESSION

Tommy Verse Lick #1: 1144

Paul Verse Lick #1: 1144

Tommy Verse Lick #2: 1144

Paul Verse Lick #2: 1144

THE 5511 PROGRESSION

Tommy Verse Lick #1: 5511

Paul Verse Lick #1: 5511

NUANCE AND DYNAMICS

Nuance and Dynamics

PLAYING OVER MIN, AUG, and DIM CHORDS

Playing Over Minor Chords

Playing Over Augmented Chords

Playing Over Diminshed Chords

RESOURCES

Practice Tracks Downloads

TAB Downloads

How To Read Paul's TAB

Blank TAB

Nashville Number System

Basic Music Theory

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FAQ

WHAT IS THE TRADING LICKS COURSE?

In this course, Tommy and Paul take a trip back in time to when they were first learning, chasing the legends of the Golden Age around Nashville and soaking up as much info as they could. They spontaneously generate lick ideas, then explain their thought process, musical and stylistic references, and even how their own different playing preferences influence what and where they play their ideas.

They break apart a common Country Shuffle progression in the style of "I Fall To Pieces" and explore each 4-bar chord progression: 4511, 1144, 1455, 5511. They then play variations on their initial ideas and show how solid lines can be adapted to fit any style or tempo.

Through a combination of talk-teaching and tablature, Tommy and Paul show you every note and nuance of their licks. Bonus sections on their approaches to Minor, Diminished and Augmented chords are included to round out the chord qualities you will encounter most often.

WHAT IS THE COURSE FORMAT?

Trading Licks is a streaming video course hosted by Modern Music Masters.

Through a combination of talk-teaching and tablature, Tommy and Paul show you every note and nuance of their licks.

You can review the materials by watching the videos over and over, use the video player to slow things down, download practice tracks and print out TABs or other included lesson materials.

HOW MUCH DOES TRADING LICKS COST?

Trading Licks: Tommy White & Paul Franklin is one single payment of $259. The course has no expiration date.

We can be reached at: [email protected]

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.

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

WHAT PEDAL SETUP DO I NEED TO TAKE THIS COURSE?

Tommy uses the Jimmy Day pedal setup, Paul uses the standard Emmons setup. Either one will work for the material covered in this course.

Your Instructors

TOMMY WHITE

Tommy White is a pedal steel child prodigy that just kept getting better.

Early gigs with Donna Fargo and The Whites led to coveted TV spots and staff band positions.

Currently holding down the pedal steel position in the Grand Ole Opry house band, Tommy divides his time with that gig and session work, with recent projects being Alison Krauss and TV appearances with Pop icon Lady GaGa.

Known for his beautiful tone, touch and vast knowledge of musical styles, honed from years learning the top songs played by visiting artist on the Opry stage, Tommy's course ( in collaboration with Paul Franklin ) showcases his technique choices and his innovative TW Split pedal configuration.

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 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.

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