Recalling Many Facets Of Learning To Play

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 22 Apr 2008 1:29 am

R C Antolina,

Thanks for offering to keep with the writings that are intended to be part of a conversational incentive in the interest of the pedal steel guitar. There are many varying equations that allows for what seems to be a slipping out of the subject matters, called the threads. The great reserves of incidentals of each player, are enormous; this I'm sure of. There is a saying however, that for the "most part" describes what is taking place here on The Steel Guitar Forum. That trite saying is commonly known as: "You can lead a horse to water".... and there is hardly a soul who is unable to complete the the rest of the cliche'. That is precisely what engenders the notion that tight lips go hand in hand with certain phases, of this process of association, called helping others by supporting reviews. It is far from becoming a full blown teaching status. One of the weakest links in abiding by reasonable consensuses, is seen elsewhere, as well, should anyone attempt to view the physical nature of trying to designate playing steel as a lucrative activity. The mechanics of these would be disruptive devices, fortunately, fail to impact and create a sustaining disadvantage to an informed group of go-getters. Allowing takeovers to seriously stand in the way of original plans, isn't the best policy, and I would strive to keep on a steady course of resisting, by introducing a determination to become vocal.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 22 Apr 2008 5:52 am

Bill Hankey wrote: Unfortunately, the task of keeping up with the latest playing skills, may place increased demands, that require hours of practice.

Interestingly enough, this particular thought brings us back to the beginning stages of learning. I would submit that “keeping up with the latest playing skills” seems to indicate “emulating the sounds broadcasted from our radio or CD player”. Perhaps they are not exactly synonymous, but it is reflective of the approach of many players. The demand comes from a failure in understanding how the instruments works and from not taking the time needed to master that understanding at the inception or learning. Now days, there are” lead guitar” players that actually know very little about playing music, but because of tablature sites, they can play songs. This leads us back to the learning process and where we set our goals when we begin the learning process. You see, in my opinion, players like Paul Franklin are musicians and creators of music, not just “steel players”. Are they given a special talent at birth, or was it through hard work, determination and understanding of the instrument that he elevated to the level he did? Only Paul could answer that, but I suspect he could explain every movement he does in every song as it relates to the major scale. Do I want to play like Paul? No. Would I like to play on the same level as Paul? Yes. Those are two totally different approaches to the instrument and each will take the student down a different path towards different skill level. One can spend years sitting at a steel guitar practicing Paul Franklin licks and still know little about music. Or, he can dissect what Paul has done on a song, attempt to understand what he was thinking when played a certain piece, and then apply that to learning new and innovated ways to create his own music and not regurgitate what has already been accomplished. Each student has to make that decision based on where he wants to be in a year from the point of inception. There is nothing wrong with either method, however I believe the latter allows for a more creative player. I suspect that the only thing preventing many players, such as myself, from becoming highly skilled, is the lack of self discipline it takes to play at that level.…..James

Dale Gray · Post by **Dale Gray** » 22 Apr 2008 7:44 am

Back when I was wondering what to do with that 6 string Oahu sitting on my lap, to my knowledge there was NO instructors around to help with the learning curve. To move on was almost impossible without some knowledge of music. Dale

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 23 Apr 2008 2:26 am

James S.,

I enjoy reading your accounts of how you view the steel guitar and its players. My practice has been placed on the back burner this week, while I fulfill a promise to complete work in South Berkshire County. Your reviews are excellent, and help to remind me how important a willing hand can be. The true nature of behavioral patterns that offer very little, in supporting a particular concept, are much too evasive to build any appreciable credulity..

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 23 Apr 2008 11:33 am

Why do I get the feeling I live in South Park and we all just killed Kenny again?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 24 Apr 2008 1:00 am

Bo Legg,

Just be thankful that your prescribed designated detractors of a good family name, weren't born in an era that was in close proximity of "Billy The Kid". Apparently he specialized in responding to any stigmatization of his character. A sort of low blow justice, if you will. It wouldn't have required much time for "Billy" to turn a liability into an asset.
I have a better solution to avoid the moronic activities. Change the channel selection on your remote control.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 24 Apr 2008 11:49 am

Bill sorry I did not make make myself clear.
You must have thought I was referring to South Berkshire County.
I was just pointing out that we and moderation have tamed your posts and in essence killed them. I loved your posts as they were in the past. As you can see it is somewhat like South Park and we kill you (kenny) in every episode.
My rant is not with you but rather with moderation.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 24 Apr 2008 12:22 pm

Bill I was in close proximity of "Billy The Kid".
I played a lot in the Billy the Kid Bar in Las Cruces NM. and I had to look at his history every week.
Other than being a cold blooded serial killer and a stupid low life and being double ugly I can't find a thing to criticize about Billy the Kid.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 24 Apr 2008 5:34 pm

Bill....I would submit to you that being away from steel for a short period of time can often stimulate the urge to play better. So be postive my friend, it's all for the best....James

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 24 Apr 2008 5:49 pm

Bo, After a short career as a horse thief's apprentice in Arizona, the Kid left the territory when he was wanted for murder when he shot and killed a man named Windy Cahill, who was teasing and abusing the boy. The Kid returned to New Mexico and joined up with a gang of rustlers and gunfighters called The Boys, who were involved in the Lincoln County War fighting for the James Dolan side. The Kid ended up leaving the gang to join up with their opposition, John Tunstall. After the death of Tunstall, the violence erupted. The Kid and other Tunstall supporters formed the "Regulators" that consisted of deputized gunmen. The war ended at Tunstall's partner Alex McSween's home, and the Kid and a handful of Regulators barely escaped with their lives. The Regulators then disbanded; some left or went into hiding to start new lives, while others stuck around and became outlaws. The Kid was one of those that became outlaws. On the run from his enemies and the law, the Kid made a living by stealing horses and cattle, until his arrest in December of 1880. After being convicted and sentence to death for taking part in the killing of Sheriff Brady during the Lincoln County War, he killed his two guards in April of 1881 and escaped. The Kid was then hunted down by Pat Garrett and shot in the dark at the home of Pete Maxwell. Billy the Kid (about 19-20 years old) died July 14, 1881 in Fort Sumner, NM. But what the hell do I know....I have only been in Law Enforcement for 40 plus years. In my assesment, that dont make him a serial killer....The thread will now digress, as will I....Best wishes.....James

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 24 Apr 2008 6:05 pm

James that is pretty much the same account of Billy I read and it was interesting to read it again.
Maybe I got mixed up on which serial it was Corn Flakes or Wheaties but you can't argue with the killer, low life and double ugly part.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 24 Apr 2008 6:44 pm

Best wishes to you...James

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 24 Apr 2008 6:49 pm

Never mind

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 25 Apr 2008 1:48 am

James,

Try to imagine the hostilities that existed during the 19th century. The greed for gold and ultimate riches stilll exists today around the world. Competing activities that arouses public interests, in music, gambling, electronics, education, etc., lurks around the world. We'll never know who the most adept steel guitarist happens to be; through idle claims made by hearsay. It really can be left to chance, much like faster horses, and huge bets placed upon them. Actually, some of the most proficient musicians remain in the woodwork. It's always a big thrill to see and hear for the first time, a woodwork steel guitarist who is solely dedicated to the instrument. As musical ambitions seem to be waning here in my posts, thoughts of diverging and skirting a bit to become more involved as a musician, seems to be more enticing.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 25 Apr 2008 4:05 am

Bill, In todays world...I would have to mention OIL....James

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 25 Apr 2008 8:44 am

Bill H.-I want to thank you for all your interesting and thought provoking posts.I always read them when I can.

I remember the early years for me, playing Cornet in the School Band, then 6 string Supro Hawaiian electric guitar, taking lessons using the Alvino Rey "Singing guitar Note method", with songs in it to learn.I took that guitar out and played in several neighborhood bars in Cleveland with Good musicians better than I was then and twice as old as I was.It sure was a good learning experience and I made some needed money doing it. All in all a happy time for me....al.

:)

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 25 Apr 2008 12:58 pm

One facet stands out above all others..............the more you learn the more you know there is more to learn.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 26 Apr 2008 1:52 am

Al Marcus,

Thank you for sharing some of your past experiences. There isn't a whole lot of information about Alvino Rey's activities in the 40's when he worked in promotion for The Gibson Guitar Co. Alvino's itinerary during the past century, is much too vague, in terms of sheer professionalism. I base these thoughts on what I've gathered through hearsay, and from attendees who attended Scotty's Labor Day week-end presentations. Al, I hope you are enjoying the music that you've played, over the years, and the fresh air of this New Year. To get out into the sun, and listen to the trills of song birds, will keep us motivated. Thanks again for the kind words.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 26 Apr 2008 6:00 am

James S.,

It will be a cold day in that awful place before I would consider forgiving the OIL tycoons, or those personages responsible for fleecing the tattered dollars of the poor and middle-class workers. I'm shocked at what has turned into the most unfair practices, that I've seen in my lifetime. In 1960, the price of regular gas was 5 gallons for a dollar. Today prices are moving up to $4.00 per gal. I don't smoke, and it's a good thing from a financial standpoint. Cigarettes were priced at 25 cents in the mid-fifties. Today they're priced over $5.00 per pack. I suspect someone will move to curb these unfair practices, that are slowly encompassing all commodities.

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 26 Apr 2008 7:44 am

I am with you Bill....James

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 26 Apr 2008 9:08 am

I am not picking a fight here. Just writing something that might be of interest.
I think we should point the blame directly at OPEC
Crude Oil prices ranged between $2.50 and $3.00 from 1948 through the end of the 1960s.
The price oil rose from $2.50 in 1948 to about $3.00 in 1957
OPEC was formed in 1960 with five founding members Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

In 1972 the price of crude oil was about $3.00 per barrel and by the end of 1974 the price of oil had quadrupled to over $12.00.
The Yom Kippur War started with an attack on Israel by Syria and Egypt on October 5, 1973. The United States and many countries in the western world showed support for Israel.
As a result of this support several Arab exporting nations imposed an embargo on the countries supporting Israel.
While Arab nations curtailed production by 5 million barrels per day (MMBPD) about 1 MMBPD was made up by increased production in other countries.
The net loss of 4 MMBPD extended through March of 1974 and represented 7 percent of the free world production.
If there was any doubt that the ability to control crude oil prices had passed from the United States to OPEC it was removed during the Arab Oil Embargo.
The extreme sensitivity of prices to supply shortages became all too apparent when prices increased 400 percent in six short months.
We seem to project feeling in the U S that all big companies should operate slightly above bankruptcy and if they make a profit a few points above what we think they should we blame them for all our problems.
Nobody seems to be up in arms about the auto companies. Oh but they have an out they blame on guess who?
Auto prices in the 60’s
1968 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider $3,950, 1965 Cadillac De Ville $5,427, 1966 Ford Bronco 4 Wheel Drive $2499 and a 1967 Austin Healey Sprite $2,050.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 26 Apr 2008 9:26 am

Bo, I don't want to get the thread closed for getting too political. Let me just say that the, "Rise in oil prices," is due in great degree to the decline in the value of the dollar due to our something like 10 trillion(10,000,000,000,000) dollar debt. It's so hard to stop at that......Ummmmmmmph! $:\$

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 26 Apr 2008 9:41 am

Hi Edward Meisse I can't argue with that. It played a big part way back when oil jump from $3 to $12 a barrel. Big Oil is not responsible for the National Debt.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 27 Apr 2008 7:49 am

Bo Legg,

I've been out circulating and haven't responded to your informative input. Your figures, and your mere mentioning of a bad situation, sums up what can be discussed to avoid an intervention by b0b. Things that can affect a steel guitarist's planning of a lucrative working arrangement, are numerous. The costs of vehicle upkeep, and gas consumption at the present time, hasn't created the shouts of dismay, that one might expect. Combine those expenses with the cost of a new steel over a period of just a few weeks, and attitudes will commence to erode the outer ranges of discriminating musicians. Getting fed up with increasing costs, is an alarming disruption, that may be attributed to bureaucratic policies.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 27 Apr 2008 10:48 am

Bo Legg wrote:I am not picking a fight here. Just writing something that might be of interest.
I think we should point the blame directly at OPEC
Crude Oil prices ranged between $2.50 and $3.00 from 1948 through the end of the 1960s.

What I am wondering is, what does all this have to do with the topic?

Recalling Many Facets Of Learning To Play

Learning?