"I Can See Clearly Now"

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Had I known that delving into the practice of learning the language of the steel guitar would involve so many drawbacks, I would be satisfied to remain ignorant of the instrument's playable options. In the process of learning to play, obstacles commence to make their way into the activities of a would-be consortium of players. The disagreeable platforms of existing players isn't something that I was aware of at the onset of the will to attempt to play the steel guitar. At this point I'm thinking that to remain unlearned from a musical standpoint in a widely controversial musical adventure would be worthy of consideration.

Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

Feel free to consider this a 'disagreeable platform' (!?!), but I believe that "to remain unlearned from a musical standpoint..." would be a poor choice.

And that's all the bait that I'm taking at the present time!

(Watch your commas, Bill. Winking

)

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Steve,

Many rules of The English Language are much too vague to determine when and how to use commas. Say for example a list of 100 parts were needed to build a steel guitar. Suppose if you will that I chose to omit commas as I'm doing now to list those parts. Something tells me that you Steve would avoid listing those parts due to your aversion to commas. I'm not comfortable with omitting commas and becoming as vague as much needed literature depicting correctitude in punctuation. Smile

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Chris Schlotzhauer · From: Colleyville, Tx. USA

I thought this thread might be about that great song covered by Lloyd Green

But no...................(sigh)

Eddie D.Bollinger · From: Calhoun City, Mississippi

Fella's, remember this-----

The learned will always be able to cope with the world of yesterday. A learner will inevitably cope with the future.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Ray M.,

Thanks for the civility. We're not finding a lot of civility in the marketplaces these days. The attendants at the cash registers handle 20's and 50's as though they are pennies. No more thank you or cheerful greetings, just hand over the momey and keep trucking. The alloyed coins that have replaced silver coins is a good reference point in determining where things are going.

Charles Curtis · Posted 1 May 2008 6:47 am

Chris, that's what I thought it was; maybe tablature for the song. Years ago, I was playing this song and it involved the use of a knee lever, either raising or lowering the Es. Anyway old age has dulled my memory and I would love for someone to post the tab if it's available. Lloyd did a terrific job on this song.

Bo Legg · Posted 1 May 2008 8:57 am

The terms used for description of the psg and music from vary greatly.
I thought we had settled this issue in terms of psg as cheese slicing. You can slice and dice but most of us just shred.
It’s somewhat like the drums relating to hunting. Traps, Snares and etc...
Well when all else fails I guess you can fall back on music theory terminology, but some people hate that worse than commas.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Bill,
If I understand your "to remain unlearned from a musical standpoint" to mean "to have not learned it in the first place" then I disagree.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

when in doubt, leave it out!

'disagreeable platforms...isn't..' (incorrect)

i live in a funky low rent area of town, and the store clerks greet me with friendly recognition while appreciating my business.

c'mon hankey...if you're going to act so superior, get it right!

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Chris Ivey,

You are fortunate to live where the clerk recognizes you after a couple hundred visits to collect victuals. A familiar face at checkout counters can be something left to chance. I find that when the going gets tough, the chanting subsides as skillfully trained special touches silences the unlearned individual. Therein lies the key to special skills that are rare indeed. As for "getting it right", that's a joke. I can relate to that bit of advice thank you. Rolling Eyes

Billy Carr · From: Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)

I just like to play! "I Can See Clearly Now" to me is a trademark of the LG sound/style. Simple mind at work here, I guess.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bill C.,

When I think of Lloyd Green it reminds me of the instrumental called "Three Picks". A friend once said to me when you play "I'll Come Running" by C. Smith like Weldon Myrick you can call yourself a steel player. I should have answered by saying if you can play "Three Picks" by L. Green and capture his sound, it would be safe to call yourself a "steel player". This thread has nothing in common with Lloyd's instrumental. It is based on efforts that have been expended with few rewards. The pleasures are knee deep only in the small circles about the home.

Jeff Garden · From: Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA

Billy C. - I missed it too. I thought the "disagreeable platforms of existing players" referred to inferior quality steel guitars.

Bill H.: what exactly are the drawbacks involved in learning the language of the steel guitar? Terminology?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Jeff G.,

A platform is quite the same as standpoint. It involves those mood swings that are difficult to keep in step with. I find that most steel guitarists develop patterns of diversions that range through spectrums of changes. These patterns of changes are the best indicators of how well an individual is coping with the challenges of learning to play. Mediocrity becomes a way of life as disappointments range from minor to more serious. A voice that stands out in a crowd need not load up on
voluminous entries of stringed backup. The drums and bassists cover for vocal mediocrity in the majority of road bands picking up cash within the music scenes. A diversion is exemplified by not accepting the political word "platform". Not "Shades Of Green" in this instance, but shades of politics. The almighty dollar $$$ instigates many changes that fail to satisfy the criteria of those making the changes. Still there are those very few who rise with the sun and continue to smile throughout their lifetime. I have a feeling that steel guitar practice involves more than a cheerful smile to get to where you want to be. BTW a "drawback" seems to fit the occasion, as described by Webster. Smile

Duane Reese · Posted 1 May 2008 11:31 pm

Perhaps we should get to the heart of the matter, Bill: could you cite the specific instance(s) of a steel player's platform presenting itself as an obstacle to the learning process of another (maybe you) and thereby inspiring you to make this observation?

In other words, who said what to effectuate this thread?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Duane,

We live in a world of established cans and cannots. Suffice it to say that in these jungles of trials and errors, sane people actually toy with the idea of becoming an accomplished steel guitarist. Perhaps a warning label placed conspicuously on new steel guitars reading (This isn't going to be easy), would forewarn the cannot establishments. The cans conisting of personages who dare not resist, by deflating some egotistical values, can plunge headlong into the multiplicities of step by step learning processes. Lengthy time spans devoted to trials and errors, in woodsheds, buses, back lawns, music rooms, and dozens of other setups, convincingly alerts the would be players to the fact that it will be a long road to major successes. Weighing the long series of studies that will keep you huddled over your steel for days, weeks, months, and years, is certainly worthy of consideration. Hence the title of the thread; "I can see clearly now". Smile

Duane Reese · Posted 2 May 2008 10:08 am

Well, you know...

Jeff Evans · From: Cowtown and The Bill Cox Outfit

Bo Legg · Posted 2 May 2008 11:11 am

Jeff Maybe he touched silences twice.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Jeff E.,

I haven't met the individual who cannot be corrected if he or she "blathers" on to any extent. Sarcastic effrontery establishes an immediate weakness in the opposition. Lesser amounts of caution would allow more time to reload verbiage to break through the thin walls of pretenses. I haven't been duped musically, and I'm enjoying picking myself off the floor after taking hits from a layman or an English scholar. One of my pet vexations is aroused by the concise commentary that contributes little to mechanical issues.

John Steele (deceased) · From: Renfrew, Ontario, Canada

I kinda like concise.

-John

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

John S.,

Brevity can be looked upon in many instances as not a good thing. For example rude and crude is one of the distasteful aspects of brevity.
Gum balls plastered on everything, and cigarette butts littering walkways are examples of brevity.

Theresa Galbraith · From: Goodlettsville,Tn. USA

Who had it out first? Was it a #1 single?
It was outstanding! Smile

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