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Topic: The Hawaiian steel guitar has found it's possible saviour! |
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2008 12:24 pm |
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This is a great day, and I am stoked!
As I was enroute to the UH this morning, a kid hops on the bus with a steel stuck in his backpack, so I pounced, and after intros and a few questions, it turns out that he and 2 other young men with him were on their way to STEEL GUITAR CLASS! 2 Justins and a Joshua, 12 to 15 years old. They are but 3 of a class of 14 students that are finishing the construction of their instruments, in a class run by an Australian gentleman named Neil Scott, who is striving to perpetuate the Hawaiian steel, and is part of a project called the Invention Factory. www.archimedes.hawaii.com ngscott@hawaii.edu This is the 2nd steel class run by Neil, with a total of 20 kids now introduced to the instrument, so far. Class ends this week.
Since the school was next to the University and steel class was soon to start, I asked to tag along and meet their teacher. He showed me his shop which included computers, and wood/metal fabricating machines that the kids had used to design and construct their 6 str. steels in simple but very admirable fashion. The fretboard was computer accurate, with the strings completely parallel, and the PU was even accademically placed in the 'sweet spot'. He showed me beautiful examples of an advanced design he will have students making that come from the steel he made as a 14 year old, and still uses as his primary instrument.
He's given the kid's the rudiments on music theory and the history of the steel, so they know it was invented here on Oahu and that it's their instrument.
He also had schedualed a Friday showcase of steel artistry by Bobby Ingano, but can't as Bobby is currently touring the mainland for 3 weeks. But I gave info on this forum and the HSGA site to the 2 older kids so they can get exposed to more, and hopefully they will take advantage of it.
It seems Neil is big on Hawaiian music for the steel, and the kid I talked to on the bus is focusing on the same at present, and say's he likes the old stuff(!). I guess that is what Neil is starting them off with. HOORAY!
If this isn't a red letter day for us who love the steel and want it to survive, then what is?
I'll be following up on all this, and wish all who read this to contact Neil and pass along at least some encouragement. He's my new hero! |
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Eddie Cunningham
From:
Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2008 12:41 pm Get the kids interested !!
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| Great news Ron !! Hopefully some other young people will learn the old Hawaiian styles and keep the sounds alive !! I tell the kids that the sounds on "Sponge Bob Squarepants " is a Hawaiian steel guitar !! They seem to understand and do appreciate what we try to do !! Eddie "C" ( the old non-pedal geezer ) |
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Iain Carmichael
From:
Scotland
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Posted 8 Jul 2008 12:50 pm
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Pleased to hear this, Ron. Thanks. Encouragement on its way to Mr Scott. We need more like him, I guess.
Good wishes,
Another old geezer.  |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 8 Jul 2008 4:05 pm
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Ron,
You were in the right spot at the right time. Maybe something to this!!!! 
News like this is always encouraging!!! 
The HSGA helps students obtain guitars and gives scholarships for students
who are in need. If you can relay that message to Neil Scott it might bear fruit.
Aloha,
Don |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2008 5:34 pm There is deffinitely something to this!
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Actually Don, I'd like to see some folks from the upper echelons of the HSGA who will no doubt read this or hear about it, step up and say something positive, even more than you have, as this is a golden opportunity to recruit and really get this ball rolling to keep steel alive. If there was ever a time, this is it! Maybe you can grease the rails!
These kids are already learning, have a teacher to start them off, and some have shown an enthusiasm for the types of music we here on the forum/s are into. They don't seem to NEED the scholarships, but could certainly use the support and encouragement an organization can provide. I've already pointed 2 into the direction of the HSGA's web site and will do more of that asap, as I intend to do whatever I can to perpetuate what they have already been shown by Mr. Scott. I think Bobby and myself can do plenty towards keeping these kids interested in the steel, post classes, and for those who are serious about it, we can churn out players that will have a big leg up on the journey.
Don, can you explain to me what the scholarships entail, include, and the basic logistics. The only teaching I'm aware of thru the HSGA is from a student of a friend of mine on Oahu, and these kids are probably already beyond that stage.
I'll re-suggest that folk's like yourself contact Neil and lend whatever support you can, via his email I've provided.
If the HSGA is seriously interested, then I'll be more than happy to include them in whatever aspects I can. But this is already happening and will continue, so anybody willing to join in and help will be more than welcomed. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 7:27 am
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| Quote: |
| Actually Don, I'd like to see some folks from the upper echelons of the HSGA who will no doubt read this or hear about it, step up and say something positive, even more than you have, as this is a golden opportunity to recruit and really get this ball rolling to keep steel alive. |
Then why not post this on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association "Talk Story" board directly? Just wondering.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 9:08 am
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I think you should take on the President's job in the HSGA Ron.
You seem to be the most informed guy in Hawaii, and you could get that group moving in the right direction. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 10:48 am
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If it would be of any surprise to you Brad, I'm not a member of the HSGA forum. Sadly, the low amount of input on that forum would suggest that this one would garner much more attention on the subject, even from those I hope to hear from in that arena.
Any chance you've contacted Mr. Smith on his good efforts?
If things go in the direction I'm hoping for, the HSGA will have lot's of new young blood and their forum will eventually kick this one's butt, or at least we'll have a long running battle royal of interesting topics and good fun between the two.
I found Lorene Ruymar's Email and sent a note to her, and with any luck I'll hear her take on the various possibilities this moment presents.
Bill, I don't know whether to say thanx or not.
As Don said, I was just lucky yesterday.
As far as the 'right direction' of the club, who knows, with the recent appointment of new generals maybe there will be some differing ideas of where to take it. I know I'll be interested. I've seen some nice changes lately and can only surmise they have more in store. Let's hope for the best.
Life is good! |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 9 Jul 2008 9:37 pm
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| I think you should take on the President's job in the HSGA Ron. |
I second the motion! But you have to be a member, Ron, to be president  
Ron says,
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| If things go in the direction I'm hoping for, the HSGA will have lot's of new young blood and their forum will eventually kick this one's butt |
Will you join HSGA then? 
Aloha,
Don |
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John D. Carter
From:
Canton, Ohio, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 6:34 am
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| Ron, you mentioned the "sweet spot" for pick-up placement. Can you tell us what that location is? Thanks. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 10:32 am Don, who'll referee the bout's?
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Don, you never know, stranger thing's have been known to happen!
John, that's a tricky one, as every steel is going to be set up differently, and since there is usually no way you can try out various positions without first (in most cases) routing the body to accept the PU, it's a 'hope for the best' situation. Not a lot of room for trial and error.
The student's steels had the Strat style PU roughly an inch away from the bridge. This was done thru 'SCIENCE', and I'm far from familiar with the logistics behind this mathematical method.
This topic has been covered to much degree here, and there are some strong opinions on it. There are millions of examples of differring placements, and many prove to have excellant results. Whether they are the 'perfect' spot, we'll never know, but if the player is happy That's what counts. And of course, each player has his own preference towards what is good.
Bottom line - I can't help you. It's a crap shoot!
Old Rickenbacker's have the horseshoe PU right next to the bridge, other's have it anywhere else, some with great results.
The 1 inch away from the bridge position is the overall norm, and may be the best place to start, but even a fraction fore or aft can make a big difference. Almost a losing battle, but as you'll hear many say, 'just play the damn thing'.
Good luck, have fun, and as Bozo will forever say "Alway's keep em' laughing!" |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 1:48 pm
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More than you know, Tom, as I just got an E from Neil asking me to attend the garduation party tomorrow to talk and play some for the kids to help inspire them to stick with it after the classes are over Friday.
I'm trying now to round up better players and talkers than myself, but most are out of town or busy, I'm sure.
If it's left up to me, who knows what will happen! |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 10 Jul 2008 2:16 pm
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| Quote: |
| ...Neil asking me to attend the garduation party tomorrow to talk and play some for the kids to help inspire them to stick with it after the classes are over Friday. |
Neil has started them, but now they need a teacher moving them to the next stage.
I would hope that all of Jerry's students would step to the forefront and invest in these young steelers just as Jerry invested in them.
Ron, if we can get more information on these students I will try to influence some response with the HSGA. I know that you have been in contact with Lorene. Between us we should be able to mobilize some positive response in the HSGA.
Ron thanks for your involvement.
Stay tuned folks, this could be an exciting story made for a movie.
Aloha,
Don |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 11 Jul 2008 3:14 pm
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Just back from doing my best filling in for Bobby at Mr. Scott's end of class party for his steel students.
Got to meet all the kids and a couple from the previous class, one of which is building the new model steels that look great, and talk about various aspects of the instrument. Even got in a couple of tunes to show the proper bar technique and hand positions (experiencing my first applause from a captive audience!), which they certainly need to work on (like I don't...).
About half of them seem to be into it to varying degrees, which ain't bad, and 2 are almost able to play Blue Hawaii! Pretty good considering they just started on the song yesterday.
Turned them onto a few web sites to further their interest and learning, including our fine forum here and the HSGA. Hopefully, we'll both garner new members. I also suggested they form little groups to accompany each other and head out to Waikiki and get some experience and exposure. Plus, making it down to next years steel show at (I'll presume) the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse.
I thot I had Jeff Au Hoy lined up to be there in Bobby's stead, but that didn't happen. But since there are a few surfers in the group, they were still glad to know that he was probably out enjoying the South swell that is in. They can appreciate that even more at this point!
Got a few group pix taken that I'll try and have someone get up on the board.
Next week, Neil has them lined up to start on making their own amps!
But they will be better served by getting some MicroCubes to be able to get around and play out easier, with better sound. Hopefully that can be arranged! |
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