Who Do You (try to) Sound Like?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 26 Aug 2008 10:02 am

When I listen to Hughey, I hear Hughey. I don't hear any early Buddy Emmons, although Buddy has probably influenced all Pedal Steel players in one way or another.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 26 Aug 2008 10:16 am

The intro to Conway's "15 Years Ago" has overtones of Emmons, at least to my ear. That's just an example off the top of my head. Of course, it's no secret how much John admired Buddy.

Which gets me thinking.......if you can hear so much of, say Buddy Guy, in Clapton's playing, doesn't it stand to reason that pedal steel kinfolk would betray similar influences?

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 26 Aug 2008 10:31 am

when i scope out tab from the great players, i take the two notes i can remember and put them into my recycle bin to be drawn out on that special occassion when i'm not too lazy to throw things into the pot and stir!

....and then...i do it mmyyyyyyy wwaayyyyy..!

Matthew Prouty · Post by **Matthew Prouty** » 26 Aug 2008 10:37 am

I try to sound like the guy on Sponge Bob

JD Mahaffey · Post by **JD Mahaffey** » 26 Aug 2008 10:42 am

I'd like to try and sound like Mike Johnson, theres still time for hell to freeze over, right?

Bari Smith · Post by **Bari Smith** » 26 Aug 2008 10:42 am

I try to operate on the assumption that no one is better or worse,just differant.It's hard enough being me!!Doug Jernigan once told me"Why do ya wanna sound like him,we already got him!"Some players have set the standard and are more pleasing to the ear,while some may be technically superior but not as pleasing.Quality not Quantity!

Charlie Hase · Post by **Charlie Hase** » 26 Aug 2008 10:44 am

I've never been able to emulate other steel players well, but always listen to as much as I can of all kinds of music, on any instument.
I'm surprised to hear so few comments that would relate the steel to a slide guitar (which, of course, it is). The feel and sounds of guys like Duane Allman, and Jeff Beck...
Also, the emulation of sound and feel of other instrumentalists: like violin and cello, all kinds of keyboard/synth type of sounds, horn shots, and (my fave) vocalists (the inflections of a voice); are all things that I try to incorporate in whatever I play (if it comes to mind).
One of my favorite steel players to listen to is BJ Cole. He seems to do what I choose to try: close my eyes and find a tone that fits (mostly dependent on the style of music, but often the band leader's taste) and movement of notes and chords that works. I think I end up using any/all influence that I've been exposed to all the time.
Years ago I read an interview w/ Jeff Beck, and he was asked what effects he used to get a tone that sounded like Jan Hammer's keyboard solo just before his. His response was, "Oh, thanks man. I wasn't using any effects. I just wanted to try to sound like him, because he sounded so good."

BTW - Chris, you live in my favorite part of the world that I've seen so far.

Charlie Hase

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 26 Aug 2008 11:53 am

I may play some of their licks but I don't try to sound like anyone but ME.

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 26 Aug 2008 11:53 am

I try to sound like the guy on Sponge Bob

That's George The Fretes...he plays a 6 string Rick on all those tunes.These songs are 30+ years old.

Ron

Joe Drivdahl · Post by **Joe Drivdahl** » 26 Aug 2008 12:14 pm

Carroll Hale wrote:
Michael Johnstone wrote:Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.

RIGHT ON MICHAEL....DO YOUR OWN THING...

Yup. I agree with that too, but I think our playing is influenced by those we listen to and enjoy most often. For me, I guess its mostly Norm Hamlet. I like the way he sticks to the melody line. Thats what I try to do too.

Joe

Johnne Lee Ables · Post by **Johnne Lee Ables** » 26 Aug 2008 12:45 pm

Well, I haven't played PSG in about 20 years...

But I do have a pretty decent non-pedal console that I am fooling with right now until I find a PSG that I can afford.

I try (emphasis on try) and sound like whatever tone I hear in tunes I like. However... I don't do tab very well (OK, at all) so I really can't emulate anyone for the most part. My ears are OK so I just listen and try to the create tone and phrasing that I enjoy hearing and playing. I am pretty good with reading vocal (and other single note) music so I often do what Lester and Chet suggested...

"If you can't cut the hot stuff just play the melody."

I do need to learn to read tab better! There is just so much available! Even then I doubt I have the ability to copy/emulate anyone very well. I've never been able to any other instrument! ; - ]

Johnne Lee

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 26 Aug 2008 1:00 pm

I try to play with Buddy Cages' attitude, if it's an uptempo song. I love the haphazard fun-loving sound of his NRPS stuff. JP

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 26 Aug 2008 1:45 pm

For the trad music, I wanted to sound like Murph and/or Buddy.

On the other end of the scale, in a different venue, I haven't heard many metal-head steel players, so I'm kind of stuck with myself.

For the art music, I'm happy with what I've got.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 27 Aug 2008 4:45 am

What Richard Sinkler said - which I think is what every player should aspire to.

Why try to make a name as an imitator of another player? It's already been done...and undoubtedly better, since it was *original*.

FWIW my guitars are set up like Sneaky Pete's - but I don't spend my time trying to copy him. The unusual copedent creates some similarities, but I still end up...for better or worse...sounding like me. And I want to keep it that way.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 27 Aug 2008 6:49 am

I don't think you can help sounding like yourself in the end, but if you are saying that shades of other players do not exist in your playing, you are kidding yourself. In fact, your influences - combined with the inevitable personal touch - are most time what leads to success as a performer. Think of where Keith Richards would be without Chuck Berry to help him define who he is as a player. If Keith started off trying to sound like himself, he'd be retired and living in a rest home in rural England somewhere (not that there's anything wrong with that.

). It's good to strike out on your own, but emulating heroes is what made most successful musicians what they are today.

Charley Wilder · Post by **Charley Wilder** » 27 Aug 2008 7:04 am

I think Chris about summed it up for me. A lot of Dobro influence in my playing mixed in with some old non-pedal. But in the end I sound pretty much like me mixing them all together.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 27 Aug 2008 9:02 am

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 27 Aug 2008 9:02 am

double post!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 27 Aug 2008 9:45 am

Dave, Would that be Johnny Gomez?

I don't think you can help sounding like yourself in the end, but if you are saying that shades of other players do not exist in your playing, you are kidding yourself. In fact, your influences - combined with the inevitable personal touch - are most time what leads to success as a performer.

I think this is the key. I don't want to say I don't try to play like Hughey, etc at times, and that I don't play licks the big guys played, but I am not them and I can play their stuff note for note (some bands I play with want to play the stuff off the record, which I don't think is bad) but I surely don't sound like them. All of these players that I tried to copy have led to the player I am today, but I don't sound like anyone in particular (I mostly just sound bad ).

Wally Taylor · Post by **Wally Taylor** » 27 Aug 2008 9:57 am

I try to sound like I am playing in tune!!

Michael Pierce · Post by **Michael Pierce** » 27 Aug 2008 12:58 pm

I would like to channel Tommy White and/or Randy Beavers.

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