Technique Question - How Many Times to Come in -1 song

Brinton Payne · Post by **Brinton Payne** » 29 Oct 2008 7:06 pm

I'm playing with a guy on an acoustic set tomorrow. I've been working out all of the cover songs and wonder if there is a standard amount of times i should limit myself to coming in? The sky is probably the limit but I really don't want to over do it - three times? Intro, solo, end?
Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks,
BP

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 29 Oct 2008 7:08 pm

You could come in a few times in the chorus too, and possibly before the chorus both verses, and then do a steel solo if the song calls for a steel solo, then do some fill ins during the chorus and sometimes, little steel fill in parts are great in the verses.

Brett

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 29 Oct 2008 7:38 pm

It completely depends on the song; each one will have a feel, and after a while you (especially in a duo, if that's what this is) know when to come in strong, when to lay out, and when to pad (a term common here but I don't hear it a lot elsewhere - it's where you're playing backup that's VERY simple, unnoticeable and just filling "dead air" - sort of like simple rhythm guitar. on steel I sort of play dobro-ish rolls at half volume as a "pad")

The other thing to think about if you are the ONLY lead instrument is that if you play pretty much typical pedal steel fills and solos with the same sound every song it'll bore people to tears - so mix it up, add effects to a fill or solo, change your tone on another part (hard to do on steels with no tone control, a bothersome omission), play with the timing - anything to keep it fresh and provide some variety.

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 30 Oct 2008 1:57 am

Jim has nailed it...every number is a different entity and has to be treated accordingly. There is no "formula" for successful (read tasteful) steel-guitar accompaniment. The emotion of the music dictates what is needed. If I may make a suggestion...

Don't forget harmonics...the bell-like sound can often be brought in and out to very good effect with the volume pedal. I used this a bit when backing up female vocalists I hadn't heard much before, staying in the "upper register" (I saw it called "Hugheyland") to complement their voices (they carry the melody so don't drown them out!).

I'm thinking the same technique, using appropriately voiced harmonics, might blend very nicely with straight acoustic guitar. Differently-voiced harmonics and tasteful fills will not bore the audience.

Let his guitar carry the melody, and you add the "jewellery in the music".

One last thing. As in video editing, it isn't what you leave out that spoils your product...it's what you put in that spoils it. When in doubt, leave it out!