taking a break

Damir Besic · From: Nashville,TN.

did you ever took a break from playing a steel? for how long and why?
I would like to know since I haven`t played in a few years and the way my life is going right now, with a day job and stuff, I don`t even know when would I get back to playing...as a hobby of course....

Db
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Roual Ranes · From: Atlanta, Texas, USA

Damir,
I quit for 15 years and I lost nearly all of it. My advice is to set it up somewhere where you can get to it least once a week. You will be sorry if you completely give it up.

J D Sauser · From: Wellington, Florida

I did... in 2001. I decided it was time to go back to the roots and play non-pedal only for a while.
I don't think I have lost anything... I still "hear" and "see" E9th and C6th as well as my universal grips. And I think I actually succeeded in my quest to learn some new things. NOW, I am looking forward to get back into pedals again. I am looking into some tunings and stuff I want to incorporate into my new universal.

... J-D.

David Doggett · Posted 25 Nov 2008 3:30 pm

Ditto what Roual said. I quit for almost 25 years and will always regret it. Don't quit completely. Put some stainless steel strings on your steel and keep it setup in an out of the way place where you can just sit down once a week without any fuss and play along with some tracks or CDs for a few minutes, maybe with headphones.

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

I quit once, on the advice of a friend. I had been playing about 6 months & he came into a dance hall I was playing in. He had known me as a lead player [fair, but not great lead player] told me I better put that thing back in the case & get back on lead again!! Really hurt my feelings. I put in the case & shoved it under the bed [D-10 MSA Classic] for about 3 months. Then just got the itch again, took er out, went to a Jeff Newman Seminar & really got with the program, never ever quite aqain & been at it 30 couple years, still play a little lead guitar from time to time. Sometimes I feel it is good to get away from the steel for a few days, kind of refreshes you a bit, does me!!

Ernie Pollock Very Happy

72 MSA Classic S-12U, Evans SE 150, Nashville 400 [Lemay mods], Fender Steel King amps, Hilton vol pedal, Boss SE 50 processors [3 of em] George L Stainless Strings
http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

Paul Wade · From: mundelein,ill

i quit for 8 years . i ran my own band and was having trouble with singers, guitar players, drummers
ect so, i hung it up. sold my p.a and my emmons legrand and webb amp. but, i would hang on to my m.s.a classic xl d-10 and a session 400 amp and set it up in the bedroom. i got the itch again in 2004
when i went to the wisconsin rapids jam and got hook up with a band which i am still part of. it's good to take a break once in a while...

p.w Smile

Barry Blackwood · Posted 26 Nov 2008 7:45 am

I've been away from it for a few years. Would pick it up again, but I need more incentive than what I see out there in order to do so, if you get my drift ...... Neutral

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I started my break this year after being with the same band for 6 1/2 years and playing every Honky Tonk in a 100 mile radius. I need time off to live normally for awhile.

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

I took a year off from playing in the early '80--just engineered that year. I came back a little slower but very fresh mentally and felt I was a better player...
_________________
John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar

Greg Vincent · From: Folsom, CA USA

I've been on a break for the past three years. My back thanks me...

I still have one set up at home though, just so I can hear it say "I'm here whenever you wanna come back"!

One day I hope to come back --as soon as I can retire from the time-and-energy-consuming day job.

-GV

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Kevin,what do you mean,a normal life,For the last 50 years playing has been a NORMAL life for me.It's the straight life that seems strange to me,When I'm around straight people[by that I mean non musicians]I feel like a fish out of water,ALL my friends are pickers and I enjoy their company.Some times we might have little disagreements,but we still have a bond that most straight people will NEVER have.DYKBC.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Barry Blackwood · Posted 26 Nov 2008 10:52 am

Charlie, like you, I have never felt all that comfortable with the 'straight' people. I don't think I ever will. I think I like it that way. Cool

Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

I paused for almost twenty years...to run a recording business.

Whew! Glad I got that out of the way and back to a much less abnormal lifestyle Whoa!

Many of my bad habits came right back, almost effortlessly. Laughing

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Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

There are some days when I take breaks from playin', but quittin' won't happen for me! I've been playin' pedal steel for eight years, almost nine years starting Christmas Day, so yeah, it's okay to take breaks every now and then. I always tell myself that if I did stop playin', I'd regret it, because I love the steel guitar a lot. And, cerebral palsy will not stop me from playin' steel guitar!

Brett

Tony Dingus · From: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA

Randy Beavers quit for a few years and then he came back playing stuff I'd never heard before. I've felt like quiting for a while now. I think my problem is I stay tired all the time anymore. Something's got to give.

Tony

Ned McIntosh · From: New South Wales, Australia

I stopped for just on 30 years when I went into the merchant marine. I was at sea for just ten years, and during that time playing steel would have been pointless (and frustrating) because with the lifestyle you were never going to find a band to gig with. To me there is no point unless you can gig with a band and backup some vocalists. But once I left the sea I really should have got right back into steel again instead of waiting.

That said, it is pleasantly surprising to hear how much of what I used to know is returning. I'm also looking more into the musical theory side of what I play now that I did back then, trying to get a better "feel" for the structure and progression and "architecture" of the music so I can be more versatile - I hope!

No matter how long you are away, it's nice to be back.
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The steel guitar is a hard mistress. She will obsess you, bemuse and bewitch you. She will dash your hopes on what seems to be whim, only to tease you into renewing the relationship once more so she can do it to you all over again...and yet, if you somehow manage to touch her in that certain magic way, she will yield up a sound which has so much soul, raw emotion and heartfelt depth to it that she will pierce you to the very core of your being.

Mike Archer · From: church hill tn

I am at home most of the time now
but I dont feel like playing everyday

but the days I do play are the days I feel the best
and enjoy it the most

sometimes I think about just hanging it up
but I never will

just to hooked I guess Very Happy

Hal Higgins · From: Denham Springs, LA

I laid it down for two or three years after I had an accident on the job that caused my right hand to be messed up, but with the help of the Lord, I finally got to where I could put a thumb pick on, and get some of the dexterity back in my index finger.....it was a frustrating battle......but I've been back at it now for 34+ years making it nearly 39 years since I first started playing the steel. I have a passion for this instrument....I've got 3 different bands that I am now playing for...with the main group being Trent Borgeois & Fly-By-Nite. Lovin' it still!
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HAL...Excel D-10 w/ 8 & 5. SteelSeat.com w/back,SteelSeat.com Pedal Board on Legs with Quilter Tone Block 200 amp, Boss GE 7, Boss DD 3, Boss RV 6, Boss RT-20 Hilton Expression Pedal, Evans Cabinet with 4 ohm Eminence 15" speaker. BJS birthstone bar, Powder coated Tone bar by Michael Hillman. Dunlop Coated finger picks and Zookies L30 thumb picks.

John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

I took a break off, back in the late 80's. I was building my house in the mountains of upstate NY and then had an accident with a table saw attacking my right thumb. I laid off my steel for about 2 yrs. It just sat in its case in the bedroom. I finally took it up again, because, I realized that a part of my life, my heart, and my soul were missing something. It didn't take long to become whole, again. I took a couple of weeks off, again, in 1994. I had a cerebral hemorrhage, but, thank God I survived it. It was truly a great feeling to be back on stage and get a standing ovation from my friends and band mates. I shall never give up my steel playing, for as long as I live. It means that much to me.

Zeke Cory · From: Hinsdale, New York USA

I play for a living and every job for me is like christmas for a young one. Starting at age 7, I have not been away from my guitar for over a day or so at a time. I even used to skip school to stay home and practice back then. Today, at 53, I still spend all day at home on my guitar expect when I am out playing. Music and steel guitar is the only thing that has been able to hold my attention and challenge me my whole life. For that I am extremely grateful. I will take a break from this life when they bury me, unless we are allowed to join a band in heaven. Best Holiday wishes to all. Zeke

Damir Besic · From: Nashville,TN.

yeah, some great stories....Happy Holidays to all...

Db
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Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Yes, I had to take a year off back in '98 after full-time gigging for 20 years. But I wonder...I believe a Promat sets you back about $5k or so. If I had one just sitting under the bed doing nothing, that would probably send me to therapy. Happy Holidaze!!
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Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Kevin Mincke · From: Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA

Quit playing after I got into law enforcement as I was working the drug task force and also on our S.W.A.T. team, carrying two pagers 24/7. It didn't leave room for much else! I hardly even touched an instrument in the early to mid 90's for about 8 years. I lost alot of down time.... Crying or Very sad

Now any free chance I have is something with music Smile

wishin' I was retired Oh Well

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