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Topic: ...just hope there are no hit-men on the SGF |
Rick Collins
From:
Claremont , CA USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 10:51 am |
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I discovered the non-pedal and the pedal steel guitar about the same time.
Immediately, the non-pedal steel sound impressed me. Pedal steel was OK;
but did not leave the same impression as the non-pedal steel guitar.
I play both __ non-pedal a little better.
Pedal steel guitar "seems" to favor the traditional country sound, E9th especially, __ nothing bad about that.
And, I know just about any music can be played on either instrument.
If all of the man-hours of engineering and experimentation with the pedal steel development, by players,
had been invested in promotion of the multi-neck console, I believe the steel guitar would be more
proliferated and more generally accepted today.
Because I knew nothing about either instrument at the time, and was impressed with the non-pedal guitar is the reason I say this.
If you disagree with me vehemently, jump me in some dark alley, don't burn my house down.  |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 12:30 pm
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| Quote: |
| If all of the man-hours of engineering and experimentation with the pedal steel development, by players, had been invested in promotion of the multi-neck console, I believe the steel guitar would be more proliferated and more generally accepted today. |
Good music promotes itself, all you have to do is play it. That said, there's only so much engineering and experimentation you can do with a non-pedal steel. And in that respect, it's just like a regular guitar. The real differences come about because of the player. Strats and Teles today are nearly identical to their earliest incarnations of 50+ years ago, and few would argue that the difference in sound between Luther Perkins and Ricky Scaggs is due to the guitar they're playing.
Each instrument evolves (for a time), and then the major changes and advancements begin to come from the players, and I think it's like that with every instrument. I believe we've about reached that point with pedal steel, and I also believe we reached it with non-pedal steels about 50 years ago.
Sooner or later, we have to stop blaming the instrument for the shortcomings and limitations of those who play it. IMHO, we have no parallel to the likes of Liberace or Itzhak Perlman in the world of pedal (or non-pedal) steel. And I'm probably one of the few who wouldn't go blaming the instrument for that uhh...situation.  |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 12:50 pm
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dont discount the fact that EITHER steel is fairly young in its development, esp the pedal steel. you have a few hundred years of serious composition for, and study on most other string instruments. once something has been branded a "folk" instrument (like the guitar in the 19th century) it takes a really talented visionary like Andre Segovia to push it ahead. someone may yet pick up the steel and push it toward greater acceptance.
remember the tenor banjo, i dont see very many people today playing/listening to them yet at one time, they were THE most popular "folk" instrument in america - same for the mandolin & uke. look at the mandolin (or banjo) - it was originally popularized for ensemble work and "listening pieces", orchestras, and parlor rooms - then it died out completely only to resurface 25 years later in a COMPLETELY different role as a bluegrass powerhouse. it took visionaries like Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs to accomplish that. if either steel stays stuck in its current role, then it will go the way of the tenor banjo eventually, a novelty instrument played by nostalgia enthusiasts.
the thing is, the steel guitar was HUGE from 1930-1960, there were A LOT of really serious players on the steel back then - maybe some of the original players (still around) like Jody Carver can chime in. the bottom line was the popular music was changing and the steel didnt fit into the mix anymore.
judging by what is coming out of Nashville, they are doing everything they can to kill it in its last remaining stronghold.
oh, btw, there IS a HUGE renaissance in the 6 string lap steel going on right now - big time interest in that instrument - someone has or will find a way to bring it to a new generation/acceptance
_________________
'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 19 Jun 2009 9:31 pm
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No instrument ever goes away. Look at the lute. It was the favorite orchestral accompanying instrument until the 18th century, and had a wide repertoir of pieces written for it. By 1900 it was virtually extinct. Nowadays there are as many lutenists as there were during its heyday. Admittedly it's a minority taste.
Last edited by Alan Brookes on 21 Jun 2009 10:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Nic du Toit
From:
Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
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Posted 21 Jun 2009 1:22 am
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| Quote: |
| IMHO, we have no parallel to the likes of Liberace or Itzhak Perlman in the world of pedal (or non-pedal) steel. |
.....if ever I came across a seemingly unqualified, sweeping statement to top it all, this is it! Mind you, it's only the writers opinion! |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 22 Jun 2009 1:58 pm
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Nic, sorry you don't care for my "opinion". 
Actually I'll retract that statement...as soon as I hear a really good steel or pedal steel version of Bazzini's "Dance of the Goblins", or maybe Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu". Or maybe even Mozart's "Rondo", or possibly a Paganini #5. These are classical pieces, to be sure, but they're played wonderfully by dozens (or is that hundreds?) of pianists and violinists. (Word has it a violin is almost like a fiddle.)
My friends who are trained in classical music kick figurative sand in my face whenever I tell them pedal steel is capable of playing any type of music. You know what they say? They say "Let me hear something really impressive!" Songs like "Mansion On The Hill" don't seem to impress them very much.  |
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Tom Quinn
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Posted 22 Jun 2009 3:40 pm
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There's a straight steel right before your eyes in every pedal steel...
_________________
I need an Emmons! |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 22 Jun 2009 4:51 pm
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
| ... They say "Let me hear something really impressive!"... |
There's lots of classical work been recorded on steel. Check out Basil Henriques playing Chopin Opus 10 #3...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8oFHywB-aU |
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Nic du Toit
From:
Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 1:01 am
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No snub intended, Donny! 
Maybe it would be a good idea to start a thread listing some of the classical pieces done by steelers.....I think of guys like Buddy, Doug Jernigan, and several others (Mike Perlowin) who's done some great 'Classical' pieces.
Maybe your friends could then list the Country, or western Swing stuff recorded by Mr. Perlman, or Liberace..... This could be fun! |
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Tom Quinn
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 4:57 am
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I don't understand the video. The hand movements do not match the sounds at all. And I don't hear a steel guitar.
_________________
I need an Emmons! |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 7:13 am
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| Tom Quinn wrote: |
| I don't understand the video. The hand movements do not match the sounds at all. And I don't hear a steel guitar. |
The main instrument IS the steel guitar. It has more of a booming sound than you're used to because it's a double course instrument, with octave strings like a twelve string guitar. I custom built the instrument for Basil a couple of years ago.
For some reason the audio seems to have gone out of sync with the video by a few seconds. When Basil first posted it it was in perfect sync. I've sent a message to Basil asking if he can repost the original that he has on his computer.
In the meantime, watch the video again. The melody IS the lap steel. |
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Tom Quinn
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 3:15 pm
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Thanks Alan. That makes sense. Where do you live in the Bay Area?
_________________
I need an Emmons! |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 4:07 pm
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| Tom Quinn wrote: |
| ...Where do you live in the Bay Area? |
In Oakland, between Montclair and Piedmont. My wife teaches at Montclair Elementary and I'm the CFO of a High Voltage Electrical Engineering Manufacturer in the Protrero District of San Francisco. |
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Tom Quinn
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Posted 23 Jun 2009 5:11 pm
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Great! There is a Cajun music scene down there but no one playing pedal steel in that style. You should look into it. Stop by Eagle Hall in Alameda sometime.
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I need an Emmons! |
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