Intros and instrumentals?

James Martin (U.K.) · From: Watford, Herts, United Kingdom * R.I.P.

Is there any point in spending hundreds of hours learning "intros and instrumentals? I ask this question having looked back on my nearly 40 years playing with a dozen or so bands gigging all over the country. I learnt some 25/30 Jeff Newman intros back in the eighties and I don't recall, over those 40 years, ever being asked to play an intro other than the original recorded one for a cover song. Surely the only time you will ever get to play an original intro is if you can find someone who writes their own material, and, I've never come across any such person here in the UK - how sad is that?
The same goes for instrumentals. Like most steelies I've learnt a couple of dozen instrumentals over the years but no one wants to hear them on the bandstand, neither do the punters, they want songs with words! The only people who want to hear your instrumentals are other steel players and where are they when you want them - playing elsewhere! I've only met a dozen steelies in my whole music career and seldom at a gig. I can't help thinking that our time would be better spent learning to back singers.

Greg Cutshaw · From: Corry, PA, USA

Traditional steel guitar instrumentals are pretty dead anymore. However I have had great audience response to Sleepwalk (played on E9th) and Honky Honk (played on C6th).

Greg

Joe Smith · From: Charlotte, NC, USA

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones because the band that I play in
wants me to play instrumentals. I play at least two sometimes three per set. The people must like them because the dance floor will be full when I play them.

Mark van Allen · From: Watkinsville, Ga. USA

I played in several bands in the late 70's where instrumentals made frequent appearance, much less so as time went along. I have often included my instrumental version of "Wichita Lineman" into band songlists over the years, as it was BE's version that made me want to take up steel.
It always gets a great response and repeat requests, which makes me wonder whether other instrumentals might not garner interest again.

While we might not get to play classic intros, you can use the same material as fodder for turnarounds and solos, so I don't think you've wasted any time learning that stuff, especially if it's some of the well-constructed stuff by Lloyd, Buddy, or Hughey...

Robert Thomas · From: Mehama, Oregon, USA

I guess I was one of the fortunate ones. I played by myself for community hall dances to start and from there played in 3 and 4 piece bands the rest of my playing career. I had to play the intro's and endings and had to learn to play every song from beginning to end that the singer would sing. I loved every minute of it and some songs were a real challenge, but it forced me to learn. I, at 76 years of age, still play, but now it is again by myself, for the old folks in nursing homes and alzhiemer units,
I have had a great life playing and would do it all over again, but can't.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

When I started, the steel player was expected to play the same kick-off and turn-arounds that were on the record.

Instrumentals were THE THING and Speedy West was putting them out faster than one could learn them.

Then one day I awoke and found myself with a mental file of more than 100 steel guitar instrumental arrangements and accurate intro's that no one wanted to hear. The only time it ever really paid off for me and was appreciated was when I played that the Memorial Coliseum here in Portland, with the Grand Ole Opry troup, and CARL SMITH. He seemed really pleased that on each and every song he came up with, I was able to put out there, note for note, just like his record. He really gave me the floor and spotlight.

I'd suggest you forget most of what you've paid extra to acquire......and simply take each song that is presented to you, figure out YOUR OWN intro and solo and be a happy musician. Otherwise, you're likely gonna find little more than frustration and disappointment.

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

James, I gather you do not get the chance to do sessions at malls, seniors halls or facilities like legions.

I consider myself very fortunate that I get to play at all the venues mentioned above. Steel guitar intros, bridges and turn arounds in signature songs are a great crowd pleaser and are what most audiences identify the song with. Don't overlook just how important that these small parts are to a hit song.

I join a group of three (steel, Ukulele, & bass)that do mall theme sessions four or five times a year and, if it's a Hawaiian theme, I get to play about 90% of the solos.

Other than that, how many bass solos do you hear or, how many drum solos do you hear?

Finally, I played with a well known wind band for about two years that wanted the steel guitar in the background but not loud enough to be heard above the horns. The way the band leader explained it to me, he didn't want to hear me but would notice it if the steel wasn't there. Sort of like the invisible instrument.

Forum Index > Steel Players		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: