Finding one's niche.. easier said than done

[Charles Davidson]

Some questions make sense,some don't,This one makes about as much sense as why do they make sure when they execute someone by lethal injection,that they use a sterile syringe ? YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Stuart Legg]

I'm a Son of a Niche

[CrowBear Schmitt]

niche in french is the doghouse

[Bill Hankey]

The tumultuous turmoil around the globe is a significant reason to maintain posturing by searching for a niche that would insure the freedom to choose from a variety of options foretelling one's preferred occupational objectives. Many times the sense of direction becomes poorly defined, followed by series of problematic setbacks and turn arounds. Unarguably, if I had to go back and start over, many oversights would be avoided, and the pedal steel guitar would be included as a prerequisite for enjoyment, as well as a source of necessary revenue.

[Barry Blackwood]

I have found several niches in life, my current one being, retired nobody ...

[Roual Ranes]

I keep looking for the instrument that I can play......if I find it, I will let you know.

[Bill Hankey]

Education is the key to finding a workable niche. Experience is necessary in dealing with situations that are fraught with difficulties as life would have it. It's a balancing act for most, trying to stretch hard earned dollars in an overpriced society. I mean to say, if you are in the market for a new pickup truck, or for that matter, a brand name steel guitar, you'll need to get out and hustle to scrape up that kind of money. Most of the glitter in reality is on paper. Signing on the bottom line, and proceeding to repay over time is a standard in the modern world. IMO

[Dick Sexton]

Several truths in your statements...
Few would argue a formal education might make an uncertain path easier. Many will argue, an education in itself, isn't the answer to smoothing uncertain paths. Many an educated person, I believe, has gone down in flames doing what they were educated to do, others never finding their "niche". Probably wouldn't know it if they did.

Experience...
When the military draft went away, I believe a lot of what this country was built on, also went away. If nothing more, it provided discipline and direction to souls that otherwise would have little or none. Many have been educated and found there "niche", after serving in the military. Written or unwritten, all other things equal, an employer will choose the person with successful prior military service over one without. Why is that?

[Barry Blackwood]

Written or unwritten, all other things equal, an employer will choose the person with successful prior military service over one without. Why is that?

Assuming your assumption is true, and based on my own prior military experience only, I might offer it's because they will work cheap, have no problem with authority and will blindly follow orders. Basically, an employers dream….

[Shorty Rogers]

Barry: a hearty "Here, here!"

Shorty

[Bill Hankey]

Dick S.,

After thinking reflectively about your comments, I chanced to recall the "chant" from the war years.. World War Two to be more specific. It could have been World War One, but the saying goes, regardless from which period it had been taken from.. "How are you "gonna" keep 'em down on the farm, after they've seen Paris?" The powerful influences could have been just a bit deleterious in some regards. I remember my brother-in-law coming home after being wounded in "The Battle Of The Bulge" by German shrapnel, no doubt a "Tiger" Tank or field artillery. I remember how much he enjoyed the western movies, before entering the service. After his Battle Of The Bulge experience, cowboys with six-shooters became just a novelty to him. The big guns of the pedal steel guitars have a similar effect on those just starting out on the instrument. A gradual introduction for that reason to such advanced playing, may provide the necessary realization, that "practice makes perfect" provided an adherence to basic rules are followed consistently.

[Barry Blackwood]

Topic drift at its finest …

[Charles Davidson]

Barry,What did you expect? Par for the course,A thread in the STEEL PLAYERS section,That rambles on about ,Closing the gate to the barn,The behavior of twins,the unpracticed reaches of ultimate finesse,Dashshunds and Whippets,Birds and bullies,Battle of the Bulge and cowboys.body chemistry,gold diggers,and gutters,What's next turkeys and pumpkins ? is there a clue or hidden message about the steel guitar somewhere here ? Why not just talk about puppy dogs and kitty cats,at least that would be interesting. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Bill Hankey]

Restive personalities tend to bedevil the learning processes in any given classroom. This forum is an ideal medium to browse through, particularly for the pedal steel guitar student who needs to familiarize himself (either gender) with basic techniques. Rarely, would a progressive player omit important issues, or pointers in open discussions. In finding one's niche, instructions from a group of hierarchical niche musicians, would provide most of the detailed objectives required to succeed throughout the learning process. An impressive number of steel guitarists have demonstrated how quickly they've adapted to the difficult prerequisites through a special effort by continued practice sessions. The key from my vantage point is
through close observation. Some musicians have the ability to notice subtle nuances that many others may not notice. Therein lies the differences of awareness in music appreciation.

[Charles Davidson]

[In finding one's niche,instructions from a group of hierarchiical [Man that's a tongue twister.] niche musicians,would provide most of the detailed objectives required to succeed throughout the learning process. Glad I never heard these words of wisdom when I started playing,would proberly stayed with the ukulele if I had known playing the steel required being a member of an intelligentsia society.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Les Anderson]

Finding one's niche in life seems to be to see how long one can keep a thread going.

[Barry Blackwood]

Les, in that case, Bill has definitely found his niche.

[Bill Hankey]

Les,

I agree with you, if you are making reference to some of the threads that have appeared here on this forum. Finding one's niche is a whole lot more essential than learning the color of a particular instrument in someone elses possession. Furthermore, it's not that easy to find say a neighbor down the road, who has certain likes and dislikes, that I'd be wishing to trade places with. Niches are like furrows, carved out in life's merry-go-round, where it's too easy to fall and topple into, while making our rounds. People in general as a rule, move about with regularity from place to place, while moving from state to state, eagerly seeking a place that comforts, and feels like home sweet home. Location plays a large part in our successes as a musician. Hickish settlements provide very little revenue, unless you excel in husbandry, or grow Christmas trees, raise thanksgiving turkeys, sell pumpkins, etc. The pedal steel guitar demands a room full of aficionados clinging to the edges of their seats, straining to catch every hot lick played. Take the steel uptown.. bring it to 'em! You'll wait forever before general audiences will come to you. They say people will find you, if you have something good to offer. I believed that for many years, but no longer accept or trust in such false notions.

[Theresa Galbraith]

Bill, I rarely read these kinds of threads anymore. They usually take up space & not sure the purpose.
Formites think they are more important than others that really relate to steel guitar. Any who, have a great night!
I shouldn't have commented.

[Charles Davidson]

Did'nt take long for the turkeys and pumkins to show up. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Bill Hankey]

Theresa,

I'm sorry you feel that way. It's not unusual to pick and choose written material to read. I'm of the sort as well, who may be found to be totally ignorant about matters that are deemed very important to others. It's everyone's prerogative to be selective by not reading irrelevant written material. I might add that no matter how much we progress in this music business, we can always learn something new.

[Theresa Galbraith]

Yes, we can always learn something new!

[Bill Hankey]

Theresa,

Not everyone has a bro like Paul. I remember several years back when I sold a FENDER 400 to a lady who wanted to learn to play pedal steel guitar. She said that the pedals were too far apart for her left foot. I had experimented with angling pedals prior to selling the FENDER. She agreed to let me install a piece of hardwood cut at an angle. This would allow the "B" pedal to move closer to the "A" pedal. A friend of hers who was present at the time commenced to talk way over my head concerning unrelated matters. To this day, I regret not asking him what he knew about steel guitars, ladies, or cold hard facts of life. I'd ask the same question to others who have grown too big for their boots. Excelling in one department does not make one an expert in other fields of studies. Fortunately, I've realized that professionalism is most always limited to one study. There are fewer jack-of-all-trades nowadays to take up the slack by tending to unfinished business. Finding one's niche is the most difficult part, while trying to establish a clear view of facts and figures.

[Charles Davidson]

IMAGINE THAT, [trying to] Talk over someones head concerning unrelated matters,[Sound familiar ?] YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Bill Hankey]

Charles,

We're living in a world of SUPPLY AND DEMAND. You can be the most proficient steel guitarist in the South.. it doesn't matter a lick, if the clubs are not hiring bands, you're out of luck. Finding your niche should include a steady work schedule.. like some of the boys in and around Nashville. Not all, mind you.. but some have great track records. Nothing much ever happens without first knocking on a few doors. In a nutshell, ambition, ability, enthusiasm, etc. will get you through the lean years.