Singing while Playing Steel Guitar;

Aaron Jennings · From: Montana, USA

Out of curiosity--

Are there any Steel players who also sing while playing?
In many cultures, singing scales and progressions while playing them is an important part of the learning process.

Also, after spending a lot of time in the 'Steel on the Web' section, I haven't run across anyone who seems to be multi-tasking in this fashion. Just curious if there are any players who are known for both?

Bob Blair · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I used to do it quite a lot and still do occasionally. And frequently I sing harmony while playing pedal steel. There are quite a few players around who do.

B. Greg Jones · From: Middleport, Ohio USA

Mike Sigler can do it, does it, and does it very well!!!!

Greg

Lynn Stafford · From: Ridgefield, WA USA

I sing while playing and have for some time now. Here is one of a few short video clips we had an amature record of our band. These were done a few years ago at a local Elks Lodge for some demos, when we were just getting started.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3D-5vFzn68&feature=channel&list=UL

I think it's time we do some current ones, as we're all (myself included) a lot more polished now Embarassed

_________________
Best regards,
Lynn Stafford

STEEL GUITAR WEST
http://www.steelguitarwest.com
Steel Guitar Technician (Restoration, Set-up, Service and Repair work)

Previous Emmons Authorized Dealer & Service Technician (original factory is now closed)

ZumSteel Authorized Service Technician
----------------------------------

Aaron Jennings · From: Montana, USA

Lynn,

Thanks for sharing! Your group harmonizes well together, I've spent many a night in an elks lodge, though I must say the one in this video has far more 'swank' then local lodge in Missoula, Montana.

Lynn Fargo · From: Fort Edward, NY

I used to sing some harmony vocals while playing steel, but it took a LOT of concentration. I usually just grabbed a mike or a 6-string when doing leads, though. Rusty Young does a pretty good job of combining both, and J.D. Call says he used to sing most of the highs while playing steel when they were touring in the old days. And then there's Sarah Jory and Maggie Björklund who often do a fine job tackling the two, also.
_________________
Sho-Bud Pro II Custom, GFI Ultra SD-10, Fender Pro Amp, Fender Mustang II Amp, Morrell 8-string lap, Epiphone 6-string lap, Galveston reso, etc.

Ronnie Boettcher · From: Brunswick Ohio, USA

There is Sarah Jory that can play steel, sing, and change a broken string, all in the same song. Check it out on youtube.com. THAT IS TALENT!!!
_________________
Sho-Bud LDG, Martin D28, Ome trilogy 5 string banjo, Ibanez 4-string bass, dobro, fiddle, and a tubal cain. Life Member of AFM local 142

Jake L · From: Grapevine, Texas

I sing backup while playing.

Joachim Kettner · From: Germany

Olaf van Roggen · From: The Netherlands

Larry Baker · From: Columbia, Mo. U.S.A.

Joe Wright is probably the best at singing and playing at the same time.
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 3 & 5 The Eagle
NV112 amp===Earnie Ball V.P.

Jeff Scott Brown · From: O'Fallon Missouri, USA

I can't do it very well, which is probably fine because I have a pretty lame singing voice anyway. Smile

I don't know if he makes an exception for small bits from time to time but I have heard it said that B. B. King says that he cannot sing and play at the same time and in general, he doesn't. He of course isn't a PSG player (I don't know if he has ever put his hands on one or not) but I thought that was interesting when I first heard it.

CrowBear Schmitt · From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France

i get to sing while backing meself w: chords
like guitbox

Joe Naylor · From: Avondale, Arizona, USA

Chuck Back - does an all request set at the Phoenix and Dallas steel shows and sings every song.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com
_________________
Joe Naylor, Avondale, AZ (Phoenix) Announcer/Emcee owner www.steelseat.com *** OFFERING SEATS AND Effects cases with or without legs and other stuff ****** -Desert Rose Guitar S-10, Life Member of the Arizona Carport Pickers Assoc., Southwest Steel Guitar Assoc., Texas Steel Guitar Assoc., GA Steel Guitar Assoc., KS Steel Guitar Assoc. (Asleep at the Steel) tag line willed to me by a close late friend RIP

Dave Harmonson · From: Seattle, Wa

A bunch of years ago when I started playing steel on the bandstand every night I just assumed I wouldn't sing while on the steel. I got frustrated that nobody in the band was doing the songs I wanted to play steel on so I decided to go for it. I was surprised that it seemed quite natural immediately. Been doing it ever since. Here's a clip form about a year ago.
http://youtu.be/huf1HoSRYP8
_________________
www.facebook.com/countrydaveharmonson

Lynn Fargo · From: Fort Edward, NY

Excellent job Dave! Nice band, too. Looks like a lot of fun.
_________________
Sho-Bud Pro II Custom, GFI Ultra SD-10, Fender Pro Amp, Fender Mustang II Amp, Morrell 8-string lap, Epiphone 6-string lap, Galveston reso, etc.

Dave Harmonson · From: Seattle, Wa

Thanks Lynn. That was from our Gram Parsons Tribute a year ago. Got another coming up Nov 10. This year's I'll be on guitar and Bob Knetzger will be holding down the steel.
_________________
www.facebook.com/countrydaveharmonson

Rockne Riddlebarger · From: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

I've been lead singer/steel player/frontman for several of my own bands for the last couple of decades. I still get to be the lead singer/steel player for a few songs each night with my current band. I don't find it any harder than singing and playing any other instrument. The hard thing is to get your body/neck into a position that you can see your steel and still sing with power. Forget eye contact with your audience while trying to do both of those at the same time though, it's almost impossible. I try to look up when others are soloing....
_________________
www.facebook.com/speedingwest
www.facebook.com/rockneriddlebarger

Arty Passes · From: Austin, TX

I sing about 75% of the backing vocals. I usually have to know the steel part first, and it's mostly padding, with fills in between.

Arty Passes · From: Austin, TX

I sing about 75% of the backing vocals. I usually have to know the steel part first, and it's mostly padding, with fills in between.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I mostly do B/V's -- I use a headset mic which I find to be the best solution.
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Brett Day · From: Pickens, SC

I sing and play steel at the same time at shows. Usually my set starts out with an instrumental, then I'll do a song where I sing and play-I also play the steel solo

Brett

Patrick Strain · From: Binghamton/Gilbertsville, NY

I sing and play steel all the time. I find when vocals are happening, the steel parts are typically fairly simple. If you're riffing too much you'll cover up the vocals.
_________________
Sierra Crown D-10 8+4, Sierra S-10 3+4, Carter D-10 8+7, Carter Starter 3+ a lot of engineering problems

James Morehead · From: Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.

Yep, Harmonies and lead sing.
_________________
"Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement"~old cowboy proverb.
shobud@windstream.net

Rick Barnhart · From: Arizona, USA

Rick Schmidt and Billy Phelps do an awesome job singing while playing. I don't see how they do it. That old walking and chewing gum thing, comes to mind.
_________________
Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe.

Forum Index > Steel Players	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic