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Topic: An idea from a younger perspective. |
Dustin Rhodes
From:
Owasso OK
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 7:31 am |
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I know its talked about quite often on here that steel isn't as popular with younger people anymore and there is concern about it dying off in popularity. When I was in grade school the high school band would tour every year to all the elementary schools in the area and do a show for them encouraging participation in the music programs. I played trombone back then but my serious interest in music started when I was in 4th or 5th grade watching the senior drummer play "Wipe Out". I've been trying to think of ways to spark something similar in younger people with steel.
Do you think it would be possible for local steel guitar associations to put on exhibitions of some sort for school music departments? Steel is a pretty complex instrument with a uniquely american history between Hawaii with lap steel and the mainland with country music with pedal steel. So I think from both a music theory and music history perspective there is something to teach in a music class room. |
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Jack Hanson
From:
San Luis Valley, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 8:43 am
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| Unless they could hold it in one hand and play it with their thumbs, they would be bored to death. And most of their teachers would be too. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 9:02 am
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I don't think that's true, Jack. Kids don't acquire musical prejudices until middle school. My good friend Jim Corbett a.k.a. "Mr. Music" performs in schools fairly often. When I've played with him, some of the kids had intense interest in my steel guitar.
I found that the non-pedal went over better than pedal steel. First they have to understand what the bar and picks are doing. Pedals and the concept of changing tunings are pretty far beyond most grade-school youngsters.
When you're sitting down, kids can approach you and ask questions. If you have a lap steel with legs, you can invite the most inquisitive to get behind it, hold the bar and make a few noises. It never fails to amaze. 
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James Wolf
From:
Georgia
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 9:05 am
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I teach elementary school music. When I had my carter starter years ago I would bring it to school and play it for the kids. I let all 800 of them try it out as well(took about a month). It was a hit with the kids. I even played them some Robert Randolph, buddy emmons, and Jerry Douglas. They were facinated with the recordings. I can say for certain they were not bored with it.......I've heard some music teachers report the exact opposite as well. I would honestly say how you sell it to kids makes all the difference
Last edited by James Wolf on 5 Nov 2013 9:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dustin Rhodes
From:
Owasso OK
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 9:06 am
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| Jack Hanson wrote: |
| Unless they could hold it in one hand and play it with their thumbs, they would be bored to death. And most of their teachers would be too. |
I expected responses like this. You saying that all young peoplea re like this is like saying that all steel guitar players are crotchety old men. Yes there are young people just like you're talking about and there are steel players just like I'm talking about but thats not a reason to lump everyone together. I've worked with young musicians through church and have run across a good number of extremely dedicated and hungry to learn musicians. I'm talking junior high kids who can talk about music theory things that I didn't learn till college. So for this exercise lets not assume the worst about our audience and give at least some of the kids out there the benefit of the doubt.
Last edited by Dustin Rhodes on 5 Nov 2013 9:26 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dustin Rhodes
From:
Owasso OK
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 9:08 am
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| James Wolf wrote: |
| I teach elementary school music. When I had my carter starter years ago I would bring it to school and play it for the kids. I let all 800 of them try it out as well(took about a month). It was a hit with the kids. I even played them some Robert Randolph, buddy emmons, and Jerry Douglas. They were facinated with the recordings. I can say for certain they were not bored with it.......I've heard some music teachers report the exact opposite as well. I would honestly say how you sell it to kids makes all the difference |
Thats great. |
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Dustin Rhodes
From:
Owasso OK
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 9:14 am
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| b0b wrote: |
| I found that the non-pedal went over better than pedal steel. First they have to understand what the bar and picks are doing. |
I could definitely see that. Plenty of experienced 6 string players that are confused by PSG. I mean I understand how they work but not how anyone can have one mastered like alot of pros do. |
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Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 6:28 pm
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Dustin
Kind of a side note , but the very tune “ wipe out “ that turned you on to music was written and played by a High school student -- name Merrill Fankhouser -- in 1958 or 9 he took his band of kids to the KFWB battle of the bands in So. Cal. and won - how it come to be created to the ventures is a story in it self ---
your ideas are good ones and I wish you all the best |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 5 Nov 2013 9:06 pm
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| Steel player Randy Sorrells' neice, Star Ford said her nine year old son is really interested in the steel. She said that after he watched a video of me playing "San Antonio Rose" on YouTube, he told her he hoped to play like I do someday |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 6 Nov 2013 4:04 am
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I believe there has always been a certain mystique with regard to Pedal Steels, I don't think that will ever change.
My position, it's as much about the music as it is the ability to learn fast ,then add in the COST factor. Then add a room full of musicians or music teachers that see a Pedal Steel and think old traditional Country Music before you even play one note. We can dodge that scenario all we want but this Instrument is stereotyped probably forever.
Young kids can get into Instrument rentals for pretty cheap with lessons...in school you join "BAND" they figure out what instrument you can play., then you get one somewhere, pretty cheap.
I like what James said above, he brought his Steel to school..bring it to them. I also think Bob Lee's comment with regard to Lap Steel is an excellent option.
If there was ever an occasion to bring a Steel in front of students I would suggest to do it in a different format, bring the Steel player to the class. Select a player of above average proficiency where they would play several tunes across a few genres. Short and Sweet. Pop, Jazz, Country, traditional etc...Let there be a Q+A session as well.
Speed Pickin there way thru a Merle tune probably would not impress anyone in a HS band but playing smooth melodies to well know songs may ignite a spark. You really want to create a spark, have the steel player play a tune the HS band is working on, maybe all play it together.
these are my thoughts...
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jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 6 Nov 2013 10:39 am
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In the 70's, I used to play for a College Professor. He would take the band and "tour" Schools in the area and do concert/seminars. The schools would hold these in the cafetorium and all students were required to attend. This included Elementary, Jr. HIgh and High Schools. The band consisted of him on guitar, me on PSG, a banjo player and a piano player. He would talk about each instrument between songs and have each of demonstrate the instrument.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Craig Schwartz
From:
McHenry IL
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Posted 14 Nov 2013 5:26 pm
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I like your idea with a music class, getting the teachers in line would be helpful and they could pick your songlist of there ideal pedal steel genre that couldbe instrmental to whatever age group it is. Great idea
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SO MANY LURES, SO LITTLE TIME.... |
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Jason Putnam
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 14 Nov 2013 7:05 pm
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One thing you have to remember. Kids don't figure out what real music is until they are adults!!! Because the @$!# most kids listen to is no where close to being music!! 
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1967 Emmons Bolt On, 1995 Mullen PRP 3x5,Nashville 112, JOYO Digital Delay, Goodrich Volume Pedal, Livesteel Strings |
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