Is The Steel Guitar Misnomered?

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 28 Jan 2004 2:08 pm

Bill H;

When I'm away from my steel guitar I miss it. It plays a real fair game to. It gives back what you put into it. When I sit down to it I don't know if it's gonna be one of them memorable times or one of them frustrating times. Sometimes it's both. I just know there isn't much else that's as enjoyable or rewarding, on a regular basis, than to accomplish a lick, melody, pattern, or tune and keep building one's tool box.

Has anyone ever tried playing it with their eyes closed to track success in landing on the right fret with just muscle memory?

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 28 Jan 2004 2:12 pm

Pat B,

You just watch, "misnomered" is gonna be in the next edition of Websters all because of Bill H. :>)

Just ask William Safire...

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 28 Jan 2004 3:53 pm

20 string fretless multi-chordal horizontal electric harp

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jan 2004 9:56 pm

Pat B.,

I've reviewed my choice of wording as it relates to proper English, and I strongly believe that you should reconsider delving too deeply into "errors" that may or may not exist. My usage of "misnomered" was originally used as an adjective, (not a verb), as you have stated. "IS" serves as the verb, and steel guitar as the noun. Examples would be, Is the guitar white? Is the kitten pretty? How do you respond to the fact that misnomered is an adjective? Please explain emphatically, that you agree, or disagree.

Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 29 January 2004 at 01:36 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 Jan 2004 10:25 pm

David D.,

Thanks for reminding me to remind interested musicians, that there is no fretboard beneath the strings of my homemade "pitch-pedaled" stringed instrument.

Bill H.

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 29 Jan 2004 2:23 pm

..Bill, I'm saying that "misnomered" isn't even a word, let alone an adjective..

...if it was a word, which it isn't, the usage in the sentence "The guitar is misnomered" would be as an intransitive verb phrase, the verb phrase being "is misnomered"...

...check this out... click here

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 29 Jan 2004 3:05 pm

Pat B.,

You must know that misnomered is a word. You must be just having fun with this. I don't mind if you do.
Any member on this forum can easily go to spell check, and do as I did. Write the following sentence, "Is the guitar misknomered?" and spell check will reveal that misnomered is indeed a word. Please note that misnomered is misspelled to prove a point.

Bill H.

Billy Wilson · Post by **Billy Wilson** » 29 Jan 2004 3:30 pm

Marriage Ender

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 29 Jan 2004 4:02 pm

...well, Bill, see the attached file...I did as you suggested, and "misnomered" did not appear as one of the correct options...know why?...(it's not a word, that's why)...spellchecker

Mike Baxter · Post by **Mike Baxter** » 29 Jan 2004 4:06 pm

< misnomer mode off />

Looking at the previous posts, David L D closely echoes my thoughts on the naming when he suggests 'Pedaled slide guitar'

Most people are familiar with what they know as a regular slide guitar (e.g. bottleneck) although I would imagine that the lap steel is probably less well known amongst the 'general masses'.

Given the rich (although relatively recent) history of the instrument, I don't think that we can stray too far away from 'Pedal Steel Guitar' without upsetting quite a number of people.

Therefore, I would not be adverse calling it 'Pedal Steel Slide Guitar' rather than the more cryptic 'Pedal Slide Guitar'.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 29 Jan 2004 4:27 pm

Pat B.,

I can't believe that you insist that misnomered is not a word. It's listed in my Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, and it's on our spell check on our e-mail. I ask you, which of the information sources should I accept, yours, or an authority on the English language?

Bill H.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 29 Jan 2004 5:12 pm

I still like the "double-decker table-slide" monicker! (I think DVA gave us that one.)

'Course, the best ones will always be those Emmisons and Show-Boats.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 29 Jan 2004 5:13 pm

I'm with Bill on this one. http://www.dictionary.com lists "misnomered" as an adjective.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 29 Jan 2004 6:08 pm

Super Deluxe Egg Slicer

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newslinkassociates.com
drewhoward.com

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 29 Jan 2004 11:14 pm

Walter, why not use a direct translation rather than the English name, something like "pedal stahl gitarre"?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 30 Jan 2004 3:15 am

Jim Smith,

Thanks for the cool input containing esculpatory information, relating to assumed erroneous usages of the English language. The real facts are that I rely constantly, on information provided by Webster.
The absolute truth is, that this is the first time ever, of reading information from Spellcheck. I will continue to depend solely on the selected dictionary, as my choice, for various reasons. At this time I will refer only to the cliche', ("Fool me once"), as the basis for my decision. My e-mail Spellcheck clearly shows that "misnomered" is an adjective from the English language. Of course, I knew in advance, by checking the sources provided by Webster.

I have doubts, as the procreations of men and women, move through the centuries, as to whether or not, the so-called pedal steel guitar will be secure as an entity, due to the contrariness of the misnomer.

Beyond the shouting caused by the suggestion to rename the instrument, one must consider that no such alarm is heard, when radical changes are made in design, such as "keyless", "particle board", the "Crawford Cluster", and designer fretboards. Actually, I feel strongly, that I could build a "steel guitar" that is entirely devoid of steel, including the strings. Wouldn't it then be ludicrous to call, or refer to IT as a steel guitar? I would accept the challenge to do so, to support my belief.

Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 30 January 2004 at 08:02 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 30 Jan 2004 4:48 am

The Crawford Cluster was something different attached to the instrument, and it was unique at the time so it deserved an appropriate name.

I think we might have to say the name Pedal Steel Guitar is a misnomer. Meaning it is not correctly or accurately named.

Of course common usage often becomes correct.
Slide guitar is thought of as being played by Ledbelly Duane Allman etc. But also as bottleneck slide too.
Or as a lapsteel such as David's Linley or Gilmore.

There is no rule that says it must be a steel bar either, a solid glass bar would work well also. A Red Rajah could be brass inside.

But the basic functions are :
It seems to be of Hawaiian origin in it's earliest form
Has no frets ( something slides to stop the notes)
It is multi-stringed
The achordment can be changed using pedals or levers
The strings are plucked with multiple fingers
It is played horizontally

This actually seems to resemble a harp in many respects, except for the sliding and horizontal parts.
Though there are some harps played flat.

So a Hawaiian Horizontal Harp

Now this sounds outlandish, but unless I use the word Hawaiian here, no one has a clue about it, even if it's in their face...

Pedal Steel Guitar elicits a non-comprehending responce.
Sure they know guitar.. but what is this thing?[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 30 January 2004 at 07:38 AM.]

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 30 Jan 2004 9:06 am

..Well, Bill, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one...neither of my Webster's has a listing for "misnomered"...and Webster's is the source of my argument, I'm not so vain as to insist on my point of view simply because I said so...

...and apparently, as we have witnessed, all spellchecks aren't created equal...I'd have to question the veracity of any internet based spellcheck, they are only as good as the author/source material, none of which were established...

...on the other hand, as I mentioned before, there's no entry in my Webster's for "pedal steel guitar" either...maybe you're just ahead of the curve on this one, Bill...[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 30 January 2004 at 11:29 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 30 Jan 2004 9:35 am

Pat B.,

I try to tread warily as I go through life, and we will never lose sight of your contributions, and generosity. A few years back in time, you displayed pictures on the forum of activities here in Berkshire County. We will always be grateful for that action taken to support our shows. I hope to see you make a return visit to this area soon.

Bill H.

Slim Lattimer · Post by **Slim Lattimer** » 30 Jan 2004 9:40 am

The following is from my copy of "Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language - New Deluxe Edition":
pedal steel guitar, an oblong, floor-mounted electrified guitar, usually having ten strings, fretted with a steel bar and producing a wailng sound that is modulated by use of a foot pedal. Also called pedal steel. (1965-70,Amer.)

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 30 Jan 2004 11:01 am

I guess steelers must be unabridged also.

Modulated: problably should have said Pitch Modulated.
Since amplitude modulation is done with a typically non-integrated volume pedal.

Or at least noting several pedals.. there aren't all that many single pedal steels by percentage.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 30 January 2004 at 11:03 AM.]

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 30 Jan 2004 11:06 am

So, let me get this straight; somebody here has missed a herd of gnomes? Somebody has heard some gnomes but missed what they were saying. Does this post make sense? Most of the posts on this topic are totally incomprehensible to me, so I've added my two cents.

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 30 Jan 2004 11:43 am

..thanks, Richard...loved you in "Cleopatra"...

...Bill, I edited my post above to say that I had no entry for "misnomered"...the original post incorrectly had "misnomer" without the -ed in it...

...I'd love to make it back up to Lee, it's a beautiful area and you host an excellent steel show there, with some exceptional talent...

...but now, back to business (I'm the Devil's advocate)...

Actually, I feel strongly, that I could build a "steel guitar" that is entirely devoid of steel, including the strings. Wouldn't it then be ludicrous to call, or refer to IT as a steel guitar? I would accept the challenge to do so, to support my belief.

...don't they call it a steel guitar because you fret the strings with a steel bar, irrespective of the material the guitar is made from?...

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 30 Jan 2004 12:07 pm

Oh-Oh........here comes the Zarconia and Red Rahja's etc.

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SUAS U' PHIOB
Geo

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 30 Jan 2004 12:20 pm

...we're only up to 49 posts, George, I had to do something...