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Topic: Pretty funny misnomer |
Greg Moynihan
From:
Bremerton, Washington, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2014 1:10 pm |
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I practice my 6-string lap steel in headphones almost daily, as I commute on the Washington State Ferry into Seattle. It's a treat. The ride is about an hour, and the instrument is silent and discreet enough that I don't get too much attention.
Two times I've overheard strangers ask the person they were with, "What's that guy playing, some kind of guitar?" And the person next to them has helpfully replied, "He is playing the sitar."
This is different people each time, and the emphasis is definitely on the 'sit' syllable. Get it? SIT-ar? Because one must sit while playing it? Anyway, I don't think they're joking on purpose here. I think these people have no idea what either instrument is, and they have jumped to a funny conclusion.
Just had to share. If I ever get around to building a lap steel for myself, I will consider inlaying the words "lap steel guitar" in big, pretty letters on the side that faces out. |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 25 Sep 2014 5:28 pm
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I had a lady ask if I was playing a dulcimer. I politely said no, It's called a lap steel guitar.
She said "I'm pretty sure that's a dulcimer".
I said "You're probably right" 
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Jim Newberry
From:
Seattle, Upper Left America
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Posted 26 Sep 2014 11:34 am
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I love hearing drunk people say "synthesizer".
Greg, I'm sometimes playing in the other direction heading to Pt. Townsend on the Edmonds ferry, but I usually stay in my car...
I guess if you were to synthesize the sound on your portable computer, you could get away with the common misnomer "laptop steel".
I'm just sticking with lapsed eel.
_________________
"The Masher of Touch and Tone"
-1950 Fender Dual Pro 8
-1950's Fender Dual Pro 6
-Clinesmith D8
-Clinesmith 8-string Frypan
-Clinesmith Joaquin
-~1940 National New Yorker
-~1936 Rickenbacher B6
-Homebuilt Amps |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 26 Sep 2014 11:48 am
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| When I've been playing the cittern I've had people refer to it as a sitar. The lack of musical education of the public is terrible. But then, the education system seems to be getting worse every year. |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 26 Sep 2014 2:12 pm
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Well, SIT-ar is pretty damn funny, but I don't think we can be too tough on the general public when we cannot settle on the name ourselves.
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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David Knutson
From:
Cowichan Valley, Canada
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Posted 26 Sep 2014 9:36 pm
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You nailed it, David. I guess it really is all in the name.
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David K |
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Paul Honeycutt
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2014 2:35 pm
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| I used to play in a duo with a pedal steel player. We were playing a party once when the host's cute slightly drunk girlfriend came over the the steeler and said, "I just love your cute little organ!" At least, I think she was talking about the steel... |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 27 Sep 2014 7:18 pm
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| Paul, that's what in sixties jargon used to be known as "letting it all hang out." |
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Kirk Francis
From:
Laupahoehoe
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Posted 28 Sep 2014 9:48 pm
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| i tell folks "it's an electric 2 X 6." |
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