Doug Beaumier wrote:I agree with all of the above. A lot of non-musical factors play into it... personality, ease to work with, willingness to travel, reliability, etc. Most big acts are not looking for a star steel player. An average player is fine, as long as he's a team player with the right personality.
I'd go so far as to say that no big act these days wants a "star" steel player. The mantra seems to be that nothing can be present that draws attention away from the "pumped and primped" auto-tuned star singers.
The Beatles individually were mediocre musicians but they had style and creativity that made them very famous and rich. Because of that, their music will still be played in some form 500 years from now.
I've never thought of any famous steel players as being mediocre. In fact I've heard a lot of steel players that were not famous and not considered them to be mediocre. I've heard some mistakes, but I call that being human. I just really enjoy good steel sounds and especially ones I haven't heard before or in a while. I love it when someone plays what I feel is tasteful steel guitar music.
I cant tell you what good or mediocre is, however, I can tell you what bad is . Im bad, just started and I sound horrible. I just think a good player is someone I enjoy listening too, it seems pretty simple to me. I don't even know yet if what they are doing is complicated but their sound intrigues me. I have found myself watching a lot of Zane King on youtube, something about that sound gets me. Most of you guys make me realize that I have a lot of work to do and cant wait until I am mediocre at best.
While I am here, I live in Bozeman, MT. There are not a lot of steel players here, maybe 3 or 4. All but 1 will give the time of day if he is not on the road. How does a beginner in a remote area get going on this beauty? Any recommendations as far as instructional videos, books, etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys or gals
If you want to be a successful musician, first be a successful human being.
Once we all agree as to what defines a successful human being, we can all (successfully) move on with this subject, e.g. Was Spade Cooley a successful musician? Was he a successful human being?
I really wonder how people are defining "mediocre" when they include musicians like The Beatles. As a bass player, I'm blown away by McCartney's parts and chops, and my good drummer friends all rave about Ringo. Maybe you have to play the instrument well yourself to appreciate the talent in others.
I like the Eddie Harris quote "If you want to be a successful musician, first be a successful human being" (thanks, Mike Neer), but there are so many obvious exceptions. Some great and successful musicians are utter failures in their relationships with other people. It's tragic, but it's true.
Dictionaries define mediocre as "of only ordinary or moderate quality; barely adequate". I can't think of a single famous steel guitarist who fits that definition.
If you want to be a successful musician, first be a successful human being.
Once we all agree as to what defines a successful human being, we can all (successfully) move on with this subject, e.g. Was Spade Cooley a successful musician? Was he a successful human being?
I think there is a pretty wide chasm between successful musician and star/celebrity.
But these words are intended for up and coming musicians/students. I don't think it is a bad philosophy to subscribe to.
Oh I knew the Beatles comment above would get you going Bob. I remember our discussion on that subject. I've come to realize the Beatles are far beyond average musicians. Stylistically speaking, I'm not a huge fan but clearly they were brilliant.
I don't care for the term mediocre really but I realize the point for sure. Personally, I find value in just about everyone's playing as long as they have made sincere attempts to do their very best and have put in a decent amount of time to learn the instrument. Thus, thumbs up for just about anyone who has been brave enough to sit behind these musical beasts called Pedal Steel Guitars. And even more applause goes to those who have found a way to take whatever skill set they have and turn it into to recognition. As I sit think about who may have unfairly become popular with a limited skill set on pedal steel, the list for me is basically zero. I do find the opposite true, however. There are plenty of great talents on steel guitar that the broader musical world likely will never know much about. Of course, there are variety of reasons for that.
Zane King wrote:As I sit think about who may have unfairly become popular with a limited skill set on pedal steel, the list for me is basically zero. I do find the opposite true, however. There are plenty of great talents on steel guitar that the broader musical world likely will never know much about.
The definition of Mediocre; According to Webster's new world dictionary;(L medius, middle+ocris, peak) ordinary; average, Inferior. My steel playing would be somewhere between the last two. Average, and inferior at times. If you are looking for a Bench mark this is it. Tenn.Lee
Last edited by Lee Dassow on 24 Oct 2014 12:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jeff Scott Brown wrote:
Kiss are a mediocre rock band. I happen to agree. There are really good reasons that they are famous though.
They wrote some very catchy songs that entertained people.
The fact that they were entertaining to see live probably didn't hurt them any either.
I think some musicians have this notion that something needs to be complicated in order for it to be good.
I know that I'm probably one of the few and possibly the only Kiss fan on this forum, but two of the original members are still performing as Kiss, with a new lead guitarist (from Portland, Or.) and drummer.
There simply aren't that many musical acts who started 40 years ago who are still around and performing to sold out shows.
...and whoever said The Beatles are all mediocre musicians might need to take another listen to their work. Listen to the Sgt. Pepper album or Abbey Road and then try and tell me that they were only "mediocre".
I'd be happy to, Rick... ...but it'd be no fun without Jim Cohen here and getting wound up.
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(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
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Rick Schacter wrote:
I know that I'm probably one of the few and possibly the only Kiss fan on this forum, but two of the original members are still performing as Kiss, with a new lead guitarist (from Portland, Or.) and drummer.
Rick, you aren't alone. I'm a diehard rocker who was 12 when Kiss Alive came out. My uncle had the record, that was it for me. But I had been into Alice Cooper and Black Sabbath a few years before that. I was very precocious in my musical tastes as a youngster. There was also Bowie, ELP, Traffic, etc. and all the Soul records I loved.
Anyway, not having a lot of music TV back then, you had to use your imagination about what those bands were really like until you finally saw them. There was something really sleazy about Kiss that appealed to me. Plus, they were a real good rock and roll band in the mid-70s.
The Beatles may not have had the best chops on the planet , but they played thousands of beautifully musical ,tasteful, memorable parts on their recordings. I guess you could make a case that they were physically mediocre players , but in terms of creative, melodic and in- context playing they were brilliant. It's not about chops for me . In fact I really enjoy hearing players with limited chops say something beautiful in their playing
Why in blazes would anybody wanna be famous, anyway? I can see wanting to be rich as far as that goes, but fame looks like a real pain to me. I don't know how you stand it, b0b.
I figure JJ Cale lived his life better than anybody else I can think of that is famous. And he lived in a trailer quite a bit. He played quite a bit better than most, too. At least in the ways that matter.
I still say "it's who you know and who you nose". How many have ever made it work going to Nashville and not knowing anybody? But that doesn't only pertain to Nashville. Usually exceptional Talent will rule. But there are so many talented players who never reach the true heights they deserve. But you can't take away anything from one that does, because they have done what was necessary to be there. b0b is correct about what this Forum has done for many.
As a bass player, I'm blown away by McCartney's parts and chops, and my good drummer friends all rave about Ringo. Maybe you have to play the instrument well yourself to appreciate the talent in others.
...but it'd be no fun without Jim Cohen here and getting wound up.
Plus, they were a real good rock and roll band in the mid-70s.
