A few thoughts on music, the steel guitar, and life

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

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Susan Alcorn
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A few thoughts on music, the steel guitar, and life

Post by Susan Alcorn »

For those who might find this of some interest:

http://www.newmusicbox.org/articles/sus ... ss-slides/
www.susanalcorn.net

"So this is how you swim inward. So this is how you flow outwards. So this is how you pray."
- Mary Oliver
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Dave Grafe
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Post by Dave Grafe »

That's a great article, Susan, you go ahead on :)
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Bob Hoffnar
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Post by Bob Hoffnar »

Very cool !
Bob
Dave Sharp
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Post by Dave Sharp »

Hope I get a chance to experience your music in person someday, Susan. Great article!
Ken Campbell
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Post by Ken Campbell »

Very very nice. Good for you. Love your work Susan...

Very best regards,

Kc
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David Mason
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Post by David Mason »

~ :) ~
Last edited by David Mason on 22 Nov 2014 6:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Daniel Policarpo
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Post by Daniel Policarpo »

That little piece with the slate was amazing. Every time I come across your work, Susan, its a new door and a very interesting space.
Li'l Izzy for Guvner
John Alexander
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Post by John Alexander »

Marvelous, inspiring. Thank you.
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Charlie McDonald
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Post by Charlie McDonald »

Excellent.
Keep 'destroying the instrument.'

But, who's Kim Kardashian anyway? Strange world,
beautiful music to accompany it.
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons
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Stuart Legg
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Post by Stuart Legg »

Your ongoing search for threshold concepts in Pedal Steel Guitar is directly opposed to standard music disciplines and is destined as a no mention in music theory.
However if identified correctly, these conceptual gateways you so eloquently presented could provide valuable tools for the future of Pedal Steel Guitar.
Unfortunately for the present if you can’t at least force it into “Your Cheatin’ Heart” it has no chance!
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Mike Neer
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Post by Mike Neer »

Susan, thanks for sharing. You are amazing.
Jim Norman
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Post by Jim Norman »

Thanks for the article, Susan. As a new member of the forum, I found it very inspiring. I've always thought the pedal steel has the potential to be the most out-there, transformative, dare I say psychedelic (in the broadest sense)and boundless instrument around. I love hearing you take it to new places.
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Charlie McDonald
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Post by Charlie McDonald »

I'm guessing it's what Susan took out of 'Your Cheatin' Heart' is what goes into what she's playing now. ;-)
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons
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Bob Blair
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Post by Bob Blair »

Thanks Susan, I really enjoyed that.
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Mike Perlowin
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Post by Mike Perlowin »

Congratulations Susan. You're finally getting the recognition you deserve.
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin
Tom Gorr
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Post by Tom Gorr »

That was indeed a great read. You're definitely one of the most innovative composer's i've heard.

A lot of composer's and musicians are so heavily influenced by what they have heard and know that it is virtually impossible to escape from the boundaries it presents.

You have definitely broke through a lot of "boundaries" relative to contemporary pop influences.

I'm curious if 20th century composer's like schoenberg were influences?
Last edited by Tom Gorr on 28 Nov 2014 5:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Barry Hyman
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Post by Barry Hyman »

That was fascinating. I particularly liked the rock on the strings; that was brilliant and beautiful. Respect!!!

I've done a lot of experimental stuff with psg also, as well as the usual (country, bluegrass, blues, rock) styles -- I like it all. I've tried odd ethnic scales, meditational ragas with drones, arhythmic tone clusters very similar to what I have heard you do, and totally wild atonal ufo space music. If you are on Facebook (otherwise this link won't work) you would probably like Fukushima Garden, a piece I did in a Japanese phrygian pentatonic scale. https://www.facebook.com/barryhymanmusi ... 6481208883 (That will take you to the page but you have to scroll down to Fukushima Garden and click to start it.)

Peace and love and thanks!
I give music lessons on several different instruments in Cambridge, NY (between Bennington, VT and Albany, NY). But my true love is pedal steel. I've been obsessed with steel since 1972; don't know anything I'd rather talk about... www.barryhyman.com
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HowardR
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Post by HowardR »

I enjoy your personal approach to the steel guitar....
Jim Robbins
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Post by Jim Robbins »

Very nice playing and observations. The little universe indeed.
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