Practice challenged Steel player

Stuart Legg · Post by **Stuart Legg** » 21 Dec 2021 8:09 am

How about all those steel players out here for whom it is just about impossible to make a little time during the day for Steel Guitar Practice.
Let’s hear it for all those practice challenged weekend steel pickers who back up all those Mediocre singers out here.
Those practice challenged players of whom work very hard just to stay Mediocre.
The Steel Guitar Bar is so high now days that being Mediocre is dam' good!

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 21 Dec 2021 11:24 am

I have been a part-time pro all my adult life, combining playing with other jobs.

I have never accepted an engagement without checking that I'll have time to practise for it. I've turned down a few but never had a bad one.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 22 Dec 2021 5:50 am

I don't do much actual practicing anymore, but I do a lot of what Reece Anderson used to call "mental practice". That's where you simply figure out stuff in your head without being behind the guitar. It's much the same as what you do when you play chess or other games, "seeing" in your mind what result your moves might have before actually making them, then experimenting and making adjustments accordingly. Only with steel, you're "hearing" the moves and changes you're contemplating instead of seeing them.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 22 Dec 2021 12:24 pm

Taking a cue from Donny, I practice working on my steel mentally. Just the thought wears me out.

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 23 Dec 2021 9:57 am

I feel sorry for you, not having time to practice. I live for it. I suppose one reason for that is because gigs are so rare for me anymore, but some days I just really look forward to a good solid 15 minute session of right hand picking exercise, followed by finding the 3 ways to play the same ii-V-I riff, and then flipping on some backing tracks to jam with. And the mental thing... In case it is not clearly obvious yet - Yeah I’m totally mental!

Karl Paulsen · Post by **Karl Paulsen** » 23 Dec 2021 12:12 pm

I've practiced every day for the past 3 months. However sometimes that's just squeezing 10 minutes inafter I put the kids to bed.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 25 Dec 2021 1:27 pm

Fred Treece wrote:I feel sorry for you, not having time to practice. I live for it.

Oh mercy! Don't feel sorry for me! I started playing (for money) back in 1963, and played all kinds of music. I've been with over 15 bands, rock, pop, soul, and country, probably racking up almost 10,000 gigs. I've done just about everything I ever wanted to do except for playing the Opry and playing on really big hit, million-seller record. Played radio and TV shows, done some session work, and played a TON of live gigs. Even played a gig for 30,000 people where we opened for Diamond Reo, Martina Mcbride, Leann Rimes, and Colin Raye. (Coincidentally, that was one of my worst gigs.

)

When I first started pedal steel, I probably practiced 6-10 hours a day, and did that for a couple of years. But when you get to where you're playing 2, 3, 4, or 5 nights a week, and doing day-playing gigs (fairs, carnivals, parties, weddings, jams, etc, the gig count really mounts up, and free time is short. Nowadays, I only practice when I have a gig or session (which isn't too often these days), or...when I just feel like it. Daily practice, with me being in the twilight of my musical career, just isn't a big thing anymore. I don't consider myself a great player, but folks (especially musicians and singers I'm fortunate enough to work with) still seem to love what I do.

No Fred, don't feel sorry for me. For almost 60 years, I've had more fun playing, made more money than I ever thought I would, and have beat the odds by living a respectably long time...longer than many I looked up to,
admired, and worked with.

It's called contentment, and a comfortable retirement; and being at ease with pedal steel not being the only thing in my life anymore.

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 25 Dec 2021 1:56 pm

I wouldn’t dream of feeling sorry for you, Donny. I know there are players here who have lived the life most of us can only dream about. I even know a couple of them personally. If you’re one of them, congratulations and Merry Christmas. I’m not complaining; I’ve had my share of the fun. I was kinda directing my empathy toward Stuart, who’s post made me feel sad for him, and anybody else whose life is such that they don’t have time for practice or gigging.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 25 Dec 2021 5:24 pm

None of that was brag, Fred, I've just been blessed. And so have most all of us, when you consider what many have had to face recently. It's been a tormenting couple of Covid-laced years, with few gigs, limited chances to see friends and family, and income-strained for a lot of people out there. To say nothing of the recent storms and fires that have plagued many this year. But we must not forget that half of the world goes to bed hungry, and as many have no plumbing, no central heat or A/C, and little to look forward to.

Yes, I'm lucky, as are most of us in this country. Have a great Holiday, and a safe one, and I wish everyone here the very same.

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Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 26 Dec 2021 5:56 am

Buddy talked about practicing while thinking.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 27 Dec 2021 11:46 am

Donny Hinson wrote:
Fred Treece wrote:I feel sorry for you, not having time to practice. I live for it.
Oh mercy! Don't feel sorry for me! I started playing (for money) back in 1963, and played all kinds of music. I've been with over 15 bands, rock, pop, soul, and country, probably racking up almost 10,000 gigs. I've done just about everything I ever wanted to do except for playing the Opry and playing on really big hit, million-seller record. Played radio and TV shows, done some session work, and played a TON of live gigs. Even played a gig for 30,000 people where we opened for Diamond Reo, Martina Mcbride, Leann Rimes, and Colin Raye. (Coincidentally, that was one of my worst gigs. )

When I first started pedal steel, I probably practiced 6-10 hours a day, and did that for a couple of years. But when you get to where you're playing 2, 3, 4, or 5 nights a week, and doing day-playing gigs (fairs, carnivals, parties, weddings, jams, etc, the gig count really mounts up, and free time is short. Nowadays, I only practice when I have a gig or session (which isn't too often these days), or...when I just feel like it. Daily practice, with me being in the twilight of my musical career, just isn't a big thing anymore. I don't consider myself a great player, but folks (especially musicians and singers I'm fortunate enough to work with) still seem to love what I do.

No Fred, don't feel sorry for me. For almost 60 years, I've had more fun playing, made more money than I ever thought I would, and have beat the odds by living a respectably long time...longer than many I looked up to,
admired, and worked with.

It's called contentment, and a comfortable retirement; and being at ease with pedal steel not being the only thing in my life anymore.

You and I drink from the same fountain. Thanks for the confirmation of life.

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 27 Dec 2021 12:58 pm

I reckon my fountain is more similar to Stuart’s than it is to the one you old pro’s drink from. I’m sure enjoying the crap out of my new musical life adventure though.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Dec 2021 5:09 pm

Fred, I'm jus' old. $:\$ Never considered myself a "pro player', and would probably be embarrassed to be on the same stage with a real pro. To many, just being paid to do something qualifies you a "professional".

Not me, though.