Pedal steel in the recording studio

Gary Hoetker · Post by **Gary Hoetker** » 12 Oct 2022 4:42 pm

I wonder who has the final say for the different types of intros, fills,breaks and closings. Is there a lot of improvising in the takes?

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 13 Oct 2022 1:21 am

well I'll take a stab at a reply. Obviously I am not a NVille session player but I have played on multiple recordings over the years. ( locally)

Typically the producer has the final say but they may very well give direction to the player. They do want phrases that match the song and may very well rely on the player to give them phrases that MATCH the music.

An open mind and a good bag of tricks ( non repetitive) will get the job done, but the #1 thing is our ears, listening to the music and what the producer is asking for. Don't play Rocky Top licks during a ballad ! I have always found that LESS is MORE , if they want more, they will ask for it, so give them more !

Of course share idea's, let them hear a few different takes. They will most likely record everything you do and then pick and choose at a later time.

One thing you can request, if there is too much going on ( very busy track) ask them to remove other instruments during the session as they may not realize that there is no SPACE left and everything will be in conflict. I have said more than a few times to the engineer/produces, "where do I play , there is already something there" Keep in mind , local studios may not have much experience with Steel guitars ( if any at all) and may just think we slide around here and there. Once they hear a few really nice passing phrases without conflict, it may become a "WOW" moment for them.

If you get the opportunity, sit back and have fun , share your idea's and all will be well !

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 13 Oct 2022 2:09 am

This question seems very familiar...

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... sc&start=0

mtulbert · Post by **mtulbert** » 13 Oct 2022 4:18 am

During my time in Nashville it was the producer who had the final say but there was such respect for the players that it was very seldom that a producer would question what the band was doing. One of the players was deemed the leader and got paid double scale. His job was to handle some of the arranging and keep the session moving. I don't recall having seen any major discord in a session when I was there.

One story for you. At one session the producer wasn't thrilled with what Weldon was doing on the turnaround. Weldon gave him several variations and each one the producer nitpicked it. Finally Weldon, who was quiet and soft spoken but a big guy, got off his seat and walked to the control room. He towered over the producer and handed him his bar and said "Why dont you just play me what you want". That was the end of that discussion.

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 13 Oct 2022 4:53 am

A studio that I have done a few sessions with has me come in and play to just the rhythm tracks. Play through the entire song, intro, fills and breaks. He then goes back and picks what he likes and where he puts it. I don’t recall a single time that he suggested anything different from what I played.