First Gig

John McConnell · Post by **John McConnell** » 10 Feb 2002 7:04 pm

After many years of playing bass with all kinds of groups, I finally have my first steel gig comming up next Saturday. I have been playing at home for a few years and know most of the basic chord changes and basic finger picking rolls. I am very apprehensive about this job though I have been waiting a while for just this occasion. I told the leader that I was not that good of a player on the steel, but I know how to play in tune and know when not to play. Still, I am nervous. Any tips or suggestions.

John McConnell, Yuba City CA
Sho-Bud Professional D-10-Peavey Nashville 1000

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Wendell Neal · Post by **Wendell Neal** » 10 Feb 2002 7:20 pm

If you can play in tune, you are ahead of the game. Also, knowing when not to play is VERY important. It's not how many licks you know, it's how well you play them...Keep these things in mind, resist the urge to play continuously and you'll do great!!!

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"Steel Cowboy"
"Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!!!"
[This message was edited by Wendell Neal on 10 February 2002 at 07:21 PM.]

Bruce Derr · Post by **Bruce Derr** » 10 Feb 2002 7:26 pm

Three suggestions come to mind:
1. Keep it simple.
2. Don't let your nerves cause you to overuse left-hand vibrato or volume pedal.
3. Record your gig and listen to it on the way home. If you get in the habit of doing this you will more quickly learn what to do and what not to do.
I hope you have fun. Good luck!

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 10 Feb 2002 7:31 pm

John,

You're a musician, you know the gig will go OK. Here's my advice: Put a fresh .011 string on your guitar and get it stabilized before you leave the house, dress comfortably, wear your steel playin' shoes, arrive early so you can dial everything in, keep your ears and eyes open, and play what you have learned to play. Don't be bashful when you take a solo, bomb right in there. If you make a mistake, so what? Be like Buddy Emmons, just grin and go on. The main thing is, have fun and be sure to look like you're having fun! You'll do just fine. Chances are that at least one person in the audience will tell you that you are the best steel player they ever heard, and when they say that, you smile and tell 'em thank you!

That's my advice, now go on out there and knock 'em dead. And with a little luck, this may turn out to be the greatest and most fun gig you've ever played!

Tim R.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 10 Feb 2002 10:18 pm

Good suggestions....but here are a couple that might also be of help. If you are to be the dominant LEAD INSTRUMENT....insist that the others tune TO YOU! Just because they have individual tuners DOES NOT mean that they will be in tune with you. Some are not calibrated to the same pitch as yours. Thus, YOU and ONLY YOU...will be tuning and chasing that sour note throughout the entire gig and that can drive a steel man crazy.
AND...if they choose to play some weird,
messed-up piece of crap vocal....just wave them off when your turn rolls around rather than make a fool out of yourself. A couple of gigs later you likely will have something to contribute on that same tune.
Should you make a mistake, chances are you won't, just intentionally play that same mistake again, in the next phrase....and if any asks you "what was that?"...just tell them it was a suspended 13th or whatever. They'll never be able to figure it out and you will look and sound like you're light years ahead of them. Good Luck!

Rusty Hurse · Post by **Rusty Hurse** » 10 Feb 2002 11:10 pm

Yes go out and have fun playing and dont worry about making a mistake. Everybody makes them Just HAVE FUN PLAYING.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 11 Feb 2002 5:34 am

Hey John , congratulations ! I too , after returning to Steel about 5 months ago from a long time away, just did my first gig on Steel last Friday. I have been playing on guitar and bass for many years so I am not a stranger to the bandstand. Was I nervous, a little. I used the KISS principle, ( keep it simple stupid ) and the gig was fine. I made several mistakes but who cares. I did put a new .011 on the guitar the day before and I didn't practice at all the day of the gig. By the second set I was trail blazing !
The band leader called Waltz Across Texas and told me to sit out if I did not want to play it. Play it !! I wrote it ! ( laugh ) I pulled it out of memory from at least 15 years ago and the band was like " how'd you do that ? " I told them ET called me during the night and asked me to practice the song just in case ! One last thing , if you find you are real nervous at the start, take your foot off the volume pedal and place it flat on the floor, you may play out of tune and play wrong notes but at least you won't have that nervous volume swell ! You're gonna do great, it's just a gig. Last time I checked the obituary no one was ever executed for playing nervous Steel Guitar.

Have fun, it's your night !
TP[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 11 February 2002 at 05:36 AM.]

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 11 Feb 2002 6:03 am

John,

Had my debut last October. Take all of the above advice. I did and it was wonderful.
The evening will be over before you want it to be.

And remember......no one in the place will know as much about playing the steel as you.
You are the man!!

Tony

John McConnell · Post by **John McConnell** » 11 Feb 2002 6:01 pm

Thanks to all you guys for your support. I will let you know how it goes. How I do love this forum. Thanks again.

John McConnell

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Dirk B · Post by **Dirk B** » 12 Feb 2002 6:57 am

Keep it simple is right!

I have a Mardi Gras gig tonight with a band I played with two years ago -- since then I've learned a little speed-picking. Luckily I taped myself at practice this week. I was doin' speed-picking, but my timing and articulation went out the window.

Tonight I'm going to keep it simple and stay within my bounds!

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 12 Feb 2002 7:33 am

John I'll tell you the same thing I told Tony Orth.He had his first gig a few months back.Relax,play only what your comfortable with.The only bad thing about the whole gig is it goes by way too fast.Enjoy the very short time.
Ray

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Steeling is still legal in Arizona

Tony Orth · Post by **Tony Orth** » 12 Feb 2002 10:10 am

And you were sooooo right, Ray.

Steel 'loud to play

Tony

Kirk P Dighton · Post by **Kirk P Dighton** » 12 Feb 2002 3:32 pm

I started by going to jam sessions where everyone was friends. It helps to have good feedback and get the bugs out on a gig that you don't have to refuse the money at the end of the night. I am starting off the Northeast Iowa Steel Guitar Jam on Feb 23 in Waterloo Iowa. I have been playing a little over 2 years and I thought my mentor and promoter of the event was crazy for putting me first. He explained to me that I wouldn't have to compare myself to anyone else who plays before me. Good thought. I can play like me instead of trying to be someone I am not. Good luck and heed the advice from these pro's.

Kirk

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 12 Feb 2002 7:02 pm

If you weren't a little up tight about It...you wouldn't be normal.

I'd let the people know right off that tonight Is my first time playing steel, and don't be to hard on me when I make a mistake, and you'll get more attention than anyone. GOOD LUCK! Oh, and you have to remember, they aren't laughing at you, the're laughing with you.

Bob.

John McConnell · Post by **John McConnell** » 17 Feb 2002 1:37 am

The gig went great. Thanks to everyone who replied. I took your advice and kept it simple. They want me back for more. Thanks again and you may now close this one out.

John McConnell

Brian Wetzstein · Post by **Brian Wetzstein** » 17 Feb 2002 3:33 am

Congrats on your gig!
I hope to do as well someday on my first job!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 17 Feb 2002 4:00 am

Hey John, now that your in demand, you know what happens next... rules of supply and demand, you gotta raise your price !

congrats, keep them picks flyin'

TP in Charlotte