What are your goals as a steel guitarist?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 25 Jun 2004 1:48 am

to just keep on gettin' better and be a decent player - to keep enjoying playin' as i have so far - sharin' the Musik w: others - and make others like and want to play a Steel Guitar
last but not least, get to see from up close how the masters do it
and give Smiley a big bear hug !
c'est TooT !

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 25 Jun 2004 4:55 am

Wow those are some great answers you all. I especially like Brett's, trying to have different ways to play the same song. No problem for me there, as I seem to be incapable of playing a song the same twice, too many things to try out, you know?

I should probably have mentioned that fame is NOT one of my goals, rather I want first and foremost to be about 20 times the musician I am now. If, one day, I can play with 1/10th the expressiveness of a sarangi player like Ustad Ali Kahn, I will die a happy man. Thanks for replying, let's hear some more!

Gerald

Lee Costley · Post by **Lee Costley** » 25 Jun 2004 7:57 am

To join a horrible little country band & become an alcoholic.

Mark Krutke · Post by **Mark Krutke** » 25 Jun 2004 8:35 am

My personal goal for playing steel guitar is much of what most of the folks have written, but it dawned on me a couple years ago that I'd try to make up my mind to play the best I can within my capacity - the big word here is "I" (meaning the one reading this...you).

Playing just as good as "so and so", and even thoughts of "who can I be better than" come into one's mind, but if you set aside these thoughts for a while and take YOUR OWN abilties (no matter what measure of player you are) and refine them to the best of YOUR capacity is when, in my opinion, the inner most talents of YOU will surface.

Copying various licks and learning to play clean, fast and with tone flavor are certainly factors to be considered, as well as being original, but since everbody's ablitlies are different, any steel player can say and make his or her goal saying "I will give it my best when it comes to practicing, woodshedding, performing, and even teaching steel guitar." That is my goal. To be the best that I can be. God bless you all

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www.authenticrecording.com [This message was edited by Mark Krutke on 25 June 2004 at 09:41 AM.]

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 25 Jun 2004 9:11 am

To play EVERY note as if it were the last note I was ever going to play.

To see how few notes I could play and still make music that would turn peoples heads when they heard IT.

(I once heard Buddy play a single note on a record I had and it spoke volumes about tone and texture and expression and musical placement in that song. I was so blown away by that note it has affected my approach ever since.) Remember this is a goal we strive for.

Larry Behm

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 25 Jun 2004 10:19 am

Lee, your response made me bust out laughing and everyone within earshot is trying to figure out what's wrong with me. Thanks for the guffaw!!!

Rick McDuffie · Post by **Rick McDuffie** » 25 Jun 2004 12:48 pm

Enjoyment.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 25 Jun 2004 12:51 pm

To be able to "see" the notes (KNOW the fretboards). The rest is applied musicianship!

Elizabeth West · Post by **Elizabeth West** » 25 Jun 2004 6:33 pm

I have many goals,however my first one is to start recording my own c.d in the fall

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 25 Jun 2004 6:55 pm

Melt-Down!

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“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 &

Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here
click here

Savell · Post by **Savell** » 26 Jun 2004 4:40 am

Awwhh... so many...

1) Add more replies on this forum.
2) play good (note the word good) enough for somebody to ask how did you do that?
3) have people want to hear me play and get emotional (in a good way) when they do
4) understand what you guys are saying when you talk about tunings
5) spend some time with a great steel player like (Reggie, Bobbe, or heck even maybe Eric just hear what all he's got to say)
6) justify paying over $5000 for a psg
7) hear a lick and replicate it within 10 tries

play a song all the way through and then listen to it without wishing I had done it different
9) know without a doubt that I am in tune
10) know that God is smilin' while I'm playing

Not necessarily in that order. This is not a complete list.

Reggie Duncan · Post by **Reggie Duncan** » 26 Jun 2004 5:10 am

1. Keep a live gospel music venue open.
2. Play steel in one of the largest churches in my state. (I have this opportunity in July...First Baptist, Jackson Mississippi)
3. Play for the right reasons until I die.
4. Record an album and use a different steel guitar brand on every song, and let you pick them out!

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HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 26 Jun 2004 6:23 am

Gerald,

Your threads are always interesting and thought provoking. That's refreshing as there is no right or wrong arguement (U12 vs D10, or all pull vs push pull).

Since I'm not a real player, nor aspire to be a real musician (because of the age factor and career factor), I'll answer your question as an enthusiest.

I've always loved steel playing, be it pedal, non pedal,and/or resophonic. I always loved steel playing in ANY genre of music. I don't know why, I just do and always have.

The SGF has re-kindled my appreciation when I joined in 1998 ending a 15 year haitis.

My goal is to improve my playing and understanding of the instruments (I'm taking a basic music theory class at night) to understand the language of music better. I also hope to continue my support by attending (when I can) local gigs by fellow steelers, purchasing CDs, attending steel shows, supporting the vendors and manufacturers, and introducing friends to the music I listen to.

Oh yeah,....a few jokes and gag photos here are in the cards. I've always wanted to be a comedian in the worst way. I seem to be succeeding here....

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 26 Jun 2004 7:05 am

1. To be able to play anything I can hear in my head

2. To be able to hear much more in my head

Pat Carlson · Post by **Pat Carlson** » 26 Jun 2004 12:33 pm

To continue improving my skills and tone. Playing out live on a brand new Red Mullen, or Carter.Also learning extended E-9th.

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The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat

Joerg Hennig · Post by **Joerg Hennig** » 26 Jun 2004 1:21 pm

Just to get playing out as often as possible and play my @$$ off...

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 26 Jun 2004 2:40 pm

Double the Dentyne chewing gum Doc.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 26 June 2004 at 03:46 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 26 Jun 2004 2:45 pm

Howard R. writes and I quote...................

1998 ending a 15 year haitis.

Howard I would never have known you have had "halitosis that long a time,Iwould never have roomed with you.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 26 June 2004 at 03:47 PM.]

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 26 Jun 2004 3:17 pm

1. To play every night and become more and more able to sing while I'm playing without sacrificing intonation or feel. To play well without looking down. Not a problem when I'm playing regular guitar, but the focus required for good steel playing is infinitely more intense.

2. To find replacement 4-in-line tuning assemblies for my Stringmaster D8 without robbing them from another D8. The idea of one less Stringmaster in the world every time a tuner gear goes bad make me kind of sad.

3. To have a tuning named after me, like the Junior Brown A. How about - The Rick Alexander GM9th/Bm7th? I know, too long . .

4. To put more and better steel tracks in my mixes.

5. To explore the infinite possibilities of NP STEEL and boldly go where no man has gone before . . . . .

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Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 26 Jun 2004 3:42 pm

My single objective as a steel player is:

To work faithfully toward discovering and acquring the ability to have a sound equal to Jerry Byrd's and thence to be discovered by a Grand Ole Opry talent scout that wants to sign me immediately to the Cumberland Valley Boys band with Red Foley as host; Grady Martin and Chet Atkins and Hank Garland on lead; Dale Potter and Tommy Jackson on fiddles; Homer Haynes on rythm guitar; Jethro Burns on Mandolin, plus a solid record deal that includes minimal touring with occasional radio/television shows.

That's ALL I WANT! (Sorry about that Billy Robinson.....NOTHING personal, you understand.)[This message was edited by Ray Montee on 26 June 2004 at 04:47 PM.]

Bill Sampler · Post by **Bill Sampler** » 26 Jun 2004 5:23 pm

I have a few goals...

1. To hear my instructor and mentor, Reece, say to me, "You've made it".
2. To play on at least 1 recording session before I die.
3. To get good enough to play at the Dallas show someday.

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Bill Sampler
Carter SD-10 4x5
Nashville 1000
Yamaha SPX-90
Lexicon MPX-100
TC Electronic M300

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 27 Jun 2004 9:22 am

when I tell my finger to pick the fifth string, I want the fifth!, not the sixth or the fourth, gee is that asking to much?

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 28 Jun 2004 6:42 am

Thanks to all for the great replies. I had two sessions on Saturday, played on 6 songs on the first and 4 on the second, which went better than any I've ever had...but made me realize I forgot one important goal:

To be able to play around the 15th fret and higher without intonation problems.

Oh, and another. I watched "Coal Miner's Daughter" the other night (so much great steel playing in the that movie) I think it would be fun to be in a movie playing steel in one of the bands, ala Stuart Basore in "Nashville".

Herman Visser · Post by **Herman Visser** » 28 Jun 2004 5:10 pm

Hi HowardR I was begining to think I was the only preson on the forum that thinks like you do. Im 58 and just starting after 40 yrs.of not playing (did a lap 6 string for about 1yr)Just trying to figure out the workings of this thing and getting it in tune has been fun.But I also love to go loacl gigs and Watch and listen maybe pick some pointers.And always pick up a CD or two.The only thing I aspire to right now is to stop my picks from flying off and getting that Deer in the headlight look off my face, still trying to get through Techniques by Newman.But Im still having fun and thats all that counts.Ive got to start asking more questions here on the forum, some of the things their talking about NOT a clue and there is some great people here to talk to about this. KEEP POSTING THEY WILL COME