Castigation Of The Casual Player

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 17 Nov 2006 11:06 am

Though I wish it weren't so, unfortunately, I have to agree with Mike.

I have read a number of times that dobro master Mike Auldridge, in taking up pedal steel many years ago to add to his "arsenal," at some point practiced 12-14 hours a day.

Now he's a full-time pro musician, which is a different kettle of fish than a casual player-but becoming at least reasonably proficient at a musical instrument doesn't seem to lend itself to moderation.

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Mark

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 17 Nov 2006 11:08 am

Playing out makes me realize what I don't know, and gives me the direction I need for what to learn next.

Words to live by. Thanks, Ray!

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Drew Howard - website - Red guitars sound better!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Nov 2006 11:13 am

Castigators can easily be likened to drillmasters in the military. It ranges from mild to severe, depending on the individual's adherence to what is required.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Nov 2006 11:26 am

I'm into self-castigation.

[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 17 November 2006 at 11:26 AM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 17 Nov 2006 11:33 am

cas‧ti‧gate

–verb (used with object), -gat‧ed, -gat‧ing.
1. to criticize or reprimand severely.
2. to punish in order to correct.

[Origin: 1600–10; < L castīgātus lit.,
driven to be faultless

(ptp. of castigāre to chasten), equiv. to cast(us) pure, chaste + -īg-, comb. form of agere to drive, incite + -ātus -ate1]

—Related forms
cas‧ti‧ga‧tion, noun
cas‧ti‧ga‧tive, cas‧ti‧ga‧to‧ry adjective
cas‧ti‧ga‧tor, noun

—Synonyms 1. scold, reprove. 2. discipline, chastise, chasten.

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source
cas·ti·gate (kst-gt) "castigator" [P]
tr.v. cas·ti·gat·ed, cas·ti·gat·ing, cas·ti·gates

1. To inflict severe punishment on.
See Synonyms at punish.
2. To criticize severely.
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This definition I believe is Bills intended :
cas‧ti‧gate (used with object),

2. to punish in order to correct.

It is surely possible to stunt the growth
and WILL to grow of the juvinial player.
This is inlaudable.

Yet, self castigation, not verging into self-flagilation,
can be a very worthwhile tool in becoming a master,
of ANY subject or discipline.

Bill is saying,
Hey ya wanna be good... be 'the best',
get off your butt and woodshed.
... in other words!

I note of another post about getting out and playing.
I had 2 back to back steel gigs tonight.
One I have played with but not in a few months,
So it was a drege up the old memories gig.

The other completely off the cuff, backing a guitarist singer,
and in a bar filled with wildly obstreperous,
but appreciative, Aussies.

It gave me several stylistic directions I want to plumb further.
For example I had never expected to play
'Creep' ("Your So f'n Special") I think by REM,
on steel,
yet it worked, with a Sansamp after the Black box.
And the punters loved it.
Always something new to learn,
just had to get off my deriere!
Self-castigation in action.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 17 November 2006 at 11:36 AM.]

Brian LeBlanc · Post by **Brian LeBlanc** » 17 Nov 2006 11:46 am

Does it count that someone in the club noted that I didn't have a clue what the chords to the song were?

Hey ZumEmm ... we're playin Austin in Silba Spring in Feb...

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 17 Nov 2006 11:47 am

"Everything in moderation" is immoderate. Moderation in the pursuit of some things is a virtue. Moderation in the pursuit of everything is a vice. I don't want a doctor, car mechanic, engineer, etc., who went into his profession trying just to be moderate.

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"My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 17 Nov 2006 11:48 am

"Everything in moderation" is indeed the wisest approach to surviving the pressures of life. The topic being focused on 'noteworthy steel guitarist,' the two appear not to be compatible. Learning how to balance the time and pressure of playing and practice with an inner moderation is the key.

Not having the requisite time left to be a noteworthy steel player should not be, and seldom is, looked down upon in castigation, as music as a 'way,' as it is for me, affords the balance required to resist the temptation towards stress.
Stress is part of the bargain for the player of note. Keeping that in balance with his way is adviseable. The extreme to be avoided is that all hinges about his music. Thus avoiding the extreme, he is able to achieve moderation.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 17 Nov 2006 2:00 pm

to punish in order to correct...

I thought that's why my wife married me...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Nov 2006 2:34 pm

Constructive criticism is of course meant to be helpful. Unjust criticism characterized by disdain, has a tendency to penetrate into a positive outlook. An association with appreciative contemporaries, is the best assurance of avoiding the unpleasantries of implacable faultfinders. Be thankful that they are far and few between.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 17 Nov 2006 3:07 pm

Bill, if I've interpreted your last post correctly, are you advocating that we surround ourselves with 'Yes Men'?

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 17 Nov 2006 3:23 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Hey ZumEmm ... we're playin Austin in Silba Spring in Feb...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very well, I'll reserve a front row seat during break time, we're there tonight.

Pete Young · Post by **Pete Young** » 17 Nov 2006 3:48 pm

Does that castigating song sound good on Banjo too

Bobby Montgomery · Post by **Bobby Montgomery** » 17 Nov 2006 6:57 pm

When my wife and i married she didn't know what the word meant. I bought a dictionary and ever since i've been castigated. BUT MY DOGS AND FESSY LOVES ME.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 17 Nov 2006 10:12 pm

I must say, I think having a thick skin is probably beneficial for a steel player, especially in the early "lost years." This is no instrument for wilting hothouse flowers, that's for durn tootin'.

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 17 Nov 2006 11:00 pm

Most players would love to become notable players. But most players have unrelated full time jobs to pay the bills. Therefore most players don't have enough free time to dedicate to steeling in order to fulfill their full potential (there are definitely exceptions to this). So most steelers do what they can with what they have available. That may not play out terribly well on such a difficult instrument. But there is still fun to be had, and growth to be achieved. I think it is still a Good Thing.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Nov 2006 11:21 pm

richard burton,

No! After living for more than a few years, it's reasonable to assume that I've met the majority of individuals who are included in a wide spectrum of personalities. The "yes" individual cannot be looked upon seriously, as one who possesses a sincere ability to determine right from wrong. That person may include the self-centered strain, with inherited idiosyncratic tendencies, and who nods consistently in the affirmative. Recognizing such a person isn't difficult to ascertain. Watch for their interest to pique, as the conversation excludes them
from having an immediate place in the subject matter. Another good example in ruling out the "yes" person, is trying to "draw" the listener closer to fine points of the subject matter. A "yes" person simply has no time for making considerations that challenge the wit.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 17 Nov 2006 11:30 pm

These threads don't belong here. Take them here:

http://wordsmith.org/board/

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Nov 2006 2:07 am

Bill L.,

I met a steel guitarist one night in New Ashford, Ma., who said, "I won't work with musicians who have a day job." He later went on tour in Europe with a Nashville recording star. He played so well, that I was forced to consider his statement, even though it seemed harsh and unrelenting at the time. He played "4 Wheel Drive" as a featured instrumental. Like eating pie and ice cream, he savored every note. So it may very well be, "Back to the drawing board", on the issue of combining a full time day job, with a penchant to master the steel guitar. Somehow, somewhere, time must be set aside for extended practice sessions, for those with aspirations to develop a likeness to successful achievement.

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 18 Nov 2006 2:26 am

Funny, "Noteworthiness" is as mentioned is in the "eye" of the individual.

Some people in our particular craft that are "Noteworthy" are sitting in prison and will be for the rest of their playing years.

I think there's more than one that The World has taken note of for particular steel guitar accomplishments that is no longer playing, though still well in the range of age where it would be a possibility.

Interesting.

I'm going to try and start a thread that might spur some to share their particular playing cycle, and how it fit with their lives.

Castigation?

Often, it's done at the peril of the castigator. Especially with this instrument.

Some people play very well casually.

It's always been my goal.

EJL

Mike Ester · Post by **Mike Ester** » 18 Nov 2006 8:17 am

To paraphrase a T-shirt I saw a long time ago:

I'm know I'm good 'cause God don't make no junk.

Stan Paxton · Post by **Stan Paxton** » 18 Nov 2006 11:47 am

Man, it's gettin' deep in here. All these dollar & a half words. I took up attempting to play the steel because it makes the most beautiful music I ever heard. At my time in life, "noteworthy" doesn't mean much; just want to play the very best I can subject to the limitations of physical ability in view of age, intellectual ability in view of age, and a balance of other very important things in life in view of age. I started learning at past middle age; will be learning til I die, I guess. And good to be in the presence of so many good people & musicians on the Forum.

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Mullen SD 10,3 & 5; Nashville 112,Dual Delta Fex, Hilton Pedal

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 18 Nov 2006 4:06 pm

If I am not mistaking here, I would say that to become a well known steeler, you have to go through all the hoops at the first rung of the ladder.

To start with, sleeping, if not living, in your car.

Sharing a motel room with five other wanna be famous guys. ( the crankiest, biggest and loudest of the bunch usually get the beds)

Eat nothing but fast foods.

Share your earnings to buy gas to get your band to the next gig.

Knowing that you are going to get supreme sh** when you get back home and try to explain to the love of your life where all the big money you earned disappeared and "No dear, there were no girls flirting with us on our tour."

Oh, I almost forgot the most important one, being eager to do the above during most of your careeer.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 18 Nov 2006 4:10 pm

Man, it's gettin' deep in here.

Yeah, it sure is!

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My Site - Instruction [This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 18 November 2006 at 04:11 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 18 Nov 2006 9:20 pm

'No dear there were no girls flirting on the tour..'
Yeah she will buy that one.... NOT!

Yes dear, there were lots of girls flirting,
but none were my type, WAY too airheaded,
Let's get to bed, I missed YOU!.
(then prove it...)

Works much better.