The Steel Guitar Forum

Every now and then, I am tempted to try a new configuration of knee levers. It's six of one, and a half dozen of the other in any namable form of acquisition that should be tried. The 5th string of the E9th tuning, as well as those other two, namely, one and seventh strings with (F#) pitches, create a whole new dimension of possibilities. I've tried single and double lowers and raises with limited successes on previous trials, with limited satisfactory results. Through several spot checks, I've ascertained that many players lower the 5th and 10th strings, with their LKV knee lever. I'm not dissuaded by learning about the majority reality. Instead, by raising the 1st an 7th strings with the LKV, puts me in command of very necessary 7th chords, with A&B pedals depressed. The two doubles commonly known at this stage of the learning process, acknowledges the double raises of the 1st string, and the double lowering of the 2nd string. To my knowledge, there is room for improvement, mechanically speaking, in the designs of both existing changes in use at the present time. The "feel" concept is somewhat challenging.

Am I to assume that my preceding comments are common knowledge among all levels of players? A great many changes were not obvious to me as I made my way through the multiplicities of trials and errors. Do something right, and you could hear a pin drop. Do something wrong, and listen to the lions roar!

Most people are probably trying to figure out what your preceding comments had to do with the topic.

Bill M.,

Well, for starters, those who may assume that getting a handle on the pedal steel is a piece of cake, most assuredly, it is not. For those who enjoy real challenges, the steel guitar will not disappoint them, and you can take that to the bank.

Bill Hankey wrote:...the steel guitar will not disappoint them, and you can take that to the bank.

Actually, the bank is the only place where steel guitar disappoints me...

Jim Cohen,

Your prowess on the pedal steel remains a mystery. I mean to say you can rock and sock the average Joe steel players till they're blue in the face. The first time that I heard you play, your demeanor didn't match your incredible finesse. Try to elude some of the middle personnel in bank matters. Everyone seems to be reaching for the top dollar in merchandise markups.

"Well, for starters, those who may assume that getting a handle on the pedal steel is a piece of cake, most assuredly, it is not. For those who enjoy real challenges, the steel guitar will not disappoint them, and you can take that to the bank."

Then the topic should be "Is Playing Steel a Piece of Cake?" not "how to attract new players"

"Try to elude some of the middle personnel in bank matters. Everyone seems to be reaching for the top dollar in merchandise markups.'

? Bill, sorry, I'm probably not alone in saying I have no idea what that is supposed to mean.

I think it comes from a Norm Crosby routine...

Bill M.,

You tell me what Jim meant or what he was alluding to, and we'll both be happy. I imagined he was referring to the tripled cost of new steel guitars. My calculations denote an expenditure of just under $10,000, to get set up respectably in the dance halls.

Actually, gentlemen, I was alluding to the opportunity to earn tens of dollars playing one of these contraptions...

Jim,

Kiss the barroom gigs good-bye. Instead, book parties, such as weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, etc. They pay 3 times the amount collected at common saloons or barrooms. You never need be concerned about followings. Invited guests assure you of an enthusiastic participation.

"You tell me what Jim meant or what he was alluding to,"

Bill, I believe that Jim was making a joke eluding to the low pay he receives playing steel guitar. I didn't think (nor I supposed did Jim) that it was unclear.

"Kiss the barroom gigs good-bye. Instead, book parties, such as weddings, anniversaries, celebrations, etc. "

How silly of you Jim, not to know that.

Ah, yes, the sound of the pedal steel playing Mendelssohn. Can anyone not help but weep?

My calculations denote an expenditure of just under $10,000, to get set up respectably in the dance halls.

Wow, Bill, you have been talking to the wrong people (doesn't surprise anyone)

New Steel @$4000-$5000
Amp $500-$700
Volume Pedal $225

Yea, maybe in your world that adds up to $10,000, but in the REAL world, instead of the Hankey World, it is significantly less.

You'd do well as a politician, Bill. You can't stay on subject, you exaggerate, and you don't know the real cost of things that should easily be calculated.

I bet you pay $500 for a 2 lb hammer.

Good job!!!

SS

By the way Bill, can I ask (well, I know I can ask. Whether I'll get an answer is a different matter) since you seem so versed in making money playing steel:

1. About how many weddings do you do in a year playing pedal steel.
2. How many parties? about rough numbers
3. can you give a general ball park on how much income you generated last year from playing steel.

I'm sure all the wanta bees out there would love to get an idea of your success as they decide on their future career path playing pedal steel.

I mean, it really doesn't mean anything to say some one can make a living or to suggest that weddings parties and anniversaries is a good area to specialize in if you in fact have never done it yourself. I'm sure you wouldn't be as insensitive to suggest a career path that you yourself aren't currently accomplishing. So that people have a bench mark on what they can possible make playing Steel, can you give us an approximate income that you yourself have accomplished.

Baring that: can you give us a bench mark on what your BEST year playing steel brought you from a revenue standpoint.

Bill M.,

Now you have evolved into an inquisite person. Let me tell you about random outbursts! My brother has raced many racetracks all over NEW ENGLAND for about 50 years. He was disappointed when he heard that I lost a bet, betting on him to win a race. He said, "You should have bet the betting racer that I would beat him in the race." Why didn't I think of that? Your questions reminded me of that incident for some reason. My main occupation was buying and selling precious metals. Music is strictly for the enjoyment of satisfying my penchant for country music. I know what you are saying though, because I've been there, and done that. It's been my experience that some bandleaders find it too problematic dealing with going to the next level in featuring their bands.

"My main occupation was buying and selling precious metals. Music is strictly for the enjoyment of satisfying my penchant for country music. '

Well then Bill, can I respectfully remind you that you are probably not the best person to be giving advice on generating revenue from playing Steel Guitar, since, as you say, you've never actually done it.

The danger of making statements like this is that someone younger might take your suggestions at face value and work towards creating a career playing weddings where you have claimed you can generate 3x the revenue of playing clubs and bars. In other words, someone younger might actually think you know what the hell you are talking about and make career decisions based on that advice.

Perhaps in the future you could preference career advice by saying something like: "now I don't know what I'm talking about because I've never done this a day in my life, but here is a way it SEEMS to me you could make money playing steel. "

I'm sure you don't want to give someone bad advice based on ignorance.

"Let me tell you about random outbursts! My brother has raced many racetracks all over NEW ENGLAND for about 50 years. He was disappointed when he heard that I lost a bet, betting on him to win a race. He said, "You should have bet the betting racer that I would beat him in the race.""

LOL!

I got to admit Bill, that story tickled me. I can't for the life of me follow it but what a wonderful bit of nonsense masquerading as an anecdote.

An anecdote about random outbursts? And who is the betting racer? the person you bet? I can't make heads or tales of that story.

I ....feell....myself...getting sucked... in to the Hankey vortex.

Bill,

For the benefit of the readership, I have played my steel at numerous celebrations in a band situation. Clubs and barroom owners have wisely caught on to anyone who doesn't promote a following as a band group. They're stuck at the end of the night trying to scrape up enough money to cover the band. Years ago, band prices were affordable on a bad night. I think I read where ERNEST TUBB returned the money on one occasion. Therein lies the problem. Band members should put themselves in the position of trying to square up with a good band on a bad night. I think band members' perspectives would change overnight.

"Band members should put themselves in the position of trying to square up with a good band on a bad night."

Actually, I think band members would be happy to put themselves in a position of trying to square up with a good band on a GOOD night.

If attracting new players to the instrument is the topic of conversation here, then I think a critical first step would be to make sure they never read this thread.
If you want to play a particular musical instrument, you will find a way to make it happen. And if it doesn't work out, there's always SPANISH GUITAR to fall back on.

"And if it doesn't work out, there's always SPANISH GUITAR to fall back on."

As long as they don't use a capo.

I'm not obliged to respond when this debate moves quickly into a series of pinheadedness statements and\or commentary.

"I'm not obliged to respond when this debate moves quickly into a series of pinheadedness statements and\or commentary."

Not obliged, but still you mangage.

I don't think you want to let people know about that Bill. You might start to receive pinheaded statements and commentary on the second post.