The Steel Guitar Forum

And, Larry, It would be great to die in the middle of a great solo, but even better to go at the END of your ride, right at the moment the lead guitar takes over!!

Even better yet would be to feign death at the end of your solo, let the guitar player begin, and then, in a spectacular feat of payback, play over his entire solo before finally dropping dead.

I wish there were some pickers in my area that share my taste in music, thsat would like to play, but I think most of them are like me and just got sick of the way the music has turned. Maybe we're all waiting on one another to make the first move?
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Like the song says"The music goes round and round. You can jump on it whenever.
I like playing Steel,but also like entertaining. Making people happy and having fun from ,nursing homes to roadhouses,clubs and town picnics. It's not just about me. And most of the time I have some fun playing,whatever the music I'm playing. Joe

Joe, apparently I am very lucky. Not only is the music I love to play thriving in my area, but I get to regularly see and hear some of the best players in the world, including the aforementioned Dicky Overbey. I admit that it really helps me stay focused and not everyone has that world in their backyard. But, that is a big reason I stayed here in Texas.

Rick, nail-on-head buddy. I get a kick out of listening to some really great hot pickin', fast instrumentals, etc. but nothing will get me running to my steel like hearing one of Weldon's intros or breaks on those Johnny Bush, Connie, or Moe Bandy classics. I like flash but subtlety is what really gets me and is always what brings me out of a slump. Thanks Mr. Myrick!!

Dave, you are lucky ,I love that real country,Texas swing'
Last summer I played back up (playing steel)for a singer form Texas,here in Weateren New York. The guys name was Ben Stafford Rogers,had a ball,a fun gig,and the pay was good One of the songs was, "Deep Im The Heart Of Texas" . The next week I'm playing" Save the Horse",and "Watermelon Crawl" with my band ,WillowCreek Joe

Larry Bell wrote:

I can't play that stuff and don't want to, and I'd rather stay home than fool with it.

Rick, I think that pretty much says it all. I love all styles of music -- played 60s and 70s rock for years b4 picking up steel guitar -- and have no problem jumping in on Skynyrd, Allmans, or even AC/DC or Fleetwood Mac. The bar crowd loves classic rock. If you can't find that music in your soul new country probably won't work for you.

I've noticed that many 'new country' acts that don't feature steel guitar DO feature fiddle, but if you'd rather not play than play a style you don't want to play, that's gotta be your call. I bet you COULD play it if you WANTED to.

Oh yeah, I can play the new stuff on fiddle. In fact, it's a lot easier to play than the Ray Price, etc.... I've played a lot of it. It used to be more traditional country and a few new things thrown in. Then it kept getting more and more new stuff, and less country, until it got so much that I finally got fed up with it. At this point, I don't need the money, I make enough on my traveling a lot day job. So spare time is valuable and I'm not going to give it up, unless I'm having fun.

Michael Robertson wrote:Rick, my steel is filthy and I am just too burned out to clean it myself.
Can I ship it to for a thorough “Spring Cleaning”?

Michael,

You've come to the right place. I can fix you up on that. Your worries are over. Glad I can help. You don't have to ship it to me. You can do it out there, just make sure you follow my instructions.

BTW: I was in Sacramento on business last week.

If you don't want to play your steel guitar (or any other instrument) then I suggest this.

Set up the guitar and amp but don't play it. Get everything perfectly in tune.

Now tell yourself that you should practice your fundamentals. Get a metronome and start concentrating on timing and note execution. Play only arpeggios and scales as accurately as possible.

When you feel yourself getting more accurate, take a 5 minute break, get away from the guitar, kick back in your favorite chair and relax.

While relaxing, visualise yourself backstage at a concert waiting to go onstage. When you walk into the room people are applauding and everything you play makes the crowd go crazy. Visualize this as vivid as possible.

When you feel like your performance is peaking, turn off the equipment and leave the room.

This should reprogram your brain and inspire you to practice again. I think the main problem is that we are thinking the wrong things when we practice and leaving our practice sessions on a down feeling.

Some "experts" say 5 minutes is all we need.

I too am in a no play zone. When I get a call for a gig I'm up and ready but to sit at home and try to practice or learn something new, forget it. My steel gigs are few and far between these days. I have actually gone for months and not touched the thing. Last year it was due to my driving job. I played six gigs all year. This year I have played 31 jobs all year including sessions that involved more than one day in the studio. That's hard when I'm trying to make a living playing. It tends to depress one at times. Of coarse I do have a part time job at MSA but it's very part time. I'm glad Joan has a real job.

Rick Campbell wrote:

Michael Robertson wrote:Rick, my steel is filthy and I am just too burned out to clean it myself.
Can I ship it to for a thorough “Spring Cleaning”?

Michael,

You've come to the right place. I can fix you up on that. Your worries are over. Glad I can help. You don't have to ship it to me. You can do it out there, just make sure you follow my instructions.

BTW: I was in Sacramento on business last week.

Thanks I'll give it a go on my own...

I have several hobbies, so when I tire of one I switch to another.

For instance, when I tire of playing steel I'll spend my time building model railways, or building musical instruments, or researching my genealogy. Eventually I'll tire of them and switch back to playing steel.

I've hit a low point, too.

It's just hard to keep up any kind of enthusiam when you have played in bands and have gigged all over creation; in your younger years.

It's like now, "Why Bother"? There are no places to play; and the ones that are out there - are already booked to the max. Plus, you have to have a band; and you also have to have been around for awhile; get a name going.

I'm 63 now and have played all around the USA, in many bands for years.

Around this area now, it's ridiculous. There are so many 'bands', groups, single singers etc. competing for a very small venue.

And even if you get a gig, it barely pays for your gas. I get 14.0 MPG in my Chevy van.

After realizing that no money is to be gained, at least maybe meeting some babes would off-set that. And now, we all know how trepidatious that can be. Aint like it used to be.

But really the truth is, I'm worn out. And there just isn't any place around here to spark my interest. ie. the music stinks, for the most part.

The "Iron Horse" in Northampton used to get some top-notch folks that I loved. But that's gone now. They get acts in there I never heard of.

I'm just not gonna go out and waste good time and money on some unknowns. Why bother? Some of my "greats" are still around and alive. But these places that used to bring them in, will not do it anymore.

That's my rant for now.

Thank ya, thank ya very much.

Would ya'll like some whine with that cheese/

What Chip said, except I'm even older ....

Until about a week ago, it had been well over a year since I had really even sat down and played steel or even gotten it out of the case. I've been playing bass all this time because it's easier to bring home the bacon with bass, and although I'm better at steel, bass is much more fulfilling to play in a band in my experience...let's put it this way: a band won't tout itself for having a bass like it will with a steel, but at least you don't have worry about them not knowing how to use the bass.

I recently exhumed the steel out of its coffin because I might have to do some sub work for someone, so I wanted to make sure I can still play the thing...but it's just like riding a bicycle. I doubt I'll ever go full-time on steel again, but I'll keep the ol' thing around...

Why sell it? Things like that will hold their value better than the dollar will, especially these days.

Ricky,

I'm in Orlando--have played jobs in your area thru the years. I know it's tough to keep your interest up. I've been trying to play with a group based out of Titusville for over a year. It started out OK with about 2 jobs a month, then it slowly fizzled out to nothing. I think it is this bad economy here that's causing the awful live music scene.

Anyway, I try to practice every day. Coming up with new things to play helps my interest a lot! Also, I decided to dive head long into a partial steel restoration project. It was scary at first & I guess it's still scary, but I sure learned a lot. At least it's keeping me in the arena of steel guitar!

Also, as I'm writing this I'm listening to WILLIES PLACE on satelite radio. Wow, a lot of great steel playing going on there! Thanks to WILLIES PLACE I can hear great steel playing the way I'd like to play it in classic country! This is a tremendous help in keeping my interest up.

I am also in Orlando, but I play steel just for the love of it, not interested in jobs. If it was a job I would probably hate it just like I hate my day job. I keep it fresh by playing D8 non pedal steel/dobro,guitar and mandolin as well as pedal. Also, I serve at church in several bands there, back up various local indie people, plus have my own vintage style group. Something always different, but an instrument always in my hands. I get to play a lot of the kind of music I want to play. No, not much money, but I get to do what I want. That is everything to me. Try taking up a new instrument. I never get a chance to get bored. Will be playing @ Backbooth in downtown Orl this fri with Jesse. Just a crappy indie bar, no big money or big crowd, but I am loving my band, writing my own music and playing steel the way I want to. Hope you get your fire back, TC

Well Gentelmen and Ladies, I see I am not the only one. I did pickup on a few related problems even though I did not read all your entries. Let me see one was "Don't like the type of music played today" well those of us that are in our 7o's remember Hank Williams, Eddy Arnold, Patty K, and G. Jones, and the list goes on. Another problem no one to jam with, I'm past the band practice era but I still would enjoy a jam now and then. How about packing and un packing and carrying the equipment. Then there are those that can sit down and whip out a song like lightning, I can,t do that any more. and the list goes on. The one thing that gives me the urge to sit down and do something is watching the players on the [U Tube} it is not a cure all but it gets me to the insterment now and then.

Wayne D. Clark
Desert Uose S10 3/5
Goodrich Pedal
Peavey 110

I think, like many others here have said, that there is a strong relation between being in a band you really like, that is playing gigs and my inspiration for playing or practicing at home. If only for the reasons that you don't let your band down, and also that the pedal steel is such a wonderful instrument that it shouldn't be played badly in public ( except for a beginner who doesn't play to well, it's allright with me too).
But where I live the only country bands I know provide for the line dancers and I don't want to join them.
As this is the situation here, which I hope would change soon, I still practice a little almost every day.
Some good advice here also!

Although it's diminished from time to time, I never lose the desire for more than a few days. Usually after I've played a bunch of dates in a row.

Buying some new gear is one way to stimulate your steel guitar sense, another is to listen to some music that moves you then try to work it out on steel.

I can always get inspired to play by listening to some Buddy Emmons or Tom Morrell music among others.

Other times, I try to work out something I'm listening to on the classic rock, oldies or jazz radio on the steel guitar.

Several days following the ISGC I'm still motivated. I think these are the times when I play my best.

If possible, keep another guitar set up at home so that it's always available. Sometimes just walking past and strumming the strings will revive your interest.

I'm open to musicians that play a diverse repertoire. I have played in strictly R&B groups, rock groups, gospel and even did a stint playing mass for a summer. New ideas can inspire you and lead you to things you've never played before. It's a great education where the excitement perpetuates the learning experience and vice verse.

I lost my desire to play a few times in the past but always came back to try again.

My last exit was about a year ago at a jam when I relalized that my hearing had failed to the degree that I could not reliably hear cues or keys assignments, and additionally, I had an arthritis problem with my thumbs that significantly reduced my ability.

I knew then that my playing days were over. I set-up my guitar in my music room just in case I ever wanted to play it again, but to this day I have not set down behind my steel without knowing that my playing days are over.

At 80 years of age, our choices are limited.

Gene, This flashed up on my Email, as it is intended to do and read the additions, your's being the last at this time It struck me. How many of us have a Tape or an old practice recording sitting around the place when we were either finalizing on a peace or jamming in years past. Why not get that out and play it again just to remind our selves we had some talent, we were there, we had the ride, sure were not where we were but we have been there. Any more I play just for my own entertainment, not often but the old girl is still set up ready for me to sit down and play a lick. Gess i'm getting to sentimental, but that is the way it is and was. I remember when.

A guy could always throw in the ol' Jeff Newman E9th Chord Dictionary video... (like i did yesterday).
I don't know a single player who uses Augmented chords "effectively" .

....it helps to get one out of a rut if the "licks" and patterns, the iconic intro, endings and melodies are played using different strings and positions. Redundancy is everywhere on a ten string instrument. It's all over the place. Looking for alternative ways to play what you already know is fun and very rewarding. Don D

I have not touched my guitar for over 2 years now, partialy because of my job, that has been paying my bills and has great benefits, and partialy because there is no band that plays music I would be interested in playing... I haven`t played in two years and I don`t see any playing in the near future...I still hope ,one day I may play again but, than again, I may not...who cares? life is tough right now, with people losing their jobs left and right, these are not times to play with your job, if you are lucky enough to have one at all.... I just today got a refill on my meds and my bill was 50 bucks, I looked at the bill and it shows that my insurance paid almost $500 for it, I miss playing but sorry, there is more important things in life for me right now, playing has not been my priority in a long time...

Db

What I do when I get burned out is play a different instrument for awhile. Take a short brek from steel and come back to it later.