| Can C6 Lap Steel work for country music? |
| Yes! |
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82% |
[ 34 ] |
| No. Find a pedal steel player, man. |
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9% |
[ 4 ] |
| Maybe, but ___________ |
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7% |
[ 3 ] |
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| Total Votes : 41 |
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| Author |
Topic: Can C6 Lap Steel work for country music? |
Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 17 Nov 2019 7:54 am |
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Really, you are asking 2 questions:
Can a lap steel be used in country muslc?
Can a lap steel sound like a pedal steel?
The first question is a resounding yes. The second is yes, to a certain extent and with a lot of work.
I would say it works fine in its own right. It doesn't need to sound like a pedal steel.
If the band are after a pedal steel, it might be worth clarifying if they really do want pedal steel (lots of people who aren't steel players call both lap and pedal "pedal steel") and/or of they would like to give lap a chance. Or if they even know the difference? I bet that 90% of the general public and 75% of musicians would not be able to tell, just from listening whether it was lap or pedal steel. Many of those still wouldn't be able to tell if they were watching you play it.
But if they really do know the difference and they realy do want pedal steel, I'd say it won't cut it (unless you are at least as good as Kayton Roberts was). |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 17 Nov 2019 8:44 am
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I've been going to the same weekly jam for three years and the guy still thanks "Ian on the lap slide". I've given up 
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Rob Morrison
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2019 8:53 am
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| Jeff Mead wrote: |
Really, you are asking 2 questions:
Can a lap steel be used in country muslc?
Can a lap steel sound like a pedal steel?
The first question is a resounding yes. The second is yes, to a certain extent and with a lot of work.
I would say it works fine in its own right. It doesn't need to sound like a pedal steel.
If the band are after a pedal steel, it might be worth clarifying if they really do want pedal steel (lots of people who aren't steel players call both lap and pedal "pedal steel") and/or of they would like to give lap a chance. Or if they even know the difference? I bet that 90% of the general public and 75% of musicians would not be able to tell, just from listening whether it was lap or pedal steel. Many of those still wouldn't be able to tell if they were watching you play it.
But if they really do know the difference and they realy do want pedal steel, I'd say it won't cut it (unless you are at least as good as Kayton Roberts was). |
Thanks Jeff, I think that's exactly right; I'm really asking those two questions.
Thankfully, the band is not consciously seeking a pedal steel player. My friend is the lead vocalist, and she originally suggested having me sit in, but wasn't sure about which instrument, since they already have a guitarist. We considered mandolin, but I've grown really tired of playing mando in amplified bands, and already play that instrument in plenty of groups, so I suggested lap steel to lean into their "early country" covers. Somebody else asked: this band does all covers, most of which I would call more "traditional" country (Hank, Dolly, Loretta, Waylon, Buck Owens, Patsy Cline) with a few more "modern" artists thrown in, some of whom aren't really country IMHO (Gillian Welch, John Prine, Dixie Chicks).
And no -- I'm definitely not anywhere near the same level as Kayton Roberts!
| Brad Davis wrote: |
I'll just leave this here. Watch the master and learn. If you're not inspired then you probably don't even know country music.
https://youtu.be/OfkSI5bpbzY |
Thanks for sharing this video! A wealth of things to listen to in here. |
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Glenn Wilde
From:
California, USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2019 10:00 am
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| Brad Davis wrote: |
I'll just leave this here. Watch the master and learn. If you're not inspired then you probably don't even know country music.
https://youtu.be/OfkSI5bpbzY |
Woohoo! That's what I'm talkin about.
Great stuff. |
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Jeff Mead
From:
London, England
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Posted 17 Nov 2019 10:42 am
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| Rob Morrison wrote: |
Somebody else asked: this band does all covers, most of which I would call more "traditional" country (Hank, Dolly, Loretta, Waylon, Buck Owens, Patsy Cline) with a few more "modern" artists thrown in, some of whom aren't really country IMHO (Gillian Welch, John Prine, Dixie Chicks).
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I think I can picture the style of band and I'd say lap steel will fit in perfectly. Certainly for the Hank and Patsy stuff I'd prefer lap steel (as on the originals) and although most of the others used pedal steel, they are definitely "old school" in spirit. The more modern artists you mentioned, I think lap would sound great too.
The fake pedal steel licks would would work too but don't sweat it - if you play straight lap steel. I bet they'll love it. Let us know how things work out. |
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Rob Morrison
From:
New York, USA
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Posted 17 Nov 2019 4:08 pm
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| Jeff Mead wrote: |
I think I can picture the style of band and I'd say lap steel will fit in perfectly. Certainly for the Hank and Patsy stuff I'd prefer lap steel (as on the originals) and although most of the others used pedal steel, they are definitely "old school" in spirit. The more modern artists you mentioned, I think lap would sound great too.
The fake pedal steel licks would would work too but don't sweat it - if you play straight lap steel. I bet they'll love it. Let us know how things work out. |
Hey thanks Jeff! Will do. And thanks to everyone for the thoughtful input, 'tis very much appreciated! |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 18 Nov 2019 10:27 pm
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How you and this potential band define "country music" will determine whether or not you can pull this off.
I play mostly pedal steel, but I bring a six string lap steel, tuned to C6th, to most gigs just because it sounds different and I play different on it. I couldn't come anywhere close to sounding like a PSG (E9 style) on a lap steel. But then I hardly ever practice lap steel.
_________________
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing. |
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Michael Sawyer
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 20 Nov 2019 9:37 pm
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| Travis Wilson wrote: |
| That’s exactly how I got started on pedals. I was invited to play lap, it really worked out for everyone, I played lap until I wanted more and got a pedal. I felt that lots of slants into straight bars gave the most pedal like sound. Especially forward slants to and from straight bars sounded good to me. I did a lot of roots and 3rds. |
Same story for me...
I transitioned to pedals by playing a modified C13 tuning,with"AB" pedals to get some cliche pedal licks.
I will use pedals together with slants even now.. |
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