The Steel Guitar Forum

My problem is not one of resentment, but some of the people that I play with give me the impression that it's a nuisance when I bring it to a gig. It's just one more guitar that takes up space.

I look at that this way,who ever pays me is the boss and I`m working for him.If I can do what he needs me to do (and I`ll try my best to do so)its cool,but if I can`t do what he pays me to do, I`ll go and look for another job.

Drummers can be a problem. They haven't sat around practicing to Ray Price and Buck Owens records for years like we have, so sometimes they don't know what to do and have to be told. I think a lot of them learn on the bandstand rather than at home with their Victrola.

C#<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Cal Sharp on 09 February 2003 at 08:43 PM.]</p></FONT>

I think that either a singer or a band has a vision of them with a steel guitar contributing to the sound of the group. If this is not the case then how can they deal with the pressense of a steel guitar?

I reread my above post and I want to emphasize that I'm not picking on drummers. I have to put myself in the group that has to be corrected sometimes (heck, don't we all?). There have been times when I've been hired to play bass and I've needed some direction. If a song calls for a root and five but I'm walking like mad, for goodness sake, tell me!!

Several things come to mind. First you get to
sit down and you have more toys and money
invested which gets the drummer.Your rig is
louder when your cruising than the guitar
player and you can put him in his place at
will.Your keyboard player is wondering when
he'll get fired cause they hear you playing
the big chords. I personally think the Lead vocalist
and bass players like us.My lead vocalist did.She married me. Job security.

I gotta go with Mike Johnson on this one. I really can't remember a situation where I was not treated very respectfully. I have played with a couple of players that overplayed, but that showed disrespect to the whole band, not just me...

In spite of my post above which was meant to be humorous rather than a slam at guitar players, I have had the extreme pleasure of working with some of the greatest guitar players around, Joe Settlemiers and Jesse "Ed" Davis for example, and most of them have always treated me with the utmost of mutual respect.

Many times they have "deferred" to me to take a lead when I had no idea where I was going, and I would have given my nights pay to have them do it instead!

We are all in this music game together and if we don't support each other, we all lose! www.genejones.com

reply to "What's wrong with us?"....O C D, other wise known as
"Obsessive,Compulsive,Disorder",mingled with a love of something that makes hauntingly beautiful sounds.
~~W.C.~~

Back In the 50's when I played we all tryed to play and sing It as close to the record as we could. People that are out listening and dancing to music know how the record sounds and If you don't sound like the record...you don't know how to play. And I think that would hold true today as well.

Bob

I think it has more to do with the caliber and experience of the players you're playing with than anything. I've had hundreds of sit in jobs where the other lead players made room for me, with solos and fills being joyously tossed back and forth, spontaneous harmony lines, and large fun had by all with the crowd picking up on it big time, and a few situations where the band played as if I weren't even there, with not a single solo or shred of spare space alotted for the steel. I get the feeling that those types of pickers have their niche all planned out, and anything new in the mix is very threatening to their ego and self-image. I just don't come back for seconds on a gig like that. By far most of the lead guitarists I run into are fascinated and very respectful of steel guitar, and MORE than glad to share stage time with me. In most cases we're trying to "serve the song" anyway and the musical cooperation takes care of itself. It's certainly obvious that the less bandstand experience a player has, the more likely they are to walk on other players.

I would think the more toward "professional" playing you do--the less likely you will become envolved in the problems. It all goes back to whether the band members know how to play music together or just do their own thing. I have known many many players that could flat get all over their instuments but would be totally out of their league when playing with others in a band setting. When ever I encountered a situation like that, I'd just lay low and not hit a lick and sooner or later someone would notice ( well--sometimes they would ) -

Hi,
My name is Melinda. I am a new steel player and I am new to here.
I already play guitar and fiddle. I play in a band from Tacoma, WA. I don't know what it is with band politics. I usually don't seem to see what it is about.
When a few of ours start even looking towards fighting over something we tell them to shut up and play or we'll kill them.
It works. You should try it.
Our drummer is a really cool guy and writes a lot of the songs. From what I have heard, we are lucky. But ya know, I have met other drummers for roots music bands around here and they seem just as loyal and as smart as our guy.
Maybe we're making generalizations or maybe I just live in a good area. I've never gigged in somewheres like Nashville. Maybe it's different there.
Melinda
PS I play anything on fiddle. I belong to a professional symphony.

Being on both sides of the fence here, I'm a lead guitarist and a John Hughey clone wanabe, I always give right away to my current Steel man John Gudgel. About 5 times through out the night I'll introduce him and give him an extra ride. I'm into music emotion, every time we do "He stopped lovin' her today" Johnny makes me wana cry. Why would anyone want to be cheated out of that powerful kind of emotion. To me having a steel in the band is more important than a vocalist. I use music to form my vision of a song not just the words.

tom. i have had the pleasure of sitting in with u and your group. didnt see a problem then. u played smooth and very touching on all i have done with y'all. saw no problems at that time. has things changed or u speaking of other groups u play with? jealousy is the biggest factor with a lead guitar player. been there. too many brent mason wannabees showoffs. they think. lol. take care. tell all i said hi. come see us. bill

Mike Perlowin ,hit it right on thr head. Human nature, Me Mee MEEE ME , I dont need you I1m here

R, L.

So-called "musicians" who say they don't like the steel guitar don't bother me in the least. It's a waste of time because all they are doing is showing their ignorance. True musicians (at least the ones I know and respect) care about the music and the musicianship first and everything else is not important.

It is my humble opinion that if a band does not want a steel player in the group, they shouldn't hire one. At the same time the steel player has the option to say "I don't want to play where there is no understanding of what I am doing"! The steel player has the obligation to find out what the band leader of group leader or group expects his/her participation to be. The steel should contribute to the overall musical style and effectiveness of the band and not detract from it. The key to being a good musician is knowing when "not" to play. Being a band leader and learning steel player, I understand the desire to show what I can do but, I also realize that overplay has substantial negative effect on a listening audience. A band is a team and each member has a part in the delivery of the product (in this case music). I try to keep that in mind everytime I step on the bandstand.

I think it's wonderful that musicians in one area have SO many steel players that they can just piss off one at will because they can always replace him.
I wish it was so here in the NW. I think there are a dozen steel players in Washington. Half of them are probably beginners.
You can't get one for session work because we tried! That is why I have decided to take up the steel mainly.
If people don't like you as a steel problem, they should think of the less fortunate and give the steel players to bands who really want them.
Melinda

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Just remember: Bi-valves can't play steel. And if they ask, just say no.

I do all the booking for our little "band." The guys call me "The Silver Tongued Devil," (or STD for short ) because I can talk my way into anything. We have fun, and most everything every member of the band has to offer is listened to. I think that's because we're all friends, and we want the best for the band. That's a lot different than just getting in with a group of people that don't know each other. There's always that pi$$ing contest going on about who's the better musician, and who knows the most about the genre.