The Steel Guitar Forum

Steve

"Too Country" is what I like.
I like your approach to the E9th.
You have your own unique sound.

Rick
www.rickjohnsoncabs.com

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>
WHAT ??? No Country? No Western Swing ??? What would be the point of anything ?
What if there be no air to breathe ? No summer sunshine, no grass, no trees ???
No love, no passion, no one to care ?
Life would be cold, so dark, so bare.
I would be lost, with nothing to console !
</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think Ed is being optomistic!!!

i got into steel about the same way
steve h did as i also am a tele player
i like steel in about all types of music
but country is my pick of it all
by the way steve did you play on
be your man?
what a cool tune

<SMALL>And country players think it's the non-country folks fostering an "us vs them" attitude.</SMALL>

Well - it seems to me that one should expect the occasional hardline reaction from the "country folks" in a thread with its main premise stated as "No Country Allowed!!".

If you think such hardline comments are an overreaction - well, maybe they are. But I believe there is a lot of negativity in the culture about traditional country music and its culture. There's been a war of culture and values going on in the US for a long time now, and it's not just one side doing the squawking. IMHO, of course.

I would definitely still be playing. I always loved the sound of it, but I didn't even listen to country music until I bought a steel. I only started listening because that was the best place to hear it done right, now I love it. I think it was Steely Dan (Skunk) that really sold me on the steel...

Gabriel

Can anybody say "Hawaiian"? That's what I

learned on.

which country?

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www.tyack.com

Well, with all due respect, Calvin, how about Bill Haley & the Comets?

Bite your lip, dude!!!!!
No country music, ha, that'll never happen, although, if you listen to or watch the opry it's pretty close right now!!

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If You Keep Pickin That Thing, It'll Never Heal!

Well, it's kind of a moot point because there is country & western music to be played, but if there were a particular playing opportunity for me that was non-country, I wouldn't bring my steel. Maybe jazz, if I knew how to properly do it.

Ha ha! This reminds me - once there was a studio owner that knew I played steel, and he wanted to hear it used on something... He suggested that I try to lay some steel down on a song for one of his hip-hop clients - like I say, he just wanted to hear that baby... I respectfully declined.

for James ...Bill who and the what????
for jim sliff, your to easy ...haha

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Mullen SD-10 3&5 / nashville 400

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Calvin Walley on 25 September 2006 at 07:31 PM.]</p></FONT>

I'm new to the whole thing on steel guitar has anyone been so overwhelmed you don't know which way is up. You play what you feel no matter what style are type of music, If you can play the melody the Steel will fit into any kind of music. Told to me by my Mentor. Hawaii is where the whole thing started from if my history is correct so what does that tell you.

"for jim sliff, your to easy ...haha"

Thanks Calvin - you proved a lot of my point just by that reply. In more ways than one.

And it's "you're" and "too"....plus "J" and "S"...

<SMALL>He suggested that I try to lay some steel down on a song for one of his hip-hop clients - like I say, he just wanted to hear that baby... I respectfully declined.</SMALL>

That's too bad, the kids need to hear real fingers playing real instruments, not a bunch of sequenced, pro tooled crap.

Steve H,ditto on the "too country" tag

personally,Id be out of a job....or brushing up on my 2 or 3 long-lost Haiwiian(sp?)chops. guess Id need to learn how to spell it again first.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mike Cass on 26 September 2006 at 01:15 AM.]</p></FONT>

At this point in time, the only time I play country music is at steel jams. I've gone off in a different direction entirely.

But had it not been for country music, I would my have taken up the study if the instrument in the first place.

For me country music was a place to start, not to end. I consider the years I spent gigging with country bands as going to school. Now I've graduated.

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Warning: I have a Telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 26 September 2006 at 08:38 AM.]</p></FONT>

<SMALL> Educational materials are 99% country</SMALL>

This is true, but I submit the thought that educational materials are only to get you started, and the REAL learning of this (or any other) instrument comes from going out and playing in a band.

Jim since you are still a beginner, I suggest you join a band ASAP. Doesn't matter what kind of music. Just get out there and start jamming and if possible gigging. <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mike Perlowin on 26 September 2006 at 04:33 AM.]</p></FONT>

Yo Mike - FWIW I finally have gotten together with my old band and jammed around (and found I could hold my own far better than I thought I could) on a mix of Burritos, Byrds, Stones, Cream..the gamut of weird classic rock and country-rock we played. So I might be back in real action soon, thankfully.

To touch again on the original question - the versatility of the steel is what would make it fine as an instrument if there were no country or swing tunes/bands. The instrument is just a raw tool - the style is up to the player.

Like others posted, I played other instruments prior to playing steel but, for the most part I'm considered a Country Player and Koun-tree person to the core.

However music is such a universal language, and the steel guitar such an expressive instrument that it can be adapted to many music forms. Alot depends on the ability and creativity of the artist. In other words it's in the hands of the player. Could Buddy Emmons play anything other than Country? Well, that question should answer itself. He would have as been a profound a player if he'd played a washboard, whether it was in a city auditorium or a country barn. How many are in agreement with that statement?

Next, I listen to and enjoy all types of music. Why? Because it opens up all kinds of doors for me! I played Gospel and mainly Praise and Worship Music for several years. The steel fit perfectly and when I played in churches they loved it! Many had no idea what a steel guitar was, and it blew their minds. I had a ball and enjoyed playing for JESUS. I still do play when invited to churches. But I don't invite myself, I let GOD open the doors. It works best that way.

Back to your question/post. Dig in there and don't be afraid to try new venues. You will surprise yourself and others.

May GOD bless you!

Terry

Terry,
Very good post.
"Give praises to the Lord on an INSTRUMENT OF 10 STRINGS" (Psalms 33:2)

<SMALL> Does that make me wide versus deep? Or, deep versus wide? </SMALL>

If you don't keep hangin' out at those Mexican restaurants, Dennis buddy, you'll be both wide AND deep.

You know I'm just giving you a hard time. You play a lot of instruments and play them ALL well, because you're talented and musical knowledge is carried from instrument to instrument.

Anyway, about this thread -- I can only speak for myself, but I would never have gravitated to steel if I hadn't heard Herbie and BE's knockout jazz and western swing played on it. Western swing melds both county and jazz, so that hybridization complicates the question.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Dirk B on 26 September 2006 at 08:55 AM.]</p></FONT>

Calvin, I must take exception to your workbench comment.

I defy you to listen to these 2 MP3s from my West Side Story CD and tell me that they are not a legitimate use of the steel guitar in a non-country context.
http://www.perlowinmusic.com/Track10.mp3 (Maria)
http://www.perlowinmusic.com/Track14.mp3
(The Jets Are Gonna have Their Way Tonight.)


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Warning: I have a Telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

Wouldn't it be nice to go back to when songwriters use to write more than three words for a song. (Ba donka donk). I can just hear some player soloing this song at a Steel show.

I grew up in Massachusetts and I recall having to listen to country music real quiet so that no one would report it to the police. When neighbors would come by we would hide the records in a secret cubby hole until the they left. Thank God I moved away from there.

I would love it if there were no country music or western swing. I will still play and I would be able to first invent western swing and then invent country music. Think about how famous I would be then! Hahahaha!

M.

Mike - your point is excellent.

The Pedal Steel Guitar is a legitimate musical instrument...suitable for many genres other than traditional Country and Western or Hawaiian music. <period>

IMHO, those that are not aware of it's (PSG) capabilities in the right hands, are deprived of so much.

I wish that the select few that refuse to accept it as anything but a "Country 4/4 shuffle sound effects machine" had a chance to hear it played in other ways.

This being said, I love the PSG in the Country Genre (I really, really do) but I also greatly appreciate other forms of music being played on any instrument. The PSG is merely a musical instrument...no different than a piano or guitar..meaning that it is.... extremely versitile based on the music context.

~~ Flame suit is on ~~

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Tim Harr on 27 September 2006 at 07:09 AM.]</p></FONT>