The Steel Guitar Forum

How the hell did you know I was sleeping. Who told you. What's his name. HA! HA!
Thanks for the comment, I think.

David,

Sleeping at the steel is becoming more of a problem with each passing day. Those who have matured are finding solace cuddled up to their steel guitars. There are multitudes of players in their late 70's who started to play in the 40's and 50's, right after World War 2 ended. Certain medications prescribed for that age group could be the culprits. Many side effects include sleep inducement. Oh,to be in my youth once more.

duplicate post

tbhenry,

Mild forms of psychological ploys are common among players of steel guitars; the latest in the form of deleting a paragraph, or two, from a thread. It is also a common practice to become inquisitive about inadvertencies. I peeked into your profile as I often do in most instances, in an effort to learn more about exemplary statuses that may exist. As my eyes casted a glance at your profile, a thought that has lingered much too long became activated. Everyone should know that steel guitarists work very well with "guitarist's" accompaniments. The typical expose', if I may note, is that famous introduction, usually followed by an artist's quick mincy steps up to the mike. Suddenly, we are aware that the singer is holding a sought after (by collector's) instrument. There is one BIG problem that unfolds at that very moment. The singer/strummer reaches for the "CAPO" as a crutch, much like shifting gears in a standard transmission. With the neck of the guitar bearing the artist's name, the "CAPO" reduces the chances for favorable critiques and/or postulations. My thoughts about the "CAPO", now popularized beyond belief, suggests trying to play a "C" chord position anywhere on the fretboard. It also depresses the mile high action on guitars purchased at random outlet centers. In actuality, there isn't a shred of evidence that illustrates advanced lead players using a "CAPO" to back singers on or off stages. I welcome your comments.

Whiskey
Tango
Foxtrot.

Never in my life have I experienced such diversification. Groping for explanations is a lost cause. Recounting words that do tend to be abrasive, such as "saving face", are merely a way of life. I've lived through challenges much too tough to be dealt with, even for reasons of "saving face". It has been suggested that I contribute to other threads. For that reason, I stumbled into another catchy question, by answering too quickly for effects. I always thought that "saving face" was something we do more often than not. I could be wrong.

Bill Hankey wrote: In actuality, there isn't a shred of evidence that illustrates advanced lead players using a "CAPO" to back singers on or off stages.

That's just not true, as any working player on the road or in the studio can tell you, lots of the top lead players use capos when the situation calls for them.

Pete,

Years ago, my mom purchased for me an old Unity guitar when I was eleven years old. I was in The Fairview Hospital at the time. She never told me who the previous owner was, which is always a disappointment never knowing pertinent details as one grows older. I lost it in a Sheffield MA, Berkshire County Accident. I had loaned it reluctantly, after resisting the request by a family member to borrow the instrument to take to a party. It never came back via the way that it went. It was never seen again. Whoever previously owned the guitar, was equipped with conversion necessities to play Dobro style music. The components were neatly
placed in the box,under the neck of the instrument. And, OH YES! That dreaded "CAPO" made of twisted steel wire that opened to facilitate placing it thoughtlessly on the neck of the guitar, was also in the little compartment. While I'm writing this, I'm trying to picture Segovia, or Atkins for that matter fumbling around with artifices that detract IMMENSELY from a stellar performance. It simply cheapens the concept of mastery of the instrument. It's not clever! I would suggest going straight to the problem. CHECK THE NECK!! Find someone who is skilled in separating a good neck from a poor neck. From there, don't assume that the action is up to standards. Segovia was a stickler for keeping the thumb on the bottom of the guitar neck. He didn't need a "capo". His barre chords were of the best in the world. I would greatly appreciate viewing some clips of champions such as Leon Rhodes, Atkins, Travis, or whomever in their class of pickers resorting to "capo" usages. The guitar simply was not intended for the obvious reasons of placing the "capo" as demonstrated. I'm led to believe that the charm of "open" strings has created a bad habit, that suggests a much deeper involvement in attempting to leap walls, rather than finding a ladder. I played in a band with a guitarist whose favorite capo comment was; "Mention Bb, and you can hear the capos popping out." Rather humerous, don't you think?

Okay, whatever...

A "shred of evidence"? Here's a few "advanced lead players":
Jerry Reed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EdS_Vuz65s

Tony Rice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPiOAK08-a4

Vince Gill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZNVRruoiS4

he is pretty good

depends who are we talking about, if I`m talking about the dentist who is about to do a root canal on me , I wouldn`t be too excited....

Db

Pete,

Focusing on Jerry Reed for a few moments, if you would. I'll be pulling up a few You Tubes with Jerry and Chet doing some serious picking. I need to see how versatile his capo became when Chet launched a series of stretch chords under his intense observation of a true master technician. Glen Campbell, a hot picker in the flat pick series of pickers, would no doubt help to bring about actions on Jerry's part, (especially with the lady singing between them) that became a bit risque'. I doubt if the image represents Jerry's serious attempt to impress. Playing the "C" position with the use of the capo is a big turnoff. It appears to be more of the clowning around in the presence of Glen.

Bill, a lot of great players use a capo, and THAT IS A FACT! Is it that hard to just admit that without changing the subject???

Pete,

Thanks for stating that which you obviously feel is an appropriate method of playing the Spanish guitar. If I could ask your indulgence just once, by checking the YOU TUBE VIDEO called Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins playing "Jerry's Breakdown". Then step up to the mike and assert that capos would have improved their performances. If you do, "I'll Shut Up My Mug".

That's a ridiculous argument; no one is saying that any given performance would be improved with a capo, that's not the point at all (though if you'd asked Chet and Jerry to play the same tune a half step higher you can bet they'd either retune or use a capo!). The point is, there are times when playing certain styles in certain keys where many, many great players find capos useful. You argued that no "advanced lead players' would use a capo, and that is just untrue, and it's easy to prove that top players sometimes use them because unlike many of your sweeping assertions it IS A FACT! (FWIW Chet may not have used one a lot but he did on occasion). You want to talk about why you personally don't like capos, fine; no argument from me. But of course that's not what you said...

But there is really no point in trying to have an "intelligent" discussion with someone who usually can't be bothered to show even the minimal respect of replying to a direct question. Instead as usual you change the subject and/or ignore anything that doesn't support your arguments. There are many discussions here on the forum that get way more heated than this one, but even then I think people almost always at least try and show each other the respect of acknowledging and responding to the other's actual ideas even when they violently disagree. Yet even that minimal bit of mutual respect seems to be beyond you; you only ignore the actual points anybody makes and/or condescend to anyone that doesn't jump in and agree with whatever you say.

Have a nice day, I've got better things to do...

Pete,

I took note that you didn't offer to state that a capo would have improved their performance. So therefore, the matter is dropped. That is a strong argument that is indicative of someone who would go to any length to get in range of the machinery, with the old monkey wrench. Now, it's back to concentrating on getting set to sit in with a local band whose members want to hear some of the earlier songs in country music. I'll be giving my homemade steel a good workout.

Jerry Douglas uses a capo on his dobro, I guess he is not that good either...
I guess Jerry Reed Hubbart was good enough to play on TV and record with the great Chet Atkins but is really not that good.....

Db

Wow, I just had a conversation with an audience member about this very thig! He is a good friend, so I wasn't worried that I'd make him mad. When he complimented our band, he said "You guys sound pretty good tonight" I told him "PRETTY GOOD? thats like telling your new bride on your wedding night, (as you light up..if you get my drift)'WELL, GEE HONEY.. THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD'" Probably not realizing it wasn't going to be taken as a compliment.
We had a good laugh, and he told me "NO, what I mean to say is, you guys sound damn good"

You're right, "to each his own" but as for me, I'll either tell someone they sound great, or I won't say anything. And,...I'm not even a Steel player.

I think we all like to be complimented, and recognized for our ability, so now if someone says, "You guys are great", or "You guys sound pretty good", my responce is the same..."It's not my fault!" We have a laugh, and I say "Thank you".

I would say "really good" before I say "pretty good", that way there is no doubt

David Biggers has the best comeback with “He’s pretty good” “ Bite me.”

Bo Legg,

There is something about your caricature depicting a well dressed party pooper dressed to kill, and drowning in calories and coffee. That messy donut should be walked away from in that garb. It really boils down to a form of ridicule, that is not a favorable auspice. The last thing that I would choose to do, is tamper with the rights of others. That "avatar" would be best "suited" for an expensive glossy pages magazine advertising a particular brand of donuts. It suggests a "rub" by "immersing" conjectures into serious exchanges. "CAPOS" are not a "MAN" thing. They're not cute.. on the contrary,they are rather distracting from the element of professional stage presences. The ladies who are featured "guitarists" find capos to be a necessary support system. There are great numbers of female entertainers who actually walk on stage and commence to whip out the capos. For those who are familiar with pitch changes on the steel guitar, resulting from advancing the "bar" up the neck, capos are intended for the same purpose. As a matter of fact, I once made a movable capo for the steel guitar neck. When it became difficult to hear the harmonic effects of the band/steel guitar, the capo could make certain changes by advancing it a silly iota beneath the strings. I have since abandoned that procedure in favor of looking for the culprit base note that is causing a disruption of harmonic effects.

So with that sort of logic, Bill, I assume pedals and knee levers are "cheating" and only used by girlie men whereas real men play non-pedal steel and do it all with bar slants.

CAPOS" are not a "MAN" thing

Have you considered how many guitar playing forumites use a capo at least once in a while? Probably most of us I bet... So between that, and those of us who bend strings (which you consider abuse of the instrument), and playing steel with fingerpicks (which you have denigrated though most of the greats do of course) I'll bet there's only a handful on the whole forum that you haven't belittled by letting us know how pitifully misguided we are. In this case you clearly know better about how guitar should be played than Jerry Reed, Tony Rice, Vince Gill or Chet Atkins and thousands of others...

Incredible, but really just pitiful and sad IMHO...

it's ridiculous to belabor fellow steel players. If I resorted to that, I would rather quit this forum

Really, you would...?

"CAPOS" are not a "MAN" thing. They're not cute.. on the contrary,they are rather distracting from the element of professional stage presences...

It simply cheapens the concept of mastery of the instrument.

For those who are familiar with pitch changes on the steel guitar, resulting from advancing the "bar" up the neck, capos are intended for the same purpose.

So Bill, from these quotes one would assume you don't use a bar while playing steel since by your own words it serves "the same purpose" as a capo? This just gets more and more interesting...

Funniest thing I was ever told about my playing came out of the mouth of a Female Folk singer from the Northeast. After our last set she walks up, hugs me and told me my Steel playing was " Really Bitchin"
Never knew how to take that.

Pete,

Please refrain from misquotes! I can't allow anyone to misquote me at my expense. I'm referring to the above quote containing the word "belabor". Please direct me to the page so that I may see for myself what was actually said. I have no idea without making inquiries about what you stand for. If you are indeed associated with Patty Loveless, all bets are off. I'm inclined to be disputatious, but absolutely never to cloud my respect for the first lady of country. Patty is my all-time favorite, singing or representing the good of country music.