The Steel Guitar Forum

If you are left-handed, should you practice with your right brain?

Jack Byrd,

What an absolute honor to open the thread, and find your reply. The well written article, portrays one of the most respected musicians in the world today. How very thoughtful of you to share those earlier times, and express with great dignity, Jerry's determination to play the steel guitar. I know that Jerry recorded the song called, "Among My Souvenirs". Listening to the harmonics in the recording, is reason enough, to justifiably refer to Jerry as the "Master Of Touch And Tone". Please give Jerry my warmest regards.

Bill H.

If one combines desire & ability, one gets desirability.

(Just havin' some fun, but there's some truth to it, too.)

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<font size=-1>Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?</font>

Mr Byrd,

Exactly.

When the Desire is planted firmly enough it just never washes out.

If it fades, it will always brighten again.

Many other things don't seem to.

Ability will follow as our mortality allows I suppose.

Thanks for the story.



EJL

Randy B.,

After going back to scrutinize your reply, to look for valuable pointers in the art of playing steel guitar, a thought entered my mind. As my concentration shifted to dwell on its immediate values, I quickly realized that I should test the notion, by referring to it in this reply. I feel that high on the list of prerequisites, that are directly related to artistic steel guitar performances, looms the important physiological aspects of each player. Uninjured fingers, which are capable of string spanning all strings on the fretboard, with ease, is a big plus in chordal selectivity. Close observations of size differences, of the fingers and hands, will support this concept. Further, there is a direct line of communication between the mind, and the hands. It's common knowledge, but going one step beyond that bit of knowledge, would bring to the light, that which points to quick responses between mind and fingers. Any form of sluggishness would tend to thwart the best efforts made by an individual, attempting to reach a higher level of playing. The almighty REFLEXES are at the very root of the learning processes. My statement is concerned with string spannings, in relation to the size of hands, coupled with fine tuned reflexes.

Bill H.

Bill, you are correct that the physical ability has to be as "fluid" as the ideas coming in. I for one know this first "hand." I've done construction for a living most my life, drywall. I started working with my dad in the summers when I was 9 years old. I also started playing steel when I was 9. During this 38 years the injuries have been many, including almost cutting my left thumb off. Add to this about 3 "vacations" where I didn't play my guitar for sometimes almost 5 years, 1995 to 2000 was the last "time out." The last was at an age when it was alot harder to get my right hand back. I really wondered if it would come back at all the last time.

I've found some specific exercises that allowed me to get that stiffness out of my hand. With me it didn't require strength but flexibility, working my fingers through a full range of motion. I would, and still do, take 2 golf balls and rotate them around each other in the palm of my hands. I was actually amazed at how fast my right hand got back into shape this last time. It did go through a period where it was sore from doing this, but that soon passed when I got used to the movement. I can do this now for a few minutes, and when I sit down to play, it feels like I've already been playing a few hours.

Nothing will take the place of countless hours behind your guitar practicing to develop skills, but I'm convinced that not all practice is equal. I had the advantage growing up to play 2 or three nights a week, 4 hours at a time as practice. Even then I felt I would learn more in one night of playing live than I would from practicing all week in the living room. At this point in my life, I'm just not willing to do that anymore. I go to bed early, wake up early, and the smoke bothers me alot more today.

I haven't listened to radio in 15 years, literally. When I'm asked if I've heard of someone new, or a certain lick that someone played on a hit song my answer is always no. I really have not. However I'm not influenced by anything that is going on today either, which is good for me. I get more pure joy out of playing now than I ever have. Because of this, I've had times this year I've literally spent 30 to 40 hours a week practicing. I would get on something creative, and I couldn't wait to get back to my guitar. I've never had the passion for playing that I have today.

I have gotten off the dexterity subject I know, but there is a point to be made here. Which comes first, "The chicken or the egg?" Does someone play well because of their dexterity, or does the dexterity just come from all the countless hours of practicing at something one truly loves? Without being in the frame of mind I'm in, I won't put in the time behind the guitar to develop the skills. And all this comes without a care in the world of whether or not I make a penny at it, or even progress.

I may get a little "lengthy" in my responses, but my perspective has changed over the years, and I've had alot of time to think about the "whys."

With regard to dexterity and warming up: As a bluegrass player, speed and dexterity on mandolin and lead guitar is crucial. I found that soaking my hands in very warm water, stretching, and exercising the fingers, hands, and wrists improved my speed and dexterity. Squeezing a rubber ball or similar object was a suitable exercise. I am not sure this would apply to steel guitar playing, but it might be worth a try. It is reasonable to think that being in good physical condition overall would benefit the pedal steel guitarist given that playing the pedal steel is a very physical process involving both hands, arms, fingers, legs, feet, ankles, eyes, and ears. No wonder this is the most expressive instrument in the known universe!



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Terry Edwards
Fessy D-10; Nash 1000
Martin D-21; Flatiron F-5

Randy B.,

I want to be quick with my response, to show my appreciation for your in-depth contributions to this thread. Many points that you've made clear, can be appreciated by those who have been in similar situations.
Some of the players get caught-up in the nerve/tendon quandary. Others are bedeviled with some form of arthritis. Any individual can easily create the condition called tendonitis, by forgetting where the toolbox is located. Using the thumb and index finger in substitution for a small vise is unwise, as is reaching for pliers, that subsequently put maximum stress on tendons. As a word of caution, insist on a self-disciplinary routine of using proper tools, to gain all the leverage needed, to cope with ANY situation. The law of leverage is a mechanical advantage, unparalleled when applied properly.

When you referred to the hand excercises, I hastily recalled experimenting with a weight-lifter's
spring-loaded hand exercise. I reasoned that it would build the muscles required to get the picking action in good shape. It turned out to be an erroneous notion. The aftereffect from stretching tendons and musculature was not good. My fingers started to lock down, as in trigger finger. The frightening experience put a hold on that idea, and I have gone about evaluating just what had taken place in the exercise.

I want to avoid openly finding fault with smokers, simply because it would create illwill, and their numbers are so great, that the situation has become hopeless. I did the same as you, I surrendered my struggles, TRYING to avoid them, and I put up a whale of a fuss, when someone tries to pull me into smoky circles. I think of fire extinguishers, and water hoses, but then I remember, if $50.00 a carton doesn't alter a smoker's determination to keep puffing, nothing under the sun will correct the terrible habit.

Bill H.

(Edited to correct grammatical errors) <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 26 August 2003 at 01:12 PM.]</p></FONT>

I recently had a music teacher who plays bass. He had these two steel ball like big ball bearings I would see him rotating in his hand once in a while. I specifically asked him about it. He said he does it to increase his dextarity. Thanks for reminding me Randy. That certinly could be a little exercise that could be done not only daily but on the way to a gig.
It's so informative what people have to say when inspired by a thought provoking question. A conundrum that takes many many thoughtful responses to even scratch the surface.

I also tried the spring loaded hand trainers. I had broken the bone that runs from the little finger to the wrist on my right hand. After everything had healed it was weak, and just plain hurt to grip something or play steel. A short time after using it the pain stopped and I regained full use.

About a year ago I was in a golf shop and I saw this rubber squeeze ball that had lead shot in it. It weighs 1 lb. You can squeeze in to a shape and it stays there until you squeeze it into another. I kept it in the truck and would use it when I was driving. I started noticing my speed was getting slower, not the truck, my picking. I had just overworked the muscles in my forearm by squeezing that ball. I quit using it and my speed came back to where it was.

By rotating the golf balls in your palm you're going through a full range of motion that promotes flexability. When I first started using them my forearm did get sore but it didn't hurt my speed. I think it helped it.

Warm water is good, especially in cold weather, to loosen your hands up. But I don't think it will do any more than that. The muscles that control our fingers are in the forearms. I think whatever exercise we do should not be so strenuous it builds up lactic acid. That is what causes the stiffness and the slower response. But if we do, it should go away in a few days.

It's unfortunate that our own bodies cannot give us a "printout" of what we need to heal whatever is ailing. Goodness knows that millions of dollars are spent in emergency rooms, by those who would wisely, rather be safe, than sorry. The problem with that system is that hardly ever, do they, who are in charge, at the care units, ever send you home with vital information. If the problem is a muscle tear, or a gouty affliction, tendonitis or whatever, you will be sent home with a prescription, and instructed to see your caregiver. Therefore the self-help issue, may very well be something to consider. Anyone can attest to the controversies that appear in publications every now and then, proving that all is not well with the high standards, set forth by policy makers. Lately, it's difficult to keep up with what THEY decide is in the best interest of the populace; in general. There is a connection between this morass of understating, and overstating, that affects the most treasured parts of the musician's body; his/her fingers. Proper nourishment may very well be at the top of the list, in maintaining flexibility, endurance, and good health. Very little is gained when an individual chooses to ignore warning labels. It's best to weigh them out carefully, and try to make wise decisions.

Bill H <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 27 August 2003 at 09:29 AM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 28 August 2003 at 01:40 AM.]</p></FONT>

On a similar thought of Mr. Byrd. A bunch of friends and I were in St. Louis I think about 10 yrs ago. To make a long story short "Big E" yes Buddy Emmons came up to his room at his request to show him a few pointer on playing Travis style licks on his steel he had set up in the room. Buddy would up staying at least 45 min. playing non stop and I could see the incredable pleasure absolutely radiating for him while he played. Even after all the years he has played the wonder of the instrument was still totally consuming to him. I swear I still get goose bumps and funny feeling even now writing to you about it. All of the greats must have that burning desire way beyond the average person. Damm, I think there were at least 2 or 3 cameras in that room and not a person took a single picture.