'No, Not the pedal steel guitar, I hate that instrument'

Ellis Miller · Post by **Ellis Miller** » 20 Feb 2011 6:53 am

Mike Perlowin wrote: I was thinking of having a suit made for me by Lady Gaga's costume designer.

She went to one venue dressed in meat, showed up to another in an egg. Go her one better... show up as a Dennys Grand Slam.

Seriously, Mike, I would go for it. You have gotten some very good advice as to how to deal with conductors etc. Noting ventured nothing gained.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 20 Feb 2011 7:30 am

My advice: go easy on the effects (leave the fuzz-tone at home).

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 20 Feb 2011 9:18 am

Within the jazz circle of critique: playing on top of the pickup, glisses, slurs (instead of picking the note) are definite turn-offs.

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 20 Feb 2011 9:34 am

As a jazz steel guitarist, I had a parallel experience WITHIN the steel guitar circle: A few years ago, I was a member of a SG Club (name-not important). The officer eM me and said maybe you can come and play for the group sometime, and if you have a tape, send it to me. I sent my album, The Dr. of Steel; a couple of months later, I wrote back and asked if he received it; he said yes, but it was so low I could not HEAR IT. I sent another; never heard back; I resigned my membership. I suppose the point is that if you're not in THEIR GROOVE, or something is above their head, go somewhere else!

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 20 Feb 2011 9:34 am

As a jazz steel guitarist, I had a parallel experience WITHIN the steel guitar circle: A few years ago, I was a member of a SG Club (name-not important). The officer eM me and said maybe you can come and play for the group sometime, and if you have a tape, send it to me. I sent my album, The Dr. of Steel; a couple of months later, I wrote back and asked if he received it; he said yes, but it was so low I could not HEAR IT. I sent another; never heard back; I resigned my membership. I suppose the point is that if you're not in THEIR GROOVE, or something is above their head, go somewhere else!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 20 Feb 2011 9:43 am

This is the piece I'm going to play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5QAKup4 ... re=related

There are a lot of places where slurs and slides are totally appropriate. And at about 16 or 17 seconds in, there's a place where I hit strings 5,6, and 8 with the pedals up and them mash them (simultaneously, not one at a time,) and it sounds right to my ears. It also sounded right to the ladies in my trio, and to the audiences at all our performances.

Slurs, slides and even pedal licks are not a problem. The problem is when they are used inappropriately. It's a matter of knowing when and when not to use them.

It's a judgment call. I have to rely on my own sense of what is and is not appropriate. As I said earlier, I want to be true to both the nature of the music, and the nature of the steel guitar.

Jim Hoke · Post by **Jim Hoke** » 20 Feb 2011 10:45 am

"Bach him into a corner" - good one. Well Mike, the pressure's on but I think you can Handel it. Just let that pompous dork Ravel in your sumptuous tone. Steel will be high on his Liszt. Really, good luck dude - put it on 'em with tone. I've found that not all orchestra-types are stodgy conservatives. You get some of these younger, more open-minded guys in there who aren't set against anything new or different, especially if it might put a few more butts in symphony hall seats. Oh, I see you've uploaded the piece you'll play. Gonna check it out. Go put it on 'em my friend. Let us know what happens.....

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 20 Feb 2011 12:23 pm

b0b wrote:My advice: go easy on the effects (leave the fuzz-tone at home).

Mark Butcher · Post by **Mark Butcher** » 20 Feb 2011 1:56 pm

Thats a beautiful piece Mike. Who's marking time you or him?

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 20 Feb 2011 6:59 pm

Mike i hope this makes you feel better and my story is a bit dry, but i had a chance to play steel guitar at a university situation like yours,i had to decline because i can't play anything except flat ass country on the E9, and i said, 'Oh man i couldn't do that i woulnd't have a clue. He sent a message through my wife, that i'll do just fine, I slowly eased away into the woods to avoid pressered embarrasement.
Mike; Don't worry about this 'PONCY POOF' At least you can play in an orchestra, we'd all like to have your problem.

Mike Eisler · Post by **Mike Eisler** » 20 Feb 2011 11:31 pm

I have played five-string banjo and fiddle in bluegrass bands for over 45 years and have run into very similar situations. Classical music circles is where I have found that attitude the most. I think they are more insecure than one might think and this reaction is just a way of protecting their small piece of turf. I also believe that with the demographic changes occuring in this country the entertainment industry is pandering to other types of music than that which originated in the U.S.A. Many folk music associations seem to lean towards music from any country other than ours.

Mike Eisler

Barry Hyman · Post by **Barry Hyman** » 21 Feb 2011 6:19 pm

Music without bended notes is like beer without hops. Or salsa without pepper...

Pedal steel guitar is too beautiful for some people to handle, that's all. Stop giving the classical people so much respect, Mike -- there are just as many fools in the classical music business as in any other business -- usually about 75%. Nice music, but a pretty silly business, if you ask me. They think they are superior to those of us who choose to play popular styles of music, but they are not. As soon as one musician condescends to another musician, you know who the fool is...

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 24 Feb 2011 6:51 am

Mike:
That attitude can be found in many places.
I was invited to a " back porch jam " I came early and set up my LeGrande lll. The first three guys through the door said " What in hell is that thing doing here ? Blue Grass folks don't want anything amplfied in their music. If we had a Capo then we might fit in. Learn three chord positions and slap on the Capo. Of course a PA is okay.
Go figure.
Old Bud

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 24 Feb 2011 10:58 am

...not unlike the opera folks who insist that there be NO MICROPHONES unless we can do it without anyone knowing about it....

David Hartley · Post by **David Hartley** » 25 Feb 2011 7:53 pm

Jody Sanders wrote:Hang in there Mike. Let 'em have it with both barrels. Jody.

I was going to say just that too!

admin · Post by **b0b** » 25 Feb 2011 8:07 pm

I saw Kronos Quartet in a small venue (a wine cellar) and they used amplification and in-ear monitors. Most classical music enthusiasts aren't opposed to electronics in modern concert music. I think that the older music sounds better unamplified, though. It helps to transport you mentally to the time when it was written.

If you're playing music from before the 20th century, you need to be very careful not to violate the expected aesthetic. Our instrument requires an amp, but does it require reverb (for example)? The amplified string can sound like a natural string, or it can sound like something from another world if you're not careful. My suggestion to leave the effects boxes at home was only half tongue-in-cheek.

Of course, Mike has enough good taste to know what's appropriate for his concert selection.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 25 Feb 2011 8:17 pm

Ok i'm back with an opinion, hee hee!! I think it is all a person opinionated situation, not a 'Musical style' opinion, now we are pigeon hole- ling this twat---- like he was pigeon hole-ling us as whining steel guitarist as i do!!

No seriously, are all brunette's great in bed?? I was chaired over the head by a beautiful brunette, but i also married a very sweeeeeeet brunette less pretty but... 'No chair'

Classical has it's anal-ness, just like we have ours, mike is dealing with an 'Individual' with attitude and ignorance, but let's not blame all composers and classical musicians because of this damnned knuckle head who needs to loosen up, suck down down a triple shot o 'Pendleton' and hear our mikey, who's a monster!!

David Rupert · Post by **David Rupert** » 25 Feb 2011 9:31 pm

This conductor, who hates pedal steel...& thinks they're limited, is "appearing"...like a real jack wagon! A real oxymoron statement! How many so-called instruments in a symphony orchestra, are TRULY limited? TONS!!!! Chimes, Tuba, French Horn, Kettle Drums, Bassoon...etc. Now these, are just a sample, of truly..."Limited Instruments." They do "season" the music, but..they are limited.
No way...is the Pedal Steel Guitar, a Limited Instrument!

I got a FB message, from a Legendary Rock Guitarist, the other day. I'm not going to mention his name, for "privacy reasons." He's played with many top notch musicians; such as Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Mountain, Rat Race Choir, John Entwistle...etc.
Anyway...I asked him, if he feels the Pedal Steel Guitar...is a Limited Instrument. I got the coolest reply letter. He says, he loves Pedal Steel...& is a fan of Robert Randolph, Joe Wright...etc.
He says..."The Pedal Steel...can ROCK OUT!!" He doesn't consider it...limited, at all. Cool eh?!

Best of luck...with the Symphony! I know, you'll do great...& make us proud.

Make 'em eat crow!

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 26 Feb 2011 9:25 am

On second thought, maybe you should break out the platform shoes, black leather & chain outfit, and put purple hair gel on to spike your.... oh shoot. At least stick a bone through your nose or sumptin'.

Whip Lashaway · Post by **Whip Lashaway** » 26 Feb 2011 5:54 pm

Mike, Is there any way this audition can be video'd? I'd love to be a "fly on the wall" when this happens. Maybe a minicam in your tonebar!!!

Glenn Thompson · Post by **Glenn Thompson** » 26 Feb 2011 7:15 pm

The audition was last Monday and we haven't heard from Mike. He must've got a full time job.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 27 Feb 2011 3:45 am

Glenn Thompson wrote:The audition was last Monday and we haven't heard from Mike. He must've got a full time job.

It's next Monday. The 28th. It was postponed for a week because last Monday was presidents day.

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 27 Feb 2011 7:01 am

It has been most interesting to observe the vehemence with which posters resent the narrow-minded, traditionalist posture of this conductor. It appears from these posts that you all deeply resent the idea that the steel guitar is limited to one genre and form of expression....

Well guess what!!???!!! THat is exactly how I and many other non-"TRADITIONAL COUNTRY" pedal steel players feel every time we open up this forum! You all might consider extending the same interest, courtesy, and encouragement to the pedal steel community that shares your love of the instrument but not your taste in music.

Good luck tomorrow Mike!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 27 Feb 2011 10:23 am

I have also noticed how much anger is directed at the conductor, and I have a question for you all to ponder: How can he be expected to not think of the steel as only a country instrument when he has only heard country music played on it?

Also, in his world he has to co-ordinate the efforts of dozens of musicians, and there is a standard system of communication that he and everybody else uses, that has been in place for hundreds of tears, that most steel players refuse to learn. I'm referring of course to conventional notation- reading music.

(Once again, I've written an article about how to read music on the E9 neck, which I will send for free to anybody who request it. Please send such requests via E-mail, not a PM. )

The refusal on the part of so many steel players to learn the written language that every trained musician uses has kept the steel guitar isolated from mainstream music. Now some here are angry that a mainstream musician doesn't know about it.

This conductor's attitude is a reaction to his experience. It's my job to provide him with a new one.

Thirty years ago Tom Bradshaw wrote an article in his" Steel Guitarist" magazine about how the the steel is stereotyped. That stereotype is starting to break down, (I like to think I'm helping,) but you can't fault people for believing what they have seen and heard for decades.

Obviously I want the gig. But beyond that, I want the guy to become my friend and mentor. I want him to take me under his wing and teach me about the art of playing with a conductor and orchestra, which I know nothing about. (I may change the guy's mind about the steel but still blow the audition because of my own ignorance and lack of experience in the area.)

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 28 Feb 2011 5:13 am

Brake-a-leg Mike , I have no doubt you will do fine

Hick

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'No, Not the pedal steel guitar, I hate that instrument'

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