Steel or no steel?

Rick Garrett · From: Tyler, Texas

I seem to have a dilema. I'm invited to a jam for some southern gospel stuff on Friday night. I'm anxious to go as its been a few months since I played out. Now for the problem. I can hold my own with acoustic no problem. Been working on C6th MSA SS 12 string lap steel for only a couple of months I guess. last time out with a steel I played along side a seasoned road vet and the result was an experience that I'll try to avoid for the rest of my life.

at that time I was playing some E9th pedal steel. Anyhow I don't know whether to take my lap steel or not. If I go with acoustic I'll not leave there embarassed. On the other hand if I don't start playing my lap steel outside of the practice room I won't be growing as a player as much as I'd like. Any advice for the new guy on the block? Thanks

Rick

Mark Eaton · Posted 25 Oct 2005 2:09 pm

1. Any idea how many other 6-string players will be there, acoustic or electric?

I was talking to my brother the other day, he's a not bad guitar player-but he will be the first to admit that there are legions of better guitarists-he said "it seems like everybody plays guitar these days."

2. You'll get points just for showing up with something as cool as a SuperSlide.

3. It's a gospel jam, nobody's getting paid-presumably everyone will be nice.

4. You're right-it is a good idea to step out of your comfort zone, you may surprise yourself in a pleasant way.

5. Bring 'em both, start with the steel. If you crash and burn, which I don't believe will happen, you can always fall back on the 6-string.

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Mark

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

Rick, I played, quit, then started again with a gospel group at a local church. If you want to be accepted by the group, learn to do harmonics instead of focusing on high end chords and scales. If the group you are to jam with are mostly string and bass guitar, ease in with some soft chord progressions (on the lower frets) but stay away from the long drawn out slides.

If your are more or less backing a pianist, throw in more than a few harmonics to accentuate the tone of the piano, which will at the same time, bring attention to the uniqueness of your instrument.

If the gospel group you are to jam with has horns, stay off anything above the 12th fret. Saxes, trombones and clarinets have a soft mellow tone so if you venture off in a long bar slide above the 12th fret, you will stick out like a sore thumb and get some very disgruntled stares.

Do everything you can to blend in rather than striving to be noticed with fancy steel work.

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 25 October 2005 at 04:05 PM.]

Jason Dumont · From: Bristol, Connecticut, USA

Hi Rick,
I was never good at improvising during jams. When I first started bringing my steel to open mics around here I would ask the other guys if they knew some of the songs I was comfortable playing. If they did, great but if it seemed I would be in trouble I'd stick to my accoustic. Later in the jam when I would feel warmed up and more relaxed I would attempt to break out the steel. You might want to try that approach.

Michael Aspinwall · From: Arizona, USA

I'll side with Mark & Jason on this one; bring 'em both. Could be some great musical chemistry going on there, but you'll never know 'til you try!

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Leave the six string at home[dont use as a crutch]Jump in headfirst with your SS,You will be surprised how much a little pressure will help.If you make a flub,so what.Next time around you will remember that flub and correct it.You will learn more setting in with a live band[in church or a club]in a week,than you will sitting at home playing alone for six months.If your with friends they will try to help and encourage you,instead of trying to intimidate you.Just jump in there ,pick,enjoy,and have a good time.

Randy Reeves · From: LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA

yep. bring the lap. you will find yourself thinking on your 'feet' and reacting quickly. you will learn so much about your steel.
also, everyone will love hearing another voice in the mix.
I jam regularly with my lap. it's in open G. I find that I can jam in almost any key now.

do it. and you'll never have doubts again.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

*

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 13 November 2005 at 12:24 PM.]

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

Bring the steel. Relax and have fun. As Jerry Byrd used to say (and after some years of experience, I've found that he was usually absolutely correct)"It's not a contest."

Dan Sawyer · From: Studio City, California, USA

Bring 'em both, but start with guitar since you're more comfortable on that. Later after you've settled in, play a few tunes on the steel. Try to pick ones in keys that are easy to see on the neck and songs with fewer chord changes.

You might want to use a volume pedal for your first few gigs. It helps a lot for ducking out those occasional clams.

Using a lot of 'verb helps with pitch problems, too

[This message was edited by Dan Sawyer on 26 October 2005 at 03:02 PM.]

Rick Garrett · From: Tyler, Texas

Well I've decided to go ahead and take my steel. Thanks to all the good advice I got from you guys here on the forum. So much knowledge here that you all share and I appreciate that. Will let you all know how it turns out.

Rick

Paul Honeycutt · From: Colorado, USA

The last jam I attended, I brought a 12 string acoustic, a mandolin and a Harmony acoustic with a raised nut in C6 tuning. It was fun to just grab the instrument that seemed right for the song. And they were all unique voices that blended with the other instruments.
As long as you're growing it's a good thing. Try to get out of you're comfort zone.

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