my first try

Mike Bowles · Post by **Mike Bowles** » 13 May 2009 4:55 pm

i tried to make a video for utube never tried before if any body can watch it and tell me some things that will help my playing it would be appreciated very much i didnt have any rhythm tracks so i played along with this cd i know i played over another steel player thats because i didnt have tracks i never took any lessons what i know i learned on my own any constructive criticism would be appreciated try typing in 100 0653 go down to mike bowles1951

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 13 May 2009 5:11 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN2EtbHaSPc

this it?

Mike Bowles · Post by **Mike Bowles** » 13 May 2009 5:23 pm

yes ron this is it i only used a digital camera to record this i never tried before i made a lot of mistakes but thats why i posted this i know you guys are great players and i put much store in what you guys say all players here are very understanding of other wanna be players and very helpful i wanna play so bad thanks mike

Bill Moran · Post by **Bill Moran** » 13 May 2009 5:23 pm

Same old trap . Playing the EFX and not the guitar.
Turn off the EFX and let us hear what YOU sound like.
Just my opinion !!

Mike Bowles · Post by **Mike Bowles** » 13 May 2009 5:33 pm

thanks bill this was my first try i had my lexicon on should i just use some reverb or none thats why i posted this i want some good players opinion

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 13 May 2009 7:06 pm

If you want some constructive criticism, put a shirt on. It IS a video.
I couldn't get past the no shirt

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 13 May 2009 7:12 pm

he asked our opinion on his playing, not his outfit...

Db

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 13 May 2009 7:31 pm

Mike Bowles · Post by **Mike Bowles** » 13 May 2009 7:35 pm

sorry chris didnt think about that is was a little nervous when i go out to play i wear my cowboy boots an western hat i dont have much confidence in my steel playing i have never played out with steel thats why i posted this so i might get some pointers from some great players

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 13 May 2009 8:29 pm

Hi Mike, I'm no great player by far but I agree that it's hard to hear your playin with all the reverb. How long have you been playin? Do you read tablature? I like to practice with no effects at all, that way I can concentrate on bar placement and timing. You seem to have an understanding of timing and chord changes so your on the right track. Just stick with it and keep on askin questions. There's a lot of info in the Forum archives and once you get the hang of the search feature there's an answer to most any question.

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 13 May 2009 9:25 pm

Mike,

I recorded this through Audacity and re-mixed it with Cool edit and I do hear a lot of reverb but I also hear a lot of good chords and on time pickin'.

I don't know how long you play but your blocking technique is right up there where it should be.
Now.......record it again and lay of the reverb more.

If you have any stomp boxes....kill them while you are recording this.
Stomp boxes and effects are nice on stage and for regular recordings but most camera's don't support the sound of them.If you recorded this with a web cam then I have to say "none" of the web cams support equipment like that.They do support regular music but with as less reverb as possible.
They will turn into overdrive and ruin your track.

Ron

Don Brown, Sr. · Post by **Don Brown, Sr.** » 13 May 2009 10:41 pm

Mike,

You'll sound a whole lot better, if you'll keep your fingers, "Behind the Bar" down on the strings, muting them from ringing behind the bar, as they are doing. You've got a habit of holding them up and off of the strings.

Also, while sliding down the fretboard, kill the strings. You don't want them ringing out as they do, when you're moving down. That's because you're not doing much of any blocking, at all.

Then practice, using different string grips, as opposed to the same ones.

Mike, how long have you been learning to play? Also, tell us about your steel. Pedals & Knee levers? Do you have any learning material? Meaning, how much (so far) do you know about the different string grips? Also, since you were going up and down the neck, do you know where to play within a two fret area, etc., using your pedals & knees?

The above will allow folks to help you better, if known.

Hope that helps,,,,, Don

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 14 May 2009 5:06 am

Mike, by all means DO NOT be afraid of playing steel in public. Your playing will only get better and your confidence will soar. You have what it takes. Don D.

Mike Bowles · Post by **Mike Bowles** » 14 May 2009 6:32 am

thanks ron i had my lexicon on i had it set for my tele forgot to return it to my steel settings thanks don brown i noticed that the first thing this is a habit i will try to break i have a mullen sd 10 3 and 4 standard emmons set up i dont have very much learning material i loaned out some and never got it back i have been playing about 5 yrs only with cds

Mike Bowles · Post by **Mike Bowles** » 14 May 2009 6:43 am

good to hear from you don did you get your g2 yet hope to get to hear you and tm soon heard on tv you were going to be at stevens lake i only caught the end didnt catch any dates we will be opening the mtn man back up next month i might get to play steel some there thanks for any help you can add

Mike Bowles · Post by **Mike Bowles** » 14 May 2009 6:56 am

don brown i do have a video of jeff newman where he talks about playing in the pocket is this what you mean? i forgot i had it a friend of mine died and his girl friend brought it to me along with an emmons bar im gonna get real serious about those bad habits and sliding without blocking i will get some more teaching material i appreciate any help you guys can give me to improve my playing

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 15 May 2009 10:07 am

If I'm not mistaken, the recording that Mike is playing to is my version of 'Kindly Keep It Country'

Mike, email me if you want the backing track