Too Much Steel ?

Waisznor · Post by **Waisznor** » 8 Jun 2009 9:48 am

In our little Band I can´t be lazy on the steel, but I think I have more to learn when not to play. Critical comments are welcome!
Thanks for looking
Horst

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F153jZ5ZCE&NR=1

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U54dKlcpFs&NR=1

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxJK-n8o328

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRm7ryO0WK8&feature=related

Andy Zahnd · Post by **Andy Zahnd** » 8 Jun 2009 11:04 am

Horst!

there is nothing wrong with your playing... as the only Solo instrument... you have to play as mutch as you can! Only a little critic.... when you play rythm steel..... use the low strings, as low you can... to me....then you're not in the same frequenzies like any other leadplayer... (Bud's Polka the acc. Guitar)
that's about it... and I wish I'm able to play what you're playing! Great stuff!!!!

Andy

Thomas Cepek · Post by **Thomas Cepek** » 8 Jun 2009 12:08 pm

Hi my friend !

Wow, thank´s for sharing this videos. As you know, I can´t get enough of your steel playing. I always loved your tone and style of playing. And what a nice Emmons steel

Hope to hear and see you in person soon.

Warmest regards... Thomas

Peter Nylund · Post by **Peter Nylund** » 8 Jun 2009 12:41 pm

Good to see some pickin from a "this-side-of-the-ponder". Good job.

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 8 Jun 2009 1:56 pm

Horst, great job! Your 3-piece band again proves that you do not have to have a "lead Drummer" and "Lead Guitar" to play Country Music.
The only thing I could recommend you might try is to Palm Block or Pick Block on some of your tunes to keep the notes from running together. Ralph Mooney, Tom Brumley, and Lloyd Green Styles would be good examples of what I am talking about. Also a muted "Tic-Tack" on the lower register might be better when comping. Over all, you guys sound great!

Manfred Schall · Post by **Manfred Schall** » 8 Jun 2009 2:15 pm

Hi Horst,
great playing.
A good reason to come to Berlin to watch and listen !!!;)

Cheers,
Manfred

Waisznor · Post by **Waisznor** » 8 Jun 2009 2:34 pm

Andy,
thank you for your comment and the advice using the low strings; I´ll give it a try.

Thomas my friend,
I´m deeply indebted to you, because you gave me the chance to buy my old PP back from you for a special price. Thanks again!

Peter,
thank you for your compliment and greetings to an exemplary European country.

Larry Hutchison · Post by **Larry Hutchison** » 8 Jun 2009 2:58 pm

Horst, Thanks for sharing your music with us.

In my humble opinion, keep on what your doing. It sounds great. No low spots, nor blank spots in your band. I played a lot of the 3 piece gigs when I was younger, the only thing different was I didnt have your talent.

Great Job
Warm Regards
Larry Hutchison
Peoria, Illinois

Rich Peterson · Post by **Rich Peterson** » 8 Jun 2009 5:50 pm

You fill in the open spots and don't play over the singer. That's exactly the way to do it.

I think you play rhythm very well, too. I disagree with the suggestion that you use the lower strings for that. The guitarist doesn't stick to the lower strings when you are the lead, does he?

With a strong rhythm guitar, a band can survive without a drummer, and have more space on stage.

Randy Gilliam · Post by **Randy Gilliam** » 8 Jun 2009 8:30 pm

Worst You The Best, Sounds Great . Hows Thomas Cepek Been Doing, Your Pal Randy Gilliam.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 8 Jun 2009 9:01 pm

Some of the best country music I've ever heard was exactly the instruments your group has, in the small clubs on lower Broadway in Nashville. It really lets you hear a good steeler stretch out. What would be gross overplaying in a bigger group, comes across just fine, and in fact is really essential.

That being said, and since you are asking, I think you could lay off the fills (the steel licks between pauses of the vocalist) on some verses and just play some sustained chords (what we call pads or padding) under the vocalist, the way you do on the first verse of "Up to My Years in Tears." Alternate that with verses where you play the fills. Also, it helps to vary the dynamics by laying out entirely for at least one verse in a song, especially slower songs. That makes it very dramatic when you come in on the chorus or next verse. This is most effective if you map when you do this to the lyrics, for example, lay out for a verse with quiet, sensitive lyrics, and come back in for the climax, maybe on the last verse.

You have great technique, tone and classic licks. It will greatly improve the drama, and really make your playing stand out if you vary the fills with some pads, and lay out entirely on an occasional verse. It will give it all more feeling and soul.

Bill Fall · Post by **Bill Fall** » 9 Jun 2009 3:50 am

Ausgezeichnet!

Waisznor · Post by **Waisznor** » 9 Jun 2009 5:11 am

Roger,
Thank you for your compliment and for reminding me to play clean and keep the notes from running together. My problem is, practicing at home and playing in front of the audience are total different shoes for me. The first set is always a challenge. Sometimes it seeems I don´t have my hands under control. I prefer to start with a simple song to have enough time to concentrate me on my own playing together with the overall sound from the band.

Manfred,
thanks, you always welcome to watch and listen.

Larry and Rich,
thank you for your nice words. I think each weekend steeler need those from time to time to stay motivated playing this machine.

Randy,
thank you. I haven´t seen Thomas for month. Since his last Band is broken he need some motivation to make a new start.

David,
thank you for your compliment and a perfect analysis. I should put your words in a frame and hang it up over my pratice place.

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 9 Jun 2009 3:41 pm

Great picking, mein freund, and I believe I heard some "Mooney Licks" in there. Looks like a great place to party.

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 9 Jun 2009 4:41 pm

Horst : you are doing a great job and very brave to be working with a three piece Combo, so to speak.. But you are proving it can be done.. I am in agreement with David, on his advise to vary your fills on each song ; and using the occasional leaving out behind one of the verses.. I realize it it takes an artist to do what you are doing with this band.. But , over-all you are performing as a great fill in musician, doing the work of two lead instruments.. Congrats on sharing your music with us, all over the world..Bernie

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 9 Jun 2009 4:42 pm

Horst : you are doing a great job and very brave to be working with a three piece Combo, so to speak.. But you are proving it can be done.. I am in agreement with David, on his advise to vary your fills on each song ; and using the occasional leaving out behind one of the verses.. I realize it it takes an artist to do what you are doing with this band.. But , over-all you are performing as a great fill in musician, doing the work of two lead instruments.. Congrats on sharing your music with us, all over the world..Bernie

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 9 Jun 2009 4:44 pm

Horst : you are doing a great job and very brave to be working with a three piece Combo, so to speak.. But you are proving it can be done.. I am in agreement with David, on his advise to vary your fills on each song ; and using the occasional leaving out behind one of the verses.. I realize it it takes an artist to do what you are doing with this band.. But , over-all you are performing as a great fill in musician, doing the work of two lead instruments.. Congrats on sharing your music with us, all over the world..Bernie

Waisznor · Post by **Waisznor** » 10 Jun 2009 10:53 am

Bill,
"Danke schön"!

Charles,
Thank you! Yes, I am a "West Coast Country Fan". The Dessert Rose Band was the reason for my first Pedal Steel, a used Sho Bud Maverick and Mooneys instrumental "Texas Waltz" is a part of my repertoire.

Bernie,
thankyou for your nice comment. Davids and your advises are already in my head.

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 10 Jun 2009 4:27 pm

Horst, I think you did an outstanding job, considering the fact that you are the only lead instrument.
It is evident that you have spent many days weeks years practicing.
How do you get that warm rich sound? It comes thru even in the noisy room and likely a sub-par camera mic.
good job!

Waisznor · Post by **Waisznor** » 11 Jun 2009 3:28 am

Thank you Bent!
The positive resonance is overwhelming for me. I didn´t know that somebody from the audience made this videos for youtube.
I use only an Evans FET 500 LV amp with a JBL K130 Speaker and a Sennheiser 609 Mic.

Marcel Parijs · Post by **Marcel Parijs** » 11 Jun 2009 3:34 am

Great Job Waisznor,

Good sound also. Keep on making the good work.

Your neighbour from the left,

Marcel

Marcel Parijs · Post by **Marcel Parijs** » 11 Jun 2009 3:52 am

I mean Horst

GR,Marcel

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