The Steel Guitar Forum

i love the song "hony tonk angels" and i was trying to learn yet another new way to play it using an old tab i had ,
i got totally lost in the tab somewhere in the middle and instinct took over
i played it prettier than i ever have and now i have no clue how i did it

When you start creating from your own mind there's a good chance you will never play a song exactly the same way twice. On down the line you can start thinking how do I want to play this song differen't this time. You might want to try differen't styles just to break the monotony of always playing it exactly the same way twice. If you are relatively new to the Steel guitar this will come to you by experience, especially if you are in a group that wants to have their own signature on a song.

You stated "instinct took over", it probably was "creativity"

Billy

i have been making a racket on steel for about 7 years , played that song 1000s of time's .... never sounded that good

well calvin, if you played it that beautifully out of 1000 tries, there is nothing that says you can't do it again...

Calvin............welcome to the "where were we" club.

Some of the best sounds I've ever played, (many other people too), were "on the spot, "impromptu," and lost forever, until I remember (sometimes) a piece of them, and try to lead into it again.
When I was gigging, I used to tape everything, just in case "the magic" happened, so I could try to re-create it.
The good side of the coin is, "your muscle memory is kicking in", and leading you into self-expression !
Rick

thats all true, you are becoming a musician - getting away from tab and making the music in your head - welcome it.

i went out and bought one of those handheld digital recorders to record my practice for just this occasion! in the old days, i'd tape them, but then you cant find the tape or where that part was, so it was just as frustrating.
i've learned the coolest licks on the fly and the next day had NO idea what i did!

This made me think of a recent session.
I was play bass for a group at a Nursing Home.
The steel man is 77 and has been playing since he was 17.
He played a ride that I thought was one of the prettiest I ever heard. I told him so and his response was "Huh, what did I do"!
This is typical so welcome to the club.

It is a sin to play a song the same way twice! Throw away the tab and create!

I could be wrong about this, but it seems to me that pedal steel music is pretty much all improvised. Come to think of it, I can't think of an example of an instrument which improvises more. Harmonica?

I am in that club. Think I'm a charter member. I have never used tab, or tried to duplicate a artist, note for note. You guys are right on, when you say every time you play something, it comes out different. That's why we all are individuals, and we all are creative in our minds. Play what you feel inside, and enjoy.

it just seemed like i would hear the next note in my head and my hands just kinda knew where it was and how to play it .
i tried 1/2 the night to repeat it and couldn't haha

Calvin Walley wrote:it just seemed like i would hear the next note in my head and my hands just kinda knew where it was and how to play it .

That could be called a "Zen moment." For a bit, it was all about the music and none about "me." There were no judges in the back of your mind getting in between your ears and your hands. One musician I knew called it "Love every note." It's a magical, spiritual experience and I'm very glad for you, that you had it.

Here's the hard part. When you try to recreate what "just happened," that brings back the judges, and you can't play it right for them. So don't try to recreate what you or someone else played. Let the Music lead you where it wants to go.

Calvin,these things happen sometimes,I played sixstring for over thirty years,Was NEVER a great player,but good enough to keep a job for years,If I was in a country band I played a Tele,in rock bands a Paul,Remember one night in a country band played a chicken picking that was the best solo I had ever played,The band leader turned to me and said DAMN Charlie WHAT was that,I tried but was NEVER able to do it that way again.Just something that happened in the moment,never was able to do it that way again. DYK?BC.

I know the feeling. When asked to play with a group for the first time, they sometimes want to pass out charts, sheet music, and note for note transcripts.

I usually play bass in these situations, but it used to be more guitar than bass. I can read a number chart and even some sheet music (depending on the part for which it was written), but inevitably my instinct takes over and I become an intuitive player.

I can recreate a particular run or line if needed for a cover song, such as a signature line, but most of my playing is just getting into the song, the moment and letting what ever happens, happen.

Never been fired yet, so I guess it works.

Expanding your musicianship and skills pertaining intuitive playing, can be a very rewarding aspect of being a player, regarless of chosen instrument.

Keep on playing and don't be afraid to stray from the tabs or chords for that matter you will discover a whole new world.

Here's a salution Cal,

Simply start with the tab again, and when ya get to where you got lost, just quit using the tab, and play it. There is not just any one way, there are 100's of ways to continue playing it, and probably each of them is just as cool as what the first one was.