Safeguarding Steel Guitar Orientation

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Oct 2009 7:01 am

Once a steel guitarist becomes aware that his/her abilities have virtually peaked, and new material is more of the same, there appears to be a slacking off, with a sharp decline in motivation. Therefore, steel guitarists are constantly reviving that effort to remain steel guitar oriented. I feel that these thoughts and experiences are more common than realized.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 13 Oct 2009 9:15 am

Bill, if I understand what you're saying, I have to disagree, on my part.
I have found that the more I know and play, the more I know about how to learn and how to integrate new ideas. After 30 years playing I still have unlimited places to explore on slidey instruments.
I'm only limited by my own self-created obstacles. I really enjoy the discoveries I make practicing, just have to find time for it among all the crap I have to do to keep up with life!

Steve Benson · Post by **Steve Benson** » 13 Oct 2009 10:01 am

Hi Bill I'm new to posting, but i've read a lot of your posts. I really do enjoy them. I understand what you mean. I'm 35 and in rock music years that makes me 95. I have a suggestion. Go onto youtube and look up "heavy metal" backing track. You'll find a bunch. Try playing with it. Even if you don't like metal. New modes new rules new approach. Or some africian style or perhaps indian classical. These musical adventures will open new things for any player. I found one backing track, with a 5150 amp in the picture, pure 80 real metal. Love it!!! I have a recording session in a couple of weeks they want metal mandolin, sitar, and steel. This is how I prep for these styles. Steel ain't just for country anymore.......

admin · Post by **b0b** » 13 Oct 2009 10:10 am

Music is an infinite study. If you are finding that "new material is more of the same", perhaps you need to broaden your horizons.

A few months ago, I posted a MySpace status saying that I was looking for musical adventure. Within two weeks I was in a new band with material that challenges my abilities to the max. This is after 35 years of playing the steel guitar.

When you reach one peak, there is always another, higher one to be scaled over yonder.

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 13 Oct 2009 10:49 am

Steve and B0B,
Thanks for your posts...... you made me think again!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Oct 2009 5:41 am

Perception in terms of enjoying learned musical notations, in many situations, can fall far below normal levels of peak efficacy during trial runs to maintain important memory notes. If there exists an undermining of joint problems, must we prepare for a gradual diminution of finesse, creativity, and a bold look into the face of severe challenges? The severely bent, and twisted metacarpuses offer very little in recovering original prowess. Attitude has a way of overtaking the most difficult challenges.

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 14 Oct 2009 6:26 am

Bill Hankey is himself an excellent example of his proposition (I think, if I guessed correctly what he is talking about...) Obviously weary of trying us with the same old indecipherable gibberish week after week, Bill paused for a few days, gathered himself for the leap, and here established a new and higher bar of incomprehensible posts! I say well done!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 14 Oct 2009 7:01 am

Bill, it's the severely bent and twisted parts beyond the metacarpi that I worry about .... $:\$

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 14 Oct 2009 9:51 am

The options are unlimited to keep yourself out of the "rut". I play several tunings which helps me in a universal way. (on all tunings) as Bob said a different band or maybe a different genre of music can help as well. The hardest part of acheiving this is of course application. I always think of the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I apply this to almost everything in my life. The process must be constantly reviewed and revised.
Good post Bill!

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 14 Oct 2009 9:59 am

I knew it!......we're all insane

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 14 Oct 2009 10:04 am

Personally I haven't got a clue what Bill even said in his last posting. Sounds like gibberish to me. I have been playing for over 30 years and I am more inspired now that ever before. I practice every day and there is so much material I want to learn that I can't even keep up. I agree with Bob, if you are finding material to be "more of the same" try different material. Learning to improvise on the back neck is a lifetime proposition for me. Try to sound like the great players. Tone and bar technique is also a liftime proposition.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Oct 2009 10:32 am

Ron,

Don't you agree that we humans are blessed with 206 different bones? We can't chase about without eventually learning that our bones may one day control how much time we can devote to practicing.

There are 27 bones in our hands - they are the carpal bones. Names have been assigned to the bones by who knows who?

Such names as: Scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid capitate, hamate hook hamate metacarpal bones, all are located in your picking hand.

We can dangle like puppets, or learn to appreciate many things that are taken for granted.

It's good to hear that you are enjoying your music.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 14 Oct 2009 11:06 am

Such names as: Scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform, trapezium, trapezoid capitate, hamate hook hamate metacarpal bones, all are located in your picking hand.

Bill, you omitted the phalanges which are the bones in your fingers. I would assume these would have more of an effect on your picking than the metacarpals.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Oct 2009 12:50 pm

Barry,

You've no doubt heard the song many times; "ALL MY EXES LIVE IN TEXAS." But, I know of a man whose wives were prone to BENT-PHALANGES. Many studies have been done on that twisted little finger. Yes, I've discussed those things with subjects who are afflicted with such things at birth.

Watching 5 fingered pickers (such as C. Atkins) peal off the lightning fast notes, are truly ultimate examples of most difficult endeavors.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 15 Oct 2009 6:11 am

Huh? What?

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 15 Oct 2009 6:29 am

Pedal Steel tunings contain many redundant patterns. A specific genre, when played exclusively, also contains many stylistic redundant patterns. This makes a case for delving into a musical style unlike the comfortable one you are used to. The mechanical redudacies of the instrument remain while their applications to new material reveal new territory. Don D.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 15 Oct 2009 7:28 am

The mechanical redundancies of the instrument remain, while their applications to new material reveal new territory.

Couldn't that be said about any musical instrument?

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 15 Oct 2009 8:20 am

Sadly the slacking off, with a sharp decline in motivation came before my abilities have virtually peaked and new material is more of the same stuff I don't know.
Therefore, I constantly try to revive that effort to remain steel guitar oriented with little or no success.
I feel that my experiences related to this are more the norm than you realize.

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 15 Oct 2009 8:36 am

Mechanical redundance on 6 string guitar and psg are note patterns (same octave scales) that appear throughout the length of the neck. Not so on piano where that octave exists in one place only. This may or may not be true of other instruments where srtings and frets are not an issue. IMHO

Bob Simons · Post by **Bob Simons** » 15 Oct 2009 9:02 am

I'd just like the notes on my pedal steel to hold still so I could find them! Every time I step on these here pedals the notes go off to some other fret! Guitar is much easier!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 15 Oct 2009 11:29 am

Barry,

Well I guess the thumb is a thumb, and not considered a finger. Personally, in speed picking, I consider the thumb more important than the 4 fingers. You're exultation, and I quote: "Huh?" and "What?" brings me a little closer to realizing that you are opting for exactness.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 15 Oct 2009 5:27 pm

That whole preceding post was just totally incoherent to me, hence the "huh" and "what." $:\$

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 15 Oct 2009 5:42 pm

My steel guitar is always safeguarded as it's orientation is towards Fiji no matter the bandstand orientation.

SS

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 Oct 2009 4:34 am

Stephen,

The orientation that finds us exploring many pursuits, is good for opening new areas of thought. Taking liberties by discussing "nongermane" issues, such as the workings of the Spanish guitar have frequented the area provided for the discussions of steel guitar players. To restore certain validities, I've noted that the accomplished steel guitarists in the top limits of excellence in masterful executions, omit everything, with the exception of the business at hand in making responses. They don't give a "hoot" about unrelated appeals, or diversified interests. Many injustices have come down the pikes through the years, and I maintain that this recent lessening of demands for more country flavored accompaniment is the latest bid to all but wipe out the steel guitar. I can't imagine how music will change in the future. My gift was enjoying the great country music of the 20th century.

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 16 Oct 2009 5:37 am

Speaking of gifts, let me be the first to wish everyone a merry Christmas.
The orientation that finds us exploring many pursuits, is good for opening new areas of thought.
I'm thinking I need to get started on my Christmas list.