The Steel Guitar Forum

I would have to rate myself as Ham and Eggs.
At 65 there's not enough time left to be the kind of player I want be. On the scale of 1 to 10, I'll give myself a 3...
BD

I began late at 34 years old, in fact, for someone who hates to be late, I was born early, graduated rom middle school late, causing me to be late for high school graduation. I did manage to show up on time for the Corps and darn straight I was on time for a discharge, got married late and divorced late. I had to raise a couple of kids, go to college late, and work. So now I am sixty and wish I was better. I know it really doesn't matter in the great scheme of things, but. I guess some of yous understand. I have enjoyed the $%^$#%^ at times My big disappointment is my inaility to discpline my self to play by ear. So I may not even be a three

I consider myself totally adequate or exceptionally mediocre. But then I always did have an over inflated ego.

I like to think that I bring mediocrity to new heights...
I think that since we all compare ourselves to the folks we see at shows & our heros....I'd give myself a "D+"...compared to where I'd like to be...I'd give myself a "C+"

Owner

since 17, almost 18 years a damm beginner!
it worth a weekly session in my self-help group therapy

Better than I was yesterday, and I'll be better still tomorrow!

But: are there enough 'tomorrows'?

In my mind I am THE steel player

Once in a while I play "acceptably", to paraphrase Jim Cohen...most of the time I stink up the place, IMO.

I consider myself totally adequate or exceptionally mediocre.

Ben, by today's standards, I think exceptionally mediocre is the new totally adequate.

Well as long as we are rating ourselves, ego be dammed..............10

I'm in Jack Stoners club. We are all THE ones.

I'm adequate, but by no means great, and not nearly as good as people seem to think I am.

On a scale of 1 to 10, maybe a 4.

I feel that the E9 tuning is far deeper, and has much more potential, than many people realize, and after paying for 30 years, I'm starting, repeat starting, to gain some insight into just how deep it truly is. It's a lot more than mashing the A and B pedals and playing licks.

I think I would give myself a "D". I have never tried to emulate others. I can follow songs, and play a fill, or a break, in my own style. I don't do fancy licks, or way out chord progressions. But anyone hearing what I play, will know it sounds like the song. Using the KISS method, (keep it simple sxxx@@@d)

It depends with whom I compare myself. Compared to JayDee Maness- Not very good, to Ben Keith- I'm ok.

I've been called a hacker, a few times.
I guess I'd rather be the hack'er, than the hack'ee.

I guess I would consider myself 'All Washed Up', I have not learned a new lick in 10 years!! & can only play like me, isn't that awful, I knew that damned word 'awful' would creep in here somewhere!!

Ernie Pollock

I was a lot better 10 years ago than I am today. In that span of time the right hand fingers have gotten a whole lot stiffer, the ears have quit hearing, eyeballs have gotten a lot shorter and memory ain't what it used to be. Probably down from a 10 to maybe a 3 or lower! (Can't believe I said that)

I never get in anyones way and I'm always in tune.I know when to be quiet.People who don't play steel say I'm good,People that do play steel say I have a nice guitar.

Papa Joe Pollick wrote:I know when to be quiet.People who don't play steel say I'm good,People that do play steel say I have a nice guitar.

That statement fits me OK, having the time of my life, just playing in Church.Had a fellow musician the other day tell me he liked my conservative style, what he didn't know was, I was lost and waiting for the part I knew to come around again.

Happy New year...Bill

Steel players are such a humble lot....well some of us....

Seeing as this is a light hearted thread (I hope)
As players, don't sell yourselves short.
You should all start at fives just because of the degree of difficulty.
Leave the self floggings to the fiddle players

See you next year;

jd

Jack
I agree with you.
It's a tough instrument to play and to just get something out of it that doesn't make the dog bark is OK with me.
Happy New Year to all my Forum Buddies.
Don

I'm an 11. I'm one louder

Maybe I'm better than I thought. I've had a forum brother ask me to play on a gospel album for him and his wife.
BD

I feel like I've come a long way in 6 years, but when I walk into a steel jam I think to myself, "there's no way anyone will think I'm the best player in the room, so I might as well relax and enjoy myself..." It usually works!