The Steel Guitar Forum

This is a brave move on my part to share unfinished work like this but I want to take you along on a journey with me.

In another thread under "Pedal Steel" I am presenting my approach to steel guitar and ZB Tuning concepts. This You Tube exhibit here will also serve that thread a bit too because you will see how I'm stretching out beyond traditional sounds you might hear on steel guitar. So I'm interested to see what some of you perceive when you first hear some of these riffs and such and how it relates to you with that in mind.

Very simply, this is just some musical ideas I'm following. Likely it will turn into a tune and I will create some melody across the top. My goal will be to have the steel carry the "bassy" parts and the comping chords...and then melody/solos over the top. So likely it may just be steel and percussion when it's done. And then again, I may just need to stick with playing "Amazing Grace" and "I'll Fly Away".


CLICK THIS LINK...to hear the Song in Development!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGfNGBbosGs

Thanks for sharing your work in progress, Zane. That's great stuff, fun to listen to. The only one I am aware of who has done anything along this line is Mike Smith, though your stuff is more 'outside' than what I've heard Mike play on his grooves. Looking forward to hearing the next iteration.

Jim

YES! This is the kind of elevated playing of this modern instrument(the pedal steel guitar) I envision with my aluminum pedal harp idea---which I am still working on--an extension of what you are doing on deeper, longer string nodes; only, like a grand piano, adding to the beauty and sustain of the instrument! Wonderful work and inspiring to hear! Thanks for exploring and sharing ..WE need more of this uplifting and spacious sound ! Ward O.

Fantastic sound, groove, rhythym, with a jazz-fusion type of feel. You have Already taken this instrument towards the future.
I've enjoyed your "traditional" style of playing, but this....is "evolution", and I love it
I like the chord comping with the single note soloing.
I'm not as experienced, or educated, like a lot of guys here, but... would you say that piece was somewhat based on Lydian?
Rick

Zane -

There's no explanation for this but the first thing that I thought of was the addition of bass, drums and - hold on - flute?

Regardless of which way you go, it's truly exciting stuff. Venture forth, young man.

Richard

Definitely some cool stuff there Zane ,really like the bass riffing rock on Zane

Thanks for the kind comments! I'm not quite as afraid now of putting this out there! For some this "tune" might sound like steel guitar blasphemy! For me, it's just further proof that our instrument has unequaled versatility. My imagination constantly runs wild when I sit behind it.

To answer some questions thus far - Rick w. - yes it does seem "Lydian" but I'm quite sure that I'm running in and out of "Lydian and Mixolydian". What I can tell for sure is that my bottom note is tuned down to "A" open. Sort of like a guitar player lowering the big E to a D then playing in the key of D with that low D in the bass. That was my thought process on this. That's why you see me attacking the two low strings...it's just a 5th (A and E). Thus, I'm in the key of A on this...so far anyway.

And Richard D. - Yes, on the flute!

Zane:Thank you so much for this! THIS is what the forum is all about!I love it!This the direction pedal steel needs to go to stay relevant today.I loved the low stuff,coupla times it sounded like somebody slapping & popping a bass. I would love to hear you w/ a MIDI pickup driving a synth!Keep it coming,bro!

Zane, you have my thanks too.
There is a place for the "traditional" style, and I know you, myself,& many others respect & enjoy it.
However, it is time to show the versatility of this instrument, in other venues.
I look foward to your next posting
Rick

if you keep this stuff up, I'm going to have to trade my D10 for a S12. I love it. Keep it up.

Tony

David G. - I have some inspiration from Victor Wooten through the years. All of his brothers are just out of sight. There is one section where it does sound like a bass player taking a solo. I hope I can do it again.

Rick W. - we've come along ways with these string benders but there is a lot of road to cover ahead.

Tony D. - join us brother! I'll show you how to play "Together Again" and "How High The Moon" at the same time!

Zane, I was listening to Terry Terell"s Journey cd yesterday and the song "There's no other way" , I think I listened to it close to 12 times. God blessed you with a great song. I know this has nothing to do with the topic but, I wanted to let you know plus you and Sonny's steel playing is great too. Terry's one of my favorites.
Have a great day and keep doing what you're doing.

Tony

Zane, very impressive indeed! I love what you just played and hope you'll have a CD out sometime in the future with some of this style of playing on it! Most of the jazz flavored steel CDs seem to stay in the past and hang in there with the old "Be Bop" style which I'm tired of hearing! I can see a new direction in the future with this you're doing which I consider an "evolution" of our instrument. Great Stuff!!!..........JH in Va.

Yo Zane, thumbs up on the Wooten bros. esp Victor, one of my very fave bass players. Every time I listen to what you got goin I hear something else cool . Keep it up man I think you got something special goin on....Stormy

Zane, thanks for the Victor Wooten attribution. I knew I had heard what you were playing somewhere a long time ago. I love where you are taking these ideas. Will be checking back for more! Don D

Tony thanks so much for writing to let me know about my song "There's No Other Way". That has always been one of my favorites but it never really made it that far. It has been recorded by a number of artists and Terry's version is wonderful. I'm glad you mentioned it because I will have to go back and listen to it again.