The Steel Guitar Forum

1st tune I learned on C6 lap steel, figured it was about time I put it down. Old 'n crusty, but I love these classics. Got about 40 or more to go before I venture on to more challenging stuff I recon.

Excel JB D8 console - High C6 tuning.

http://soundcloud.com/mitchc-1/beyond-the-reef-hi-c6

Damn- you get such a great tone (from your hands and not just from your steel!) I have a hunch that you are excited by the sounds you can get out of your lap steels after playing regular guitar all your life (I know that I am.) It's kinda like lap steel is a Bizarro-Guitar... what is easy on regular guitar is almost impossible on lap steel and vice versa. (For one thing you could never get that wide vibrato on chords on regular guitar, especially as you change the slant of the bar as you are moving it up or down the fretboard.)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Steve Ahola

Thanks for another great gift Mitch.Keep turning out those Old Classics as I'm sure there are many on the forum who love your interpretations as much as I do.I just wish my hands and steel could create that sound as well on my old JB frypan.
Barry S

Very nice, Mitch! You have such a sweet touch on the strings!

Another good one Mitch!
I like the jazzy cocktail arrangement. Lounge-y!
Is that a guitar synth for the sax?

Thanks guys. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND ALL !

Rick, the sax, and all other backing is Band In A Box using 'Real Tracks'.

Hi Mitch
Your playing is so nice! What's the secret? I know you haven't played steel for long, just over a year or so, how did you get so good so fast? Like to know your practice routine...Jerry

Sounds great Mitch, love your tone too.

Thanks Jerry / Andy !

Practice routine ? .. hmmmm.. I don't get alot of play time during the busy work week. I tend to practice whatever tune I'm learning or planning to record. I don't do exercises, scales etc. Too old for that now and my time to get to play is precious, so I just focus on the tune and experiment with different variations until I find something within my skill level that pleases me, then try to express it to the best of my ability ie dynamics, phrasing, tone etc.

Bottom line, I'm having FUN every time I sit down to play. Me, the guitar, headphones .... ahhhhh... always has been my total escape !

WOW

Inspiring

Can you tell us about the rhythm track? Sounds great.

R2

Thanks Ron ! - The backing track is Band In A Box 2011.5 using all real tracks. I manipulate them a bit in Real Band after the steel track goes down. Beyond that, if you want specifics on the style, instruments etc. best to PM or email for the nitty gritty ?

Sounds good, Mitch. Keep up the great work!

Very nice, Mitch. You're on a roll.
Chuck

Very, very nice Mitch!

I love the song "Wear A Lei," never heard it before. Great stuff, thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much guys ! I love your site and all the great vids you've done Dave ! Yours too Doug and Chuck. You're all an inspiration to me.

Thanks for posting, I enjoy the sound of your guitar, sounds like the islands...
Also, great backup "Band"!

Chris

Thanks Chris ! Yep, it's the band that makes me sound good for sure.

I really enjoyed that......it's no simple matter to get the tone and feeling that you get.....

tone + feeling = expression.....

Well I'm gonna start using headphones when I practice. Give it a year or so. Works for Mitch..Jerry

Thanks Howard !

Yep, put on dem phones and escape it ALL !

Well I've been using the headphones plugged into my MicroCube for the last few days. I like the change! I play every morning before going to work, for an hour or so, usually starting by 6 am. The headphones sure put the sound inside your head, and my playing doesn't disturb my wife, who is sleeping.
I notice whenever I make a change, new guitar, new amp, whatever, a couple of new licks show up. Helps keep it fresh...Jerry

That sure is sweet Mitch!
I also enjoyed the Sneaker video.

Thanks so much Steve for listening !