Playing for no one

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 29 Nov 2005 2:37 pm

Back when I was playing Uilleann Pipe, I found it amazing how many people only played the pipe for themselves, in their rooms, and never played for people or in public. In fact it was the norm rather than the exception.

Now that I'm busy with work and trying to tackle the Pedal Steel, I find myself being a closet picker (I used to play out 3 or 4 nights a week on guitar and dobro).

The pedal steel doesn't lend itself to just jumping to the bar to jam. And I'm too involved with work and will be for the next few years to play a steady gig, I find myself a closet picker. Only playing for myself.

I don't have a problem with this. I love just playing and for me it is a pressure reliever and a hobby to take my mind off of work. This is the reason I like studying theory as well: I can read about it on the train in to work and it keeps my mind occupied.

And none of this is a problem for me right now. How many other closet pickers are there. Is it a frustration for you? or, like me, not a big concern.

David C. Wright · Post by **David C. Wright** » 29 Nov 2005 3:04 pm

Bob, I'm not necessarily a closet picker, as I've only been playing 4 months. I took up the PSG cause It's something I've always wanted to do. I played guitar all my life, but I wanted something more out of a different instrument. Needless to say, I got it.
I would love to play in a band, but I have one of those jobs that won't allow it. I set up a recording studio in my home, and it seems to help my playing. I've invested in all this equipment, and I've dedicated myself to playing the steel, and propably wan't ever be heard by anyone but me, (or my wife). I'm ok with that... at least for now.

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D.C. Wright
GFI SD10P Fender Deluxe Reverb

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 29 Nov 2005 4:13 pm

Bill,at the present time,I too,am a closet player.I've only been playing a little over three months.I've always loved the steel guitar and once owned a Fender 400 about 30 years ago.I was concentrating on the 5 string banjo,so I sold the 400.Now with my children grown and work not as much time consuming as it used to be,I have time to learn the Steel guitar.I bought a like new MSA D-10 Classic and a used NV 112(I also have a little more cash than I used to).So,as soon as I learn enough and get enough confidence to play in public,I will do so.I can hardly wait until I get skilled enough to play with the Big Boys at the Deep South Steel Guitar Association shows.They are a great bunch of pickers that are always willing to share their knowledge with some one like me trying to learn how to play.Remember,it ain't how many tunes you know,it's how well you play the ones you do know.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 29 Nov 2005 4:28 pm

It doesn't bother me in the least. I play for myself, by myself, and with myself. It doesn't dampen the happiness at all. I do it for the sound.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 29 Nov 2005 5:25 pm

One of the greatest joys in the world for me is to finally keep up with one of the "Great Ones" while playin' along with a record, if even only for a few bars. It's a feelin' known only to other steel players I guess.

Larry Hamilton · Post by **Larry Hamilton** » 29 Nov 2005 6:00 pm

Bill I worked in bands in the 70's playing guitar and steel. In 1977 I went to work for the railroad. Lucky for me I had some good friends that continued to play one to several nights a week. Over the years I have been able to play once in a while, usually for free, with some of these friends. I play for me. The enjoyment of the insturment, entertaining the folks while they dance,working as a team with a band. Like you, at home it is a stress reliever, mind relaxer(even though sometimes it drives me nuts, I just enjoy playing. Hopefully when I retire some band will want an old geezer to play steel guitar. I try to keep up with the some of the better new licks that I like, some of the better country stuff.
No matter what just keep playing.

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Keep pickin', Larry

Pat Carlson · Post by **Pat Carlson** » 29 Nov 2005 6:02 pm

Guess I'm about ready to break out of the closet.Have been hacking for 3 years now and it is relly starting to come together for me. The band leader of a gospel-country band in a neighboring town came over to hear me play last week. Said my steel playing would be a good addition to there group!

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The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 29 Nov 2005 8:12 pm

Nevermind, I goofed up. Edited...Sorry.

[This message was edited by Leila Tuttle on 29 November 2005 at 08:13 PM.]

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 29 Nov 2005 8:26 pm

I gigged regularly on guitar and bass for about 30+ years.

I had to stop because of left hand arthritis, and took up steel a few months ago.

I'm going *nuts* not being able to play in front of humans, but I think I hhave a lang way to go to hit a competence level where I'll feel comfortable.

I do NOT like being a closet picker. I like playing for others' enjoyment at least as much as my own.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 29 Nov 2005 10:16 pm

I also gigged regularly on steel and lead guitar, for 25 years.
This all came to a stop when I had cancer, about 5 years ago.
I've done very few gigs since then, and have found that I have got used to staying in and playing just for my own amusement much easier than I thought it would be.
It's great not having to drop everything in the middle of the afternoon, pack the gear into a van, drive for 3 hours, play the gig, then reverse the procedure, and get home about two o'clock in the morning!
I've found that I can live without that very easily !

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 30 Nov 2005 6:02 am

I've been steelin 2 yrs, giggin for one, play guitar 45 yrs, giggin for most of them on guitar. I do not like playing alone or at home.
To me , that is practicing for the gig. I don't like jammin at peoples houses unless actual songs are being rehearsed(for a gig). I guess for me it is all about playing out. I also draw and paint, but if no one sees(or hears) your work, what's the point? JP

Will Holtz · Post by **Will Holtz** » 30 Nov 2005 9:07 am

After a little over two years of pickin' all by myself, I finally played my first gig about two months ago. The last time I had played an instrument in front of people was a piano recital when I was about 12 years old. I was a bit freaked out going into it, but once I was on stage I was too busy thinking about my playing to have any time to be nervous. It was a fun time.

Tim Marcus · Post by **Tim Marcus** » 30 Nov 2005 7:07 pm

I mean - who is to say that you are not the best audience? Or the only audience for that matter?

if you wanna go deep on this - down to the metaphysical or quantum mechanical level, you can get into the type of thinking that says that you might be the only thing that exists at all... in which case, yeah - do what makes you feel good!

I enjoy playing for myself too.

John Cox · Post by **John Cox** » 1 Dec 2005 6:13 am

The nice thing about being a closet player is, you can mix all styles of music and play what you enjoy. J.C.

David Ziegler · Post by **David Ziegler** » 1 Dec 2005 10:49 am

I have only been playing for a year so nobody else WANTS to hear me play. But that aside, I started to give myself a positive stress relief outlet that I could use whenever I needed(usually very late at night because of all of my wife's health problems). I have found now that it is not just an outlet, it is an obsession. I love playing even if it is not very good. At age 54 it has been great to learn something totally new again. I don't know if I will ever have the desire to "come out of the closet" or not but it is sure a great joy playing this wonderful/frustrating instrument.

Nic du Toit · Post by **Nic du Toit** » 1 Dec 2005 11:07 am

David Z,
I have no problem just playing by myself to myself. But, to make things interesting I bought some recording devisesthat enabled me to put together a basic backtrack, add some steel, and criticise my own playing. Lots of fun to be had!

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