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Topic: A small challenge and some tips for a first gig? |
Gareth Carthew
From:
West Sussex, UK
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Posted 24 Nov 2006 3:50 pm |
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Hey guys.
I've been tinkering with my PSG sporadiaclly for about a year now.
This evening I was approached by some of my minions and asked if they could borrow my guitar expertise for part of their entertainment plan for our dining-in night.
So of course I said yes. Apparently they want to play "All the small things" by some rock group called Blink 182!!
It's all power chords! Hardly the most interesting guitar work I've done!
So I find myself thinking this evening "Maybe I'll leave the Les Paul at home and see if I can't pretty this track up a bit with some Pedal Steel instead..."
It'll be something simple - based around a few arpeggio's and some pretty chords, because I'm really bad at practising the important things like scales and progressions (slap on the wrists) and I've only got until Dec 15th to work it out.
Obviously I can't "country it up" too much but I had a little tinkle just now and I think it could work quite well. I can hear a few good runs in my mind.
I'm planning to make myself a small "location guide" to place allong the neck so as to remind me of the various positions in case in my "christmas cheer" state I should forget them.
Has anyone done something similar?
Does anyone have any suggestions for things to keep in mind for a first pedal steel gig?
And do any of you have some favourite "get me out of trouble" runs for when things start to fall apart?
I saw the topic about "pockets" the other day. Anyone have something similar for E9th?
Thanks guys!
Best Wishes
G
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2006 10:33 am
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Gareth,
for rockier stuff (which is my impression of Blink 182), you can always revert to treating the instrument like a great big slide guitar. Just think six-string with a bottle neck, heavy on slides on the fifth and forth strings. Mashing the A+B pedals together also can be used to good rock effect.
Dan
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Dan Beller-McKenna
Big Red
Blue TrainDurham, NH
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Wayne D. Clark
From:
Montello Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 25 Nov 2006 8:03 pm
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Throw in a little 3rd string, stay with what you already know. Remember Garth your there for support, Fade out if your not confortable, and come in when you feel confortable. Unless your prepared to play a lead, go with what feels good, have fun, and enjoy the Gig. Remember they asked you, so you must be doing something they like.
Desert Rose 3/5
Goodrick 120
Nashville 400 |
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Gareth Carthew
From:
West Sussex, UK
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Randy Reeves
From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 26 Nov 2006 12:24 pm
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I am not a Blink fan but I am a rocker who plays lap steel and dabbled with PSG for awhile.
at my attempts to learn the wonderful instrument I started with the basic chords and the A/B pedals. it was enough to play any rock song I wanted. playing the triads I was blown away* by the incredible sustain. adding a pinch of overdrive to dirty up the sound and I had some killer* rock tone.
I brought this to my regular friday night jam and ,keeping it simple, delivered a new ,yet, familiar touch to the jams.
PSG can rock, but what I liked best was in doing so there remained a hint of country just because of the unique voice PSG has.
just some ideas for you to think over.
*blown away means properly awed.
*killer means downright to the point like a shot of whiskey. 'Hoy Hoy'. |
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John Groover McDuffie
From:
LA California, USA
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Posted 27 Nov 2006 10:36 am
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In regards your question about "pockets" -
You can get a lot of useful blues-rock-based stuff on the PSG by playing off the "IIm7 position" ie: for key of G play at the 1st fret using the G on the 7th string as the root with the A + B pedals down. This gives you access to a lot of bluesy licks using the A pedal to slur between the 5th (D - 5th string with A pedal down) and the 4th (5th string without pedal) You'll have the flatted 3rd on the 6th string (B ped pressed) and the flat 7th on 4th string, upper tonic on 1st string. Try fooling around in this position some. |
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Gareth Carthew
From:
West Sussex, UK
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Posted 27 Nov 2006 2:49 pm
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Thank you for all your comments and suggestions guys! It helps alot.
Thanks for the further hints John. That's definatly something I'll be keeping in mind for future reference.
On this one though I really want to stay away from the rock sound and instead find a clever way to bring a country influence to the rock genre.
I'm keeping the amp totally clean for a start.
The particular Blink track they are doing is very bright and doesn't have the same bluesy legacy that much rock exhibits.
I can hear in my mind the kind of thing I'm looking for (which is half the battle) but unfortunatly my limited knowledge of music theory and still being somewhat unfamilier with E9th makes it harder to find those sounds in the myriad of string/bar position/pedal combinations I have availiable!
I got by for years on lead guitar with a limited theory knowledge but the PSG is a very different beast, I really need to brush up!
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