The Steel Guitar Forum

A recent post by Johnie King brought up something that I've been wondering about lately, which is, What constitutes playing at the pro level? I live in an area with no PSG teachers and have been learning to play the steel through Jeff Newman's instructional dvds. I've been playing for a little over a year now and while I've improved a lot over that time I still don't know where I'm at in the grand scheme of things. Are there benchmarks or any type of criteria that would let a new player that's learning by himself to know where he's at and what to strive for, for getting to the pro level? Is it the ability to improvise, knowing an extensive list of covers, being able to do instrumentals like the guys at ISGC? I'd really appreciate any insight on this.

"Pro Level"= Wanting to be paid for your service(s),by more than one Employer.
Ricky

Like Ricky says. The fewer players there are in your area, the sooner someone will offer you money. Your actual level of expertise is not important - it's a question of supply and demand.

I've played lots of instruments in different bands over the years. Reliability trumps talent all the way. All you need is a reputation for turning up on time, and the habit of keeping it simple.

Josh, where in Florida are you?

Ian Rae wrote:Like Ricky says. The fewer players there are in your area, the sooner someone will offer you money. Your actual level of expertise is not important - it's a question of supply and demand.

I've played lots of instruments in different bands over the years. Reliability trumps talent all the way. All you need is a reputation for turning up on time, and the habit of keeping it simple.

I would add that being a good hang is important as well. No one wants a difficult personality. The better you are the more of a pain you can get away with being though haha.

Thank you guys for the replies. Ben, I'm outside of Jacksonville in Middleburg.

If you can play in tune and follow the chord progressions, you can play professionally. It's the sound of a pedal steel that most clients want, more than the hot licks.

Great post, been playing for four years and I guess I’m definitely a pro.

Professional simply means being paid for your skill- I've been paid for steel work before I knew how to tune it- it's a term that suffers assumptions of quality, such as 'poet' or 'artist'. I think J.King's post was relative to teaching, and I'll double down on Buck Reid's skill in that regard- I've benefited from his wisdom and teaching style. I'd also recommend P.Franklin and T.Toy's online teaching sites- they're more current than Newman's material, taught by two steel players working at the highest levels, and both offer a community and interactivity, particularly Travis' site.

Like plenty of others,I started earning money in bands as a rank beginner but it took five years of club gigs and recording before I could channel things that Buddy Charleton taught me before it felt like I was a "pro".

There's quite a big window called "pro".
If you play in a band and can handle a few dozen songs and get paid for what you do, yes you're a pro.
If you can play in any band, know hundreds of songs and can handle the ones you don't know, then you're a real pro!

Ha..Ian:

If you can play in any band, know hundreds of songs and can handle the ones you don't know, then you're a real pro!

ACTUALLY; you are a MORE EXPERIENCED PRO!!!! ha...
Ricky

How much you put into it is what you get out of it, including proper technique (good habits).
Try to play with musicians that are better than you.

Yes, Ricky - it's all relative. Professionalism is an attitude, not a fee.

Also, I'm lucky that I do play with guys who are all better than me, so I feel under constant pressure to improve. They don't sense that, 'cos they just love the sound!

do you fit in "socially" ?

Do you blatantly offer your opinions when they are not requested ?

can you identify with the music + songs that you are not familiar with ?

Are you well "ear trained" ?

Can you grab and execute a stock intro or turn around from the 5 if requested ?

Do you know what that means ?

Do you know when NOT to play , especially on songs you know well ?

Can you communicate with other lead instruments with only eye contact ?

do you dress neat / clean and are you an on time person ?
etc...

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Just a few things which really have very little to do to with SKILL level.

Skill Level gets you the 1st phone call.

We have all associated with players over the years who were great players/performers who missed a few of the items above and more.

Many of us WERE those players and it took several years to NOT be one of those players.


Like the add says:

"Wanted - Young executive with 25 years experience"


Grab the 1st few gigs and hang on !

First thing we learn is we ain't nearly as skilled as we thought, 2nd thing we learn is how to fit in because they may not much care if we ain't so skilled !

And this:

Playing in a band with 4 or 5 other musicians can be like having 4 or 5 wives at the same time. They are arguing with each other, and with you, all at the same time !

Tony, all my x wives in the same band? I pass on being a professional. Lol

Here are two tips a pro taught me.

1. Don't play anything between sound check and the first song.
2. Don't play anything between songs.

These two things go a long way in establishing a sense of professionalism to the audience and to fellow musicians.

I sometimes wish there was a “like” button on this forum.
I don’t have much to say but I agree with b0b on his two points, and #2 drives me completely crazy.

Playing "at the pro level" means a handful of things
You can play in tune, in time
If you're due onstage, you'll be there early enough to setup and tune
Your playing has developed to the point where the bandmates aren't saying (or thinking) "sure, they suck, but we need a steel" (my first couple of bands, I probably fell in there, but playing in a band schools you quick)
That bit about not noodling before, and between songs? Yeah, that matters
Only overplaying when it's called for, and learning when it is vs when it isn't (my dad is a Hall of Fame bluegrass bassist. He got fired from Bill Emerson's band for not toning it down. He regards that as an important lesson)

Glade you are back, Lane. We miss your tips and advice. Butch in NC

Me too.

Dana, if there was a like button we'd never have known you were watching!

Agree with bOb, Lane, and Dana. No noodling. Or if you noodle (or need to warm up), turn the volume to 0.

Ian , I truly appreciate your comments, especially about tuning…
I watch almost daily but don’t post that much any more.
I’ve been playing guitar for 60 yrs now and I’m still learning new stuff almost daily. I do play an instrument daily wether it be a guitar, psg, mandolin,bass, uke,I haven’t touched the banjo or keyboards in probably 20 yrs. , but it’s still there if I need to go to it.
Lately Im enjoying my Martin’s big time, been playin’ in a dropped C tuning lately for kicks I guess.
Sure beats watching the TV.

Dana Blodgett wrote:I haven’t touched the banjo or keyboards in probably 20 yrs.

<big grin>

I think you are a pro when the same band calls you for your SECOND gig with them.