The Steel Guitar Forum

Speaking of what Ale'a said regarding the "tourist thing" in another topic...

I play in a group and I also feel that the "tourist sound" is a hurdle of sorts. It's very much to do with my personal taste... but I've got something in my brain that doesn't want my music (in this particular group setting) coming out sounding like the Harry Owen's Orchestra or even Hawaii Calls. So I do certain things that I feel help to take the cheesy visitor's bureau stuff out of my playing (and I like it better that way):

1. I seldom strum a 6th chord unless we are doing some hackneyed number like Blue Hawaii... or some of the more tin pan alley sounding numbers.*

2. I seldom do octave slides... except in the case mentioned above. This is a tongue-in-cheek novelty most times.

3. I don't let chord placements force where I'm going on the fretboard... I let the "voice" (my melodic line) dictate that. The guitar and uke player are there to play chords...I express something melodic.

But these are just my playing philosophies.

*revised after really thinkin' about it
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 10 November 2002 at 09:05 AM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 10 November 2002 at 09:07 AM.]</p></FONT><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 12 November 2002 at 01:55 AM.]</p></FONT>

What about the white pants?

But Jeff. Would you ever do any of those things for Spongebob?



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Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Brandin:

It brings me a BIG smile that you should say that... my group is the very group that thinks wearing white pants (with that white wedding shirt) is the coolest thing ever.

Do you know how hard it is to find white leather dress shoes these days?

We have it in mind to bring back the long-sleeved aloha/Hawaiian shirt too. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 10 November 2002 at 07:25 PM.]</p></FONT>

Aye!

I had no idea I was responding to GARY Brandin of Spongebob Squarepants.

Just wanted to say...You Rule Man!

And yes, of course I would use 6th chords and octave slides for Spongebob.

The steel playing is half the reason why I watch the show!

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 10 November 2002 at 10:52 PM.]</p></FONT>

Sorry Jeff, I just had to ask that question.

BTW, do you ride a 'Longboard'?

GB

No octive gliss ? Have you listened to the 'Master of touch and tone' rendition of the beautiful "Kawahikukapulani"....seems to me I detect an octive gliss
at the end...absolutely hauntingly beautiful! David Keli'i often did octive slides as have most every great steel guitarist in (or out) of Hawai'i...it's one of the identifying and characteristic sounds which can only be accomplished on a Hawaiian Steel Guitar. (Not near as pretty when played on a slide trombone! ha!) I don't feel it is a "touristy" thing at all. Listen, I'll end this with an octive gliss *.............* Wow!

(edited for sp. error)<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 11 November 2002 at 09:41 AM.]</p></FONT>

Brandin:

Actually yes, how did you know?

Okay, I'll have to brag a bit because I am so disgustingly proud of it. I ride a 9'4" of my own shaping...it is a copy of a 1967 Surfboards Makaha that is owned by the father of someone I went to highschool with. 50/50 rails, a stepdeck, and an 11.5 skeg--it weighs 25 lbs!

Steel Guitars and Surfboards are similar in one way... a lot of the old ones were better!

Jeff, you da man! I went back to ridin' longboards in 84. That was about the same time I went back to usin' tube amps.

Hang ten!

GB

Longboards RULE!!!!!!!!Winters here...first whale sightings...surf is BACK...never did like those short things...plus it's how you tell the old timers from the kids...altho having a split window VW bus helps...(not to mention graying, thinning hair)
Mike

I just had to do it....I just got WS FTP-PRO...well lets see..It's a 66, Brand new Brazillian motor (1600)12volts NO heater vents in the tin...Porsche fan...oversize oil pump and cooler spin on oil Filter(Fram) Dual 38 Mikuni Carbs, header system, Bosch racing ignition/distributor...blue hot coil...Gosh..I can even PASS tourists with it!!! Splitties RULE
<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by mikey on 14 November 2002 at 07:16 PM.]</p></FONT>

That's a sweet bus, Mikey- beautiful work. I probably should just keep it to "steel guitar", but when I get my syncro westy fixed up I'll be tempted to post pictures as well. I might have to put strings on top for the pix, though.

Beautiful Mikey! (Moderator says: I'm moving your post to the "Major Mojo" section.)
1966 was a good year for lots of stuff... I sure wish I had lived it. Is green your favorite color too?

Well here's my show-off pic:



Okay, I'd better quit this palaver before I get booted off the forum.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeff Au Hoy on 16 November 2002 at 05:12 AM.]</p></FONT>

Great pictures, guys, but this topic has drifted too far from steel guitar. I'm closing it.

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