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Topic: Why do Steel Players "LIP SYNC"???? |
Ed Naylor
From:
portsmouth.ohio usa, R.I.P.
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Posted 19 Oct 2003 5:17 am |
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| Ever notice that many Steel players use lots of facial expressions ,head shaking ,"Lip" movements while playing??? I have always wanted a video of a Steel players face only,then have the question asked"What is this person doing"??Hopefully no one is offended by this post. Ed Naylor Steel Guitar Works |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2003 5:57 am
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Sooooo true Ed,
Some do it more, some less. It runs the gamut from actually "talking" to the classic grin of Buddy Emmons as he so endears himself to most of us as he plays.
I have studied this phenomenon for many years. And I will have to say, that while it is found somewhat amongst all musicians, NOwhere is it more evident than with pedal steel guitarists.
I believe I know the answer. Our instrument, as most will agree, is one of the most difficult instruments ever created to master. And as we toil and strive in almost agony to learn all the many physical requirements to play it, our hearts, minds and souls come to the surface subconciously.
As a result, grimaces, lipbiting, frowning, facial expressions, deep thinking eye sets, etc, etc, become as much a part of our musicianship as the actual playing part of the instrument.
I know my dear and precious friend Jack Hearn will not mind my singling him out. If you have ever had the pleasure of watching him play, he will talk your ears off while he flawlessly executes his wizardry on that C6 neck which he so dearly loves. He will even tell you he does it.
And I suggest he could no more stop it than he could fly to pluto and back. In a word, it is part of what makes us all what we are. And thank God for it.
I sometimes have felt that Buddy made recordings of himself playing and totally erased what most of the rest of us do while playing. But then again, knowing him and following him for a half a century, it is probably just one more of his incredible inate talents from Jesus. Because he has got to be the most awesome player to watch I have ever known; as he smiles throughout his playing. Truly a feat unprecedented on our chosen instrument.
May Jesus continue to bless Jack and Buddy and all of you,
carl |
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Lawrence Sullivan
From:
Granite City, Illinois, USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2003 6:12 am
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Ed I am a beginer but it seems to take an extreme amount of concentration for steel playing and as the music is going through your head, and no way to tap your foot as other instrument players do, facial expressions probably express your emotions as you concentrate and play, especially the difficult runs.
Ever hear Jerry Reed in the background on some of the tunes he played with Chet Atkins???
Hey you oughta see my wifes facial expressions when I am attempting to play without head phones here at home.
Anyone know an easy way to put up "chicken wire" at home?
Keep up the good steel music and I will keep listening
Larry |
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David L. Donald
From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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Posted 19 Oct 2003 10:02 am
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I think the intensity of concentration needed and the possibility to hit a clam at any instant,
causes the facial expressions to be of little concern while playing. Some are blessed with a Big E'ar to ear grin as a sub-conscious thing so that's what comes out.
Most aren't so lucky. I haven't the foggiest what I look like, except for one pic while I was on lapsteel, and I look totally focused. |
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Donna Dodd
From:
Acworth, Georgia, USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2003 1:11 pm
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| I must say that it took me about 10 minutes to figure you steel players speak your own language. At my first Steel Show (Dallas 1998)with Tommy, I noticed that "drawing up" and laughing at a particular lick while someone was playing was a sign of great enjoyment and admiration of that player. (No, Jim Cohen - I did NOT try that at home!!) I still can't imagine how on earth you use all those body parts at the same time and even chew gum!! Amazing, honestly!! |
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Don Walters
From:
Saskatchewan Canada
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Posted 19 Oct 2003 4:22 pm
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I've watched Al Brisco play many times and he doesn't lip synch, but he breathes as if he's singing the song.
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Nick Reed
From:
Russellville, KY USA
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Posted 19 Oct 2003 5:56 pm
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| Watch Jack Hearn when he plays, very intersting. NR |
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Bob Hayes
From:
Church Hill,Tenn,USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2003 3:02 am
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Watch Herby smile WHEN or IF he misses something!!!!...BUT...How can you tell???? He plays so FAST sometimes...it's hard for the Human Mind to Keep Up!!!!!.I think he plays at least 10 chords for each note!!!!.The body language goes with the playing in order to get some of those chords that only someone like him can get!!!! It's either an EMOTIONAL THING, Physical Thing,...or comes with the territory!!!
Grouchy |
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2003 3:45 am
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| I think Buddy Emmons and Jay Dee Maness are humming what they are playing. If you look at the Jay Dee video where is is playing the speed picking stuff that is not a part of the instruction course, he looks like he is humming. Is this just a habit of theirs or is it something more. Like an aid in playing or their way of keeping in time, etc. |
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Gary Walker
From:
Morro Bay, CA
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Posted 20 Oct 2003 9:45 am
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| Guitar players also do that, Roy Clark will make some twisting faces and jazz guitarist Herb Ellis looks like he is extreme pain with some bad looking expressions as if struggling to catch some air. |
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JACK HEERN
From:
MURPHYSBORO,IL. USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2003 7:41 pm
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Carl' Thanks fer the kind words! However, you are totaly wrong! I never move any facial parts when I play. You probably have mistaken me for some one else. Around home they always call me "Polker Face"  I feel totaly no emotion at all when I play, especially C6th Ugh.......... [This message was edited by JACK HEERN on 02 November 2003 at 07:42 PM.] |
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