How do you play it? (All are welcome, Pros are encouraged)

Joe Drivdahl · From: Montana, USA

I have high hopes for this post.

When I started playing lead guitar, an older veteran, weekend warrior gave me some sage advice after listening to me play for a set. He said something like, "Joe sometimes you can say more with one note played with feeling than you can with a whole cascade of flashy notes." He also told me another time when I was trying to copy some Roy Nichols lick, that "You can never go wrong playing the melody." I took his advice but it took me a while to learn to play that one note with feeling. That one might be an ongoing experiment, but I always try to stick to the melody pretty much if I know the song.

My question for discussion is: Is it better to (a) stick with the melody line, (b) copy the licks from the record, (c) work up some flashy licks of your own, (d) just improvise and let the chips fall where they may, or (e) something else?

I think I fall somewhere between 'a' and 'd' unless I don't know the song, then its mostly 'd' with some probably intruding into 'e' territory. Its something else alright.

Joe

Gary Preston · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Joe ,you will get a bunch of ideas and i'm sure that most will be right on . But in my opinion you have been given some good advise already . There is a time and place for just about everything that you have said . For the most part i think that most of the pros that have broken the ground for us would tell us they are greatful that we like what they did but they would advise us to make our own way . I think i'm right about this ( maybe not )only time will tell huh ? G.P.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

IMO, the hardest thing to do on the pedal steel is to not overplay. BE can get more out of one note in the right place than I can with 25 notes. There is your answer. It is very hard to play tastefully, and simply and still say what you want to say musically. Good Luck, it is a lifetime endeavor.

Vance Monday · From: Missouri, USA

I played steel for Cal Smith on a couple of shows and he told me, what you don't play is just as important as what you do play. I took it that he just wanted me to play fills and not much else. He complimented me after each show so I must have done it somewhat right. I never forgot what he said though and through the years I find that some of the best fills are just single notes. I have been able to play behind a lot of singers and have always tried to remember what not to play.

Vincent Serice · From: Sulphur,Louisiana

Joe,I think you got the best advice you could get.I think most of us can do fills with whatever, but when I was asked to play a song using the melody line, I realized how little I knew my neck. Since then, I've really practiced learning every song I play note for note and have progressed in my playing tremendously. Besides, its fun and you wouldn't believe how many players have been playing for years cant do this. I was one, and am still trying to learn that neck. Lloyd Green is one of the best at it. Very Happy

Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

Listen to the legends. They found ways to make the melody interesting. If you don't play the melody, then SUGGEST it!
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Bill Dobkins · From: Rolla Missouri, USA

I'm a D, I like doing my own thing. Being a copy player will get you in rut. I'd like to be the guy that come's up with a new lick that no-ones heard of.
That will likely never happen but I can try. Color out side the lines, be different. Thats why all the greats are great. My opinion of course.
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Joe Drivdahl · From: Montana, USA

I agree with you Bill Dobkins. Part of the reason I don't care to play out anymore is because someone in the band always wants me to play it like it was on the record. I just hate that. I mean, I guess sometimes it needs to be there, like a signature lick for the song like "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" needs that signature lick, but, I remember playing a Matchbox 20 song and the whole lead part was one note, played continously like you'd do on a mandolin, picking both directions. What the hell is that? I hate that kind of thing. It just makes me feel about three inches tall to have to play some cheap-a$$ lick like that.

Joe

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Either a, b, c, d, or e - depending on the situation.

Ken Thompson · From: Great Falls, Montana, USA

Probably all of them at the right time. I agree with what others have said about signature licks. But that is where I leave it. Everything else is me. I have really learned how important the one note theory is while playing contemporary songs in our church. There are not many steel parts in those songs so I invent them and try to make them tasteful and unique. That makes my country playing even better because I use the same theory with our band.

Jonathan Cullifer · From: Gallatin, TN

Each can be applied in its own context. But I've found that it's easier for band members to lose each other if they try to overplay. There are times to where it's okay, but I've found that some of the most memorable songs are simpler, more powerful melodies. It also makes the music easier for the audience to follow.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

joe, since you're such a forum troublemaker like myself, i've decided to give you my professional insight. play whatever you can think of at the time!
melody or suggestion of it, as clyde says, usually works. especially if you've got a style or spark of your own. some of my favorite licks that i've heard and gotten a good feeling from have been a single note placed perfectly from james burton on guitar or buddy emmons or lloyd green on steel.

i've never been a copier/reproducer of other's licks. i'm not that good. but i've usually been able to imply the signature sound of specific songs when need be!

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I like to compose my own parts. My ultimate goal is to play them "right" every time I play the song. They evolve a bit over time, of course, but the core idea usually stays the same.

Now and then I slip into total improvisational mode. I always start with high hopes, but in the end I find that improvisation isn't as satisfying to me or to the audience as a really good, well thought out, well rehearsed steel part.
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Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

There is no melody in today's top 40 country. The drummer keeps the melody. Play your steel with a drum stick and you'll be just fine. On the serious side, thats exactly how I play Bob, to an arrangement.

Bill Myrick · From: Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)

For steel solos or instrumentals, I like to hear the start with melody and the end the same and even the "break away" middle parts I want to hear enough indentification to remember what is being played. Tommy Dodd does this the best of any I have heard on his "In The Steel of The night" CD.

Greg Wisecup · From: Troy, Ohio

I am probably in the minority but having played out 15+ years and been listening for 45; when it comes to country music I want to hear the song as it was recorded.( or as close as the players talent will allow). Songs are recognizable because of certain licks and obviously the singer. These licks are that way for a reason! They made or helped make the song a hit. There is nothing worse to me than hearing the first part of a song and not being able to recognize it for the hit that it is. I don't necessarily mean hit but more likely very popular. Paychek 's Live in Branson cd starts of with "Don't take her she's all I've got." He did a major change on the intro and it takes a few bars to recognize the song. When I pay my money I want to hear like it was recorded. I don't want to hear your interpretation. Licks, melody lines, turnarounds, intros, ect. make the song what it is! Do you want to change the intro to Look at us? This is not directed to any of you. Differences are what makes the world go round. This is just the way I personally feel. I feel better now.................

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Ernest Cawby · From: Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

It is amazing how many steel players cannot play a song all the way thru. Lots of players come to the florida jam and say I would bring my sreel and play with you guys but I do not know a song all the way thru. Knowing the melody is very important even to play fills. The hardest thing is not to play to much, less is more, AS Jeff said, " just play the melody", that thought needs to be hammered in to all of us.
Did you ever notice scale is the most beautiful fills there is, Jimmy Day's fills.

ernie

Scott Hiestand · From: MA, U.S.A

"It depends".

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