Twangiest Of All

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Who plucks with the finesse that produces sounds on the steel that will turn heads in any musical situation? It's amazing to learn that a mere string attack paves the way to higher levels of creative performances. This twang partnership is an accurate means of measuring future abilities. Shocked

Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

I don't know, Bill. I'm guessing that 'mere string attack as a means to higher levels of creative performances' may well be precluded by someone with a practice routine that resists change. Without the necessary (or ordinary) zest (or zeal) to overcome the complexities of furthering the benefits of healthy approaches seated at the steel, twang partnership can be no more than simply mute.

I could be wrong, of course....

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Steve,

To snip the 5th string of the 9th tuning would negate the ability to pull off a performance. The excessive twanging of the 5th string "B" note covers for virtually all country music presentations. A good example would be the break in "Together Again". The formations of twangy chords are very dependent on the 5th string change. Certainly, a possible weak link in the 9th tuning.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

bill, i bet you're really a decent guy...if you could just speak our language we could all get along like family!

i live in a spanish speaking neighborhood but i get by with my english language and a smile!

richard burton · From: Britain

'Twang', to me, is the Duane Eddy guitar sound.

Steels don't 'twang', but, if they are badly built/played, they exhibit an unpleasant 'whine'

Most non-musicians only recognise the sound of a pedal steel as 'that whiny sounding thing'

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Richard,

Duane Eddy proved to me as others who play 6 string guitars have done. It is quite possible to exclude the pedal steel guitar, and still produce a salable recording. The flimsy triads heard on the pedal steel are in part responsible for the thin sounds produced by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th strings clusters. Duane played mainly on the 4th, 5th, and 6th strings of the Spanish guitar, much like Johnny Cash's lead player. The result was sort of a mythical image of a guitarist who made good on the Sun label. The steel has been critiqued a million times more than its companion leads, (fiddles and guitars). I've read on The Steel Guitar Forum that the method of adding a pick to the ring finger, is recently becoming an accepted practice. If you should care to examine who was practicing the addition of the 3rd pick, try focusing on live shows that were recorded on cameras. The management of electronics, pickups, speakers, etc., "play" a large part in total sound deliveries. Much of the "twang" can be controlled by a gentle brushing of the triads.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

alan jackson must like that 5th string twang..listen to 'gone country'..lots of tunes have this basic beginning steel lick in them...and , i don't know why, but they hire people like paul franklin to play this simple lick...i'd have done it alot cheaper!

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Chris,

It's interesting when fellow steel guitarists open doors to different varieties of subject matters. The mere mentioning of Paul Frankin will create a shivering in the boots brought on by the natural responses of fight or flight. One more reason to concentrate more on doing your own "thing". Alan Jackson seems to be less inclined to change steel guitarists, much like a large number of leading recording artists have done over the past 50 years. Consequently, we are not able to compare alternative stylings behind the popular recording artists, including Alan Jackson.

Theresa Galbraith · From: Goodlettsville,Tn. USA

With all due respect, Alan has used Lloyd on "Remember When" and his steel player.
The last CD produced by Allison Krause, no steel.

I think the artist starts with a team of players and if it works and sells, it great! Signature sounds make the audience familar with the artist. Believe it or not alot of you don't like change! or do you? I never know...... Smile

I do love that TWANG! Smile

Stuart Legg · Posted 16 Jun 2008 9:08 am

Twang is slang for the sound that musical instrument strings produce. If you play steel you twang.

Tamara James · Posted 16 Jun 2008 9:35 am **bluegrass**

Stuart Legg · Posted 16 Jun 2008 10:41 am

Thanks Tamara your sweet. I got lots of guitars and I'm a single guy. That's twangy. Sorry Bill didn't mean to hijack your interesting topic.

Al Moss · From: Kent,OH,USA

The world, as we know it, is made of vibrations.

Steve Morley · From: Connecticut, USA

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Steve,

Ralph Mooney, Lloyd Green, and Paul Franklin have proceeded to go in much different musical directions. Consider Ralph Mooney's "CRAZY ARMS". He stands alone in many regards, particularly in the creative backup that is his signature forte'. I'm reluctant to go about blurting commentary that alludes to the most recorded artistic player in Nashville. Of course, I'm referring to Lloyd Green. Paul Franklin has kept innovative players hopping, and making knee lever changes, hoping to break the sound barrier as Paul has been known to do.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

I'll put my money on Lloyd Green. It seems where most others need that extra knee lever to get the certain lick, Lloyd accomplishes everything with his 4 standard levers and an amazing agility with his bar slants.

Theresa Galbraith · From: Goodlettsville,Tn. USA

Does that make it better? Just different, it's subjective as always.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bent,

Lloyd can roll off the "A" pedal with lightning-like quickness. I had stressed the importance of the "A" pedal change. It is doubtful that 4 knee levers and a snipped 5th string could bring about those pristine arrangements heard in past recordings.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Theresa,
I agree. It does not make it better, only different. And vive la difference!

Bill,
I am not sure what you mean by a "snipped 5th string". All I can do is take you literally which means that you have(theoretically?) cut the 5th string off. But why??

I know, Lloyd rolls on and off the A ped quickly
You stressed the A pedal . I stress the faultless bar slants. All Lloyd needs, it seems, is 4 knees and great bar slants to match the 14 knee levers on other steels. Smile

I also strongly disagree that the 5th string is a weak link. It is equally much needed in both 'twang' and other styles of music.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bent,

There exists some pertinent data that has not been accounted for here in New England. While skimming the cream from the heart of country music, throughout the Nashville area, attention has been woefully lacking in becoming aware of super pickers living North of Music City. It is truly amazing to learn that super pickers at times keep low profiles. This I've found to be true, BTW, I know of no player who has worn out the "A" pedal from constant use. (Just a bit of trivia to create a fleeting thought.)

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Theresa,

If the question of weak links ever makes its way into this forum, most assuredly snap judgments much like the credentials of steel players in terms of ratings, will also become subjective. Sadly, hearsay can lead to groping about with inclinations to revise previous thoughts.

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

Maybe attention is lacking in New England. But I can guarantee you that it is not lacking further north, in Ontario. The few super pickers up here certainly get our attention. One such 'super picker' is our very own Bob Lucier. Two others equally worth mentioning are Steve Smith and Al Brisco.

Bill, we all wear out our A pedal. That one and the B pedal are the two that have to take the most abuse IMO. I am surprised to hear you say they are not. That is simply not so, Bill. And that is because The A and B peds are what makes the E9th sound. How can you state such a glaring error?

Or are you talking in riddles again just to get your kicks? Please make your writings clear, easily understandable and to the point so that a guy like me can keep up Smile

Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

Colm Chomicky · From: Kansas, (Prairie Village)

Bill Hankey wrote:

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bent,

There are many different approaches to determine how devoted a named player has been to furthering his/her knowledge of the pedal steel. A player once came to my home to visit and play. His "A" pedal wear created by the sliding footwear was impressive. Do you recall ever taking special note of some visible evidence of a player's prowess? Like it or not, there will always be a shred, or an optional amount of "prejudging" a fellow steel guitarist is subjected to. Each player's demeanor before "donning" the picks provides clues to confidence levels, as well as social stabilities.

Forum Index > Steel Players	Goto page 1, 2 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic