Chicanery Blended With Artistic Ability

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

There are card tricks, money tricks, sales tricks, etc. that affect the lives of many from day to day. It's doubtful that anyone would consider chicanery as part of a distinguished steel guitarist's make-up. Time plays tricks. This, no one can deny. Exploring harmless elemental subterfuges, that include invisible transient moves, may bring about a huge improvement in confidence levels. That is to say, capabilities are penned up by extraordinary differences in objective observations. Technique is first and foremost in the art of playing steel.

Mike Headrick · From: South Pittsburg, TN, USA

I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with the word "artistic".

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Mike,

The command center of the brain signals the hands to perform artistic movements. It would include all forms of original styles in advanced steel guitar artistry. What could be more relevant as we move upward a few notches on the "artistic" totem pole? Cool

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

Invisible Transient Moves=Speed Picking Question

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Fake it till you make it. Jimi Hendrix said it best: "The whole world is a gimmick"

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Michael,

Oftentimes a friend will make a remark that may be a little different from the usual. I was discussing the bee invasion around windows with a close friend of mine, and the subject of spiders became the central issue. She said that a spider between her windows had been trapping gnats and mosquitoes for quite some time, after which, she commented; "He's good at his job." I wanted to share that thought with readers who may be interested in finding ways to upgrade personal values. Efforts put forth with the sole purpose of achieving and reaching goals, by recognizing that most trivial matters do in fact become issues of much greater importance. Attitude, my friends, is the key issue in becoming ardently involved in mastering the steel guitar. A sideward glance in close proximity to the approaches of a newcomer to the steel, will offer many clues to a long range view. Like the spider awaiting the arrival of "guests", there are "similarities" involved, when diving headlong into the study of the steel guitar.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Well,I would hardly call myself a newcomer to steel guitar. But then again I may have misunderstood your post - it's easy to do.

But to your original point - when a high tech civilization comes in contact with a primitive civilization,the latter will regard the former's science as "magic". The same thing can occur when a master musician is viewed by a mere mortal. I remember watching Joaquin Murphey's left hand bar control and having it remind me of a slight-of-hand magician.He appeared to be drawing circles and figure-8s around the strings with the tip of the bar and slants would resolve into other slants as tremendously hip be-bop lines would pour out of his instrument,hands and mind. It seemed super-human and unattainable - it really did.
But he would dismiss one move as a "cheap trick" and on the subject of some other lick he would say "I've been practicing that thing for 50 years and I still can't play it clean". Still other great players like Jeff Newman have said "I don't care how hard it looks or sounds,if it ain't easy to play,I don't try to play it - that's why I sound like I know what I'm doing". So is it subtrifuge or hard won technique? Although hardly a "distinguished" steel player,I have more than my share of parlor tricks up my sleeve but have also put in 30+ years of serious sweat and bandstand time (not all ot it pretty) and I am not unique in that regard,so I say both.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Michael,

I don't recall reading the percentages of steel guitarists in their 70's, as compared to those in their 50's or 60's. According to censuses there is a big drop in age groups from age 60 to 75, according to matters relating to elder services. Finding the middle point between two extremes would be difficult. Taking into account ages between 10 years and on up to 90 or better, who own and play steel guitars, would be quite an undertaking. I'm thinking that age 50 would be recognized as an ideal age to show our "stuff". Who would "Cast the first stone" to discredit that assumption? It seems quite probable that the average player would have perhaps 30 years of practice, or bandstand experience by age
50. One of the most dreaded changes comes knocking when a 60 lb. steel starts to feel like one hundred pounds. I've never met a steel player who retired his steel when it became burdensome. Attempts to discourage are not uncommon. A lady once said to me; "I'll bet when your 40 your guitar will be hanging on the wall, like my husband's guitar." She lost that bet. There will come a time though, I realize, when from a practical standpoint, it will be necessary to call it quits.

Danny Bates · From: Fresno, CA. USA

Hey Bill, You're the best!

Joe Drivdahl · From: Montana, USA

I just turned 50 myself and I hope this is not as good as I am going to get as a steel player. I am hoping to be much better by 60 or so.

Joe

Danny Bates · From: Fresno, CA. USA

Michael,

My favorite Hendrix quote: "I'm gonna put a curse on you and all your kids will be born completely naked"

Here's an unpublished John Lennon quote: "All musicians are my friends"

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Danny,

The prevailing system of exchanging views I've noticed of late, isn't as functional as "it once was" some time ago. The warblers of discontent can be heard trying, perhaps, to usher in some form of bureaucratizing, that is so common throughout the management of governing affairs. Hawk-eyed jaybirds screaming disapproval, as their nervous and inquisitive behavior reminds me of bureaucrats with wings. Early on, after the turn of the 21st century, my elbows were able to move "to and fro" freely, minus the bumping. The pattern of readers and concomitant writers that once offered "building blocks" for positive thinking, have shrunk to occasional thought provoking comments. Any attempt made to reverse the rigidities of accepted practices, has been met with staunch routinists who (much to my chagrin) prefer to leave well enough alone.

Mike Perlowin · From: Los Angeles CA

Danny Bates · From: Fresno, CA. USA

Bill, You are an amazing guy. Words just seem to flow very easy from you.

You are speaking to a laymen here. When the teacher started teaching those big words in school, I must've been looking at mini skirts or something. I guess I couldn't figure out how "Washington crossing the Delaware" was going to help me in a brick fight in East Los Angeles anyway.

Sorry, but I can only put together a little bit of what you're saying. I can assume it's good stuff, especially coming from a "Master of Words" like yourself. You're like Bob Dylan or Dylan Thomas or even Jimi Hendrix... pure poetry!

You got to keep things simple with me. I'm a little slow like Nigel Tufnel... "Would you like that in blue? I think we have that in blue"

I still believe that a guy with your talent with words should be a poet, writer or lyricist. If you ever publish any thing like that, I want a copy. I may not understand it, but I'm sure it would be great poetic stuff.

Your Buddy, Danny

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Danny,

Thank you for the kind words. May I wish you great successes in each endeavor, including moving forward on the steel guitar. The future promises many opportunities for those seriously involved in advancing in the art of playing the pedal steel guitar. We haven't scratched the surface of the steel's full potential, as it becomes more obvious with the passing of time, that musical expression is unlimited, and not to be limited to a single person.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Mike P.,

Quality steel guitars are usually linked to names. Much like the fastest guitar players around the world. Just about the time a propensity to endorse a brand name instrument is in full swing, ( much like your Millennium has captured your attention), something better is introduced in the manufacturing of steel guitars. It seems that most suppliers of fine musical instruments fuel the energies required to support their claims. If an unplugged steel is not a rattletrap of loose parts clicking and clacking, in all probabilities, it is a brand name. Some steel guitars are better suited for parts. Unlike a rattletrap automobile, a parts steel refuses to quit. Anything new should stand the test of time. After that period of time, endorsements help to ease a buyer's concern, knowing that it's money wisely spent.

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