Defining Unnecessary Discouragement

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

The blossoming of torpidity is so very common with players who are forced to eat crow in the presence of speed pickers. Instead of becoming apathetic over such occurances, smooth out your own performances to a level that may indeed surpass the speed picker's best efforts to entertain an audience. Observations disclose that Santo's "Sleepwalk" rendition knocked the socks off the general listening public. It was first introduced in 1959. By 1960 it had become one of the most popular melodies to ride the radio waves. The speed pickers are not as well understood, as melodic players. Furthermore, speed picking is more useful in small groups of like musicians. "Arriving" includes realizing that it is imperative to recognize guff and bluff. Really, If Jerry Byrd could show up in Nashville today, where would he fit? His first encounter with the speed cats in Nashville probably wouldn't be a pretty sight. Turn him loose on their wishy washy slow stuff, and the cats would lose big time. That's my point! Cats normally have long shaky tails, but it's the rocker that rules the living quarters. You can bet your last buck safely, that the cats are wary of what lies ahead. Whoa!

richard burton · From: Britain

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

I've always believed that "smooth and melodic" is better understood and more appreciated by the general public than "flash"... but it's good to have a little flash when you need it!
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Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

I want both, but am presently capable of neither.

Its not really the speed that impresses me, its the blocking at high speed that blows me away and sounds really great to me. I must admit tho what i like best is the slow greasy stuff.

Its all good, why rock one to the exclusion of the other?

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

As i am retired it makes no difference to me but the only ones who get turned on by speed picking are other pickers.How many are aware of the fustrations Chalker and others like him went through because it doesn't impress the public.It is only a bunch of noise to them.Which is what seems to sell today.Noise.
I got into that some what my self when i was playing for a living and the band leaders told me if i wanted to do that do it at home.They were correct as it does not impress the public.A good example IMHO would be the likes of Jimmy Day,Pete Drake and a few others.Of course thier was some very fast speed picking on many of Connie Smiths records but it was her singing that sold the records except for a few other steel players.My opinions only.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Doug,

The average listener's ability to relate to a flurry of 64th notes, remains closer to nil, than most folks realize. Their basic admiring audience, may perchance, consist of a few hopefuls spread about the country, spending hours trying to speed up to that level of playing. This of course, is more difficult and less rewarding than imagined. The cats would cast a much better role, should they promote a system of encouragement, as working from the bottom, and moving upward from there.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Richard,

Thanks a whole bunch! The distinction is far from minimal. Both you and Doug helped to make my day! The "runners" cast a shadow of doubt. Very befitting for the occasion.

Bo Legg · Posted 28 Aug 2009 9:30 am

To the general audience it is more about what they see than what they hear.
Most good PSG players play smooth slow or fast to the point that it doesn’t look like they are playing what you hear.
For this reason the general audience doesn’t seem to relate the notes they hear with the PSG player fast or slow.
My take on this is that as PSG players we need to spend more time learning to look fast than actually being fast.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

An excellent point Bo Legg! They talk about hitting the nail on the head. I couldn't agree more. Yesterday, I was so delighted to see the music appreciation showing on the face of a female singer who was singing chorus music in a You Tube featuring Franklin, and Mark O'Connor (Sp) and others. I enjoyed her professionalism as much as the instrumentalists. How very nice.

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

If your goal is to impress the public as an instrumentalist, don't play steel guitar at all. Play harmonica, stand out in front, cup your hands around the harmonica and mic, squirm around as you play, have a strong drum and bass section, and play loud. That get's em every time.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Rick,

Do you remember the harmonica player who toured with Jeannie C. Riley? He had more harmonicas dangling from his belt, than burdocks on a pastured jackass. No one seemed to notice. Jeannie C., singing "Harper Valley P.T.A. held my attention.

James Mayer · Posted 28 Aug 2009 11:17 am

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

I'd guess that it boils down to who can burn the most calories while playing The Orange Blossom Special. That will help to clue at least some of the viewers in, on how much effort is involved in playing that instrumental from start to finish. The nutritionists who are bagging millions, may find that interesting, since there are bountiful memberships crusading in behalf of anti-weight gains formulas.

Bo Legg · Posted 28 Aug 2009 1:36 pm

No effort or extra calories needed. Just a delay pedal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxOYom78IHA

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bo Legg,

Finding a good hearty laugh, is much more difficult than working out some of the top licks produced by fast fingered, cream of the crop pickers. Why go about souring and subduing a plan that others have had great successes in doing. When the day comes, and if I ever witness any picker who can outdo on the steel, my good buddy, Jim Roule Jr., for the sake of speed picking, it will be a first time experience for me. How can you tell if this happens? Oh! You'll be able to tell, if you witness such an event! I've had the pleasure of watching players flock around him, to catch the flurry of motion in his right hand, while playing the O.B.S. at "MASSBASHES". He's a great sport, and not once in the years that I've known him, has he ever indicated a lack of poise, by saying those words that detracts from excellent performances. There are physiological differences in speed pickers. I've written a few lines in the past, that pointed out my intentions to delve into further studies on the matter. Once a logical explanation is made known, I'll take it to the limit by chasing down its reasoning, according to experts. I prefer to avoid other voluminous challenges, leading to some of the most recent explanations, that such extraordinary performances are possible. Having considered the sources of such commitments, and the sameness of dwellings pointing to superficial interpretations, very little knowledge will be gained that will benefit others.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Tony,

A good question indeed. I hope Doug happens by and isn't too caught up in other scheduled plans for the day; to respond. That's a tough question. If he answers, it should be interesting.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Bill, fact be known, I would listen to and prefer to gig alongside a great melody player any day of the week ( any Instrument ) before one who only blasted off with speed licks. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge SPick'in fan but priorities should be in order.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Tony,

Steel guitarists are noted for putting up with shenanigans galore found in this pursuit of fast note patterns that simply roll off the fingers of precious few pickers. The fact that a steel guitarist can pick the devil out of a 10 stringer steel guitar, only proves one thing. That doesn't necessarily allow for that individual to be most entertaining by a jaded lifestyle. No offense intended.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Barry Blackwood · Posted 29 Aug 2009 6:18 am

John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

I was , mainly, a speed picker, in the past. I found it to be challenging, productive and inventive. But, over the last few years, I've been developing a more melodic, singing voice for my steel playing and I like it much better. My reflexes have slowed a bit and I can't get those staccato notes to fly cleanly anymore, like they used to. I feel the power of the steel with well placed phrases and connecting chords, And, I'm getting more enjoyment out of it.
I don't know if this has strayed off topic slightly. I'm just voicing my opinion.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

John De Maille,

It was a treat to see your name appear in this thread. Both you and Doug Beaumier have made some happy tracks in Ct., R.I., and N.Y., in the past few years. Speed picking has been a celebrated style of playing the pedal steel since pedals and knee levers made it possible to achieve the desired effects. Take away the picker's pedals, and what do you have categorically? More "Duck Pluckers" to contend with.

Mitch Daniels · Posted 29 Aug 2009 1:56 pm

You never heard of Joaquin,Noel, or Speedy???

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