When A Heart's Not In It

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Great players evolve by taking initiatory steps to conquer independently, the skills required to succeed at a stepped-up step-by-step learning process. The inititive is costly in the time required to flow into the ranks of precision players. What appears to be a sort of magic, is nothing of the sort. If the heart's not in it, there is little reason to be concerned beyond knowing that you are seated, and the rest is up to you.

Bob Farlow · From: Marietta,GA,

Bill, I couldn't agree with you more. "Time" is the key word in your post concerning evolving to that highest level of expertise. No matter how much desire you have towards becoming the player you want to be, you must remember there are many obstacles along that path, many of which are other time-consuming tasks which cannot be shelved for later attention. In most cases, acquiring monetary resources (TIME on the job) is the primary task at hand, followed by a dedicated schedule of learning and practicing psg. I could go on endlessly naming other time-robbing scenarios that interfere with a person's ambition to become a great player. I think you get my drift.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Hi Bob,

It was nice reading your reply from Marietta, Ga. this morning. I doubt if you would agree with a person who once said, "I have a great system, except for one thing, I hate it." I thought to myself, rather than quit, there is always the back burner. So many things escape notice in this business of trying to get a handle on a respectable level of playing. My heart's in it, for what it's worth. Just this morning, I was able to track down a tuning problem of the 6th string on my homemade steel. Blue Spanish Eyes never sounded so good!

Don Brown, Sr. · From: New Jersey

Bill, the KEY ingredients to becoming proficient: "Time, Effort, Desire & Dedication" are all key.

If one feels they'll make it with only devoting an hour or two a day, at best, I'd say they wouldn't make out too well. If that same player were to put in 8 to 12 hours a day, (every day) it would still depend on what it was they were doing during that time put in.

Without a goal in mind, and the unquenchable thirst to achieve, they wouldn't make out too well.

richard burton · From: Britain

Sorry Folks,
but talent is the important ingredient.

If a 'player' ain't got the talent, it matters 'not a jot' how much practice time is put in, even if it's years, he/she will see very little improvement.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Don Brown, Sr.,

I've been reading your replies, and it's good to receive some of your knowledge in matters that interest me most. In your list of essential attributes, I may have included PATIENCE as a primary attribute, in making substantial gains in any endeavor. Months of energetic activity may be required, before overcoming life's most difficult challenges. The steel guitar's road to freedom of expression, is costly in terms of dedication. There are no bargains. Only patience will get you there, if you are to arrive.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

richard burton,

I didn't realize that one of your most interesting personality traits is your matter-of-fact assertiveness. How wonderful, when a man can speak freely in the face of great odds. If this is a true statement, spoken as you see a situation, I should desire to read more of your brief, and to the point feelings concerning practice on the steel guitar.

richard burton · From: Britain

Bill,
My statement is concise, and does not require elaboration

Barry Blackwood · Posted 6 Jan 2010 12:41 pm

Kenny Martin · From: Chapin, S.C. USA

Well, sign me up on Richard and Barry's statements! Cool

I totally agree, you either have it or you don't! Cool

Problem is, some think they do and don't and some do and think they don't!

I had a lead singer that bought a double neck sho bud and told me he had been given the gift to play anything he wanted! Before the year was up he sold it and lost money! Razz

Well there ya go! Razz

_________________
www.youtube.com/krmsr59

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Kenny,

The burdensome mental and physical strain of long practice sessions is not for everyone. I'm a firm believer in the physical aspects of overtaking the most promising levels of incredulously gifted students. More than once, determined individuals have learned through patient investigatory research, how the experts reached their goals.

Kenny Martin · From: Chapin, S.C. USA

Bill,

No disrespect but when a player is a player and strives to improve daily, the thought of practice being a burden and or a physical strain doesn't enter the process!

There are times when you feel tired and or mentally drained but those times you should take a break for a day or so!

For the most part, any great player continues the efferts on becoming a better player and as he or she reaches different levels, the excitement of progress itself motivates the player to stay with it! IMHO! Very Happy

I practice and or work on licks 4 to 5 times a week and have always kept the excitement of learning and playing everytime i practice!

If a beginner feels, sees and hears these changes as they learn, then the talent is there! If they dread to parctice and deal with the agony of it, along with no progress, they should consider a different instrument! IMHO! Cool

Since i was 9 years old, and i'm now 50, i still can't wait to practice, play and or jam with friends! I can't wait to get set up at the gig and kick the first tune off! I can't wait to play a steel show that's coming up!
Last, i can't wait to hear Tommy White, Paul Franklin and all the other great steel players put out new material or video's!

If this is not in your heart, then it will be heard in your playin and the emotion of the steel in a serious ballad will not be felt and or move the emotion of the audience! Cool

That's all i got to say! Razz

_________________
www.youtube.com/krmsr59

Drew Howard · From: 48854

"initiatory"?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Drew,

When and where did I use that word? I went back and couldn't find it in my replies. I would appreciate reading how I used the word. Thanks...

Stephen Silver · From: Asheville, NC

Bill, perhaps it's age or it's just past your bedtime.

Look at your first post, sixth word.

New glasses perhaps?

Bent Romnes · From: London,Ontario, Canada

in⋅i⋅ti⋅a⋅to⋅ry
/ɪˈnɪʃiəˌtɔri, -ˌtoʊri/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [i-nish-ee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] Show IPA
Use initiatory in a Sentence
See web results for initiatory
See images of initiatory
–adjective
1. introductory; initial: an initiatory step toward a treaty.
2. serving to initiate or admit into a society, club, etc.

I think you used that word the correct way, Bill
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Drew,

Thanks to Bent Romnes, at least the word (initiatory) was used correctly, even though those blamed memory lapses can be be cited for slight errors at times. Admittedly, to forget over that short span of time, where I had typed the word, was surprising. Even though, you had chosen not to elaborate, I drew that you find the word too flowery, or overstated. Looking back, I notice that other messages written by you, excludes excessive bickerings. I hope that I will become tolerant to sudden personality changes, if there are unfair practices intermixed in dubious replies.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 7 Jan 2010 6:29 am

Bob Farlow · From: Marietta,GA,

Back in the late '90s, at one of Jeff Newman's June Jams, several of us players were having lunch at a table when Jeff's wife Fran appproached and asked if she could join us. Of course we were delighted to have Fran at our table. During the course of lunch, someone mentioned that he wished he could play half as good as Jeff. Without hesitation, Fran remarked, "most of you play steel as a hobby, but with Jeff, it's his job. He takes his playing very seriously because of that." I will always remember those remarks, because it's true. God bless Fran for the words we needed to hear.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

richard burton · From: Britain

In my part of the world, pencil pushers can retire at 50, with a gold-plated pension, mostly paid for by blue-collared workers, who will have to carry on working well after normal retirement age.

I wish someone had guided me to a pencil pushing career, instead of engineering Sad

Tommy Shown · From: Denham Springs, La.

Bill I am in total agreement with you. Sometimes one can get burned out, and lose intrest. I know there have been times in my years of playing that I have not put my all into my playing, and it has showed. Whether practicing at my home or with the band or bands, I have worked with in the clubs. Sometimes it's the repetivness of doing the same songs over and over with no variety in the music list.
Tommy Shown

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Forum Index > Steel Players		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic