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Topic: Just got to thinking about backup playing................... |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 19 Sep 2011 4:23 pm |
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When it comes to backing up the vocalist, do you merely insert noises, or preconceived licks or riffs, or fills that you've heard in other songs, in the blank spots of the song, or........
do you actually listen to what the vocalist is singing...or even the melody of the song........
in order to determine WHAT you're going to play at that point? If it's slightly hillbilly, do you use hillbilly fills?
Some players that I've talked with consider playing
back-up to be little more than making compatiable sounds........
How do YOU see it? What's your norm?
Anyone that's listened to JERRY BYRD down thro' the years are familiar with his technique and in many instances, one can almost make a melody out of his
back-up playing. |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 22 Sep 2011 7:12 am
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Ray, what I do is basically pretty simple as I play pretty basic and simple. On the intros I usually play the last line of the song. For fills I usually just "drift along" in two or three string harmony in the I chord. If the tune goes to the IV chord I'll usually do a walk up either single note or two string (sometimes 3 string) harmonies. If it goes to the V chord I'll just "walk" it back down the same way. The type of song usually is the key to the type of backup and fills I do. If it's an oldie (country) or western swing or pop feel I usually try to keep to a 6th vein and use more bar movement as if I were playing a lapsteel. Blues flavored things I'll play mostly bar movement but out of a major E type chord such as strings 3,4,5 & 6 and sometimes use the 8th string for a root, it'd be similar to what a slide guitarist would do.
As far as "noises", I do some of those at times. One of the guys I work with does "Freight Train Boogie" in which I do the old "train whistle" thing. I also do that on "Folsom Prison Blues". On "Truck Drivin' Man" after the line "I climbed back aboard my old semi" I insert a Diesel truck horn sound that Blackie Taylor in Californis showed me years ago. And also a police siren from time to time. The people seem to like that sort of thing for some reason.........Have a great one...JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 22 Sep 2011 10:13 am
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I am from the old school of music. I consider the steel guitar a backup instrument and play it as such. Though I have now retired from stage and band involvement, I still jam and, as I did when on stage, I play to blend in and enhance the sound and depth of the band band; which should be focusing on backing up the vocalists.
For some reason, many modern steel guitarists have adopted the notion that they are the center piece of the band and everyone should be fitting in with him or her. When a vocalist is singing, it is the bands responsibility to make the vocalist sound as good as possible. To over ride the vocalist with fancy licks and volume swells is wrong in my mind. Having one instrument blaring above the other instruments in a band, makes the entire band sound bad.
From the old school. |
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Elton Smith
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Sep 2011 1:04 pm
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I think our job is to sweeten the music for the singer.I set my amp setting just slightly louder than the singer just in case I need it but I don't want to be to loud in case I get mezmorized and forget that Im floor boarding the pedal.
_________________
Gibson Les Paul
Reverend Avenger
Paul Reed Smith
Fender Telecaster
MSA S10 Classic
ShoBud
Old Peavy Amps |
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Ron Whitworth
From:
Yuma,Ariz.USA Yeah they say it's a DRY heat !!
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Posted 22 Sep 2011 4:58 pm
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Way to go Les!
I like the way you think - behind the vocalist.
That sounds the best to me also. 
Ron
_________________
"Tone is in the hands. Unless your wife will let you buy a new amp. Then it's definitely in that amp."
We need to turn the TWANG up a little
It's not what you play through, it's what you play through it.
They say that tone is all in the fingers...I say it is all in your head 
Some of the best pieces of life are the little pieces all added up..Ron
the value of friendship. Old friends shine like diamonds, you can always call them and - most important - you can't buy them. |
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John Richmond
From:
New Mexico, USA
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Posted 22 Sep 2011 5:28 pm Steel Guitar Backup
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| I agree with everything that Les said. If a vocalist opens his or her mouth to sing, lead instruments including guitar, piano, fiddle, steel, etc., should BACK OFF and let the singer sing. Fills should not distract from the vocals. It's best to play in an octave/register different from the vocalist's so as not to clash or sound flat/sharp to the singer. Just my humble opinion. |
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Cal Sharp
From:
the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 23 Sep 2011 9:26 am
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| Excellent advice Cal and a piece that all beginner steel guitarists should read and memorize. |
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Tom Grosz
From:
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
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Posted 23 Sep 2011 10:38 am
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Steel guitar seems to be the only instrument where players frequently discuss playing with others!
Usually my fills are transitional from one chord to the next, and trying to jive with the main melody... Playing in context as opposed to prefabricated riffs, although the two can collide...
When some other part (vocal or instrument) steps up, I try to sit back in the mix and play something that helps them stand out. |
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