Did Impulsiveness Bring Us To The Steel Guitar?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Why do special urges govern our tendencies to sometimes bite off "more than we can chew"?

Bob Knight · From: Bowling Green KY

Disambiguation, envy, greed, ignorance. Cool

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

the creative urge.

Joachim Kettner · From: Germany

No, Bill. Impulsiveness would have inspired me to learn to play guitar like Johnny Winter or Alvin Lee.
But not the soulfull steel playing, that I first heard on "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo". I was a more romantic type.
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Bill Duncan · From: Lenoir, North Carolina, USA

I just wanted to play music and flurt with the girls.
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Bo Legg · Posted 20 Sep 2013 8:52 am

I think it was fate.
It was a subconscious compulsion to do something of which I thought I was incapable.

But after years of dedication and doggedly sticking to the learning process and totally immersing myself into PSG I went from thinking I was incapable to knowing I was incapable.

PS Bill I see you recovered from your June 17 topic beat down. Great to see a new topic from you.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Could the person who said, "Where there is a will, there's a way", have been as venturesome as the budding steel guitarists around the globe? Most assuredly, it's highly unlikely.

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

"The Wylie Butler" by Cal Hand was my inspiration. Learning that he gave lessons right down the street was the impulse. Thanks Cal, Clem, Russ, Mike, and Dave.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

The art of steel guitar playing at this point in time, is well known among those who are striving to "master" the instrument. Unlike a carpenter or plumber, the student of the steel guitar learns from the starting point that there are unlimited avenues of intricate musical studies involved in the learning process. Very few can argue the point proclaiming the demands so familiar to becoming a recognized advanced player of the pedal steel guitar. It becomes a major disbursement of energy, funding, and discernment.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

and so.....your point is...?

Bo Legg · Posted 21 Sep 2013 7:47 am

Unlike the carpenter or plumber, PSG playing is a hobby for most of us and we are not necessarily striving for mastery.

Becoming a master or a recognized advanced player is something we all would like but is more if it happens it happens rather than a goal that we have time to pursue to the point of self loathing if we fall short of mastery or recognition.

I certainly donâ€™t at the end of the day give a second thought about what I did or didnâ€™t, should have or shouldnâ€™t have done on PSG that day.

Stuart is the only one the points that out to me much to my dismay.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Barry Blackwood · Posted 21 Sep 2013 8:21 am

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Chris, my point concerns the fact whereby oodles of precious hours are wasted noodling over a steel guitar without being fully aware of the time-consuming aspects of too little accomplished after long practice sessions. Weighing the values of real life situations and their rewards may allow the steel guitar student to become more aware of the precious time required to satisfy the hopes of advancing beyond the familiar marginal level of steel guitar savvy.

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

I took up pedal steel because I liked the sound of it, and because there wasn't much competition. I could never be a good enough guitarist to compete for paying jobs, but you didn't have to be a very good steel player to get into a working band back then.

I never thought that it was "more than I could chew". It just came naturally to me.
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Christopher Woitach · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

I absolutely got into pedal steel impulsively. I have made my living playing and teaching six string guitar for my whole life, and have always worked very hard to be as masterful as possible. 4 years ago, I got a little extra money to spend on anything I wanted, so I thought "I've always liked pedal steel - why not?". Went to eBay, spent what I could afford,$1000, and got an MSA S-12. I had no clue. None.

Since then - countless hours, lots of $$$, much frustration. Wow. Hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

I wouldn't trade it for anything. Love love LOVE the pedal steel. I play for hours every day, and someday am likely to be able to play it.

Amazing instrument
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Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Moreover, sitting down at the pedal steel guitar can become as catastrophic as HUMPTY DUMPTY'S aspirations, when he became overconfident, and fell headlong from the wall of hope. A hare's desire to leap forward, and a turtle's ability to cope with difficult situations, best illustrates how one may approach the pedal steel guitar.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

in your opinion.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

One of the problems associated with learning the instrument's many variables in terms of retention, helps to explain why some move along to upper levels rather quickly. Forgetfulness can represent a serious problem in those so afflicted. Imagine reading a page from any book, then try reciting the printed material, word for word. This proves that our memories are quite limited. The need to pore over each new discovery becomes obvious in learning rudimentary basics of the steel guitar experience.

Jan Viljoen · From: Pretoria, South Africa

I am with B0b, I liked the sound.

I started on a cheap guitar more than 40 years ago more than 160 kms from the nearest big town in South Africa.
I bought an electric guitar and battery amp three years later.
The competition to play guitar in a band was always hectic, so to play with others I had to learn other instruments. Always too many guitar players.

The pedal steel I bought was only the second I ever saw in my life. The Sierra was the first I saw and eventually I bought that one as well.

The challenge to master this beautifully designed machine that makes musical sounds, remains.
The Steel guitar forum gives me years of experiences by reading for just one month.

I shall carry on.

Play the games well!!

Wink

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Bo Legg · Posted 23 Sep 2013 7:34 am

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

The student of the pedal steel guitar who is serious in every regard concerning moving forward on the instrument, must doggedly devote not minutes, but hours every day in practice. Those who have the ability to retain newly learned material over long periods of time, are more apt to advance to the head of the class. Any clue that a player may possess that tends to point to forgetfulness, should be a wake-up call to move to certain changes in the interest of not losing what has been worked out.

Duncan Hodge · From: DeLand, FL USA

Hello Bill. It's good to see you back and posting. I started playing the pedal steel on an impulse. Impulsivity has always been a constant in my actions. I knew that I would never become a great player, but that didn't matter. I knew that I would become good enough to have some great fun...and I was right.
Duncan
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Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Hello Duncan, it's good to hear from you. I know that the state of Florida has provided those who like country music with a number of events, thanks to the steel guitarists living there. There are a number of friends living there giving accounts of interesting activities that occur throughout the state. We've had our share of top-notch steel guitar entertainment from here in Pittsfield, to Boston, Ma If we are missing something related to pedal steel entertainment in New England, rest assured, it is too minimal to quibble over. Good luck with the future in steel guitar!

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