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Topic: Top 3 Songs every pedal steel player should know ??? |
Kevin Raymer
From:
Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 2 Oct 2014 7:49 pm |
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I would like the opinion of you guys as to what top three songs every PSG player should know.
If you got more than three throw them in but please prioritize.
I work and develop better by working on tunes than just working scales and drills.
So I want to know which songs I should work on... In YOUR humble opinions...
Soooo.. Fire away.
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Kevin Raymer
Zum / Knaggs / Breedlove
Fractal Audio |
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Michael Hummel
From:
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 2 Oct 2014 8:07 pm
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I think there is a similar thread on here somewhere. In any case, you are going to get a ton of answers!
I think it depends on so many things, it is a very hard question to answer. I have just finished many months of study with John McClung, and he had a list of songs that you "just have to know in case you are on a bandstand". These were great tunes and very educational for me in terms of pedal steel basics -- but I'll probably never be asked to play these in my career.
I'm a fairly new player so I'll let the veterans vote on the top tunes. I can just tell you the ones that have inspired me the most:
Look at Us (Vince Gill) with John Hughey on steel
Someday Soon (Judy Collins) with Buddy Emmons on steel
Anything by Paul Franklin, but especially Who's Cheatin' Who (Alan Jackson), Whiskey Under the Bridge (Brooks and Dunn)
Can't wait to see what the real players suggest!
Mike
_________________
MSA Classic 5+4
Too many 6-strings and amps to list |
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Jan Viljoen
From:
Pretoria, South Africa
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 12:40 am Basic tunes
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I also would like to know what the boffins and veterans would answer.
As a foreigner, who has never heard or grew up with American songs and culture, I had to make a specific effort to learn certain songs.
Some of them came natural, others took a big effort.
I think what everybody should play at least are:
1 Steel guitar rag
2 Sleepwalk
3 Cold cold heart
4 On the road again
5 Blue eyes crying
6 San Antone rose
7 Another Saturday in San Antone
8 Your cheating heart
9 Wabash cannon ball
10 Dont let me cross over/Blue moon of Kentucky.
Let the games begin!
_________________
Sierra S10, Stage One, Gibson BR4, Framus, Guya 6&8, Hofner lap, Custom mandolins, Keilwerth sax.
Roland Cube 80XL, Peavey112-Valve King and Special, Marshall 100VS. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 1:09 am
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| There are far more than three "essential" steel guitar songs, but I would suggest that you start with "Together Again" as it's not too fast and doesn't have a lot of chords, but there's a lifetime's worth of learning how to make beautiful music in it, and more than one great recording available to study. |
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Bill C. Buntin
From:
Cleburne TX
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 6:42 am
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Friends,
One of the best commercial steel guys in the business (Gary Carpenter) told me once that a successful steel guitarist must be a "Chameleon". He was absolutely correct.
The answer to your question is highly subjective.
For my experience, your average dance hall bunch knows very little about Pedal Steel in the classic country sense because of numerous gaps and factors. And the western swing crowd has diminished as compared to 20 to 30 years ago.
When I started playing commercially, I needed to know mostly cliche' pedal guitar gimmicks because of the venues.
Gimmick tunes, to me, are renditions based on the bands' capability. They might ask for "Boot Heel Drag" but the band not have a clue really how to play it. So in all fairness, it really depends on the venue, the band, and the skills of the steel guitarist.
So the answer to the top three will usually be different in the Midwest vs. the Northeast, deep south, west coast, then Texas.
When I worked top 40 stuff in the 90's, all the bands insisted you copy Paul Franklin. Because the club owners insisted that the bands sound as close to the recordings as possible. For instance tunes by Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn etc.
Things would change, driving 2 hours west of Dallas. That crowd wanted Ray Price, Faron Young, Ray Price, Ray Price, Faron Young so you had to be on your best classic country toes.
Drive south from Dallas, different story yet again.
Herb Steiner and Ricky Davis could probably fill you in on what they expect down in Austin TX (Live music capitol).
I think the Nashville cats still set the bar for the most part for what any of us are expected to play.
As far as solo work, (If the band can support it) the crowds were always asking for Swing stuff more than anything else, so mostly you would get hit up to play
Boot Heel Drag
Panhandle Rag
Lone Star Rag
Steel Guitar Rag
Harbor Lights
Stardust
Look at US ala John Hughey
Lost in the Feeling ala John Hughey
Way to Survive - Big E
Pride - Big E
and the list goes on and on.
Almost an impossible question to answer correctly again because it is so subjective to so many things.
Don't pick things the band can't play. So you are better of with simple stuff. A good example; Lost in the Feeling arguably one of the most beautiful pieces of Steel Guitar work ever performed by the late John Hughey. When I finally got where I could copy John and learned that tune specifically guess what? I never found not one band that could follow it. So where it is a nice tune - the average dance hall group can't support you.
Occasionally you'll get hit up to play "Danny Boy" Honestly I would have to say Danny Boy and Blue Jade - Buddy Emmons style (Check out Dewitt Scott's Anthology book) both tunes tabbed to perfection. And you will get a HUGE amount of material if you learn those two arrangements. They are both written in F major as I recall and give you some of Buddy's best stuff for the price of one book and a CD.
All that said, Here is my top 3
Danny Boy
Way to survive
San Antonio Rose
Ask Herb Steiner, he probably has more live experience over a variety of different groups and such. Maybe Herb will chime in. |
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Curt Trisko
From:
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 10:03 am
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| Dave Grafe wrote: |
| There are far more than three "essential" steel guitar songs, but I would suggest that you start with "Together Again" as it's not too fast and doesn't have a lot of chords, but there's a lifetime's worth of learning how to make beautiful music in it, and more than one great recording available to study. |
That's what I love about it. It was one of the first songs I learned. Going back and revisiting it is one way to gauge my progress with the instrument... in both skill and touch. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 10:36 am
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| it used to be night life, all my exs and don't rock the jukebox.....but i'm sure things have changed. |
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Brett Lanier
From:
Hermitage, TN
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 12:10 pm
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| Wasn't that Mr Jimmy Day that played on Pride? |
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Robert Parent
From:
Gillette, WY
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 12:49 pm
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Steel Guitar Rag
Steel Guitar Rag
Steel Guitar Rag
That is the only steel guitar song that gets constant requests.
Robert |
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Robert Parent
From:
Gillette, WY
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 12:49 pm
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Deleted - Double Post
Last edited by Robert Parent on 5 Oct 2014 4:19 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Jerry Kippola
From:
UP Michigan, USA
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 1:31 pm
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| Don't rock the jukebox |
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Bill C. Buntin
From:
Cleburne TX
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 4:36 pm
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Brett, I think it probably was Jimmy Day who recorded Pride with Ray Price originally. I've got the vinyl recording (I think) I've never read who did the session work. But it does sound like Jimmy Day, or at least the version I have from the "Essential Ray Price" collection. Probably Jimmy on steel and Buddy Spicher on fiddle.
The Solo version of "Pride" by Buddy Emmons is what I was referencing. Check out Buddy's "Half Dozen Shuffles" book. Pride is tabbed out exactly as Buddy played it. 20 years ago now, but I got my copy of "Half Dozen Shuffles" and I learned a TON of commercial stuff that can be applied to hundreds of other tunes. Good stuff, |
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Bobby Snell
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 3 Oct 2014 7:32 pm
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SGR
Waltz Across Texas
San Antonio Rose
Also, I have butchered Cotton Eye Joe / Schottisse more times than I can remember. Throw in the Chicken Dance for good measure.
I couldn't choose one of the shuffles to put in the top three. Fraulein is a big one, but there's a thousand. |
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Clyde Lane
From:
Glasgow, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 4 Oct 2014 7:31 am
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Kevin do you know Jimmy Massey? He lives over in your neck of the woods. Jimmy could help you out.
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Clyde Lane |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 12:49 am
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In my opinion, learning many of the songs listed can help a new player develop his/her chops. But realistically, the only ones anybody but another steel player would know are SG Rag and Sleepwalk, You can stop 500 people on the street and ask them if they ever heard of Panhandle Rag, and chances are not one of them will have ever heard of it.
There are thousands of tunes outside of the traditional country repertoire that lend themselves to be steel guitar instrumentals. All they need are people to play them.
I have performed every one of the following songs as a steel guitar instrumental. None of them are steel guitar standards, but every one of them works perfectly.
A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Dancing Queen
Dance With Me
Downtown
I Can See Clearly Now
Here There And Everywhere
Imagine
Jingle Bell Rock
Let It Be Me
Lonesome Town
Manha De Carnival (from Black Orpheus)
Medley-Killing Me Softly, Theme from Arthur
Medley Of Tunes From The Sound Of Music
Medley Of Tunes From West Side Story
Medley: Never My Love, Walk Away Renee, As Tears Go By, Tuesday Afternoon, With A Help From My Friends
Old Man River
Medley: When You Wish Upon A Star, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Tara Theme (From Gone With The Wind)
Since I Don't Have You
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 4:34 am
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| Many of the songs that Mike mentioned, as well as almost all the songs others mentioned, are songs that I do or have done regularly. These are all, however, songs of the past...long past. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you just have to play music that your audience can relate to. If you were playing to a young (12-18 year-old) audience, the kind that a lot of music is geared towards today, I suspect that not a single song mentioned so far would fall into the "familiar and/or popular" category. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 4:44 am
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For a Steel Guitar player, we should learn Steel guitar songs that people in the audience can relate to or a band leader may request... Like many here, after doing this Steely gig thing for over 40 years 2 songs always pop up...Steel Guitar Rag and Sleepwalk...NO, they are not for US, they are for the people asking...you don't have to learn em or play em...as you may only play them once a year...but if you DO NOT know them you won't even have to play them once a year ! No worries ! But, you may be subjected to this.."You play Steel Guitar and don't know Steel Guitar Rag" ?
the 3rd would be a classic like Tenn Waltz or perhaps Last Date..dancing songs...SLOW dancing songs...
Funny thing, every PRO Steel player that has a CD out there , even from 50 years ago..guess what songs are on them ! Guess what songs they can play in a NY minute should the need arise...
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 5:07 am
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As much as I don't want to be repetitive and I know we all hate to play it. If you learn nothing else. Learn this song because you'll be asked to play it somewhere where people don't really know what a steel guitar is.
1. Steel Guitar Rag
2. Sleep Walk
Everything after these two songs you are on your own.
_________________
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club
"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 5:53 am
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I'd second Don's list.
And caution avoiding SGR with folks you haven't played it with before, unless you discuss an exit strategy/ending. 80 percent of the time I've played it, it ends in a trainwreck.
Then I'd choose a ballad with a pretty melody to do: I kinda like I'm Not Lisa or Cohen's Hallelujah.
If you wanna show off flying fingers, either Hwy 40 Blues, Country Boy, or Paisley's Me Neither come to mind.
If you mean songs to learn to help you get playing better sooner, I'll second the suggestion of Half Dozen Shuffles. Learn most of that, learn to slice little phrases and licks out of that, and you'll have 90% of everything you'll need. The trick is learning which snippet to play where.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Don Sulesky
From:
Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 6:08 am
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90% of the time I get asked to play Sleepwalk.
I end up doing it solo because no one can follow the chords even after a little simple explanation.
_________________
Private one on one lessons available
Member: FSGC, PSGA, TSGA
Co-founder: Florida Steel Guitar Club
"Steel guitar is like playing chess in the dark with three players". Jeff Newman quote from 1997 seminar |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 6:41 am
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::makes mental note to learn Sleepwalk again and write up a chord chart to keep in the seat::
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 6:43 am
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| Tony Prior wrote: |
Funny thing, every PRO Steel player that has a CD out there, even from 50 years ago..guess what songs are on them! |
Not mine.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 7:00 am
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1. Sleep Walk
2. Steel Guitar Rag
Sleep Walk is still the most requested and the most popular steel instrumental of all time. I've played it hundreds (or maybe thousands) of times on the bandstand over years, including last night!
The other obvious one is SGR. I agree with Don and others, learn these two songs because you WILL get requests for them, whether you like the songs or not. After these two there are many others, and many classic country songs with signature steel parts: Together Again, Blue Bayou, Look At Us, etc., etc...
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My Site / My YouTube Channel
25 Songs C6 Lap Steel / 25 MORE Songs C6 Lap Steel / 16 Songs, C6, A6, B11 / 60 Popular Melodies E9 Pedal Steel |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 11:19 am
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Steel Guitar Rag
Panhandle Rag
Someday Soon
Together Again
Something (in the way she moves)
Sleepwalk
and many others, but these are my favorites. SGR is requested every time I play a gig.
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Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 5 Oct 2014 7:37 pm
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My list certainly wouldn't have Steel Guitar Rag on it ... I place that tune somewhere up there with yodelling !!
I guess I have a more modern outlook hehe ...
although I do love The Panhandle Rag 
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14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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