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Author Topic:  Why pedal steel...
Ray Minich

 

From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 7:10 am    
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We all go thru some of life's little, and not so little changes that, at times, evoke feelings and emotions that need release.
Last night I practised to BE on Ray Price's version of "Last Letter" until I got it down almost perfect.
When I was done I felt like a new person...
If I didn't have this axe I'd probably go nuts.

I don't know, can you get the same rewards from a tuba?

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 22 March 2006 at 07:23 AM.]

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Erv Niehaus


From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 7:40 am    
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Yes, if you are a Six Fat Dutchmen fan.
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David Doggett


From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 8:14 am    
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Or play in a second line New Orleans jazz band.
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Gerald Pierce

 

From:
Maydelle, Republic of Texas
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 8:18 am    
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I played Tuba (actually, an e-flat Sousaphone) in high school. The reward comes when you sell the Tuba (they ain't cheap).
G.P.
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Jerry Overstreet


From:
Louisville Ky
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 8:28 am    
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Ray, this same experience has delivered me from institutionalization numerous times. I know of nothing more rewarding than hearing ones accomplishments come out of that amplifier.

It's especially gratifying with a difficult piece or on a tune like the one you mentioned where you are trying to duplicate the original.

To paraphrase a Clinton Gregory song title, "If it weren't for Steel Guitar I'd go crazy".
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John Jeffries

 

From:
New Brunswick, Canada
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 9:01 am    
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I'm only doin' it for my own amazement......


"Happiness is a spit cup welded to the left rear leg!"
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 9:36 am    
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Why??
For the power!!
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Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 11:52 am    
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I just do it to get the chicks
Pedal steel is a chick magnet

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps


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Dave Zirbel


From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 12:01 pm    
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Why not pedal steel?

Gerald, I too am an ex tuba/Sousaphone player. 4th grade through high school. Whay do I always pick the heavy instruments?!

Dave
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Tucker Jackson

 

From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 12:03 pm    
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Yep. It's all about the chicks.

I use to be in the front spotlight, singing and playing 6-string... now, I'm sitting in a dark corner next to the drummer with my head down in deep concentration. It looks like I'm cutting diamonds back there. Or performing a Bris. Or taking a math test.

No comparison. Women are all over me now.


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Micky Byrne


From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 12:03 pm    
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Hi Larry, guess I totally agree with you.
"Friends" on my website shows what happened 14 months ago

Micky Byrne,
Carter universal and soon to be "ressurected" Sho-Bud universal.
Peavey Nashville 400 and Evans Fet 500 LV amps www.mickybyrne.com
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Mike Perlowin


From:
Los Angeles CA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 12:10 pm    
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Why pedal steel? Well, I guess somebody has to say it:

BECAUSE IT'S THERE!!!

------------------
My web site
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Mark Edwards


From:
Weatherford,Texas, USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 1:16 pm    
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Ray, I recall when I first started out, my instructor was attempting to teach me this Ray Price intro, really pretty simple now, but then it was a booger bear, I practiced, and practiced, and practiced some more, and was getting really frustrated, until all of a sudden, I GOT IT, I was so damn excited, and it was about 2:00 in the morning, and I bet I called 3 other steelers I know and played it for them over the phone. After I got a good cussing out for calling them at 2 in the morning, they mumbled something about what the hell was that. Anyway, yes it's always the same feeling of excitement.
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Uffe Edefuhr


From:
Sweden
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 1:43 pm    
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Probably!!!!!! After Ten years practicing on a Bagpipe, and finally learned to play the tune, Amazing Grace!!

-----------------
GFI S-10, Nashville 400 and a bad pot in my volumepedal!!!!!!!!!
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Brett Day


From:
Pickens, SC
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 2:25 pm    
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I decided to play pedal steel because I learned I couldn't fret a guitar with cerebral palsy. Since guitar didn't work out for me, I played keyboards for a little while, then moved on to the best instrument-the pedal steel guitar. And I also wanted to play pedal steel because I love country music and the huge part the pedal steel guitar plays in country music. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel, GFI Ultra D-10
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Larry Bell


From:
Englewood, Florida
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 2:31 pm    
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That's great Tucker
TAKING A MATH TEST
That's what most steel players I watch look like they're doing.

It's so much fun to watch a player who is so confident of his abilities that he doesn't have to constantly watch his hands. I know a steel player is comptetent when he makes eye contact with the crowd while playing a solo and doesn't lose his intonation. Buddy Emmons is a great example in that (as well as most other) regard. Most steel players look at their hands and have an expression like they're sucking on a pickle and deathly afraid they're going to play something original.

Sorry for the diversion, but the math test thing hit the nail on the head.

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps


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Ernest Cawby


From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 4:30 pm    
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This may be funny, I was playing Trombone in the 31st Division Band in the Army, one DAY THE band director told me to put up my horn and Check out a Bass, I spent the last 6 months in the army Playing one of thoses big uns. They are as heavy as my Vegas 400, and I had to march in parades for miles.

By the way we had 2 bass players get discharged was the reason. I thouhg at first it might be some kind of torment.
At least I was now playing an instrument with frets.

ernie
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Jim Cohen


From:
Philadelphia, PA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 6:09 pm    
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Quote:
It looks like I'm cutting diamonds back there. Or performing a Bris.
Well, surely you can't be giving yourself the same operation every night! But I guess maybe it's the very thought that's so tantalizing to them...
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James Shelton

 

From:
Austin, TX USA
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2006 10:45 pm    
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Why Pedal steel?

Because it’s the pinnacle of harmonic achievement. I mean after all, what else can make all those cool noises?

I don’t know anything about the Tuba…..But I do know that I get enormous gratification when I pick up an instrument. It never seems to mater what type it is.

I would bet that if the steel had never came in to being, we would have all still found a way to make music.
And I think in the end it’s music it’s self that makes us feel better about things.

James. http://www.steellabs.com/
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Bobbe Seymour

 

From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2006 7:25 am    
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I tried to play tuba in the school band, had to quit, it hurt my mouth pretty badly, found out a few months later I was blowing through the wrong end,,,,,,,,,

This is why I love steel guitar,

[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 23 March 2006 at 07:25 AM.]

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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2006 9:10 am    
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Quote:
Or performing a Bris.


Self Bris... hmm, he's a a manley man for sure.

20 strings no waiting,
economy bris's at a group rate.

Actually Jim there is a room deoderizer in France called " BRIS! ".
As an ex newyawker seeing that the 1st time
bout put me on the floor.

I have the same posture wiring a patchbay, and almost the same neck cramps.
But I DO like playing steel.
I hate wiring patchbays... like I just finished doing....

My 1st band performances were on trombone also,
finaly traded it for a 12 string guitar, but immediately inhertited my Dobro,
and then lord help me traded the 12 string for a ... banjo...

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 23 March 2006 at 09:12 AM.]

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Joey Ace


From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 23 Mar 2006 10:34 am    
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Quote:
"It's all about the chicks."


Yes! Chicks in Leather!

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Pat Carlson


From:
Sutton, Nebraska, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2006 7:41 pm    
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I gave up yhe tuba and polka thought they were too difficult. Took up an easy instrument the Pedal Steel Guitar!

------------------
The Lone Prairie Steeler Pat

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Elizabeth West


From:
Surrey, B.C., Canada
Post  Posted 24 Mar 2006 8:26 pm    
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Steels cooler than the banjo
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John Coffman


From:
Wharton,Texas USA
Post  Posted 25 Mar 2006 6:24 am    
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I am a little weird anyway. I thank God for that. I tried the Banjo but with years of wrench turning I could not get the left hand to work correctly. I did have some of the rolls down. Sold banjo and purchased a dobro but it just was not what I needed. Then a lap steel a Playboy from Herb. Then one trip to Dallas TSGA and 15 minutes at the Carter booth did me in. 2 weeks later a Carter starter was in my hands. Since then I can't seem to get enough. As for the chicks I think is the shine from the highly polished steel not the stud playing it.

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Thomas SD10 3/4 and D10 8/5 Beginner


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