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Topic: New PSG Players |
Bill Duncan
From:
Lenoir, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 12 Oct 2022 7:03 am |
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I remember when I started steel in mid 70s, I knew no one who had one or played one. It was tough. I finally discovered Jeff Newman, God bless him.
I am on occasion asked for advice and I always say, seat time, know what you want to hear, seat time, do not pump the volume pedal, seat time, do NOT be afraid of strings 1, 2, and 9. They don't explode on contact. You will be surprised at how useful they become. Seat time and know the song or lick you want to play. If it is not in your head, it will not come out your fingers.I sing it to myself as I play. Last, but not least, seat time.
One last bit of advice. It took me a long time and great disappointment to finally realize, there is only one Buddy Emmons and I ain't him.
This certainly is not all, but it is how I worked. I do not want pedal steel to go away. Banjos maybe!
_________________
You can observe a lot just by looking |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 1:02 pm
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Bill, I second everything you said.  But I will add that it's also important to play with other (read: varied) players. You really need the exposure to other styles of playing, as well as other styles of music and musicians. Doing straight trading of 4-6-8 with tracks is one thing, but playing with players who don't always follow the rules precisely is part of playing in anything but real pro circles. |
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Bill Duncan
From:
Lenoir, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 13 Oct 2022 1:54 pm
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
| Bill, I second everything you said. But I will add that it's also important to play with other (read: varied) players. You really need the exposure to other styles of playing, as well as other styles of music and musicians. Doing straight trading of 4-6-8 with tracks is one thing, but playing with players who don't always follow the rules precisely is part of playing in anything but real pro circles. |
You right Donny. You reminded me of what Jeff Newman said at the first seminar I went to of his.
"Get in a band" he also said " nothing teaches you to play faster than being prodded by a band"
_________________
You can observe a lot just by looking |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 12 Nov 2022 2:49 pm
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| It's also important to listen to various players and their styles to explore different sounds of the steel-listening to various players can be very inspiring and rewarding! Another thing is to come up with your own style of playing |
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 12 Nov 2022 5:14 pm
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Well said, Bill!
One thing I tell all my students is to try to sound as much like your steel idols as you can. Aim for similar tone, intonation accuracy, and overall "feel." Eventually we all find ways to play in our own style, but mimicking a real pro is an excellent start.
And always ask: What if? Don't be afraid to try new things.
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Mitch Ellis
From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 12 Nov 2022 7:55 pm Re: New PSG Players
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| Bill Duncan wrote: |
I remember when I started steel in mid 70s, I knew no one who had one or played one. It was tough. I finally discovered Jeff Newman, God bless him.
I am on occasion asked for advice and I always say, seat time, know what you want to hear, seat time, do not pump the volume pedal, seat time, do NOT be afraid of strings 1, 2, and 9. They don't explode on contact. You will be surprised at how useful they become. Seat time and know the song or lick you want to play. If it is not in your head, it will not come out your fingers.I sing it to myself as I play. Last, but not least, seat time.
One last bit of advice. It took me a long time and great disappointment to finally realize, there is only one Buddy Emmons and I ain't him.
This certainly is not all, but it is how I worked. I do not want pedal steel to go away. Banjos maybe! |
Spot on.
Mitch |
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Don R Brown
From:
Rochester, New York, USA
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Posted 14 Nov 2022 6:04 pm
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Great advice, and I can't disagree with any of it.
BUT - depending on location, it's not always easy to GET that seat time, and dang near impossible to get in a band. Around here there is just not much demand for steel. There are 45-year players who are not playing much at all. Jamming isn't much better - some of the younger guys who work all week are trying to catch up on house and family on weekends, some others can do the DJ thing for some side income, and some of the long-time musicians are saying "I've played in bands for so many decades I just don't care to do it any more". And lack of live playing can lead to a lack of motivation.
It's a chicken-or-the-egg scenario - getting good enough to be in demand takes experience, but you're not in demand unless you HAVE the experience. I've heard SO many stories of "30 years ago, if you could say the words 'pedal steel', you were playing 7 nights a week". Those days are gone, without a doubt. 
_________________
Many play better than I do. Nobody has more fun. |
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