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Topic: Slack key and Floyd Cramer |
Frank
From:
West Memphis, Ar . USofA, where steeling comes natural
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Posted 7 May 2001 9:17 pm |
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Ok you guys with the lay down guitars, I got two questions a little off the steel thing but maybe you can help.
I`ve heard the term "slack Key" what is it?
and 2nd, I heard a couple of radio type guys discussing the Floyd Cramer style of playing,
and the drift I caught was that he doesn`t
use the standard 1,3,5, or 1,3,5,7, note
makeup for his cords. I believe I got that right, anyhow could someone please explain.
thanks much Frank. |
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Sage
From:
Boulder, Colorado
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Posted 8 May 2001 5:59 am
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Hi Frank- Good questions, and it is interesting that they came together in the same post on the Steel Guitar Forum.
Slack Key guitar is- http://www.kbeamer.com/sk_history.html
Floyd Cramer style- http://www.thanksforthemusic.com/history/piano.html
The slack key guitar predated the Hawaiian steel guitar by about 50 years. The Hawaiian steel led to the pedal steel, which influenced Floyd Cramer's playing as he tried to emulate the E9th changes on the piano. This inspired a young keyboard player named George Winston- http://dancingcat.com/dancingcat/about-winston.shtml
Later in his life G. Winston discovered slack key guitar, and became the most supportive force for Hawaiian slack key guitarists of today to record and tour with their music. Now if that ain't a full circle, I don't know what is. BTW I grew up in the same place at the same time as George Winston (Billings MT, must be something in the air). I was inspired by Floyd Cramer's pop piano to find the sound of the pedal steel. Now I want to learn to play some of George Winston's Cramer inspired piano work, as well as slack key style on the PSG. It just keeps going around...[This message was edited by Sage on 08 May 2001 at 07:04 AM.] |
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John Steele
From:
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 8 May 2001 8:37 am
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Floyd's approach to the piano was unique, yet simple and instantly recognizable.
Technically, the main jist of Floyd's style was this: In the right hand, the melody notes were often "slurred into" using a whole-note flam or grace note. The jazz guys had done this for years, but with half-tones, not whole tones. This was enhanced by placing a single harmony note above it corresponding to the chord, also played with the right hand at the same time.
His left hand was simpler, often duplicating the bass lines and filling in chords in a pseudo-stride fashion.
It's funny, but it set a Large precedent. If you play a half tone slur on the piano, it immediately screams jazz and blues... if you play a whole tone slur, it immediately screams country, and Floyd Cramer.
-John [This message was edited by John Steele on 08 May 2001 at 03:14 PM.] |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 8 May 2001 12:11 pm
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Man o man, am I ever glad to read this thread.
Years ago when I first heard Floyd Cramer play I said to myself,
"He is stealing a lick from the PSG". There was NO question in my mind my thoughts were correct.
However, a number of years later in Nashville, I was sorely taken to task by a bunch of people and was told bluntly with "expletives" deleted that in fact,,
"The PSG stole the lick from Floyd Cramer", and further,
"Don't you EVER forget it!"
So I didn't. You fellows have NO idea what you just did for my feable brain. Are you telling me I was correct all along? 
A bit of trivia:
On a number of occasions seeing JB perform with his favorite guitar player, Hiram Olsen, he has stated that Hiram had found a way to duplicate the infamous Hawaiian "slack key" style using a regular tuned Guitar. And then Hiram would do it.
And lo and behold it sounded just like "slack key" to me. I have NO idea what he was doing but it sure did sound like it.
ON second thought, maybe Hiram's lick was stolen by the Hawaiians. Whatcha think?
Oops that couldn't be cuz Hiram is just a young rascal. OH well.
God bless you all,
carl |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 8 May 2001 1:27 pm
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There are quite a few fellows that play slack key on the electric guitar tuned to the regular tuning. One is the guy I work for, Ed Maunakea, ram rod of the Kamaiina Hula Troupe. CC
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Frank
From:
West Memphis, Ar . USofA, where steeling comes natural
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Posted 10 May 2001 9:46 pm
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This is an open thank-you to Sage,John Steel,
C. Dixen and C.C. Johson. Thanks a bunch for the prompt and knowledgeable come back
on the 2 questions that had been pestering me
for years.Those being the "slack key style"
and I guess the "slip cord" style Of Floyd
Cramer.The reading material was great.
Thanks again. FGb |
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Dave Boothroyd
From:
Staffordshire Moorlands
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Posted 11 May 2001 1:21 am
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My ex wife who was a classically trained piano player, used to call Floyd Kramer's style "Drunken Fingers" - always hit the wrong note first!
The definition of "Wrong notes" was one of the many things we used to argue about!
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Cheers!
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 11 May 2001 3:08 am
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| Ah yes,drunken finger,hit the wrong note first.We steelers do it all the time but we call it a "blue" note. Keep yout thumb pick hot! CC |
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Paul Graupp
From:
Macon Ga USA
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Posted 11 May 2001 5:35 am
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| Jimmy Day and Floyd Crammer left the LA Hayride for the Opry togeather. Jimmy told me they were playing for Webb Pierce when Webb told him he was going to have to let Floyd go. Jimmy asked why and the reply was: "Because he can only play on the white keys !" Just goes to show you, my how things do change ! Regards, Paul |
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