Remembering and recall

Bobby Bowman · From: Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.

To start with,,,,I hope I can remember what I wanted to say here,,,,

I discovered and realized many years ago that one of the most important reasons why the "greats", such as Buddy and Lloyd and many others, is their ability to remember and recall.
Not to take away from the initial requirements to become great, good or whatever else you may want to through in there. Of course, you have to have a certain amount of "lying within", "beginning" or "foundation" talent, "creative thinking", that so called "ear for music" and the ability to execute, manipulate and maneuver what you've thought of, learned or even copied from others.
For me, as an example, when I was younger I could remember things a lot better than I do now. Come up with a lick, learn one or whatever and I had little trouble remembering how, when and where to use or apply it. As I've grown older this ability to "recall" seems to elude me more and more.
The last couple of months I've been doing a few recording sessions with our band and a couple of other locals. I've even started my own album that I hope to release by the early to mid summer.
But, I'm having a hell of a time remembering what I've done and how I did it. This is what got me to thinking about "remembering and recall" and just how important they are to becoming good or great and staying that way.
Your comments and views are more than welcome if you care to share them.
Thanks,
BB

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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

If you're like me (and I've been told, few are

) there are two types of things I can remember easily:
* stuff I do all the time -- like those fast licks you fall back on everytime the tempo keeps you from playing 99% of what you know.

* things that make logical sense -- like a harmonized scale you make into a lick -- you understand it from the perspective of the mapping of a scale to the guitar as well as how it sounds and how it can be used musically.
I think Buddy and Lloyd use a lot of musical logic in their playing and that keeps it under control, diverse, and interesting at the same time.

I know if I'm having a tough night and my fingers are full of cement I'll fall back to Ground Zero and build it up from there. Now, when I start forgetting those 'Ground Zero licks' that will be cause for alarm.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2000 Fessenden S-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Emmons D-10 9x9, 1971 Dobro

Perry Hansen · From: Bismarck, N.D.

Bobby. Thank goodness you said it. I've been in denial for a long time now. But since I just read it, I'm going to have to admit it. Also, I think imagination along with a good knowledge of the Steel plays a big part in it. Wayne Galey once told me I had a good imagination for the steel. But I think that goes with age also.
Perry

Catus Jack · From: PA, USA

Me to Bobby, if I can only remember what you said.

Catus Jack

Jeff Lampert · From: queens, new york city

Me too. What was that you said? What was that the other guy said? Wasn't that already said? Or not? Or?

Bobby Bowman · From: Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.

The plus side to this delima is that every now and then I come up with a nice veriation.
BB

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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I can't ever remember having a memory problem!

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

MEMORY......uhmmmm?
I can remember note for note, things that Billy Robinson played with Red Foley on the Opry back in the early 1950's.....song, after song. I can often recall note for note, runs that Grady Martin made in the same tunes.
I cannot recall more than a dozen names of current "BIG TIME STARS" of western music.
I cannot name a single c/w title that hit the big time during the past five years.
What does this have to do with music? Well,
when I play with a group...I often have no idea of WHAT is going to be played during the evening until the leader turns and says..
"........." in the "key of ......" That's it!
I listen as the tune unravels and when it comes my turn.....I just wade in fast and furious. I have no ready made licks, runs, pockets, or whatever, that is, beyond the initial five or six note lead-in. I recognize the KEY, forumlate a general idea of the chord progression and get ready to do my very best. I have minimal talent so that might be the reason why.
I learned from J.Murphy, Noel Boggs and others who interjected LARGE AMOUNTS of emotion into each and every series of notes.
I've found it easier to play emotionally.. than to make any attempt to try and remember specific runs or whatever.
Sometimes, I'm amazed at what my feeble mind can come up with. Beats worrying about something over which you have little or no control. BE CREATIVE! HAVE FUN! It's only music.....and you love it. Don't make a big hassel out of it for yourself. FORGET how so and so did it! Just play the tune YOUR way and make it sound commercially acceptable. That's just the way I cope.

Kevin Macneil Brown · From: Montpelier, VT, USA

I think Ray's post is right on the money. So many of the great players whose names keep coming up again and again on the forum are absolutely unique; they play from their hearts and souls, with their own approach. We might not all have their magic, but I think we can aspire to express ourselves in our own very own ways.
That said, learning stuff from the masters, whether from recordings, tab, or private lessons, is a great way to open our minds and move our hands better.
It seems to me that steel players as a breed are quite prone to creative thinking; musical problem solving, getting inside harmony and melody; blazing their own trails, so to speak. By the way, researchers say that all this music stuff is good for our memories as we age!

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

I can't remember what you said, but the older I get the harder it is for me to recall the past. You are right about Buddy. I asked him how he did a turn around on a Price cut 30 years ago and he came right out with it as if he had been woodshedding. Oh yes , your name was Bobby? Or was it ? See you down the road Dr., Jody.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

*

[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 04:05 PM.]

Richard Plummer · From: nashville tennessee

I have a suggestion and it is on the serious side,though it may not seem so now.I was watching the news about a month ago and they had an article about people with alzhimers

Roger Edgington · From: San Antonio, Texas USA

Hey Bobby. Sometimes, ok a lot of times,I will work out a difficult harmony part at practice, but by the time we do it on a job, it's gone. Once I've done a song on the job a time or two I retain it pretty well. A third harmony part is hard for me especially if it doesn't lay well on the neck.

Hap Young · From: Yuma, AZ, USA

Richard, I dont have alzheimers I just have old timers.

Richard Plummer · From: nashville tennessee

dont understand why the whole thing didnt show up.What I was saying was that I saw an article that said a diet with alot of follic acidAnd captain crunch or total raisin bran.To make it simple,follic acid does the same for the brain,that fiber does for the heart.I like to call it the mental sandpaper.Keeps it sharp.This has been shown to prevent alot of alzheimers so also would be along the line of helping the old noodle stay sharp.I like the saying follic acid every day. Just my two cents. Richard

Jim Bob Sedgwick · From: Clinton, Missouri USA

Bobby: This is off the topic, but I just need to know. Are you related to Billy Bowman. Excuse my ignorance, but I would like to know. Thnx Jim Bob

Louie Hallford · From: denison tx

Don't fret Bobby. Sometimes forgetting works out good.

I once had an unpleasant experiece that I was trying to forget but now I can't remember what it was I was trying to forget.

I will keep trying ,hopefully I can remember.If I do I will let you know what it was so maybe you can remember to help me forget it.

Sometimes I think this forum makes people crazy....or is it a drunk?

But please don't forget the Tulsa show.. See you.

Bobby Bowman · From: Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.

Jim Bob,
I am no relation to Billy. I never met him, but I feel as though we were close friends. I've been told so many stories about him. Having simular names has opened a lot of doors for me over the years.
BB

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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!

Frank Parish · From: Nashville,Tn. USA

I was asked to kick off 15 years by Conway last night and just really had to think hard to remember that tune and I've played it a lot but not for a good while so I know what you're talking about. For me sleep is a rare thing or at least good sleep and when I'm lucky enough to get more than 5 hours I'm just on fire for about 2 sets and then I fight staying focused. One thing is for sure. The older you get the more you have to remember so mabe we can't recall because the hard drive is filling up. I've always noticed I play better early in the day or when I first wake up and my memory is right where it needs to be. Most of us play during the night for gigs and we've been up most of the day or maybe work a day job so you've got the whole day behind you before you start. I call it my late morning and start with coffee just like it was 6:00 am. We may be asking too much of ourselves. These full time players I know usually sleep until 3:00 pm or even later so when they go on the bandstand they've got a lot more rest and can recall better. That would be great but for those of us who have day jobs or maybe a business it's just not possible. For me time is what I try to find more of now.

Bill Bailey · From: Kingman, AZ

Bobby,
Lyndon Johnson said" A man will forget the very best thing he knows if he allows himself to"I find this to be true for myself. I find that when I am working on a new course by Paul, Jeff, Emmons or you name it, I tend to forget the licks I used to play that got me the jobs I had with various bands and artist which I would call a combination of my favorite players at that time. I am trying to go back and remember my regiment of practice and licks I used when I only had my 9 volt Blue box rhythm simulator and a turn table for practice in the room on the road. Take care bobby.
Bill Bailey

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Tommy Alexander · From: Friendswood, Texas 77546

Jody S., Mr. Bowmans first name, I think it's "BOOBY". Bye for now

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Buck Grantham R.I.P. · From: Denham Springs, LA. USA

I can't remember if I ever had a problem like that John, I meant Bobby. See you in Tulsa guy!!!!

Bob Hayes · From: Church Hill,Tenn,USA

Ray, I think (oh there I go again...thinking) maybe we are related..cause' I've got that same prolem..or was it Bobby that I had the prolem with or.........

Well whatever ..I guess I do what Gene does...but what IF HE took a different road in the early 60's?? Maybe there would have been another OKIE in Nashburg playing it HIS WAY.
but that's another subject..we were talking about,......???? time to mow the grass!
Grouchyvet

Herb Steiner · From: Spicewood TX 78669

I'd like to add my two cents. Uh... what was the topic again?

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