What's YOUR strong point?

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

Are you a top rated "up front" sort of picker? Can you play more notes in a single four beat measure than anyone else in town?
OR, do you feel that you excel in your backup work behind the singer? Do you play fresh new material in each vocal sung, or do you play over and over, the same tired phrase or signature sound of somebody else?
In a hiring situation, let's say, with a name Opry group...what would you stress as being YOUR "strong points"......relative to playing the steel guitar in their band?

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

I feel that my strong point is my musical background. It has equipped me with the ability to listen to many (if not most) songs and write a chord chart in one or two passes without an instrument in hand. It also has made me familiar with the common musical features of many musical styles -- R&B, rock, jazz, reggae, blues, etc., that has allowed me to play with many different bands -- not only ones wanting the steel to make them a country band. Don't get me wrong, I love country, but there's a lot more to music than a single style or genre. As a guitarist, I learned the elements of music and was able to translate what I'd learned to the steel guitar.

So my strong point is a diverse musical background, a firm grasp on scale and chord building, and a good pair of ears. My technique and execution are pretty average and my tone is 'acceptable' (thanks Jimbeaux) but my ability to sit down with almost any band and feel comfortable contributing to their style is what I enjoy most about my approach to the steel guitar.

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

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Larry wrote:

"I feel that my strong point is my musical background. It has equipped me with the ability to listen to many (if not most) songs and write a chord chart in one or two passes without an instrument in hand."

If I could have but one wish materially, THAT would be my wish. I too have a strong musical background in theory. However, I simply cannot do that. you have no idea how I wish I could. I admire that Larry more than you know.

It is a true blessing. And an inate gift IMO. May Jesus continue to nurture and bless you with this awesome talent.

carl

Al Marcus · From: Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)

Ray-I like to fit in with the band, make the singer sound good, and find their place with the right chords at the right time, and when time for my solo, play it pretty for the people.

I agree with Larry Bell, he is a complete musician, and a great steel guitar player.

I have been lucky in the old days,to also hear a song and write the chord charts without an instrument........al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

I'm willing to work with "new" material, play what the "victim band" wants, search out new ways of playing "old" things, and play with bands that other people feel are below them.

Often it turns out the other way around, and I seem to get the a lot of the "better™" jobs.

I suppose my intuition is better than most.

Other than that, I'm a very nice person that enjoys helping my friends.

I don't rat them out.

Results?

I consider my Success to be fairly complete.

EJL

[This message was edited by Eric West on 28 January 2004 at 05:11 PM.]

John Lacey · From: Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada

"It is a true blessing. And an inate gift IMO". I don't know about that, Carl. Maybe some people have naturally incredible ears but for the most of us, to get to the point that Larry refers, takes thousands of hours of repetitive practice and DOING. I can now do what Larry talks about, but it took a lot of the same thing over and over until it became second nature to me. It now allows me to either figure out material that I have to back, or write charts as musical director, both chairs of which I've occupied. A classical grounding of theory helped for sure and a background of piano enables me to "see" the music on a keyboard, thereby relating it to steel. I think that the gift part happens way more seldom than people think.

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

I can do charts if neccesary by mental ear, but I can be faster with a guitar in hand.

I guess my strong point is 40 years of being a Studio Rat.
All types of music has crossed path at one point or another.
I have had my hands, feet, mouth, elbows, knees on well over one hundred different instruments ; Dijerido, carrillions, tympany, spoons, clarinet, bass, ukulele and hammer dulcimer all in one day for example

And I am comfortable changing styles with a few seconds notice.

Larry Bell · From: Englewood, Florida

John is exactly right. Nobody can hear changes unless they know what to listen for (voice leading, etc. -- do you hear the 3rd go flat or, for that matter, which note IS the 3rd?) and can either reduce that to the mathematics (ok, maybe arithmetic) of scales or just know innately (that's a 2m chord going to a 5 or V7) what the change is. That's TRICKY. And, again as John points out, no matter how good (or poor) you are at it, you will get better with practice. Take an album and chart out all the songs then go to your guitar and check your work. Of course this implies that you can tell the difference in the right chord and a wrong one. I don't know you well, Carl, but I suspect you know whether what you hear is right.

The more you do it, the better you will get -- as long as you start simple (3 chord country songs) and progress through more complex stuff like shuffles with II and maybe VI chords, then tunes with bigger chords like swing and blues or jazz.

I agree that it can be learned if you go about it right -- start simple and impose quality control as you progress to ensure that you're getting it right.

Sorry to hijack this topic, but I believe that hearing changes is an essential skill that all musicians should strive to improve, right along with learning scales and licks and songs.

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

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Although I feel I'm an average picker at best, I can play with any band and do a passable solo over any chord changes which may come along. I think that this comes from practicing along with the radio in all styles and formats and learning what notes work with what changes. I've never been one to learn "licks" but like to stay pretty much in scale patterns. I worked a lot with a small recording studio when I was in SoCal and learned to write number charts from listening to the demo's which has helped me a lot in my live gigs. I think that fear has no place in music and you should just jump in with both feet as if you knew what you were doing!! You'd be amazed just how much you can learn like that..JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Ken Williams · From: Arkansas

I've always had good comments on my tone. That's what people say when they can't think of any other nice thing to say.

For what it's worth, consistancy used to be one of my strong points. Another way of saying that is that I sqeak my way out of mistakes pretty well.

As I get older and play less it gets more difficult to keep consistancy in my game.

Ken
http://home.ipa.net/~kenwill

[This message was edited by Ken Williams on 28 January 2004 at 12:52 PM.]

RON PRESTON · From: Dodson, Louisiana, USA

Strong point? Hummmmmm.....
I really do not like making mistakes,(Who DOES?) and I do, but, one of the stronger points with me is the fact that if I do "Blow it", as I am right in the middle of..."Oh, Gosh, this is NOT anywhere right," while in that split second of "Poof"...I Transform the "Boo-Boo" right back into the "Right Place, right Note" at that moment, and MOST of the time, NOBODY even knew what happened, and I look around at the Lead player who has an ear BETTER than Mine, just to see if he heard it. If HE didn't, I KNOW no one else heard it...But, I STILL HATE IT, but, we ARE humans, and we do have a time making mistakes on a day to day basis. Most of the time, when I do a "Killer-Blunder", and IF I'm NOT "Caught", I Laugh so hard at myself on stage right AFTER I "Get out of THAT One", My Band mates KNOW I've done SOMETHING wrong....Ha...I used to Beat myself to Death when I would Blow it. Today, I just ROLL with Laughter.....

Roy Ayres · From: Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.

My strong point is my age. I didn't have nearly as much of it when I was younger.

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Well I'm not too GOOD,but I am LOUD!!! bob

Jackie Anderson · From: Scarborough, ME

My strong point has often been just being the least temperamental, egotistical person in the band.

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Humility, I tolerate the imperfections of others.

JUST KIDDING!!!!

Actually the Steel Guitar is one machine that'll keep ya humble.

[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 28 January 2004 at 02:36 PM.]

Jonathan Gregg · From: New York City

I relate to what Jerry said. I'm not afraid to jump in and let it rip, even if what rips is the seat of my pants. If you're going to say something, speak up, and I like to think I have something to say. Let there be emotion, excitement -- nothing ventured, nothing gained. Besides that, I think I have a good sense of melody and phrasing.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

I'm pretty good at laying out.

Fred Shannon · From: Rocking "S" Ranch, Comancheria, Texas, R.I.P.

Jimbeaux and me. I specialize in "laying out" especially with this "Alternative Country Crap". Arms folded, scowl on my face, and watch the drummer throw sticks becomes my forte.

I guess I'm pretty fortunate because I don't play 'em like the record. Never have, never will. It thrills me to be able to answer "That's not the way it is on the record" with "You want to hear it like the record, then go home and listen to it."

I've listened to several "pro's" and somehow they must have created something in their mind's eye that allowed them to put it on the record anyway. I think, as long as the creative juices are flowing, why not me too. As long as the other band members don't mind.

fred

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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real

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

Awful lotta questions there, Ray.

I'm not (nor will I ever be) "top rated" at anything. I am an "up-front" picker though, not afraid to "put the pedal down" when I feel the urge! I play very little, but what little I do, I do very well. I do excel in E9th backup work, and that's why I get called to do sessions. (My aspirations were more towards being a Pete Drake than a Buddy Emmons.) Sometimes I play "fresh new stuff", and sometimes I do repeat my few signature phrases...but then again, every steeler I've ever heard does, too! I play some of other people's licks and styles, but always with my own sound and style.

Now...that last question about a "hiring situation" with an Opry group??? I won't worry about elaborating on that one because I'm honest enough to admit that I don't belong there.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

I'm not afraid to suck out loud - totally fearless. Stumblebum,hamfisted "speedpicking",unforgivable clams,spectacular one-man trainwrecks.....and it continues to serve me well. Nothing like drawing collective gasps and snickers from a packed house of savvy music lovers and steel guitar players to make you go home and practice.For better or worse,my musical development has been very much in the public domain. Some say I play OK these days although I'm sure you could find some who remember otherwise.
-MJ-

Jonathan Gregg · From: New York City

LOL. Amen, brother. if you ain't going to leave it on the floor, why show up. You only get better by stretching what you've got (and believe me, I need all the stretching I can get).
The only thing better is to listen to a tape of it later and vow never again to overplay like that.
One-man train wrecks... heh...

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

well 'awright then...

If anyone actually claimed I had a strong point it would not be the ability to speed pick or play 32nd notes in a single measure..Don't get me wrong I could play all those 32nd notes but it would take a few measures to cram 'em all in..

my strong point I believe is my 40 years of bandstand experience and all the music and venues I have crammed into my little pea brain. Knowing what fits, what doesn't, when to lay lay out and to not step on anyones toes..and like Larry mentions above..when to use and apply the knowledge that was picked up along the way..volume , chords,presence etc.. play stuff that will compliment the song and singer..I am not afraid to jump in when things are out of control or lost and bring it back...

And I'm gettin' pretty good at carrying my gear around too..

Oh and I should add that for almost 10 years my wife was the front gal of our band and although I was the boss of the band she was the boss of the band...

just one more 'sperience in the list to draw from I suppose..
t

Ernie Renn · From: Brainerd, Minnesota USA

I'm with Jimbeaux on this one. Laying out is my forte. I've worked at it for many years and I'm gettin' pretty good at it.

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My best,
Ernie

www.buddyemmons.com

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

....I would like to say that it is: knowing when to hold and when to fold!

But some of my past decisions have indicated otherwise!

www.genejones.com

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Ray good one! LOL.

One thing about hitting a BIG clam is that you can then add 2-4 more small clams and come back into key and you have actually done an OUT part and made it seem logical.

Lack of fear and a good laugh goes a long way to not freezing on stage.

I admire Dave Ristrim for hitting the wall at 220 mph in a solo, and leaving that trainwreck on the album, because that's the way it was, and it was musically weird and jazzy and worked in an out kind of fusion way.
Though totally unintentional.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 29 January 2004 at 09:03 AM.]

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