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Topic: How many Steel Guitarists also play Piano? |
A. B. Traynor
From:
4th Street& Royal ave New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 26 Sep 2004 9:39 pm |
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Just thoughtI should ask. Over the years I have noticed one thing in common about most every pianist, especially those classicaly trained-they have amazing ears; the ability to hear and identify intervals, knowledge of different scales, chord voicings, etc...
I also belive that the piano is probably the only intrument out there that can match what the steel can do (there are some things that the steel guitar can do that the piano can't touch, in terms of fluidity, and some things the piano can do that the steel guitar can't touch) All of this knowledge that studying and playing the piano provides has got to be invaluable for the playing of any instrument (at least the theoretical aspects of it all)
Just thought I'd throw this out there!  |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 5:40 am
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Mike Smith and Earnest Bovine!
('Chopsticks' is my limit...) |
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John Lacey
From:
Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 5:56 am
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| I don't play much piano anymore, but as a kid I took classical lessons (Royal Conservatory) up to Gr. 8. It was certainly a good grounding for steel as far as theoretical knowledge goes. Also, in terms of mentally seeing chord structures, I always see it in my head as a keyboard. Unfortunately, the Royal Conservatory approach does not emphasize ear training much. That came later once I picked up the steel and had to discern tones and instruments off records. |
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Bill Llewellyn
From:
San Jose, CA
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 6:57 am
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Piano and electonic keyboards are really my main axes. I was plinking away at piano from the days when I could first crawl up on the piano bench at home. I only took one year of lessons (in 4th grade) because of impatience over having to drill and practice. (Bad move.) So I play almost exclusively by ear, or by chord chart.
I'm sure having keyboard background did a lot to help me get going on steel. Basic music theory was already there (scales, inversions, chord relations). But I'm not able to see intervals on steel as easily as I can on keys. That takes a lot of practice.
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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50? |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 7:55 am
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| I play a little bit of piano. I played piano by ear with one hand before I moved to the pedal steel. Brett, Emmons S-10, Morrell lapsteel |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 7:58 am
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I wanted to be the next Bill Evans, but I just didn't have "it".
"There is nothing more tragic than the murder of a beautiful idea, by a gang of brutal facts". Ben Franklin |
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Rick McDuffie
From:
Benson, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 7:59 am
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I play a little.
My mom taught me the keyboard and fingering, then I learned to accompany myself singing by converting guitar chords to the piano keyboard. I also took a couple of semesters of piano in college (required for music majors). I still accompany myself or one of my daughters in church sometimes.
Every musician should know the keyboard, in my opinion. It's invaluable in understanding chord theory and visualizing what you're playing on any other instrument. |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 8:45 am
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I also took piano lessons as a kid. But I learned more on my own.
Listening to guys like George Shearing, etc.
I liked the Hammond B3 organ sounds too, I played that too, but the Steel Guitar was always my favorite, by far....al 
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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
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Steve Knight
From:
NC
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 9:37 am
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I play a little to try out different voicings, extensions, etc. It definitely helps your ear & understanding of theory.
I've been listening to a lot of Fats Waller lately. What a player!
SK |
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Will Holtz
From:
San Francisco, California, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 10:21 am
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| I started playing the keys before starting on steel guitar. I find it easier to think about theory in terms of a keyboard. |
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Larry King
From:
Watts, Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 10:36 am
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One of the more accomplished is Randy Reinhardt(sp??) in San Antonio......check out Flores' records....shades of Buddy on steel....great player |
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Joey Gaskins
From:
New Bern, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 11:16 am
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| I play several instruments, some better than others. Piano sets to my left on stage with my steel in front and a six string guitar to my right. Depending on the song, I can play either or a combo on certain songs. |
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Dr. Hugh Jeffreys
From:
Southaven, MS, USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2004 2:09 pm
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| Slightly----Sometimes it's a great help when composing and arranging. I don't depend upon it for that purpose, however. HJ |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 7:16 am
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| When I was 2 I tinkled on a piano two or three times. |
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John Sluszny
From:
Brussels, Belgium
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 7:54 am
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| I do. |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 8:31 am
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| Piano is actually my favorite instrument, but we all know steel players get the chicks! |
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Henning Kock
From:
Denmark
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 3:28 pm
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| Alan Akaka, and Jeff Au Hoy play very well. |
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LARRY COLE
From:
LANCASTER, OHIO, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 4:28 pm
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I play piano at church.
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Playing For JESUS,LC. WILLIAMS U12,SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60,GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM,YAMAHA L-10A ACOUSTIC,ROLAND JW-50 KEYBOARD,G&L AND BC RICH BASS'S
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Buddy Elkin
From:
Henderson, KY, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 4:34 pm
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| Me! |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 7:19 pm
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As is sometimes stated nowadays, “I voted for Piano before I voted against it.” Seriously, I took piano-lessons for 3 1/2-yrs. Then nothing for 2-yrs. Then at age 11-yrs. I started steel-lessons and have been playing ever since. (1948)
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“Big John” Bechtel
(2)-Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Customs
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here
click hereclick hereclick here |
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Bobbe Seymour
From:
Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 28 Sep 2004 9:37 pm
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Yes Yes Yes, As many of you remember, I was a great piano player for several years, but had to quit.
The piano owners always got mad when my picks would scratch the keys, and get caught between them. But really got hacked when my bar would break off all the black keys.
I also played Saxophone for a while, but also had to quit, it streeeeched my mouth all out of shape, (found out six months later that I was blowing through the wrong end")
Bobbe "play it again Sam" Seymour |
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Jim Marconi
From:
Richmond IL. / Summerland Key Fl. USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2004 4:09 pm
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Count me in and I can play without picks...I have a 7' Grand and 3 Hammond B3' along with misc. keyboards.
Regards
Jim
P.S. my wife wanted to know if anyone needs a B3 |
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Tracy Sheehan
From:
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2004 8:10 pm
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| I started on piano back in the 40's when i was a kid.Later took up fiddle,then steel.I haven't picked up a piano in years. |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2004 9:38 pm
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| Quote: |
| I haven't picked up a piano in years. |
Good thing, it'd probably break your back!   |
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