If you can't play "Song Title" you can't play stee

Matthew Prouty · From: Warsaw, Poland

I have always heard this in other circles about either jazz, blues or rock and since I am so isolated (but not for long) I was wondering if this goes around in the steel guitar world as well.

What songs do you think are essential for a steel guitarist repertoire?

M.

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

None.

I guess if you play country steel you're expected to know certain things...but even on 6-string there are no "standard" tunes everyone knows, outside of maybe jazz and bluegrass - it's strictly style-dependant.

On steel, with many players appearing playing other styles, I don't think you can say you're not a "steel player" if you don't know some tune. Just like you can't say you're not a guitar player if you don't know 7 Comes 11 or Sally Goodin'....
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Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Red River Valley.

(Jus' yankin' yer chain, Jim) Wink

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

If you mean "play the melody" then it seems like a very important part of PSG. I have learned most of my stuff frome videos, Newman, Bouton, ect. and all of them teach that the melody needs to be there. How you get there is style. I play with a Gospel group sometimes and most of their materiel has no set steel part for it, so I make up my own. I start by listening to the singer and the bass player. From there I get the chord movement and then the melody. The song title tends to be a hook or whatever you want to call it. A must have to do justice to the tune IMHO.
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Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

There is the "Real BooK" for the jazz players. You can take that book to the gig and play any jazz job you want.

The bluegrass folks have the same tunes for about a hundred years.

Steel players would be more inclined to know the classic country hits and the top radio stuff for the past years. That should do it.

Symphonic musicians are expected to know the standard classic tunes and also for auditions they are required to play passages from those tunes that are technically difficult for their particular instrument.

Surf musicians are expected to know "Wipe Out". Smile

Knowing the standards in any genre is pretty much a must.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Yes, but seriously folks...

Notice that all of Bill's examples, while correct, address a particular style of music (jazz, bluegrass, classical, surf, etc.), not a particular instrument. Your original question asks about the instrument per se. So Jim Sliff, all kidding aside, had it right. If you're talking "country steel guitar" (and assuming you mean this country Wink

), then there probably is a list of songs that you'd better not miss too many of if you wish to be considered a "consummate country steel guitarist". But if you really mean "steel guitar- the instrument", then no, you can play whatever you dang well please and if you do it well, you're a "steel guitarist" (except, of course, in the eyes of those who refuse to acknowledge anyone outside of the country genre as such, and yes, they do exist).

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

I just had my 4th cup of coffee and realized the stupidity of my response! You have "song title" . I meant what I said, but it wasn't even related to your question. Dang. I need to read more carefully. I actually did that while officiating at a funeral, the book was using some scripture in a prayer format and it was my first funeral so when it left a place to insert the name of the person it used the word name in italics. So did I. doh!!!
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Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Rick, I'm sure the family appreciated the personal touch. Embarassed

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

I have always thought "Steel Guitar Rag" was somewhat analogous to "Chopsticks". Razz

I'd seriously doubt if there's any steelplayer who hasn't at least attempted it. "Wipe Out" may indeed be close, on drums, but I think "Caravan" might have a little broader appeal, and that's strange because the very early recordings of "Caravan" really have no drum solo.

Rick Abbott · From: Indiana, USA

Jim, I had a high-speed mental break-down with a single drop of sweat rolling down my cheek. I was able to recover and I think (hope) nobody was any the wiser. This is alot like my steel playing Laughing

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Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

at the only steel show Ive ever been to I heard:
"A Way to Survive" six times...no kidding..I'd never even heard the song before
"Together again" four times...
"Steel Guitar Rag" once Very Happy

I was really surprised to hear the same song over and over from experienced players

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

... and your point would be...? Wink

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

When I started playing,there was a guy who used to sit in with our below average band and he would sing real country songs.One afternoon he told me that he would teach me steel guitar rag,he sat there with his acoustic guitar and would pick out the notes,and I would mimic him..in a monkey see/monkey do sort of way.After a while he said that I had it,and that song would get me out of trouble some day,I can't tell you guys how many times that song has gotten me out of trouble.At my weekend gig this old guy about 80 years old shows up about once a month with his wife both dressed to the nines,and If I couldn't play that for them I think they would cry.Hey Jim Cohen is there a way you get that duck to drop down with the "Secret Woid"?
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Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Steel Guitar Rag. Seriously!

If you're playing country, consider Herb Steiner's Essential Bandstand Solos course.
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Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

A Maiden's Prayer...
Bud's Bounce...
Faded Love...

Ron Brennan · From: Orlando, Florida, USA; Formerly, Edison, NJ

Mathew,

Ummm, seems to me it depends where you live and play, (this being an International Forum). If you’re building a repertory, check out the popular songs & styles that fit the tastes of the folks in the area (if you want to make a living). The local bands will drive what you should do as well.

Now down there in warm Brazil: Bossa Nova (Girl from Ipenema, etc?). Smile

How bout Hawaii & West Coast, eh? (Check with your local Ukulele Player or the “Great Cahuna”).

For Canada/USA…C&W, Blue Grass, Southern Rock, Gospel, etc

Gee, Chicago, Raleigh, Cincinnati, etc….Blues/Jazz favorites? Cool

Caribbean, Reggae for sure, Mon….”Don’t Worry-Be Happy” Embarassed

(Sunburn)

Europe: check with Baz….Hawaiian, C&W, Blues/Rock/Jazz & Standard Pop.

Orient: All of the above? Surprised

There’s “notin” you can’t play or try on steel: To Wit: I had the pleasure of hearing a top Nashville PSG player perform the theme song from “Exodus”!! Fantastic Sound! Surprised

If you’re just startin out: you can’t lose with a sprightly Steel Guitar Rag or Remington Ride, then bring down the heat with a nice, warm rendition of Sleepwalk….You win!! Then build from there where you’re going musically. The Steel Guitar World is your oyster. Try not to limit yourself....Steel is Steel and it is a great sound whatever you do!! And Smile Smile

now & then.... TX
Rgds,

Ron

Matthew Prouty · From: Warsaw, Poland

Ron,

Thanks for pointing out Garota de Ipanema. I probibly will be living elsewhere by the time I learn that song as I am a double digit midget here.

I got to thinking about this as I was practicing this morning and I remember hearing someone once say "If you can't play Juke, you do not know how to play blues harp." And was wondering if Steel Guitar Rag or maybe Sleepwake were the Juke of the steel guitar.

M.

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Jim...That's the duck that I wuz talkin' bout,Stu
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Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Ron,That's a good list..do you play "Born To Run"?
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Andy DePaule · From: Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon

Don't forget to learn Sleep Walk because that is one of the few steel tunes most people know, though most have no idea what made that kind of noise!...

Yes, 23 chorus & verses of steel guitar rag for sure.... just before the beer break.

If you can do those two and whack on the "A" pedal a lot for every other tune, you'll fool most folks into thinking your a great steel player.

Ron Brennan · From: Orlando, Florida, USA; Formerly, Edison, NJ

Stu,

Faster than a "Hog" with a Black & White behind it.... Laughing

Andy, what you said.......especially that last line: "whack on the "A" pedal a lot for every other tune, you'll fool most folks into thinking your a great steel player." Laughing

Gheeszzz, how did you know!!!! TX
Rgds,

Ron the Hog
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Terry Wood · From: Lebanon, MO

Jerry Byrd told me once "Play the melody, the rest is just window dressing."

Jimmy Day said "Play the Melody."

Well I have tried and tried but I struggle with it still after over 30 years of trying to figure out this bisquet board. I suppose that if I and alot of others could have played like Jerry or Jimmy, we would have made it. Anyhow, I just had to listen and adapt alittle of Julian Tharpe, Speedy West, Zane Beck, Reece Anderson and others in my humble efforts.

Now for songs I'm in agreement with Mr. b0b and the other steeler's posting. You need to play the ever popular with the public, "Steel Guitar Rag," "Bud's Bounce," and "Sleep Walk." People identify with those and sooner or later, and most likely sooner they will request either.

Then, you can throw in your favorite ever now and then. I'll share the only thing that used to really rub me, Mad

it was the only song I was allowed to play on a big well known Branson, MO show was "Steel Guitar Rag." It worked for two years then I repemted and defected back to the other side. Of course in the pro-ooo---cess, I lost my footing and never got back into that circle again. Shocked

Anyhow, life goes on.

Back on topic, you should play what you prefer but yet you must play to satisfy the paying crowd. Lest you get lost in dee shuffle!

May GOD bless!

Terry Wood

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

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