Continuity In Practice Versus Randomization

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Do many beginners fall into a pattern of randomized practice sessions, by placing the steel on the back burner whenever unforeseen developments occur spontaneously, or do most follow a pattern of continuity? I've read about those who will let nothing deter them from a rigid scheduling.

Barry Blackwood · Posted 3 Jan 2012 8:39 am

Of course, it would be dependent on what the unforeseen development was. If the house caught fire while I was practicing my musical skills, well, what do you think? I would keep on practicing and wait until the room became too hot before "placing the steel on the back burner." Oh Well

Stuart Legg · Posted 3 Jan 2012 8:57 am

Random is OK if you know the secret of learning to play PSG.

Of course we all know by now it’s stealing other folks licks and applying the same with a little tweaking (with a great deal of practice) to Major, Dom.7 or minor runs.

For example if I steal a lick that was played within a Gmaj scale over a Gmaj Chord then I can also use it as an Amin lick or a D7 lick and visa versa.

Another good example is the same lick played over the A, D and E7 chords of a blues song in the key of A.

Simply stated one stolen lick can have many many uses.

Most old country songs are really just blues songs.
Randomness I think helps to break the monotony of the practice routine.
If you know and believe in the secret.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Stuart,

Finding yourself at the threshold of a famous "lick" that has been groomed or spruced up by hours of patient practice in the hands of a true master, can prove to be a miscalculated evaluation of self-discipline in successfully duplicating the arrangement satisfactorily to one's liking. Not a problem for some, while others throw in the towel, after hours of practice. For example, the late CURLY CHALKER'S charismatic demeanor, and originality, I believe has not been equalled.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

SAY WHAT

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

The most important foremost endeavor associated with normal steel guitar practice sessions is to hang tight with a special determination unmatched by casual developmental trial runs associated with trivial details, and related assignments of lesser consequence.

Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

Actually some one who depends on stealing in any sense is a thief.. Like most thiefs they are just too plain lazy to work..Imitation is the best form of flattery..Most people who can impersonate usually have talent and enough creativity to develop their own styles and popularity..

Bo Legg · Posted 3 Jan 2012 12:34 pm

Not necessarily disagreement here but merely a view from a different perspective.
I have not heard two players that play exactly alike.
So I must assume that we all are original.
First learn how to play by buying or stealing from others then work on being original.
Since the melody is a given it follows being original is simply your own unique approach to adlibbing.

Ransom Beers · Posted 3 Jan 2012 12:43 pm

My steel is by a window where the sun shines on it(that's how I get all them HOT LICKS),haven't been so displeased with my playing that I'd burn it,albeit I have thought about it.But randomize?Yeah I randomize everything I do,makes for a more enjoyable time when I do practice.I'd get bored & stick it back in a closet if I didn't.

Dick Sexton · From: Greenville, Ohio

Bill, you've hit on a good one. The study of a persons self-discipline, either closely or from a distance, can say much about the person and what they may or potentially could achieve. A time of introspection can do the same for oneself. Self-discipline applies to many area of existence outside the study of steel guitar. If your normal modus operandi is to listen to the TV, have your computer up and running 24/7, alerting you when you get an email, or breaking for a beer or smokes during the time you have allotted for study, your hoped for progress, may be stymied. We live in a time of stimuli coming at us from every side and angle. Even though some are better then others at dealing with this, it takes determination and much self-discipline to focus on any task to completion. Steel or something else.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

bill..are you writing a book?

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Dick,

While admonishing the broken vows and shattered would-be romances, lost to the attraction of greener pastures, and fortuitous opportunities, CHARLIE PRIDE'S rendition of CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS depicts by painting a picture in the mind of the listener, how the NEW wears off from things that once were the objects of affection. The concepts proven to be more stable, resisting the inclination to decline by losing its original appeal, is the pedal steel guitar, or musical instruments in general as a whole. The song about "NEVER ENDING LOVE" may very well be a close second to the natural attraction to melodies. Whichever attraction is first, music or a truest romance, the continuity of those, exceeds by far that of "CRYSTAL CHANDELIERS". Both are compatible and suffice to secure the ultimate goals crucial to securing happiness.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Chris,

I sometimes wish that I possessed the energy and skill to do so. I'd be sure to comment verbally on certain issues, if you "get my drift". Razz

Barry Blackwood · Posted 3 Jan 2012 2:16 pm

Bill, if you strung all 6,409 of your topics together, I'm betting you would have something that would rival "War and Peace" in it's scope and prolixity …. Shocked

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Barry,

Publishing a succinct account of the principals, experts, technicians, etc. who have been responsible for the growth of the steel guitar as a musical instrument, would be worth the effort in the final analysis, provided the proper measures were attended to, by including the earliest concepts of the slide guitar, on up to the modern pedal steel guitar.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

This thread is intended to call attention to the possible procrastination and systematic postponements of regular practice sessions. Attempting to maintain a single train of thoughts specifically aimed at calling attention to those who intentionally arrange their practicing by placing the sessions in a secondary or lesser time schedule is the purposeful intent of this theme.

Mike Kowalik · From: San Antonio,Texas

Unless you practice when you feel like it you ain't gonna git nothin out of it........

Bo Legg · Posted 3 Jan 2012 7:44 pm

Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bo Legg,

CHARLIE WALKER wouldn't know me from "the man in the moon", I'm sure, but nevertheless I was seated across from him at a small table during a break in his performances at The FLAMINGO Restaurant in Copake, New York. He was very cordial and exceedingly friendly, while responding to questions concerning country music. I remember asking him about BILLY WALKER, thinking that they could be related. He assured me that BILLY had been "around" for as long as his own dedication to country music. This happened during a period, back about 1980, judging by the company of musicians that I enjoyed the show with. I want to point out something in relation to JOE CASEY'S and your comments on "stealing licks". The guitarist who was hired to back CHARLIE, wasn't sharing licks that day. He stood sideways to the audience. I wouldn't have directed my attention to him otherwise, but his setup caught my vigilance. He was decked out with a hollow thin-bodied beauty of a guitar, very expensive looking, with a BIGSBY LEVER. He worked expertly with the floor volume pedal. It was a situation where no visual hand movements could be seen on the guitar's fretboard. In actuality, his finger-style playing was something that I'd spent hours trying to master, making the event one to be remembered.

Bo Legg · Posted 4 Jan 2012 7:22 am

Bill at least that guitar player showed you respect in assuming you were capable of stealing his licks.
If they know you play country more often than not a guitar player of a different genre will show you anything with the attitude that you’re a hayseed and aren’t capable of understanding it much less play it.
There are PSG players with that same attitude.

Joe Casey · From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9)

He may have showed Bill some respect but certainly showed none to the audience in general..Either suffering from inflated egoor lack of confidence..I wouldn't rule out lack of professionalism..probably a great player whats his name? Wink

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Bo Legg,

BINGO!! Your conceptuality in this matter of sharing licks is on the mark. Nothing said heretofore evokes the resolve made pointedly through your matter-of-fact reasoning; significative of the actual status quo in reality. It may or may not create a surge of competitive activity. They say that competition is healthy for those involved; whether the subject is racing or the joy of producing harmonic bliss. I think that I could agree with that concept.

Ransom Beers · Posted 4 Jan 2012 8:27 am

I met Charlie Walker whilst I was pickin' on "The West Coast",an AH then & an AH after.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Joe,

I think that incident occurred at the time they were having a pig roast, making it more difficult to obtain names and places. Believe it or not, the music awakened a nocturnal bat that must have entered the establishment at nighttime. I kept a close watch, while the bat zoomed around over our heads. If you ever meet Charlie, mention the Flamingo in Copake, N.Y. It happened about 30 years ago. He may be able to name names.

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