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Topic: Fronting a band with the Lap Steel Guitar |
Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 4:36 am |
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First of all let me say that the Lap Steel is by far my favorite instrument to play.
The Pedal Steel is my second favorite and the standard guitar is a distant third.
That being said, here is my dilemma: I also sing lead vocals and "front" the band.
(Being the leader who picks the songs, sets the tempo, kicks off the tune and cues
The rest of the guys when the chorus is coming up etc.)
This is easy to do from a standard guitar, but much more difficult from the lap steel
(Especially from a "stationary" sitting position.) It helps a lot to have a well rehearsed
group and standard arrangements that you don't stray from, but when jamming live,
or playing a request that the band has never worked out together can be a real challenge.
I often find myself at the mercy of the rhythm guitar player, who may drag the tempo,
change the arrangement, and even play the wrong chords! (Because most guitar players
and bassists don't have the slightest idea what chord I am playing by looking at me,
where they can easily recognize my chords when playing a standard guitar.)
So I am often forced to pick up the Telecaster, and try to like it, just to play the song.
I would like to hear some of your comments on this subject; I can't be the only steel player
Who sings and leads a band.
Dom Franco
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 6:21 am What to do?
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I went with professionally produced live players on Backing Tracks. You are stuck with the limitations of a track, while having the exact back up band of preferred choice.
The band never drags or complains at my mistakes or cruddy playing. 
_________________
GeorgeBoards S8 Non Pedal Steel Guitar Instruments
Maker of One of a Kind Works of Art that play music too.
Instructional DVDs
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Josh Cho
From:
New York, NY (orig. Honolulu, HI)
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 6:27 am yeah, it's hard (that's what she said)
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Hey Dom,
I feel your pain, bro! It's extremely difficult to "carry" a band with the steel.
Some, if not most, songs require the backup band members to really know the chord progressions. Rehearsals are pretty much a necessity.
One solution is to find a consistent guitar player or bassist who is your "go to" guy and knows all your songs from prior rehearsals with you.
That person can then take some of the pressure off you, calling out chords or having the other members visually follows his chord changes.
Other than that, you might need to make clearly written charts for your songs...and find guys that can actually read and follow said charts 
Ive had to do all of the above at some point.
Best of luck,
Josh
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Lap-n-Console Steel Guitar Lessons |
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Peter Jacobs
From:
Northern Virginia
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 6:34 am
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I hear ya, Dom. Three of us sing lead in the band, and the issue for me is, of course, eye contact, both with the band and the audience. It's not easy to sing while looking down at the fretboard -- maintaining a good position on the mic can be problematic. BTW, I stand when we play, and essentially, I'm the rhythm guitarist when I'm not taking a solo.
But I will say that I haven't run into the issues you're describing. This may be because the electric guitar player in the band and I have been playing together for more than 30 years, so we just kind of "get" each other, and between the two of us, we can get the feel that we want. It helps having a great drummer that can hold things together -- we always have him give the count, so everyone is on the same page.
Also, we don't take requests that we don't feel confident in playing (this depends on the event -- if it's a looser, party or jam-type atmosphere, we'll try anything, especially if it's a classic rock song that everyone knows).
Do you play with the same band all the time, or is the group constantly changing?
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Peter
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www.splinterville.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@splinterville6278/videos |
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John Allison
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 7:24 am
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I fronted and sang while holding down the steel in my Hillbilly Swing band. It's not easy and it takes a lot of brain power to remember lyrics, coordinate with the lead guitars to play fills, manage passable solos and occasionally call arrangement changes. I was extremely fortunate in that every single member of the band was absolutely on it and I never had to worry about tempo issues and very, very rarely about arrangement snags.
I don't think there's any way you can hope to pull it off with a "back-up band" or a pick-up situation rather than being part of a steady group who's willing to work together fairly routinely. I did one gig with a trio of young guys (seriously great musicians) who weren't really familiar with the music or arrangements. We pulled it off quite well, but it was a lot more work for me and it didn't sound nearly as good or as tight as I would have liked.
BTW,you mentioned sitting... I think you definitely have to raise up your console and stand while you play. It's more engaging for the audience, it's easier to sing and it really helps in maintaining eye contact, communication and coordination with the rest of the band.
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John Allison
Allison Stringed Instruments
Austin, Texas
www.allisonguitars.com |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 9:08 am
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| Hank Williams didn't call the steel bar 'a singers best friend' for nothing... |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 12:39 pm
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well, i'd say being the "leader" of a pickup band, regardless of instrument, is tough. i'd say in a situation like that, just have some basic nashville number charts or something to help out and dont pull any songs like "Crazy" out of the hat that are sure trainwrecks - if it was me under these situations, i'd stick to real standard stuff...sure, its not as much fun as blowing through the changes on Little Rock Getaway, but.....
i've played with my share of fiddle players who front a band and for some reason they all assume that EVERY musician can/should follow them on fiddle tunes, waltzs, etc no one has ever heard - that could go anywhere, then about the time you figure it out, it modulates. so you've gotta take the band level into consideration too.
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'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II |
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Tom Gray
From:
Decatur, GA
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 12:46 pm
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I front my band, standing and wearing a steel like a Dobro. I can probably play better seated, but when fronting a band you're not just playing, you're entertaining. You can deliver a song better standing. I got sick a couple years ago and had a series of surgeries and so had to play seated for a while. Audiences stayed with me, bless them, but now that I'm standing again I can feel the difference. Sometimes now I will sit to draw in the audience on a quiet song or solo. The contrast can be very effective.
It's true that it's hard to give cues, but it usually works out. I try to play with the best musicians I can, and good musicians will pick up things because they pay attention. Our rule is the old Led Zeppelin motto: "Eyes and ears open."
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www.tomgraymusic.com |
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AJ Azure
From:
Massachusetts, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Jan 2012 1:54 pm
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I do it every day. Get professional-er musicians if they can't get their act together. Arrangements, etc. you need to be more of a directing band leader.
Make sure they can see you clearly for the count off and cues.
We often do what I call pick up gigs or real book gigs doing jazz standards so no rehearsal there although, there are charts. You need to be a forceful enough leader to pull them with you. Players who know how to follow a band leader / conductor will be watching.
Requests usually unless a client asks for them ahead of time they're my last priority. My rule is background gigs no requests usually but, shows ie center of attention like a wedding, etc I am willing to customize 100% if the money is there. |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Posted 12 Jan 2012 2:19 am Re: yeah, it's hard (that's what she said)
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| Josh Cho wrote: |
One solution is to find a consistent guitar player or bassist who is your "go to" guy and knows all your songs from prior rehearsals with you.
That person can then take some of the pressure off you, calling out chords or having the other members visually follows his chord changes. |
Agreed. FWIW I think that a band might have a leader, a front man, an arranger and a musical director- sometimes one person wearing all of those hats but not a requirement.
I'd vote for a bass player being your right arm man, Dom, if you happen to know an acceptable candidate.
Steve Ahola |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Posted 12 Jan 2012 2:20 am Re: yeah, it's hard (that's what she said)
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| Josh Cho wrote: |
One solution is to find a consistent guitar player or bassist who is your "go to" guy and knows all your songs from prior rehearsals with you.
That person can then take some of the pressure off you, calling out chords or having the other members visually follows his chord changes. |
Agreed. FWIW I think that a band might have a leader, a front man, an arranger and a musical director- sometimes one person wearing all of those hats but not a requirement.
I'd vote for a bass player being your right arm man, Dom, if you happen to know an acceptable candidate.
Steve Ahola |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Roger Kelly
From:
Bristol,Tennessee
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John McClung
From:
Olympia WA, USA
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Posted 12 Jan 2012 3:54 am
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Back in the day of full time gigs, some clubs had nice risers for the steel player to set up on, putting their face at the same level as the other musicians. That helps stage presence a lot.
I once sketched out a design for a foldup riser I could use on my gigs, but they're all one nighters and I don't need more crap to set up and tear down!
_________________
E9 INSTRUCTION
▪️ If you want to have an ongoing discussion, please email me, don't use the Forum messaging which I detest! steelguitarlessons@earthlink.net |
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Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 13 Jan 2012 5:51 am
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Roger;
Junior Brown has always been a favorite of mine, and just like some of the suggestions in this thread he has a special rig so he can stand while playing.
He has a well rehearsed backup band... (BTW that's his wife playing rhythm guitar... it's funny he says "are ya ready boys?")
I am a little concerned that he is gonna hurt his wrist playing the guitar with his hand in that position. He also used to play his "Guit-Steel" strapped around his neck, but I bet that took a toll on his back!
Dom
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
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Terry VunCannon
From:
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2012 9:42 am
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I use a KB Stand to set my lap steels on all the time. While I am not the lead singer, I do 99% of the talking and intros on the songs for the band...I find that standing gives me more freedom, and more contact with the crowd and band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBZWil8gWlk |
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Steve Ahola
From:
Concord, California
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Mat Rhodes
From:
Lexington, KY, USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2012 9:29 pm
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Four words: charts, rehearsals, eye candy, and Type A Personality.
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 15 Jan 2012 11:32 am
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I think Leon McAulliffe did it standing up. Ever try that?
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Amor vincit omnia |
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Joseph Overton
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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