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Topic: What are some good instrumental tunes to learn? |
Tim Konecky
From:
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 6:39 am |
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So I learned about a country jam/open mic that occurs here my home town in beautiful Lincoln, NE. It's at the local VFW.
My newly found friend, Irish Donahoo, gave me the rundown on how it works. Apparently I wouldn't sit-in with a back up band and do comps and fills but would rather be on stage by myself playing an instrumental piece.
This introduces a new level of anxiety but is certainly a welcome challenge. Most of my experience has been simply coming up with a few little ditties here and there backing up a mostly original country\rock band. So playing instrumentals is breaking new ground for a guy like me.
What are some instrumental pieces for an intermediate player? (at least I hope I can call myself intermediate after 5 years of sucking)
Thanks for the advice in advance friends!
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Jackson Blackjack
Fender Deluxe
Peavey Nashville 400 |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 7:21 am
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I attended the St Louis convention one year and had the fortune of being able to stand beside Loyd Green playing in some back room all by himself. Loyd let rip about four or five instrumental versions of pop songs like something from the Beatles as well as some country standards.
Ever since then I've been doing that to broaden my range. What is good about it is you have that pop melody in your head maybe even the progression so all you have to do is find it on the PSG.
I figured out a wonderful version of the Beatle's "Yesterday" with all kinds of melodic movement over chords, typically three string grips. It turned out so full you don't miss the acompanyment.
The steel is really good about mimicing the human voice too. Listen to the Sacred steel guys if you don't believe me. For this reason I'll pick a really good singer like Patsy Cline, for example, and learn a few of her tunes. I'm especially fond of "You Belong To Me", with it's lush chord changes beneath a strong melody, not to mention the dynamics of that tune. |
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Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 11:01 am
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It does sound daunting. Can you at least get an acoustic guitarist to accompany you? Personally I would pick simple tunes that play to my strengths. Some nice melodies like Mansion on the Hill, or Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. Just my opinion because as a player I'm nothing to write home about but I'd feel comfortable going solo with something in this ballpark. I'd still at least like a bass or 6 stringer up there with me though. It should make you a stronger player! 
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Zum Encore, Zum Stage One, Fender 2000, Harlan Bros., Multi-Kord, |
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Tim Konecky
From:
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 12:15 pm
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I like both suggestions. I already have a plethora of tabs in all of the different method books in my collection.
One of my goals, maybe for next year, is to do some busking at some local farmers markets. Just a personal challenge more than anything. That certainly will require a nice set of steel only instrumental material.
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Jackson Blackjack
Fender Deluxe
Peavey Nashville 400 |
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Bill Moran
From:
Virginia, USA
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Douglas Bone
From:
Fort Worth,Tx. USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 5:31 pm
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Classic country and Southern Gospel
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D10 Sho-Bud,D10 Mullen Pre RP, Session 500, N12 |
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Calvin Walley
From:
colorado city colorado, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 6:05 pm
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together again ,, sounds good as a solo
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proud parent of a sailor
Mullen SD-10 /nashville 400
gotta love a Mullen!!!
Guitars that i have owned in order are :
Mullen SD-10,Simmons SD-10,Mullen SD-10,Zum stage one,Carter starter,
Sho-Bud Mavrick |
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Tim Konecky
From:
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 6:48 pm
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Jeebus Bill... I said intermediate. That sure is some incredible playing by all folks involved. Not sure if I'll ever get to that level.
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Jackson Blackjack
Fender Deluxe
Peavey Nashville 400 |
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Tim Konecky
From:
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2013 6:55 pm
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The worst part about that video is just seeing the back of the audience's heads. Nobody is bobbing their head or nothing... it's like they're watching an auction or something waiting to bid on a headboard. Man... loosen up folks... do some dancing!
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Jackson Blackjack
Fender Deluxe
Peavey Nashville 400 |
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Jack Aldrich
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 10 Sep 2013 10:39 am
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Steel Guitar Rag in E ala Buddy Emmons - when I was playing full time back in the day it was requested almost every night.
Bud's Bounce - it's in the Winston book
Remington Ride - no pedals, tho
- Jack
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Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8 |
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Gerald Shaw
From:
Florida, USA
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Posted 10 Sep 2013 2:23 pm
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| Shenandoah and Danny Boy. Both those tunes are in the Winnie Winston book |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 10 Sep 2013 9:49 pm Fairly easy instrumentals to learn...........and play.
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Boot Heel Drag and Coquette, both in C#min, have always been popular instrumentals, easy to learn and easier to play.
Texas Playboy Chimes is a good one as is B.Bowman Hop. Bob Wills recordings. Both easy numbers in A tuning.
Little Red Wagon and Anytime are both reasonably easy tunes to figure out and play........ as is Steelin' Home.
Just a couple of suggestions to help you fill your void........... |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 2:57 am
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Are you meaning totally solo, or lead with folks behind you?
Totally solo doesn't sound like my kind of fun, and I'd choose something with a melody that contains a strong sense of rhythm. Steel Guitar Rag and Panhandle Rag both spring to mind.
Bobby Garrett and Buddy had worked up a Travis-style approach.
I think I'd approach the host and say that backup would be welcome
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Bob Cox
From:
Buckeye State
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 4:23 am
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Four in the morning
Borrowed Angel
I can fly high like an eagle |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 11:55 am
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Generally, playing by yourself on steel guitar and doing it well enough to entertain the average Joe is an advanced task.
I think of the Jazz guitarists who do this at a wedding or during a dinner for background music as an example.
A typical technique is to play the melody single note but add the other notes when the chord changes, typically on the one, ie think the intro to Nightlife.
"Sleepwalk" might be a great tune to try that isn't too advanced and also has the advantage of being one of the only recognizable steel guitar instumentals as it did make the top ten in 1962 or so. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 11:55 am
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Generally, playing by yourself on steel guitar and doing it well enough to entertain the average Joe is an advanced task.
I think of the Jazz guitarists who do this at a wedding or during a dinner for background music as an example.
A typical technique is to play the melody single note but add the other notes when the chord changes, typically on the one, ie think the intro to Nightlife.
"Sleepwalk" might be a great tune to try that isn't too advanced and also has the advantage of being one of the only recognizable steel guitar instumentals as it did make the top ten in 1962 or so. |
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Greg Cutshaw
From:
Corry, PA, USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 12:13 pm
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For something a bit out of the normal steel genre, Honky Tonk as played on the Beach Boys album is a great tune. I play it on C6 and have some tab for it.
Honky Tonk!
Greg |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 2:30 pm
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"Bar Hoppin'" By Lloyd is a quick one that works well as a solo.
And, strangely enough, "I'm Not Lisa." Hughey. Wonderful solo piece, if you have the low root. |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 2:45 pm
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| "Cold Cold Heart" by Hank Williams is another good one-it's one of the first songs I learned on steel |
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Tim Konecky
From:
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Posted 11 Sep 2013 7:44 pm
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Thanks for all the advice friends.
I'll have to note that I currently only play E9. I see a double neck guitar in my future but it's probably 6 to 12 months away from fruition. It's hard to wait but that's life on a budget.
I can pull off Steel Guitar Rag thanks to some fancy translating of Greg's C6 tabs (thanks brother). Also, I've got Sleepwalk down pretty good except for the harmonics.
I'll have to do some wood shedding for sure before I feel comfortable enough to play all by lonesome.
_________________
Jackson Blackjack
Fender Deluxe
Peavey Nashville 400 |
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