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Topic: What's your state of mind? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 10 Oct 2013 8:23 pm |
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Having watched numerous steel guitarists with their chosen instrument and having observed with interest the manner in which these dedicated musicians position themselves in order to start to play........I've noticed many different stances taken by these players.
When you approach your guitar, do you do so as though it was a highly complicated piece of mysterious and dangerous industrial machinery? One with many hidden threats to your well being?
Or, do you assume total control of the instrument as though it were merely an extension of your own body? |
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Bill L. Wilson
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2013 9:07 pm My Mind.
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| My state of mind is, I haven't picked all week, so I'm ready to set down Fri. and Sat. night at the old Emmons road dog, and play my heart out! The only problem is, it's a 2and a half hour drive, one way.............. And taking command of the old road dog is debatable. If you're a steel player, you might not be impressed with my pickin'............. But if you're not a picker, you might think I'm a fair player. I always try to act like I know what I'm doing, whether I know or not. |
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Ray McCarthy
From:
New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2013 2:06 am
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| I remember one day, frustrated with trying to learn this intimidating thing, when I suddenly and inexplicably changed my attitude and became the boss instead of the slave. I immediately began playing better. I consider that day the true beginning of my learning process. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2013 7:42 am
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Hi Ray, I think you've discussed this before...
| Ray Montee wrote: |
When I sit down to play my lap steel....I grasp and touch it in a way that I become a part of the instrument or, the instrument becomes a part of me. In this way, I feel my mind, heart and spirit is transmitted thro' my fingers onto the guitar and the sounds it makes is an extension of my sole. It's always been this way for ME, with respect to cars, airplanes or very large commercial vehicles and it works for ME.
When I play my EMMONS.......I do the same.
I've found that it is common to sit down at a pedal guitar rather gingerly and in a precise position and then to mechanically pluck at the strings like it is some kind of mysterious monster that might rise up and bite.
Do any of you make this kind of intimate bonding with your instrument?
These comments do not relate to any person living or dead......... |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 11 Oct 2013 7:59 am THANK YOU Pete.............
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Perhaps you'd consider allowing me the privilege of submitting my topics to you in advance to any postings on the SGF.
Being old as I am, I guess the old mind is failing faster than I realized. For this I apologize, to each and every SGF Member.
Your astute and in depth scrutinizing of each of my posts is thoroughly appreciated tho' and I thank you. |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2013 8:16 am Re: What's your state of mind?
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| Ray Montee wrote: |
| When you approach your guitar, do you do so as though it was a highly complicated piece of mysterious and dangerous industrial machinery? One with many hidden threats to your well being? |
 I really enjoyed that description, Ray. As if a mere musical instrument could invoke such terror!
I approach it as a humble pilgrim, my fingers given as a sacrifice in earnest prayer that it will not slice them as a skilled itamae slices sushi. 
(Seriously, it's just a tool.)
_________________
-๐๐๐- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2013 8:53 am
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| I approach it like marriage or golf. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Dale Rottacker
From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
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Dick Sexton
From:
Greenville, Ohio
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Posted 11 Oct 2013 1:44 pm Hummmm...
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What's your state of mind?
Some days I don't mind that it is in Ohio. Some days I wouldn't mind at all
if it was in Texas. In either case, it seems to be slipping.
Hello ball! Still funny after all these years. Lol! |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 16 Oct 2013 5:21 pm
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Sometimes I can't believe how well my steel guitar sounds, whilst other times I can't get a decent sound out of it. I'm sure they all have personalities. If your steel guitar doesn't like you you're knackered. Fortunately they haven't yet learned how to bite.  |
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Alan Tanner
From:
Near Dayton, Ohio
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Posted 18 Oct 2013 4:00 am Re: My Mind.
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| Bill L. Wilson wrote: |
| My state of mind is, I haven't picked all week, so I'm ready to set down Fri. and Sat. night at the old Emmons road dog, and play my heart out! The only problem is, it's a 2and a half hour drive, one way.............. And taking command of the old road dog is debatable. If you're a steel player, you might not be impressed with my pickin'............. But if you're not a picker, you might think I'm a fair player. I always try to act like I know what I'm doing, whether I know or not. |
I think this is a good point. Take command of the situation. Play your parts like you mean it and DO know what you are doing, even if you are weak on technique or the song isn't real familiar. Dont over play tho', and don't sit there doodling while another is playing or the "star" is talking. Weak and wimpy pickers only bring the whole band down, and leave a hole when they play. The crowd senses that too. Don't be a "know it all" but hold your own. Your playing will improve and so will your confidence. One other point, if you are playing and boo boo....move on....recover quickly...dont bring attention to it and it will slide by...stopping your play or fussing about it only focuses the crowds attention...if its REAL bad...a good laugh will lower the bump.....Most pickers these days seem to have better equipment. Maybe it's cuz they are all old now and can afford it...well...sorta....lol |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 18 Oct 2013 9:12 am
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In my later years, if I had even thought about it, my state of mind would have been that financially this is a piss-poor way to make a living.
Fortunately, before it was too late, I became enlightened and embarked on other careers' more inclined to my abilities.
_________________
"FROM THEN TIL' NOW" |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 18 Oct 2013 9:36 am
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| I never get frustrated with my steel, I always find every moment with my steel amazing! I sometimes have to tell my steel bar to cooperate |
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