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Topic: What do pedal steelers and helicopter pilots have in common? |
Bob Womack
From:
Virginia, USA
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Posted 21 May 2022 2:44 pm |
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A. The only thing anchored is the backside. Everything else is furiously working. Not a joke.
Bob
_________________
"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' "
Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring
THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (My Little Website) |
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Ian Rae
From:
Redditch, England
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Posted 21 May 2022 2:49 pm
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I've never flown a chopper but I imagine it's a good parallel. Pedal steel is cheaper if you go easy on the gadgets.
_________________
Make sleeping dogs tell the truth!
Homebuilt keyless U12 7x5, Excel keyless U12 8x8, Williams keyless U12 7x8, Telonics rack and 15" cabs |
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Howard Parker
From:
Maryland
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Posted 21 May 2022 3:02 pm
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Heard at a gig..
"Like flying a Korean War vintage helicopter!"
hp
_________________
Howard Parker
03\' Carter D-10
70\'s Dekley D-10
52\' Fender Custom
Many guitars by Paul Beard
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David Ball
From:
North Carolina High Country
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Posted 21 May 2022 4:17 pm
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I have several friends who flew choppers in Nam. Scariest drivers of cars I've ever ridden with. They all seem to drive as if they were still flying.
Can't even imagine what had must have been like.
Dave |
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 21 May 2022 4:25 pm
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I'm a retired helicopter pilot and there are many similarities
both hands and both feet are working all of the time in coordination...the pedal steel may be a bit more difficult as both knees are involved as well!
pedal steel is a bit safer, though, unless you're playing in a really rough club  |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 21 May 2022 5:13 pm
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| The biggest difference is that a helicopter can be tuned. |
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Dale Foreman
From:
Crowley Louisiana, USA
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Posted 21 May 2022 6:13 pm
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| Jeff Garden wrote: |
I'm a retired helicopter pilot and there are many similarities
both hands and both feet are working all of the time in coordination...the pedal steel may be a bit more difficult as both knees are involved as well!
pedal steel is a bit safer, though, unless you're playing in a really rough club |
Hovering is like standing on ball!
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Rittenberry Prestige(2) |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 22 May 2022 12:19 am
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| Doug Earnest wrote: |
| The biggest difference is that a helicopter can be tuned. |
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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manny escobar
From:
portsmouth,r.i. usa
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Posted 22 May 2022 3:46 am
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| My pedal steel guitar friend Harry Teachman is a retired helicopter pilot. This also reminds me of when Dave Letterman said playing the steel was like piloting a helicopter. |
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Chris Brooks
From:
Providence, Rhode Island
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Posted 22 May 2022 5:34 am
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| Didn't know that about Harry, Manny! Chris |
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Dave Hopping
From:
Aurora, Colorado
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Posted 22 May 2022 8:58 am
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A friend let me take the controls of his Piper Cherokee for a few moments once when we were at altitude. While I wasn't comfortable enough (financially, that is!) with it to follow up with actual instruction, I could see some similarities with steel playing in that in both situations there are numerous points of interaction with a mechanical device, and therefore a lot of parameters under one's control.
I've heard of fixed-wing pilots describing the experience as one of "wearing the aircraft", which seems very like playing pedal steel when everything is going right. My question is whether steel-playing helicopter pilots ever feel that degree of calm control when flying.  |
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Al Evans
From:
Austin, Texas, USA
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Posted 22 May 2022 9:30 am
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| Dave Hopping wrote: |
| My question is whether steel-playing helicopter pilots ever feel that degree of calm control when flying. |
Don’t know whether he plays pedal steel, but…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUT-d_ZmIPY
—Al Evans
_________________
2018 MSA Legend, 2018 ZumSteel Encore, 2015 Mullen G2, G&L S-500, G&L ASAT, G&L LB-100, Godin A4 Fretless, Kinscherff High Noon |
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John Drury
From:
Gallatin, Tn USA
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Posted 24 May 2022 6:30 pm
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Spent some hours in a Hughes 500 J
I found it to be much easier than playing a pedal steel.
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John Drury
NTSGA #3
"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr |
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Larry Ball
From:
Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
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Posted 25 May 2022 7:50 am
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Being a “Retired Airline Captain” and Steel Player I have to chime in here.
Yes “all pilots” use hands, feet, at different times on the rudder pedals,throttles, yoke etc. However “ A Helicopter” is described as a “Thousand Parts” going in all directions and the “Pilot” is one of them.
Ok Helicopter Pilots now it is your turn.
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Sho~Bud SD10 LDG, Show-Pro SD10 LDG, Peavey Nashville 112, Boss Katana 100 MK11, Telonic's F100 Multi-Taper Super Pro V/P, Wayne Brown “Custom Designed Amp” |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 25 May 2022 8:27 am
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Jeff Garden's a retired Coastguard helicopter pilot and has executed some pretty hair-raising rescues in hostile environments. He's been good enough to share a few stories with me.
The tough jobs he's done sound like they have a parallel in pedal steel: that's finding yourself on the Opry on TV night and having to play the intro and solo to 'I'll Come Running' in front of millions (especially if you can't play that fast to start with!  )
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Malcolm McMaster
From:
Beith Ayrshire Scotland
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Posted 25 May 2022 9:34 am
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For me the similarity is that I’m not very good at either.😳😂
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MSA Millenium SD10, GK MB200, Sica 12inch cab, Joyo American Sound Pedal/ Jay Ganz Straight Ahead amp, Telonics 15inch in Peavey cab, Digitech RP150, Peterson tuner.Hilton volume pedal.Scott Dixon seat and guitar flight case. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 25 May 2022 4:47 pm
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"What do pedal steelers and helicopter pilots have in common?"
They're both in big trouble if their tail rotor quits!
` |
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Craig Stock
From:
Westfield, NJ USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 3:06 am
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My friend was a Top Gun, and I once asked him what it was like the first time he landed on an aircraft carrier, his response was "Every time is your first time"
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Regards, Craig
I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.
Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 7:41 am
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I’m not flying in anything that don’t have wings and has to beat the air into submission so I’ll stick with pedal steel, lol.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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Brooks Montgomery
From:
Idaho, USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 7:56 am
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as an "entry level" player, I've had a few gigs that I felt like I became "the pink mist" (Jeff Garden will know that term--walking into the tail rotor).
I've spent thousands of hours (well hundreds at least) in my past life in helos in 'necky' situations, mostly as a rescue guy, in the back, not flying. Wish I had those hours on the pedal steel.
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A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first. |
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 8:51 am
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| Brooks Montgomery wrote: |
as an "entry level" player, I've had a few gigs that I felt like I became "the pink mist" (Jeff Garden will know that term--walking into the tail rotor).
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We had a guy at NAS Whiting Field who approached a turning Huey on the ramp at night from the 6 o'clock position. Who does that? The T/R cut his helmet completely through. Incredibly after a sewing machine worth of stitches he recovered and continued on active duty - with the callsign Rotorface |
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Brooks Montgomery
From:
Idaho, USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 9:12 am
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| Jeff Garden wrote: |
| Brooks Montgomery wrote: |
as an "entry level" player, I've had a few gigs that I felt like I became "the pink mist" (Jeff Garden will know that term--walking into the tail rotor).
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We had a guy at NAS Whiting Field who approached a turning Huey on the ramp at night from the 6 o'clock position. Who does that? The T/R cut his helmet completely through. Incredibly after a sewing machine worth of stitches he recovered and continued on active duty - with the callsign Rotorface |
Ouch. I tackled a few in the field that were headed back there. Thankfully, never saw the mist. With all that racket and high anxiety, it sure can cause some jack-wagonry.
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A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first. |
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Harry Teachman
From:
South Dartmouth,Massachusetts, USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 4:27 pm
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Just this afternoon at my eye health appointment, the doctor and I were discussing the amazing flying prowess that CGS pilots exhibit. The weather that these guys have to fly in to effect rescues is mind boggling !!!! Jeff, you have my ultimate respect !!!!!!!
Harry T. |
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Dennis Lee
From:
Forest Grove, Oregon, USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 5:25 pm
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| I often go into auto rotation on a solo ride! |
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Jeff Garden
From:
Center Sandwich, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 26 May 2022 5:33 pm
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| Proud to have served, Harry. Everything was about operating as a crew and we'd all do anything to help each other out to get the job done. Great group of dedicated folks to work with. I did a tour at Air Station Cape Cod down your way in the early 1980's. Very fond memories. The weather out on Georges Bank can kick up pretty good! |
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