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Topic: Depression after steel guitar convention |
Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 9:46 am |
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I don't usually post this type of topic but I was just wondering how many of you guys go through this kind of thing. I play with a good working band that gives me alot of respect. We also play alot of shuffles and old country that I love so I shouldn't complain. However, Ever since I started going to the conventions 2 years ago I have become a much better player. I have worked hard to learn to play intrumentals. Thanx to my guiding light "Mr Terry Bethel" and all the work i have done attempting to sound like the CD's I listen to. John Hughey, Randy Beavers, BE and all the rest inspire me to get better tone and better technique. The singers in my band are really good singers and the band works alot. The depression comes when I ask the guys in my band to work up an instrumental it falls on deaf ears and it goes nowhere. So I keep practicing at home and continue to get better but never get an opportunity to play any of the tunes I have been practicing.......  [This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 03 February 2006 at 09:48 AM.] |
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Larry Phleger
From:
DuBois, PA
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 9:51 am
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| That's how a lot of singers are. They have the Star Complex. I remember hearing somewhere that Eddy Arnold would get upset when Little Roy Wiggins would get a hand for his work on a break. |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 10:01 am
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| Quote: |
| So I keep practicing at home and continue to get better but never get an opportunity to play any of the tunes I have been practicing....... |
Put together your own little combo where you can stretch out when you're not playing your regular gig.
I am a bit surprised so few steel guitarists do this,- you see instrumental bands fronted by sax players, guitarists, pianists, etc, all the time. So why not just go for it?
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www.gregertsen.com
[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 03 February 2006 at 10:01 AM.] |
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Junior Knight
From:
Eustace Texas..paddle faster..I hear Banjos...
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 10:05 am
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The only instrumental I get to play with the band .....is when I tune up before the show!
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Bb is where it's at!
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Fred Justice
From:
Mesa, Arizona
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 10:11 am
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Ron, Terry has mentioned you to me before in conversation and i'm sorry I did not get to meet you at the Mesa show.
I for sure know what your talking about with the intrumental's and all, you can start like I did, most of these bigger steel shows
have a thursday talent night that you can get
on and start working your way up.
To me, it does'nt mater what night it is if I get to play i'm a happy boy.
Keep pressing on Ron. 
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Fred Justice,
Fred's Music www.fredjusticemusic.com
Rains Steel Guitars
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Charles Curtis
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 10:12 am
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| Have you tried playing one during a "break" and seeing how the crowd reacts? |
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Mark Eaton
From:
Sonoma County in The Great State Of Northern California
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 10:27 am
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Ron,
I had a long-time pro and recording artist tell me, and a friend of mine who is a very good musician: "If you're in a working band that doesn't have any recorded hits under its belt, keep the slow stuff and the ballads to a minimum. If the audience doesn't know you, it's safer to go with the faster up-tempo stuff to get 'em on their feet and movin'."
You didn't mention what kind of stuff with which you are lobbying the band, but if there's truth to the above statement, present them with an uptempo number. I think the audience always appreciates a good instrumental once or twice during the set-especially if it has some kick to it.
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Mark
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Jerry Van Hoose
From:
Wears Valley, Tennessee
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 10:29 am
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| Ron, As Charles mentioned, play an instrumental during a break. During our breaks, our sound man would play select cuts from a couple of CD's. Once, I created a couple of rhythm tracks from a Boss DR5, transferred them to a CD and gave it to our sound man. During the break, I played a couple of instrumentals along with those tracks, receiving a favorable response, not only from the audience but also from the rest of the band. Presently, a couple of my instrumentals are always included in the "set list". I might add that none of the guys that I play with have an issue with ego, including the vocalist. [This message was edited by Jerry Van Hoose on 03 February 2006 at 10:31 AM.] |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 10:47 am
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| Quote: |
| The depression comes when I ask the guys in my band to work up an instrumental it falls on deaf ears and it goes nowhere. So I keep practicing at home and continue to get better but never get an opportunity to play any of the tunes I have been practicing |
All Steel players eventually reach the same conclusion that the only instrumental that will be tolerated by the band (or recognized by the audience) is "Steel Guitar Rag".
Rest easy, Leon!
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WEBSITE
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 11:18 am
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| Record your own project. It can be done cheap and you can have the musical satisfaction of getting your arrangments on CD. |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 1:02 pm
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Maybe it's like post-Christmas; all these sonic goodies around, and you get back home and it's the blues. I can see how that would happen. The level of playing at a show would probably depress me.
Working on your own tracks, which is about all I do, is a great way to entertain your ideas. Maybe the tracks could demo particular songs you are wanting to arrange.
Good luck. |
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Roger Edgington
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 1:42 pm
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Ron,the steel shows have helped me also and I nearly always drag a song back to our band as a result of something I heard and liked. We are mostly a western swing band and although songs I have dragged back to the band from shows have been worked up, but not as instrumentals such as "Secret Love" and "Blues for Dixie". At least this way I get to take a ride on them.
Mark,I agree with the slow song theory. Although I enjoy playing them, we don't do more than 2-3 all night. A lot of it depends on where you are playing. |
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Tracy Sheehan
From:
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 1:45 pm
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Only a guess,but it could depend on the band knowledge of music and their ear for music.
I have worked in bands where they asked me often to play an instrumental.They said the people get tired of hearing so much of a singer.
I worked in one band for a while one time that only did 3 chord songs.I thought it was what they liked to play and finally told the band leader he had never asked if i had something i would like to play. His reply surprised me.He said they were afraid i would play something they didn't know.(Translation) It might have over 1 chord.lol
And i have worked with band leaders who loved to hear them selves sing.
And some who thought they were the only one the people wanted to hear.
I know there are many pickers out there that have been through the same thing.Tracy
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John Ummel
From:
Arlington, WA.
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 1:47 pm
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If the bandleader gets enough requests from paying customers to hear the steel guitarist do a number, he'll call on ya. Hmmm, how can you manipulate this course of events?  |
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Roy Ayres
From:
Riverview, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 1:50 pm
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Get BIAB -- then the band ALWAYS has to play what YOU want.
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Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 1:52 pm
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'Round here, it's always been S.O.P. to end each set with an instrumental just to let the band show off. I think every band should do that!  Even if it's Haggard or Price, I just get tired of vocals after awhile. A good band leader lets his band stretch out. A prima-donna singer with a big head is a different story. With those guys, you're lucky if they even introduce the band!  |
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 3 Feb 2006 5:54 pm
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| I played in an 8 piece band that did Steel Guitar Rag. For the first verse, each of us played it in a different key and it always got the audience's attention. |
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Tony Davis
From:
Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Posted 4 Feb 2006 4:12 am
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Well I kicked off on steel in a knock em down drag em out place...four nights a week....just backing the singer and drummer on covers stuff such as Charlie Pride ..Hag and Buck stuff.....just snook a little bit in now and then
After a year or so......pulled together my own Band.......Wife on Bass and vocals...Rythmn guy on vocals and drums................so I could call the tune......Always kicked off with a bit of Applejack or Muppets tune....something to kick off and end bracket.....useually did one steel tune during each bracket...just for something different |
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Theresa Galbraith
From:
Goodlettsville,Tn. USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2006 5:57 am
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| Do a up tempo instrumental for the break! |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 4 Feb 2006 6:17 am
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Yeah, or if your singer really has a big head and you're willing to feed it, persuade him to let the band play one instrumental as the FIRST song of every set, then someone goes to the microphone and asks the audience to welcome to the stage, "the fabulous Bob Bighead!" while the band keeps on playing and he takes his place in front of all the adoring fans. Man! He'll feel like the big star he truly is and you guys will get to play a great instrumental at the start of every set. AND: you can play ANOTHER extended instrumental by reprising instrumentally the last song to usher him back offstage at the end of every set! Win-Win! (You can puke later backstage)
Free advice. No charge.  |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 4 Feb 2006 7:08 am
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Chas.. that is way funny, 8 pieces in different keys a real attention getter..
Jim C .. I totally agree with your idea.. make it a show, The band did an instumental, introduced the girl singer over the coda and modulated straight into the intro for her tune. She would sing 2 or three then introduce Mr Big Head over the intro to their duet or his first tune then step back grab a tambourine and sing back up. It made a set fly by and kept everyone happy. |
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Paul King
From:
Gainesville, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2006 7:12 am
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| Ron, It is sad to say but there ate too many people who want to be out front. I have sat down many times with different musicians and there are some singers who want to do it all. I know of one band right now who does not play together because the guitar player wanted someone else to help sing. Their lead singer was not willing to let anyone else come in and help do any singing. As far as the instrumentals go, I think it is a good idea to have more than one. I have actually turned down playing them because I like playing fills more. I believe if I were you I would try again and maybe even press them for at least one instrumental. Best wishes to you. |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 4 Feb 2006 4:42 pm
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| One night years ago someone came to the bandstand and asked if [I] would play San Antone rose,The singer jumped up and said he would sing it.I told him,Hell no your not unless you want that mike where the sun don't shine!!From then on had no problem with him. There was three singers in that band and I think they kept count of the number of songs each one got to sing. |
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Steve English
From:
Baja, Arizona
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Posted 4 Feb 2006 6:44 pm
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Ron, Do a "band in the box" kinda thing, or even solo recorded into the sound card. I'm sure I'm not the only one hear that would enjoy hearing the songs you're working on!
I wish I had half of your enthusiasm and talent! |
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