What really describes a great steel guitarist?

Austin Tripp · Post by **Austin Tripp** » 1 Jan 2009 8:13 pm

Besides the fact that they may have the greatest sound in the world, or they have recorded on more records than others or that they are the best picker, What describes a great steel guitarist?

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Jan 2009 8:25 pm

One who doesn't drool?

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 1 Jan 2009 8:51 pm

Lemme beat Jimbeaux to it this time. To paraphrase U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart from his opinion in the obscenity case of Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964):

"I don't know how to describe it, but I know it when I hear it."

Sho nuff good enuff for me. Works for guitar or singin' too.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 1 Jan 2009 8:54 pm

What makes a great steel player, to paraphrase the late Jeff Newman, is knowing when to just sit back and watch the pretty girls dance.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 1 Jan 2009 9:02 pm

Well, to paraphrase Dave Mudgett, "I nose it when I seize it!"

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 1 Jan 2009 9:18 pm

To me, what makes a great steel guitarist is his or her style, his or her technique, how much feeling the steel guitarist puts into a song bein' played....man, there's just so many things that make a great steel guitarist.

Brett

Ulric Utsi-Åhlin · Post by **Ulric Utsi-Åhlin** » 2 Jan 2009 1:46 am

Interesting question,but tricky since any statement
we make will be followed by the add-on: "...on the other hand..." ; if we can make dogmatic state-
ments we´re no longer within the realm of art ; but
let´s start at what CAN be explained :understanding
of music theory,harmonic relationships etc,picking
techniqe,ability to adapt to the music at hand/the
other players on the set,knowing what to play/what NOT to play,a head full of great songs will help...
but then there are any number of X-factors that defy
the "great" artist...Miles Davis was not the most
techical trumpeter of his generation,yet he is "em-
pirically" considered one of the greatest of the last
century,regardless of idiom...this topic is self-
consuming,I rest my case...McUtsi

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 2 Jan 2009 4:25 am

Myse ntime ntsex act ly -

Warren Cohran · Post by **Warren Cohran** » 2 Jan 2009 6:29 am

maybe someone can find a Great steel player in this .

adjective

1Notably above average in amount, size, or scope: 2big, considerable, extensive, good, healthy, large, 3large-scale, sizable. Informal tidy. See big/small/amount.
4Widely known and esteemed: celebrated, 5distinguished, eminent, famed, famous, illustrious, 6notable, noted, preeminent, prestigious, prominent, 7redoubtable, renowned. See knowledge/ignorance, respect/contempt/standing.
8Exceptionally good of its kind: ace, banner, blue-ribbon, brag, capital, champion, excellent, fine1, 9first-class, first-rate, prime, quality, splendid, 10superb, superior, terrific, tiptop, top. Informal A-one, bully, dandy, swell, topflight, topnotch. 11Slang boss. Chiefly British tophole. See good/bad.
12Particularly excellent: divine, fabulous, fantastic, fantastical, glorious, marvelous, sensational, splendid, superb, terrific, wonderful. OR CHECK YOUTUBE FOR 2 GUYS THAT ARE ZEROING IN ON A MILLION HITS THERE INITIALS ARE MA AND DH

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 2 Jan 2009 9:20 am

I was told once that the 3 keys to making great music on any instrument are:

1. Taste

2. Timing

3. Tone

Not necessarily in that order.

Jeff Hyman · Post by **Jeff Hyman** » 2 Jan 2009 2:53 pm

Knowing that the notes you don't play are as important as the ones you do.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 2 Jan 2009 5:16 pm

Add touch to Ed's list and that's all there is.

James Pennebaker · Post by **James Pennebaker** » 3 Jan 2009 12:00 am

One who puts more emphasis on playing the song than playing the steel guitar. (this would apply to any instrument)

JP

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 3 Jan 2009 1:33 am

Listen to John Hughey and try to describe it.Add to that the wonderful personality of the Late John and You have a perfect picture.

best regards
Billy

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 3 Jan 2009 1:42 am

What describes a great steel guitarist?

Someone that can bring over emotions and is having the right tools (knowledge, musical developement) to do that on the right spot on the right time.
JJ

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 3 Jan 2009 4:26 am

one word:

Soul.

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 3 Jan 2009 4:43 am

This is difficult to answer. It's a sort of "how long is a piece of string" question...but I'll give it my best shot.

A great steel player is someone who reaches out to something deep inside your heart and touches it with the music - not just his own playing on the steel iteslf, but by how well that fits within the context of the music as a whole. A great player finds a phrase or a lick so totally appropriate it seems perfectly natural that he would play it there, then and in that manner.

But there is more to greatness than mere technical perfection and execution. A great steel player inspires each and every one of us to return to the steel when we are frustrated, tired or just plain burnt-out. A great steel player gently reminds us that success comes only to those who don't quit, to those who persevere, to those who listen to the music and to those who know when not to play and how important knowing when not to play really is. A great steel player reminds us that we must love this instrument before it will yield all its secrets to us, and that love-affair will be for life.

A great steel player is someone we can identify with. He or she gives of his or her time freely, passing on their knowledge so that the sound of the steel will pass from one generation to the next in an unbroken thread, allowing each new generation of players to draw from the well-spring of the past whilst adding their own flavours and interpretations, their own "take" on this intricate, arcane and addictive piece of cabinet-making married to precision engineering.

A great steel player is above all a human being, with all the frailties, faults and strengths of being human. They rejoice in their creativity whilst selflessly sharing it with the rest of the world. They inspire us, they humble us, they absorb us with their unique sound, tone and abilities. Great steel players allow the creative muse to take them on their musical journey, and promptly give back to the world the fruits of their skill and the end result of their journey. Yet they retain their humanity, approachability, humour, patience and humility.

Since we're all different, different players have that ability for each of us. The late, incomparable John Hughey; without a doubt truly one of the greats. Lloyd Green too; such delicacy of phrasing, such economy of style. Most of us are touched by the great Buddy Emmons...and by perhaps at least a dozen more, all of whom we would justly consider great. A list of names is highly subjective, but it's a fair bet that a list of the twenty or so top names would all deserve the accolade "great" and would be generally agreed by all.

Greatness is also a double-edged sword, for it carries with it the burden of expectation. The great steel players strive to realise the expectations of their admirers. Sometimes, for whatever reason, they fail to meet expectations...they are only human, after all. In spite of this, we still instinctively recognise their qualities and forgive them their occasional failure to meet our expectations...because they are great players.

Above all else, great steel players are an inspiration to all of us. When we are dispirited or feel inadequate at the instrument, the greats make us pick up the picks and bar and try again.

That is perhaps a little of what makes a great steel guitar player...but there is so much more that I can't put into words. As versatile as it is, the English language sometimes lacks just the right combination of words to adequately express what a feeling really is...but you experience that feeling intensely when you hear the steel being played. And at that moment you realise you are listening to one of the greats.

Ric Epperle · Post by **Ric Epperle** » 3 Jan 2009 5:26 am

Ned,

A most beautiful post. I couldn't even describe it in my own terms. You said it, dude. I've felt this way all my life when I first heard that cool lick my dad popped off 52 plus years ago..

I'm going to send this post to my Mom... She'll appreciate this...

You said it all, Ned.....Good Job!!!

Ric... 73's

Kudos...

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 3 Jan 2009 5:49 am

Ned, I will echo Ric and at the same time say that my words and descriptions fail miserably after reading your fine post. You are a serious thinker by the looks of it, and then especially in things steel related.

I will link this page to the Norwegian steel forum so that all me steel playing friends there will be sure to read it.
Thanks, Ned
Bent

Ric Epperle · Post by **Ric Epperle** » 3 Jan 2009 6:23 am

Hey Bent?

What do ya think? I'm half Swede. Maybe someday, I'll be a great steel player....

Doc Rickles · Post by **Doc Rickles** » 3 Jan 2009 9:24 am

"All of what Ned said and"
There are so many great steel players you can't name them all. People who have ears and hear and appreciate their music make them known. Appreciating those people who listen make them great. I have met many of the greats at the Steel Conventions and shows and many on this forum.
Happy New Year to all you Great People .
Thanks to all who have helped me so much thru the years.
Doc Rickles "Old Gold Country"

Chris Reesor · Post by **Chris Reesor** » 3 Jan 2009 9:41 am

Well said, our Ned! Of course you could substitute "musician" for "steel guitarist" with no loss...

BTW, just what do you mean by "satellite uplink truck", Ned?

CR, ex Bondi Beach '70-'71

The Steel Guitar Forum

What really describes a great steel guitarist?

What really describes a great steel guitarist?

Great Steel-players...

great ?

The 4 Ts

Yes

Ned said it all...

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