When You Think Of Speed...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jan 2009 8:56 am

When I think of speed, I think of (The Big E). I miss his incredible speeds of note patterns that are truly the fastest on PLANET EARTH.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 19 Jan 2009 9:04 am

Actually, I think of Herby Wallace, but there are a bunch. Not to detract from E who is the Godfather.

Allan Thompson · Post by **Allan Thompson** » 19 Jan 2009 9:11 am

Mike Sigler is not too slow either !!!!!!!!!!!!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 19 Jan 2009 9:13 am

Paul Franklin comes to mind, as well as many others. The Big E has Both speed AND beautiful tone, not that the two are mutually exclusive, but Buddy has it all.

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 19 Jan 2009 9:13 am

What About tommy White? SONNY.

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 19 Jan 2009 9:15 am

I think of Doug Jernigan.....I believe he could thread a sewing machine while it was running!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 19 Jan 2009 9:16 am

steve palousek scares me!

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 19 Jan 2009 9:46 am

Them old green amps...

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 19 Jan 2009 9:57 am

I have to admit that I don't listen to alot of pedal players. And among non pedal players you don't hear alot of speed picking (although I have heard some). But what little speed picking I've heard tends to sound like speed for its own sake. The notes themselves seem to have little meaning.
But not long ago I heard Paul Franklin with the Time Jumpers. Extremely rapid picking. Every note had a musical meaning. It was tuly extraordinary.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 19 Jan 2009 9:59 am

When I think of speed........I recall:
1. I cain't do it!
2. I wish I could do it!
3. Is speed everything?
4. What does a blurrrr of notes really say?
5. Memories of the drag races.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jan 2009 9:59 am

This is one of the most delicate issues open for discussion. You might want to wonder what you yourself could play that would actually restart the fastest picks in the land...

Dave Biller · Post by **Dave Biller** » 19 Jan 2009 10:06 am

speed is not important at all........ until the bandleader calls out " Big Mamou" or "Rocky Top". then it suddenly becomes VERY important.

Twayn Williams · Post by **Twayn Williams** » 19 Jan 2009 11:13 am

It is important to be able to play just a little bit faster than you should and/or will be called on to do.

Always need a bit of reserve in the tank!

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 19 Jan 2009 11:16 am

Perhaps we should have a contest at a SG convention
We could keep setting the Metronome faster and faster until all but one person can’t keep up.
However I don’t think that would prove much.
The proof would be in how many notes a player can play within one bar of a medium tempo 4/4 song.
Try playing 32 notes within one bar of a medium tempo 4/4 song.
1/32 = 1(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.) 2(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.) 3(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.) 4(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.)
This would be very difficult
I believe that most of us play in 1/16 notes when we speed pick in this situation.
1/16 = 1(1,2,3,4) 2(1,2,3,4) 3(1,2,3,4) 4(1,2,3,4)
Or at best
1/16 trips = 1(1,2,3 4,5,6 ) 2(1,2,3 4,5,6) 3(1,2,3 4,5,6) 4(1,2,3 4,5,6)

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jan 2009 11:23 am

Dave,

I think Doug Beaumier mentioned the other aspects that point to everyone's hero of the steel guitar. Emmons' hands are one of a kind. Looking further into Buddy's acquaintances with ("The Swing Shift Band"), Nashville's ultimate session players,(Rob Hajacos, Gregg Galbraith, Jerry Kroon, Bunky Keels, and others may offer vague clues to a cessation of over 40 years of steel guitar leadership.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 19 Jan 2009 11:28 am

Personally, I don't consider those who just grab strings and notes as fast as possible but, has nothing to do with the melody, speed pickers.

My cat can pick notes by the dozen if it doesn't have to follow a melody or any meaningful progression. Listen to David Hartley's "Orange Blossom Special" for actual speed picking. He follows the melody throughout where 90% of the claimed speed pickers wouldn't get past the first ten bars without making a mess of it.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 19 Jan 2009 1:18 pm

I happened to be watching a Doug Jernigan video last night. He is as fast as anyone, but doesn't just rip thru the chord changes with licks. He will
intersperse enough of the melody to let you know he
is playing the SONG rather than just fast doodling.
He is one of my favorite fast pickers.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jan 2009 1:22 pm

Bo Legg,

Quite an impressive effort on your part to take this speed issue on a tangential, skirt the issue orientation. I base the premise on the entire steel guitar community, that has provided accolades that will survive the test of time.

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 19 Jan 2009 3:30 pm

Hello Bill,
When I think of speed I think of benzedrene, dexedrene, desoxyn, methylphenidate, benzphetamine, biphetamine and probably a few others. I'm just sorry that I'm a little too old to take any of them anymore. I hope that this answers your question.
Duncan

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 19 Jan 2009 3:42 pm

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY !

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jan 2009 3:43 pm

Duncan,

Your profile helps to explain why you feel the way you do. You may need to make a few changes in your lifestyle workup.

Kenny Martin · Post by **Kenny Martin** » 19 Jan 2009 4:30 pm

Wow, i just had to jump in on this one! I just put a youtube clip out there under the topic "Putting me out there for the slam" and yep, i was slammed for playing to fast.
A few forum members said they hoped i didn't drive my car the same!
Buck Reid also can smoke it and clean as it can be!!
"Alabama Jubilee" on his new cd is at warp speed.
Yep, Tommy White is as good as it gets! Paul Franklin as well!

I love it pretty and smooth but i speed every chance i get!!! In the clip i had a few crown royals (9) and was sloppy but it was fun!!

kenny
www.youtube.com/krmsr59

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 19 Jan 2009 4:41 pm

Personally, I'm not impressed by speed. I am impressed by taste, tone, and good playing behind a singer. That's just me.

I got sick of playing fast from working the Pigeon Forge, TN gigs. They want the standard tourist music, and want it played at sonic speed.

Robert Harper · Post by **Robert Harper** » 19 Jan 2009 4:57 pm

I would be happy with a clean 9/8. I never been fast with anything. The music I loe the most is the ballads. Never cared for fast rock. I kinda enjoyed Hwy 40 Blues. Rocky Top while it is pretty, My Home Is In Alabama, Sweet Home Alabama. O' yeah I read some of the post that said they were sick of that tune

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 19 Jan 2009 5:22 pm

Steve Palousek scares me too.

I would love to be able to sit down for a couple of hours with that guy.

The Steel Guitar Forum

When You Think Of Speed...

When You Think Of Speed...

Speed

When I think of speed........................

Fast