The Steel evolved. Why can't we?

[Calvin Walley]

if you add the steel guitar to " everything " then you muddy the waters even more than they already are
hell its hard enough to tell country music from pop now, so if you start adding steel to pop , rock, jazz and the rest ...how do we tell them apart ????

answer ..we can't cause its not country anymore
the steel guitar is what makes country ....country

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

This is much more personal for me than for most of you guys, because I’m actively attempting to pursue a career as a concert artist on the classical music circuit, and one of the things I encounter is the misconception that the steel is only good for playing country music and can’t be used for anything else.

This bigotry and prejudice, and there are no other words to describe it, is all too pervasive in the world of classical music. It is something I need to overcome.

I understand that not everybody is going to like what I do. Some will love it, some will be indifferent, and some will hate it, that’s just the way life goes. But what I have encountered, time after time, are people who refuse to even listen to my recordings because they “know” that I must have played some sort of C&W bastardization of the music, that has no more relation to the actual compositions I recorded than the disco version of the theme from Beethoven’s 5th symphony that was popular back in the 70s.

The mere fact that I play steel is enough to convince these people that I’m not a serious musician, and that my recordings must be some sort of atrocious bastardization of the material I recorded.

In a lot of cases, once they hear the actual recordings, the reaction is “Wow, I didn’t think you could do that on a steel.” But that’s beside the point.

My struggle for legitimacy is hampered by the stereotyping of the steel as a country instrument.

It’s true as John De Maille earlier, that there is no law that says steel players have to play other kinds of music, but there does seem to be some sort of law that says those of us who choose to do so, can’t.

There are a lot of people here who have listened to country music (often to the exclusion of other genres) their entire lives. It’s not merely music, it’s their (your) cultural heritage. For many here, country music is part of your lifestyle, part of your heart and soul. It’s only natural that this is the music you love, listen to, and want to play.

But there are others of us, me for example, who come from a different musical and cultural background, who do not have that deeply rooted love for country music. We may like it, but it‘s not part of who we are as people or musicians. I got into the steel because in 1975 I was offered a gig playing lead guitar in a local country band (which was the first time I had ever been exposed to country music) and was subsequently introduced to the steel and fell in love with it.

Now I can only speak of my own experience in attempting to play the steel in a different musical environment, but I’m sure I’m not the only one. Earlier I mentioned two jazz players, Hal Merrill and Al Vescovo, who play in jazz clubs. Al is a well established Hollywood session player, and he plays with friends he has known for years, so I doubt that he had a problem, but I am under the impression that Hal had to really struggle to be accepted by the other musicians in his home town. (I think he lives in Washington.)

The perception, the misconception, that the steel can only be used to play country music is hurting those of us who are attempting to play in other genres.

[Franklin]

Have players evolved with the instrument? Many have IMO. Randy Reinhard, Mike Smith, Tommy White, Joe Wright, Terry Crisp, Buck Reid, are a few names among many names of my generations players who can be hired to play any type of gig. These musicians know the instrument to the point of playing anything they hear with ease.....Knowing all of these players I can tell you they excel in rock, jazz, blues, rhythmic syncopation, and create sonic soundscapes as well as anyone I've heard. They can also play the heck out of old and new country music.

Paul

[Storm Rosson]

thx Paul that pretty well sums it up

[Calvin Walley]

BO said :

I also replied “Most of the old country is by today's standards embarrassingly crude both musical and lyrical.”



to me this is the single most insulting thing that has been said in this entire thread !!!

it sounds to me after reading this thread like some steel player's are turning into pompous ass's

its like this .... you can use a screwdriver as a pry bar and it will work ...but it was never intended to be used that way
i have even been known to use a pipe wrench as a hammer and it worked ..but thats not what it was meant to be used for
its your guitar use it to play whatever .but you know it was meant to play ......COUNTRY
that IS what it came into being for, NOT this other stuff

[Dave Mudgett]

Amen, Paul.

I think there is a certain misunderstanding of the idea of evolution as being a gradual equilibrium type of process by which beings comfortably move to new forms. I agree with biologists like Stephen Jay Gould, who have argued that evolutionary change occurs in bursts or episodes, when small numbers separate from the large, stable, and relatively homogeneous population and do something outside this presence that moves things forward, and the competitive environment favors those changes.

See, e.g., Gould, Stephen Jay, "The Episodic Nature of Evolutionary Change," in The Panda's Thumb, New York: W. W. Norton, 1980, pp. 182-184.

[Leslie Ehrlich]

...but you know it was meant to play ......COUNTRY that IS what it came into being for, NOT this other stuff

I'm a rock guitarist, and I added a PSG to my arsenal of guitars because of the sounds I could get out of it. I had no intention of learning to play country music on it.

If I wanted to play country music, I'd learn how to play the fiddle.

[Mitch Ellis]

This is much more personal for me than for most of you guys, because I’m actively attempting to pursue a career as a concert artist on the classical music circuit, and one of the things I encounter is the misconception that the steel is only good for playing country music and can’t be used for anything else.



The mere fact that I play steel is enough to convince these people that I’m not a serious musician, and that my recordings must be some sort of atrocious bastardization of the material I recorded.




My struggle for legitimacy is hampered by the stereotyping of the steel as a country instrument.



There are a lot of people here who have listened to country music (often to the exclusion of other genres) their entire lives. It’s not merely music, it’s their (your) cultural heritage. For many here, country music is part of your lifestyle, part of your heart and soul. It’s only natural that this is the music you love, listen to, and want to play.



The perception, the misconception, that the steel can only be used to play country music is hurting those of us who are attempting to play in other genres.

I'm one of those people that you mentioned in the 4th quote above.
Mike,
These difficulties that you encounter is exactly what I'm talking about. That's what I mean when I say that the "general public" see's the steel as a country music instrument. I know that it must be an up-hill struggle for you to try to get into the classical music world with a steel guitar. I know how it feels not to be able to play the music you love (in my case, trad. country) because those around you can't or won't. Good luck to you.
Mitch

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

it was meant to play ......COUNTRY that IS what it came into being for, NOT this other stuff

Calvin with all due respect, you're dead wrong. The steel guitar began as a Hawaiian instrument, and as has been pointed out, Alvino Rey, the father of the pedal steel guitar played big band music.

The fact that you are only interested in country is not a reflection on the nature of the steel guitar, but only on your personal taste. The fact that country music has embraced our chosen instrument and made it an integral part of it's overall sound, says something very nice about country music, but it doesn't say anything about the pedal steel guitar itself.

There is a whole universe of great music that is perfectly suited for the steel. If you're not interested in it, that's your right. But don't tell me I'm barking up the wrong tree because I don't share your tastes or interests.

Mitch I must tell you that for the last year and a half I've been a member of an experimental chamber music trio, led by a violist named Carole Mukogawa (Check her our on Google if you want to be impressed,) who recently retired from the L.A. Philharmonic after a 30 year run with them. The experiment is of course, the inclusion of a pedal steel guitar.

All our performances have been for classical music audiences, most of whom are unfamiliar with the steel. Now these people can be pretty snobbish, and a lot of them wouldn't give me the time if day if I approached them. But Carole is held in such high regard that their attitude is "If SHE likes him...." and because she commands so much respect, they are willing to listen, and once they do, they almost invariably are become very supportive and enthusiastic. I get a lot of comments along the lines of "What is that instrument? I never saw one before but it sounds wonderful."

The steel is perfectly suited for playing classical music. it's also perfectly suited for playing rock and blues, (which I also play.)

I'll make a deal with all you guys who are only interested in country music. I won't tell you that you have to play classical or rock music, and you don't tell me that I can't.

[Charles Davidson]

I love the old classic country steel,but also anything else. Have been a fan of Mikes music from the beginning when he did his album Firebird Suite. The same people that think the steel is JUST a country instrument may think the banjo is JUST for blugrass, [Sorry Bob for saying the B word ]if so they need to listen to some Bela. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

[Danny Bates]

Two major food groups in China

1) Rice
2) Anything Else

Two major sounds of a Pedal Steel

1) E9 - Country
2) C6 - Anything Else

Disclaimer:

I do not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information disclosed.

[Franklin]

I should have added this to my post.......IMO the evolution of the instrument and how it is played today started with Buddy Emmons......Buddy was the leading voice for a new generation of steel guitarists. IMO he was the first and leading player from the earliest era of pedals to play any style of music extremely well.....He inspired my generation of musicians and hopefully that generation of musicians will continue to inspire others....Yes, I believe players will continue passing the torch to the next generation. I also believe the future is bright for those learning how to apply its sound to every musical concept.....Thanks to Buddy's talent and vision, I see the instrument as a vehicle to play any genre of music......Paul

[Bob Simons]

Charles' post was most unfair in comparing the steel guitar to the banjo. The steel guitar is a bulky, difficult, and unwieldy instrument, clearly useful for nothing but stale three-chord "crying in your beer" songs!

THe banjo, on the other hand, has a wide range of legitimate uses, not the least of which are that it can be used to make popcorn at a campfire, to play wiffle-ball baseball, and in a pinch, for personal defense!

Please also note, that recent poster Paul Franklin, who we revere for his wonderful resurrections of our steel swing past, is easily the most tasteful and moving rock and roll steel player I ever heard! -Dire Straits....

I just went to a two day- all day pedal steel show near Kansas City, MO. with the likes of Doug Jernigan on the bill. Sadly there were 20 people TOTAL there and all were over 50! Not even the traditional country community chose steel guitar over a warm spring day! (I expect partly because the rest of the community wasn't even informed of the show.) I had to find out by word of mouth and I try to stay current on what's happening.nal counrt

Bo Legg- how can you complain about the "evolution" of anything to a group who probably doesn't even understand or acknowledge "evolution?" THese forumites probably think early steel guitar players saddled up dinosaurs to ride to their gig in order to play God-given traditional country music.

[Calvin Walley]

mike said :

Calvin with all due respect, you're dead wrong. The steel guitar began as a Hawaiian instrumen

once someone put pedals on it , it has been "country " ever since

[Olli Haavisto]

once someone put pedals on it , it has been "country " ever since

No,no,no,no...

[Barry Blackwood]

Saying that the steel guitar "evolved," kind of baffles me. It's an inanimate, mechanical device, incapable in itself of evolving, in a literal sense, in any way. It's all about the people who build them, and play them, IMHO.

[Storm Rosson]

C'mon gang it's guitar ,a bunch strings and assorted parts and doodads ,it ain't like it's a petrified toe from the one and only Jesus Christ....play any damn thing you want on it, use it for a snowboard, put a blown hemi in it if u want just ENJOY that sucker and have fun with it like u would a visit with your best friend....imo

[Ben Jones]

THE PEDAL STEEL WAS MADE TO PLAY A WAY TO SURVIVE AND STEEL GUITAR RAG ONLY. EVERYTHING ELSE MAKES ME FURIOUS AND CAUSES ME TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS!!!11!1!!OMG!

[Brett Lanier]

Traditional country music typically has a lot of space in it. Therefore, there are more things (lines, phrases) that you can play that will sound right. The pedal steel is very useful (and economical) because it sounds great when playing chords (with it's voice leading capabilities), and it's also very lyrical with a single note melody. It beats the electric guitar melodically and beats a fiddle with chordal accompaniment.

Compare that to the country music coming out today which has more gimicks like the sound of tractors and peepers in the background. There's just not as much room for great steel guitar playing anymore. You also have to consider that the pop/rock recording industry doesn't make steady money like nashville anymore, and maybe some of those people are jumping ship and diluting real country music.

I think if the steel guitar is really going to evolve, it'll have to be because of some really great talent. Like Paul said about Buddy Emmons, except now we're going to have to play with incredible accuracy and imagination, stepping away from the swelling and sliding into things.

But this of course is just like my opinion man

[Calvin Walley]

yes yes yes !!!

[Mike Perlowin RIP]

Two major sounds of a Pedal Steel

1) E9 - Country
2) C6 - Anything Else

This

http://www.perlowinmusic.com/DebussyAft ... faFaun.mp3

was played on E9

[Joe Drivdahl]

Bob Simmons said:

THe banjo, on the other hand, has a wide range of legitimate uses, not the least of which are that it can be used to make popcorn at a campfire, to play wiffle-ball baseball, and in a pinch, for personal defense!

Bob, Don't let Bela Fleck or Pete Wernick hear you saying that.

IMO, the pedal steel guitar is the most versatile stringed instrument ever invented, with almost limitless ways to be played. IMO, Paul F. said it best with his description of Buddy E's innovations on the instrument, but I wish he'd have included Curly Chalker too. A lot of Curly's stuff was way beyond simple country music. The same can be said of many others. Just because most people play a song with 3 or 4 chords doesn't mean it can't be played with some embellishments.

It is possible to play any type of music on a steel guitar. Sadly, these days, it seems to me that most producers seem to want the players to play very, very simply, very, very rapidly, or just make noise. Same with fiddle players. The telecaster has one speed: Break-neck, with as many notes as possible with total disregard to feel and emotion.

Over the years several players have come along who have really lowered the bar IMO. For example, Charlie Daniels is not a great fiddler when compared to the likes of Johnny Gimble, Tiny Moore, and Stuart Duncan, but for some reason, people liked the way Charlie played and so his style kind of became the standard by which all other fiddle players are measured. Years ago, all fiddle players were expected to know the "Orange Blossom Special" and "Devil's Dream." Today its probably "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."

I guess for better or worse, it is what it is. I think there is still an audience for the old traditional stuff and as long as there is, I will be happy.

Joe

[Storm Rosson]

Mike that is AWESOME dawg, is there anyway to get ahold of more ? That is inspiring at the very least and certainly needs closer scrutiny...NICE !!!

[Mike Neer]

This

http://www.perlowinmusic.com/DebussyAft ... faFaun.mp3

was played on E9

Great stuff, Mike. After JS Bach, Debussy is my favorite. Your steel at times sounds like a Mini Moog. Also, I detect a very nice use of an EBow.

[Ron Page]

Steel without country I'll admit can sure be fine,
But country without steel ain't no country of mine.