Advance By Ditching Emulation Practices

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 13 Jun 2003 10:43 am

..and as painlessly as possible...(note the spare but tasteful use of alliteration..good songwriters use it all the time, too!)

...actually, I just wanted to be post #100...do I win a prize or anything?...[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 13 June 2003 at 11:45 AM.]

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 13 Jun 2003 11:02 am

Congratulations #100! You've won:

1) Strunk and White's "Elements of Style" (not Tommy or Clarence White) one copy.

2) Slonimsky's "Thesaurus of Scales and Melodic Patterns For All Steel Guitars (6,8,10, 11,12, 13,14 string E9, C6, A6, E6, D6, D13 and All Non Pedal Steel Tunings Including Bobby Koefer's) Edition" ( 267,899 pages with standard notation, tab, and 6007 CD set of rhythm tracks).

3) T shirt autographed by all 4000 forum members that says in Black Mica letters "If Buddy Emmons Were A Gunslinger There'd Be A Lot Of Dead Copycats".

Please send $5,799.99 for postage and handling for your free gift!!![This message was edited by John McGann on 13 June 2003 at 12:07 PM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Jun 2003 11:10 am

Well, you've got to hand it to Hankey (note the alliteration, Pat. All good writers use it). He sure does know how to kick off a thread, doesn't he? ALL of his threads go over 100 posts. What does that tell you?

(Well, for one thing, that there are alot of underemployed steel guitarists sittin' around on the computers without anything better to do...

)

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 13 Jun 2003 11:15 am

...Jumpin' Jehosephat, Jim...that tells me that I've got to get over to the Emmons P/P thread and post a few more times over there, it's running a close 2nd...

...actually, what it tells me is a little disheartening...it tells me that a lot of people are more likely to take the time to respond and make their feelings known when they're annoyed or incredulous (remember the Magic 7?) than they will for an upbeat topic...[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 13 June 2003 at 12:27 PM.]

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 13 Jun 2003 11:38 am

"Pretentious," "supercilious,"
Eric, what's another word for synonym?

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 13 Jun 2003 11:45 am

..

...or as President Bush is credited with saying, "The French don't have a word for entrepreneur"...[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 13 June 2003 at 12:50 PM.]

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 13 Jun 2003 11:45 am

Actually, Pat; I like to think I give equal attention to both the upbeat and the annoying!

Now for something upbeat....how many Forumites like Polkas?

Yep, you gotta admit Bill Hankey threads are the grandaddys of all threads. He must be onto something (or maybe just.....naw!)

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Jun 2003 1:01 pm

Paul F.,

It was a real treat, especially on my birthday, to read your reply. I've been stirring the pot, trying to keep the thread interesting for all who like to trade ideas, and share thoughts for the good of everyone. Your humorous witticism of the "Fire On The Mountain" memoir, is very desirable input. Again, thank you for your very kind words.

Bill H.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 13 Jun 2003 1:09 pm

Bill you should have told us it was your Bday
1 lone star is skimpy, so how bout a picnic over in Housatonic or Tanglewood w: a few cases and some good emulatin'?
Happy B day Man

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 13 Jun 2003 2:23 pm

Happy birthday, Bill
You're better than cable tv, man!

------------------
Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 13 Jun 2003 2:50 pm

(Well, for one thing, that there are alot of underemployed steel guitarists sittin' around on the computers without anything better to do... )

Jim, I am fully employed and sitting at my desk on company time reading this stuff!! Bill Hankey, You're going to get me fired!

Errr...Uh, what I meant to say was:

Bill Hankey, your rendering of abstract thought to the pixels that inhabit the cathode ray tubes in the civilized world, especially the one in my employers facility that resides on my desk, in an effort to capture and quantify the very essence of how best a musician .....

(I can't finish...brain overload....too many hefeweisens...Bill, please finish this for me)

Terry

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Jun 2003 6:42 pm

Be careful what you ask for, Terry...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Jun 2003 12:20 am

Paul F.,

Some of the best influences, including your own, that result in clamoring bursts of extended efforts, by voracious steel guitarists, are those consisting of new tracks. Heads bang together as a concerted effort to capture one of your latest "licks" is made. Players who frequent clubs where "contemporary" fellow steel guitarists are featured, often square away, and connect musically, when one or the other has succeeded to some degree, in chasing down what you've recorded. We all had a ball studying your knee lever setup, while trying to emulate your original "ride" found in Alan Jackson's recording of "THERE GOES". Little by little we were able to move closer to our "quarry" by making the necessary knee lever changes, like a pack of hounds chasing down the fleet-footed couger. Some players have the 1st string full tone raise, and the 2nd half tone raise to recreate the original sounds, while others allude to not needing those changes. At that point it becomes a merry-go-round.

To successfully find a sound that pleases ones own ears, is a real worthwhile goal. Referring to, and speaking of equipment, which is first, and foremost, to progress to higher levels of playing skills. The temptation to ditch the emulation, by moving in with the determination to succeed in that which is within our grasp, if so inclined, becomes greater with each passing day.

Bill H. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 14 June 2003 at 04:16 AM.]

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 14 Jun 2003 2:23 am

Bill Hankey's got the best natural-predator metaphors on the website. Give the man some credit. (Trying to play like a furry flying rodent out of heck)

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 14 Jun 2003 3:00 am

I don't post here very often. Most times I come here just to read and enjoy some of the writing from you guys who have been around a long time. I play very little steel guitar even though I have a couple of them. I'm more along the lines of regular 6 string acoustic and a little lead guitar. Self taught and I only play in the study here at home. I often play along with old recordings of the Allman Brothers, or Carlos Santana and the like. I can't help myself cause I like that old bluesy stuff. My point is that even though Carlos is doing a great job I dont even try to copy it note for note. I play like me. I play what I feel and hope it sounds like it was bled right out of my heart. I don't try to copy each and every note although given a little time I can. I do take bits and pieces from each person Im playing with and then try to make it my own. I think all the greats probably took something from someone else and then made it their own with their style. I'm cerainly not saying that Im one of the greats either. Not by a long ways. I bet if you asked any of the greats if its a waste of time to try and copy licks, they would all say no. I remember reading where some of the giants of the steel guitar claim to have stolen licks from each other and previous pickers for years. Then they took what they had stolen and stirred in a little soul and a lot of heart and technique and bingo! There you have the recipe for greatness. Seems to me that a real waste of time would be not taking advantage of things learned previously by people who may be better than you at playing the hardest instrument in the world to master. On the other hand it would be a total waste for someone to spend all their time trying to copy someone else and never being able to hear what their own personal heart and soul sound like.

This comes to you from a self professed steel guitar rookie. Hope nobody takes offense and if you do tough ####

Rick Garrett

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 14 Jun 2003 4:40 am

Little by little we were able to move closer to our "quarry" by making the necessary knee lever changes, like a pack of hounds chasing down the fleet-footed couger.....At that point it becomes a merry-go-round.

...the metaphor is a little mixed..I get a mental image of our kids reaching for the brass ring while riding on the back of 'Ol Blue...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Jun 2003 5:59 am

Pat B.,

I must reply to disallow your propensity to take stress points out of context. In a friendly manner, I call your attention to your method of restructuring a literate message, and attaching it to a separate quotation that appears to disrupt the actual written message. I've noticed that you have a penchant for wading into the deep, while making responses that join 2 separate paragraphs, resulting in inadvertent quotes. Needless to say, they become unsavory when they do nothing but detract from the main subject. I know that you are a totally generous man at heart, therefore, I will always be grateful to you for things offered, or given in the interest of the steel guitar.

Bill H

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 14 Jun 2003 6:51 am

I agree with Franklin. If you want to play rock guitar first study Chuck Berry. It sounds alot easier than it is. Country music (real)has a feel all its own. Its genious in its simplicity and delivery. Alot of Rock players can't do it. Thats why I'm actually studying Tom Brumley and JD Manness.
Not to imitate them but to understand their approach. Then I will absorb THAT approach into my own. Thank goodness for ZB guitars.

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 14 Jun 2003 7:50 am

...actually, Bill, my intention, and hopefully the result, in editing the quote is to eliminate the parts which don't add to the point being made, without changing the context...

...for example, my point above has to do with mixed metaphors...the part that I eliminated doesn't change the context of your metaphor at all, yet shortens the quote..

..thanks for the kind comment...I'm an editor at heart if not in my profession, so my comments about your writing aren't made with malice...it's apparent that you have your own tongue at least partly in cheek...as do I...

Gary Preston · Post by **Gary Preston** » 14 Jun 2003 9:20 am

''wow'' so much is already said to keep anybodys head spinning for a long time !!i think what got my interest in the pedal steel is hearing the sound of buddie emmons, Lloyd green and others and yes i would like to match them note for note but we all have our limitations and everybody does'nt feel the phrasing as others do and so i think it comes down to play your best and wish that you were ''buddie,or Lloyd''and dont get discouraged and if you can, try to contribute as much as you can and hope that you can inspire someone else to play the steel . thats my story and i'm stickin to it. in respect to all. G.P.

Andy Alford · Post by **Andy Alford** » 14 Jun 2003 10:37 am

Most of us love the styles of the pros.I have learned from watching them,but like you I play the steel with my hands and my feet.Learn all you can, but play from your heart and soul.There is only one you.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Jun 2003 12:41 pm

Andy A.,

I've found that one of the most successful means of keeping ones enthusiasm at peak levels, is by treating the practice area, as a very special place. Many interruptions of every description, such as phones ringing, vacuum cleaners, or just competing with radio or television volume swells, can put a crimp in the learning process. Before revising this portion of the thread, I had attempted to converge on a specific subject, but to no avail. It's apparent to me at this time, that I've discovered something quite different about human nature, that will be treated as an insight in making future decisions.

Bill H.[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 14 June 2003 at 02:54 PM.][This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 15 June 2003 at 12:06 AM.]

David Deratany · Post by **David Deratany** » 14 Jun 2003 1:04 pm

A friend of mine used to say: "I'd like to be able to do that, and then not."

I'm a product of all the things I tried to copy, play and learn; they got me to where I am now, but I am none of them.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 16 Jun 2003 6:20 am

F.M.,

THE FERTILE FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE pertaining to the advancement of steel guitar, is destined to remain untapped, or should I say unplowed, should fellow steel guitarists become taciturn without justification. There is still 30 acres of untilled methodology just waiting to leap from plowed furrows. I can go back to my bench or if you choose, pick up the ineludible tracks that the greats of steel left behind making their way to stardom. It would be interesting, if forum members would join with me, to keep this thread moving forward by exchanging observations, that will eventually reveal what we may be seeking.

Bill H.

Pat Burns · Post by **Pat Burns** » 16 Jun 2003 7:06 am

...any failure of fecundity is certainly not due to a deficiency of fertilizer...

[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 16 June 2003 at 08:10 AM.]