I Freeze Up

Steven Black · Post by **Steven Black** » 27 Mar 2006 2:46 pm

Well and I thought I was the only guy having to ask my neighbor to pry the pack a seat off my but with the crow bar when I got home from a gig or jam session, I even had to ask the band to help me look for my bar when my hand got sweaty from nerves that it went on to the floor somewhere, and all of my shirts are soaked with sweat that I can fill a bucket, and I still keep playin this thing, Oh what fun it is, keep on playin Mark it gets better.

Don Powalka · Post by **Don Powalka** » 27 Mar 2006 3:34 pm

I played at the open mike jam at the Diaryland Steel show and I was scared to death too. I admitted it when I got up and played. Once all of the players there and the crowd knew it, they gave me just the encouragement I needed to get over it. I normally don't get that bad at a regular job, but if I know my peers are watching me, I have a tough time keeping my cool.

There was another gentleman there that stopped and talkesd to me as I loaded up my gear to go home. He asked if there was any way to get over the jitters too. I pretty much said what all of us have said on here-it just comes with the territory. I even got nervous when I played in the high school band. There was 65 kids on that stage so if I messed up there'd be no real way the audience would know about it.

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 27 Mar 2006 3:51 pm

I agree with the above comments, relax, recover and get back on the hoss.

Specifically on tunes like Bud's Bounce (or other tunes named "bounce, hop, drag, ect...) don't make the misake of playing it too fast. This is a really "fun" song... and by that I mean it should be fun to play, fun to dance to, and just fun to listen to... it's "bouncy" and nothing bouncy could not be fun (based on my obervations of my local channel's weather girl

)

But at the wrong tempo, it will lose the bounce, and become "Bud's Whole-bunch-of- notes-stuffed-into-an-instrumental". Not that that is unheard of either (12 Street Rag"), but it WILL NOT bounce.... and most important for you it will not be fun.

My other tip, only play instrumentals on stage if you have rehearsed with the band, or have some reason to believe they know how the song goes (been there, like most).

And above all, have fun!

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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 27 Mar 2006 3:55 pm

I have seen many guys go through what you went through. Especially if you play a song note for note every time. The solution is to know the chords and have other places to go to. If i flub a tune I have practiced an particular arrangement i just jam on it and play other licks for the same chords. I know it sounds difficult at this point but try to practice other licks for the same chord arrangement. You need to be able to jump around and not depend on only the perfect licks you have been practicing. It works for me!!!

[This message was edited by Ron Sodos on 27 March 2006 at 03:55 PM.]

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 27 Mar 2006 4:10 pm

A good friend of mine once told me, many years ago, that if you make a mistake, just keep playing like nothing happened. I think a lot of us get nervous at the strangest times. I heard a famous steel player make a comment back in the 60s on national TV about being nervous. It seems that we always remember that "time" and forget about all the good runs.

Steve Dodson · Post by **Steve Dodson** » 27 Mar 2006 4:41 pm

Hey Mark,
Just hang in there man 2 years is really not that long with an instrument like the Pedal Steel. It will come in time just keep at it. And if playing an instrumental with your band live, in front of people bothers you, work up a slower tune, practice it with your band, and go from there. The slower song will give you more time to think and take the pressure off. Once you can get through that, then go from there.As said above this happens with everybody. So slower down a bit and have fun,then pick it from there. Sorry T.C. I over looked your advice to Mark in your post and pretty much requoted what you said. But I think its a good ideal. [This message was edited by Steve Dodson on 27 March 2006 at 04:45 PM.][This message was edited by Steve Dodson on 28 March 2006 at 12:15 AM.]

Wayne D. Clark · Post by **Wayne D. Clark** » 27 Mar 2006 7:25 pm

Mark
Been there Done That, in fact the last time I played, I had the lead in, and it was to start with A/B Pedals engaged, It sure sounded strange, I did not notice that I had not engaged A/B Pedals until I finished the Intro After we were done a few people came up and wanted to know "What do all the Pedals and levers do"?
In the case of the lead in nothing I said to my self.

Wayne
MSA D10 8/2

Mickey McGee · Post by **Mickey McGee** » 27 Mar 2006 8:29 pm

Two years (I think that's how long you said you have been at it)not very long (on any axe)at all- keep flog'n that... thing!Will come in time,all the best.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Mar 2006 5:52 am

Count yourelf lucky - the first time I ever played steel guitar in public (London's 'Nashville Rooms' in the mid-70s) it turned out that Buddy Emmons was in there having a beer!

Of course, I didn't know that until later. In the break I met him, apologised, and returned to the stage; no power on earth could have induced me to sit back down behind my ZB - I stuck to Telecaster after that....

RR

Roger Osbourn · Post by **Roger Osbourn** » 28 Mar 2006 7:13 am

Mark; I haven't had time to read all the replies to your post and I'm sure that some fine advice has been offered. So I'm going to jump in here and tell you what happened to me at the first convention I ever played.It was in Siloam Springs and my friend,Jerry Knapper,was talking with me and he could see that I was somewhat uptight.As I started toward the stage,Jerry stepped in front of me and said,"just remember this, most of those folks watching you would love play half as good as your going to".Mark,his remark caused a peace and calm to come over me and I got up there and played as good as I was capable of at that time.I don't worry about playing in public anymore.I heard that someone was quoted as saying "let her fly,if you hit a wrong note, it will only last a second".So relax,play and have fun.When it's no fun any longer,let's go home.

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Roger Osbourn (President),Siloam Springs Steel Guitar Club
Phone 479-524-4240
*(The greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother)
*(Opportunity is missed by most people because it's dressed in overalls and looks like work)
<A HREF="http://www.sssgc.com

" TARGET=_blank>www.SSSGC.com

</A>

Robby Springfield · Post by **Robby Springfield** » 28 Mar 2006 7:58 am

I have found that if I will listen to everyone else in the band and the music as a whole and keep my focus on the overall sound rather than just on my steel playing, that this helps me to relax and play better music. Force yourself to focus on the overall sound and let the steel playing come out natual and see if it don't help you.

Luke Morell · Post by **Luke Morell** » 28 Mar 2006 4:08 pm

Mark, don't feel like the Lone Ranger.I've done that more than once.

Mark Edwards · Post by **Mark Edwards** » 28 Mar 2006 4:10 pm

Guys I grately appreciate all who responded, and your experiences and instructions will help tremendously. I know I'm not alone, and your tips will be put to use immediately. Within a time span of 2 days I have recieved what, 34 responses. I wonder what that would have cost from an insturctor. You guys and this forum are the greatest, It shows me one more time, that steelers are in a class all their own. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 28 Mar 2006 6:27 pm

Hey Mark,come out to Rodeo Exchange for a fist full of clams this weekend!

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Cops aren't paid much so I steel at night.

Gordon Borland · Post by **Gordon Borland** » 28 Mar 2006 7:27 pm

I always look to nature on this kind of issue.

The biggest badest and best old lion surveys
his kingdom with the confidence of a master and as the winds of the savanna rustle his golden main...you can see all those scars on his face and buds bounce is that little one just below his tear duct.
Timing is everything. Dont practice without it.

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Gordon Borland
MSA D10,FENDER STEEL KING,

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 28 Mar 2006 10:33 pm

I drink coffe before the first set. It helps me think and play faster during that stiff warm up period (especially since I don't normally drink anything with caffiene). I don't start on the hooch until the first break. If I get a little sloppy toward the end of the night, I don't seem to notice, and neither does anyone else.

BobG · Post by **BobG** » 29 Mar 2006 4:32 am

I used to get nervous playing clubs until I realized most people aren't really listening that closely. The band for the most part, is simply a backdrop. Once that [thought] sunk in I was able to relax.

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Bob Grado, Williams D10 (lefty), Peavey 1000,
Profex ll, POD XT

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 29 Mar 2006 6:52 am

Hello Mark, getting confidence on the bandstand can take years for some of us, it just depends on the individual. I for one had a hard time in the early 70's when I was a novice player, and I did gigs on the US. air force bases here in England, and in those days the floor shows would be when they flew in a top Nashville star complete with their backing band. One occasion was Bill Anderson and the "Po" boys with Sonny Garrish on steel. I was actually physically sick back stage, because I knew I had to go on again after him. Later we had breakfast together and it gave me so much confidence when Sonny explained that we all had to start "somewhere" and learn as a novice.Getting on the subject of mistakes on stage. We "all" make them. I even saw the big "E" kick off an intro to one of his instrumentals over here, and hit all but the right note. He just stopped and laughed it off, as it should be. Make playing fun,as said earlier it depends on our individual makeup.Some find it easier than others

Micky Byrne www.mickybyrne.com

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 29 Mar 2006 7:42 am

Hey, Micky - wasn't that 'Raisin' The Dickens' at Gerry's festival? I still have it on tape!

I also saw Jack Nicklaus 'top' a drive at the Bell Atlantic Seniors in PA in '99 - the ball went no more than fifty yards! The gasp from the gallery was pronounced, but Jack just said - 'At least I got it past the ladies' tee....'

The Big 'E' made fun of himself, too, that day - sometimes even our heroes have feet of clay....

RR

Walter Hamlin · Post by **Walter Hamlin** » 29 Mar 2006 9:16 am

Mark, I use to freeze up too. I would get so nervous I could thread a sewing machine with it running. I would even get my picks tangled up in the strings.
I hope I am improved now. I find it much easier to play in front of a large audience than a small one. I have also heard some of the pros over the years, make some mistakes too. Everyone does it. It is just a part of the enjoyment of playing a psg and you will overcome it. Hang in there.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 29 Mar 2006 9:42 am

i call it the Barney Fife syndrome:

i can play a song just fine till i know someone is listening to me, then i will get so nervouse i can't find the dang strings haha [This message was edited by Calvin Walley on 29 March 2006 at 09:43 AM.][This message was edited by Calvin Walley on 29 March 2006 at 09:44 AM.]

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 29 Mar 2006 10:06 am

You know, that's an interesting observation about 'Raisin' the Dickens'. The ending Buddy recorded on the Black Album, at the proper tempo, is one of those ALMOST UNATTAINABLE licks -- kinda like playing the intro to 4WD just like Buddy did. If the tempo creeps a bit pulling off that ending can even get too much for Buddy.

I think I know what Roger speaks of though I saw something similar in St. Louis in the early 80's. Lets walk through it.

He chose to play the ending from the record.
(a conscious decision -- he could have 'backed down')

He went for it and it wasn't quite there
(many/most in the audience probably wouldn't have known the difference)

He not only laughed it off, but kept playing the ending until he got it right TWICE IN A ROW.

What a great lesson from a master. EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES. It's just a part of playing. What you DO with those mistakes is what separates the men from the boyz. Granted, the Convention audience is unique (as is the Big E), but we all have to choose whether to play it safe or 'go for it' sometimes; we also have to decide what we're going to do if it all goes south on us -- and then -- JUST DO IT.
--
[corrected spellin' glitch]
--
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

[This message was edited by Larry Bell on 29 March 2006 at 10:09 AM.]

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 30 Mar 2006 12:25 pm

We sit here watching the television, while we're practising, and after a few cocktails we're the greatest steeler who ever lived. Then we play in front of an audience and the instrument goes out of tune, we drop the steel, the amplifier stops working, our picks are too small for our fingers, the strings break, we see double and there are two sets of frets, they turn down the house lights and we can't even see our instruments, so we play by ear and hope we're in tune. Yet most time the audience doesn't notice ! I think you have to come to terms with the fact that the greatest steel guitarist you've ever heard has sounded lousy from time to time. You can't expect to excel every night. If you're in a recording studio, whether it's in Nashville or just your basement, when you screw up you just start again. Do you think all those perfect steel solos were the first take ? Unfortunately, when you're playing live you don't have the chance to start again. But then, isn't that the charm of it all ? When you're playing live the audience are usually a lot more forgiving...

Mark Edwards · Post by **Mark Edwards** » 30 Mar 2006 4:51 pm

BUMP please

Wayne Drummond · Post by **Wayne Drummond** » 30 Mar 2006 6:21 pm

Wonderful responses. In addition consider yoga type breathing for relaxation and positive visualization. A helpful construct from my high school English teacher for public speaking, "On your way to the podium visualize everyone sitting in the audience as sitting on the toilet." In 1973 during a solo in an audition my bar escaped and rolled up the neck a la Looney Tunes theme; you are well ahead of this.