Suggestions on 1st gig......

Jim Dempsey · Post by **Jim Dempsey** » 2 Sep 2004 4:55 pm

I've been playing for almost 2yrs.My learning has been mostly through tapes and books.I can find all of my major and minor chords on the fretboard.I really don't know any licks yet.Anyway,my friend is having a party for labor day and his band will be playing.He told me to bring my steel and sit in,if i'd like.As much as I really want to,I don't want to look like a fool either.Plus,I have no clue what the setlist will be?. He said their just going to wing it.Any advice for a nervous steeler in NJ would be appreciated.---Jim[This message was edited by Jim Dempsey on 02 September 2004 at 06:00 PM.][This message was edited by Jim Dempsey on 02 September 2004 at 07:33 PM.]

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 2 Sep 2004 5:19 pm

Yeah, don't do it unless you've rehearsed the specific songs. You'll just embarass yourself. (really).

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 2 Sep 2004 5:56 pm

DO IT! It's a party right? You ain't gettin' paid, you are ICING ON THE CAKE. Keep a beverage handy, jump in and play when you feel you can; Don't play when you feel you can't; Keep your ears open and remember that you are likely the only person in the room who understands steel enough to know you might have flubbed a passage.

If you "don't know any licks", play sustaining chords.

But do it... there is no better way to learn IMO

Michael Haselman · Post by **Michael Haselman** » 2 Sep 2004 6:29 pm

Get out there and play. There's an old saying, "playing 1 gig is worth 10 rehearsals." When I started, I had the steel on stage after owning it for about 3 weeks. I sucked, but I got good in a hurry.

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Marrs D-10, Webb 6-14E

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 2 Sep 2004 6:35 pm

I'm with Dave on this one. Jody.

Jim Dempsey · Post by **Jim Dempsey** » 2 Sep 2004 6:39 pm

3 yes--1 no--I appeciate all the feedback.-Jim

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 2 Sep 2004 7:05 pm

Whatever you do,DON'T throw your bar at anybody,like another steeler did,that I know!!

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com</pre>

[This message was edited by Smiley Roberts on 02 September 2004 at 08:07 PM.]

Lincoln Goertzen · Post by **Lincoln Goertzen** » 2 Sep 2004 7:08 pm

Another YES, DO IT! Absolutely, play sustaining chords. You will fool a vast amount of people this way.

Here's a simple thing to do on steel that you probably already know. It's too simple to be called a "lick", but here's my description of it.

Imagine you are on the 8th fret, with no pedals. This, as you know, is a C major chord. When you want to go to an F chord, by way of C7, play the C7 by sliding back to the 6th fret, and squeezing your A pedal. There, I just tried it again myself, and it seems to work best if you use strings 8, 6, and 5.

This, and sustaining chords, will get you through an amazing amount of songs you don't know.

Again, go for it.

Lincoln

Jim Phelps · Post by **Jim Phelps** » 2 Sep 2004 7:12 pm

.[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 17 November 2004 at 09:36 PM.]

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Sep 2004 7:35 pm

Absolutely, you MUST do it! NOBODY starts playing gigs only "AFTER" they're "ready". You're NEVER ready! Ya jus' gotta play and this is a low-risk situation to get your feet wet. DO IT!

Just keep it simple and pretty. Don't go way out on a limb the first time out. (Unless it's that kind of band and crowd.

)[This message was edited by Jim Cohen on 02 September 2004 at 08:36 PM.]

Travis Bernhardt · Post by **Travis Bernhardt** » 2 Sep 2004 7:38 pm

Another vote for "do it." You say you can find chords, so as long as they're not calling on you to do crazy leads, you're all set. Just concentrate on playing those chords well.

-Travis

P.S. If--possibly against your wishes--they do throw a solo or two your way, quickly grab whatever confidence you can find and try a few simple things: sliding into/out of the chords; arpeggiating them up or down; playing/sliding into the chords repeatedly, while adding some rhythmic variation; playing the same note/s over and over through all/most of the chord changes. These techniques don't require you to learn anything new, since you already know where the chords are--you're just playing the same notes in a different way. The real key is playing with the rhythm of the chords (or notes, if you're arpeggiating a chord) that you're playing. Rhythm and dynamics (volume) are much more important than quantity of notes played (although sometimes of course they'll be intertwined--if you want to play a triplet roll for rhythmic variety then you're going to have to play three notes instead of one...).

Oh, and if you accidentally play something good, don't let it throw you out of the groove.

[This message was edited by Travis Bernhardt on 02 September 2004 at 08:48 PM.]

Gary Ulinskas · Post by **Gary Ulinskas** » 2 Sep 2004 7:40 pm

If you do it, please give us a report next week. It seems totally unfair that you have to go in cold. (I did that once and vowed NEVER to do it again.) Even if you knew what a few of the songs were and the keys they were in, you could do some preparation and it seems to me that would do wonders for your self confidence.
Print up some chord progression sheets for a couple of the songs you know best to give to the band members in case you get a chance to play a solo. I think that they will appreciate that.
Good luck.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 2 Sep 2004 7:43 pm

I'm in your situation tomorrow night and I've been there a couple of times before.

I sit in (on dobro) with a vocalist/guitarist doing classic rock covers at a beach bar. It's an informal situation but he's an excellent musician. I always say to him, "what you hear is what you get."

His reply is "let's just have fun." It's a great experience, and always a learning one.

Remember the creed of the French Foreign Legion...."You can live down anything but death".......go for it.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 2 Sep 2004 7:45 pm

That's how I did it! Play when you know something, remember to lay out when you don't. You'll never advance if you don't get out and play. Country Touch picked me up on my offer to play for free if they'd put up with my learning curve, and I started getting paid about 6 months later. I remember asking Jeff Newman if he thought that was the way to go, and he said it's the ONLY way to go. Get out there and go for it!

Assuming they're playing country, all you really need to know is what key they're in. You've already been in the basement too long.

JB

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
Fessenden D-10 8&8
"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 2 Sep 2004 7:56 pm

You stated that they were just gonna wing it, so why not go for it. Sounds like it's going to be kind of loose and informal and probably lots of fun. I say do it. I also vote for a follow-up report.

Ron Randall · Post by **Ron Randall** » 2 Sep 2004 8:15 pm

Do it. Be sure you are in tune with the band or they are in tune with you.
One and two note melody lines. 3 or four note chords.
If there is a lot of music "in the middle" like 2 guitars, a keyboard, etc. Go for the higher pitch stuff. They will hear you and like it.

Have drink, have a good time.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 2 Sep 2004 9:01 pm

Do it!! It's fun. This is a dream gig for a beginner!! I've been doing what you are about to do, for a year now. Don't worry about making mistakes, you'll make plenty. So What! You will notice the rest of the band started there where you are at (on their favorite instrument) once upon a time, and felt like you do.
If you know a little about song/chord structure, you can pick within' the chords, and you will cruise through---wing it. You can probably play anything you want and be just fine as long as you play in key and have good timing. You probably won't nail the signature licks in some of the songs, but they shouldn't expect you to, either. Sit where you can see the rythme guitarist's hands. Put your speaker where you can hear easily, and you probably won't tend to be too loud to the crowd or the band. Try not to play on top of the singer, or other lead solo's---try to "fill" in when there are pauses in the verse--between vocal phrases. If you do make a boo boo, stare at the bass player with a disgusted "why'd you do that??" look on your face. [This message was edited by James Morehead on 02 September 2004 at 10:17 PM.]

Jim Dempsey · Post by **Jim Dempsey** » 2 Sep 2004 9:32 pm

Thanks so much for the advice.I am gonna go for it.I will let you know the outcome Sun.Gonna call my friend and ask him for some songs they might do.Then print out the tabs on the computer,write down the chords on a index card and tape them to the pad on my SD10.---Thanks for the kick in the butt,-Jim

BobG · Post by **BobG** » 3 Sep 2004 3:26 am

Hi Neighbor,
I'm right next door in Holmdel,NJ...
By all means "Go for it" !!..
And if you need any help with any of the material i'd be more than happy to assist.
Drop me an email anytime,
BobG

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

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 3 Sep 2004 3:50 am

There are several string grips that will fit almost any chord within a standard progression. If you can locate these, you are half way home. When I was learning the C6
tuning, I purchased Jeff Newman's basic course. He illustrated a scale he called the "OBAIL" ( Oh Boy, Am I Lost!). By utilizing this scale, it enables you to play licks that fit any chord in any standard three or four chord progression. This way, even if you are unfamiliar with the changes in the tune the band is playing, whatever you play will fit.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 3 Sep 2004 3:51 am

Jim, I suggest going ahead and playing. You need the experience of working with a live band. Playing by yourself or with tapes is not the same as playing with a live band and to an audience. You will learn tremendously from this gig. If you are not sure keep the volume low. I promise you the licks will come in time. I would bet after this gig you will want to find a band to play with and that exactly what you need. If possible video the gig or tape it and listen to your playing. A video will let you see and hear areas you need to work on. You may be surprised that you are further ahead than you thought. If you see a lot of errors do not get discouraged just take the time to work on those areas. Most of all just have fun while you are playing and be sure to smile. I enjoy watching someone play especially when the smile. It lets me know they are enjoying what they are doing.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 3 Sep 2004 4:31 am

Do it. If not now, when?

Nicholas Dedring · Post by **Nicholas Dedring** » 3 Sep 2004 4:49 am

Heck, do it... nothing to lose.

It helps if you have heard these guys before or if they play known cover type stuff... but if not, just keep it as simple as you need to, and remember: the steel player can always do nothing if they want to...

The greatest things about playing out up in this part of the country is that people are so amazed you actually play steel (whether or not they know what it is), that it's a lot easier to make folks happy with what you're doing than I imagine it would be in places where people know what it is

Good luck, and have some fun with it. An hour on a bandstand is worth a whole lot of hours in a living room.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 3 Sep 2004 5:09 am

Jim,
Please post a report on how it went here, after the show.

Keep it simple, smile a lot, listen to the whole band to hear where you will best fit in. Good luck.

Duncan Hodge · Post by **Duncan Hodge** » 3 Sep 2004 5:52 am

Have a great gig Jim. I know you'll make Ken at NNM proud.
Duncan