Advice on first time out?

Patrick Layher · Post by **Patrick Layher** » 27 Apr 2006 4:42 am

I will play with a band for the first time at a wedding June 10th. I've been playing at home only for 2+years. I have never played with anyone else, never met another steel player and have never met any of those I will play with on June 10.

Any advice?

Thanks,
Pat

'67 Emmons D10
Nashville 1000

Ron Kirby · Post by **Ron Kirby** » 27 Apr 2006 4:53 am

If the groom stole your gal,, Crank it up Ha! (watch your volume, chill, be a conservative picker !!

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 27 Apr 2006 4:55 am

if you have never played with anyone at all, then definately get some rehearsal time in with those you will be playing with.

in fact, rehearsals are essential. at least to get the set list together, agreement on chords or keys of songs.
how many will be in the band?

best of luck. have fun.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 27 Apr 2006 5:00 am

Prayer and Meditation...

Know your chord positions!

Patrick Layher · Post by **Patrick Layher** » 27 Apr 2006 5:02 am

There will be 5 in the band. Not sure what all are playing. I'm hoping to be able to reherse at least some beforehand. Here's another kicker. My steel is being rebuilt by Brian Adams as we speek and I'm driving out to get it the end of May. He's changing the tuning back to original Emmons tuning. So I'll have to learn this thing all over In about a week.

Has anyone been boo'd of the stage at a wedding before?

Wade Branch · Post by **Wade Branch** » 27 Apr 2006 5:06 am

Its kind of like playing in the superbowl,the players are so pumped up and have been for a week or two,they are about to jump out of their skin,then when they finally kick off the ball and go hit somebody then they settle down and play football.So go hit somebody and just have fun, thats what its all about !!

Patrick Layher · Post by **Patrick Layher** » 27 Apr 2006 5:07 am

Can I be held leagally responsible if the marrage ends anytime durring the reception?

Ron Kirby · Post by **Ron Kirby** » 27 Apr 2006 5:11 am

If the groom stole your gal ! CRANK IT WAY UP!! maybe you could get some other steeler to fill in for you, and take the next gig out !!

Patrick Layher · Post by **Patrick Layher** » 27 Apr 2006 5:16 am

I have told them that they will be my first..or they mine, however you look at it. I do spend quite a little time playing with whatever comes on the radio, so I've gotten some experience at stringing along with many songs I don't even know.

I like the advice of keeping it low and quiet..at least till the groom comes dancing by with my Ex! Then I'll unleash the Black widow on him!

Patrick Layher · Post by **Patrick Layher** » 27 Apr 2006 5:20 am

I've been following the thread on "fastest set-up time. Who knows, perhaps on June 11th, I'll open one on the "fastest pack-up-and-leave time"

Gibson Hartwell · Post by **Gibson Hartwell** » 27 Apr 2006 5:32 am

Patrick,

Don't know if you have other experience playing in bands with other instruments besides on the steel. But one thing to wassthc is overplaying. Try to lay back with your playing until you get a good feeling where you are expected to play. If there is electric guitar/fiddle/mando in the band-talk to that person before hand and ask them to give you cues where you can add fills. Hopefully the singer will cue you on the leads. One of the hardest things is figuring out where and when to play. Better to lay back, listen close, and add things sparsely at first rather than try to impress everyone by steam rolling over their established parts. Best of luck to you. Hope this helps.

Pretty country up there in Gillette.

John Ummel · Post by **John Ummel** » 27 Apr 2006 5:37 am

Hi Patrick,
Enjoy the excitement. Don't forget to
LISTEN. Keep listening to the other players and you'll find something tasteful to fit in. Have fun being a part of the band. GOOD LUCK!

Johnny

Patrick Layher · Post by **Patrick Layher** » 27 Apr 2006 5:38 am

That sounds like good advice and I'll take it. They said they were requested to play older country which I don't have that much experience with anyway.

As far as other instruments, no. The steel is the only thing I've ever tried to play.

I just hope I don't get too nervous! Which I have been know to do just playing at the house for extended family members.

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 27 Apr 2006 6:07 am

This band hired you apparently because they wanted a steel in the band.
Listen close, try to be tastefull, and when they cue you for a lead, then give em a steel guitar! Have fun, that's the most important!

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 27 Apr 2006 6:13 am

Sounds like it will be great fun..

and great experience..

everyone has had a FIRST time out.

My suggestion would be to learn a few stock Intro's and turnarounds

5 to 1's..

4's to 5's to 1's...

you can never go wrong with a few of these up your sleeve, especially for OLDER Country as you stated..

Did you state that the other players do know each other and have played together before ?

Can they play Basic Country ?

have a great time

t

Patrick Layher · Post by **Patrick Layher** » 27 Apr 2006 6:20 am

Yes, they have all played together in the past and have much experience with country both old and new. Sounds like the drummer is filling in and that they have never played with a steel in the mix.

I have met the dummer but he usually plays lead.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 27 Apr 2006 7:22 am

Jeff Newman once told me "if you make a mistake, look at the bass player" LOL
JE:-)>

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 27 Apr 2006 7:49 am

Play like ya know how .....

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 27 Apr 2006 8:24 am

I wish someone had Boo'd me off stage at a few of my weddings.

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

Dan Sliter · Post by **Dan Sliter** » 27 Apr 2006 8:54 am

Patrick,
About the only thing i can tel you is (dont try to play something you have'nt tryed to play before.What i mean is dont go out on a limb.Play simple and what you know.Dont over play.And have a blast.Good Luck!!!!
Dan

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 27 Apr 2006 8:57 am

Dan S.
That's good advice, I call it the K.I.S.S. technque..

I still live by it!!! LOL..

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 27 Apr 2006 9:04 am

If you’re married, be careful if you’re taking your wife with you to the job because the Pedal Steel is a chick magnet.

So you don’t make any single ladies feel rejected, have some pre-arranged excuses that include something like; ‘sorry, after the wedding I’m taking my pedal steel fishing’ or ‘I’m really busy tomorrow so I can’t meet your mother for Sunday supper because me and my steel will be camping out”.

You may also want to watch the movie “Wedding Crashers” for some more ideals.

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 27 Apr 2006 9:52 am

Since it's your first time, lay low. It's a common mistake for newbies to overplay. Don't do it.

Much better to go the other way, and have folks begging for "more steel" than to have them wish they hadn't invited you.

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 27 Apr 2006 10:39 am

Weddings are inherently happy times for all. I predict you be absolutly fine, have a ball, and go on to do more gigs with this band (that's the magic of the pedal steel

.

Here's a tip I alway do at weddings.... make an offer to play with the same band, at half price, for their devorce

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

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 27 Apr 2006 10:59 am

Has anyone been boo'd of the stage at a wedding before?

Don't know 'bout that but,I remember doin' a steel show once,that,the guy before was so bad...that when I started playin',they were still booing him!!!

...the Pedal Steel is a chick magnet.

OH REALLY??? This practice must've started shortly after I got off the road,or ended shortly BEFORE I got on the road.

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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 27 April 2006 at 12:04 PM.]