A Musician's Dreams Connection

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Dec 2006 2:12 am

Have you ever thought that serious efforts made to improve on the steel guitar, may trigger dreams characterized by difficulties and struggles?

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 8 Dec 2006 5:14 am

I steel in my sleep.
And the occasional morning epiphany does occur.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Dec 2006 6:52 am

David, some dreams are filled with precarious situations. Quite often, a dream will focus on precipitous traveling, where no fueling stations can be found, and the responses from the locals offer nothing of value. Directions are meaningless, and an endless search ensues for a road out of the hinterland village. Hence, my suggestion that there are similarities musically, in the quest of a paved highway back to civilization.

Ed. for gram. error...

[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 10 December 2006 at 07:29 AM.]

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 8 Dec 2006 6:57 am

I've always been told all us steel players are really weird...

I think this thread is gonna provide some concrete for that...

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Mikey D...

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 8 Dec 2006 7:04 am

Michael, drummers tell me that all the time. Go figure, huh?

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 8 Dec 2006 7:13 am

Once I had a dream where this guitarist showed me how to cotton-pick.
Next day, I could.
It happens.

Herbie Meeks · Post by **Herbie Meeks** » 8 Dec 2006 8:34 am

Most good musicians I met.
spoke of picking cotton
before they discovered they could earn more
Pickin music in the Joints,

Herbie

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Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 8 Dec 2006 9:28 am

i always seem to play better in my dreams than i really do.

my wife says my feet and knees move like i'm playin' sometimes when I'm sleepin'... i thought REM was supposed to paralyze you so you can't hurt yourself while dreaming... I dunno

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 8 Dec 2006 11:31 am

My guess that any future advancements to the steel guitar will be in the electronics end of the spectrum, not to the guitar its self.

The nightmare is pushing buttons rather than picking at the strings.

Sad thought, eh? (read my sig)

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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

[This message was edited by Les Anderson on 08 December 2006 at 11:34 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 8 Dec 2006 1:13 pm

For more than a century, great thinking minds have attempted to unravel the significance of dreams. Experiences with dreams that frustrate a feeling of well-intentioned slumber, can create a mild disruption of tranquillity. Dreams that epitomize a trending into a fortuitous setting for the better, (not worse) can leave us upon waking, wishing to resume the aspiration. The steel guitar, with its many consequential attributes, must surely spawn a residual basis for success dreams. Pleasant dreams mingled with the occasional nightmare, can be both pleasing and frightening. Perhaps that type of dream is analogous to a novice's thoughts of the steel guitar.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 8 Dec 2006 1:52 pm

"Doctor ! Doctor ! After the nightmares and the headaches stop and I'm completely healed will I be able to play the steel guitar ?"

"Of course you will."

"That's great, I never could before...."

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 9 Dec 2006 2:46 am

If you live to be 100 years of age, approximately 30 years will have been spent dreaming in your sleep. Perhaps 10 years or so will be spent as a budding child in the formative years. It's reasonable to believe that the musically inclined commence to reach for something to play at about age 10. The last 10 years of a life may include sitting on a rocker, instead of the usual stance, behind an instrument. After deducting those realities, 50 years of the 100 year life span remains for pedal steel guitar enjoyment. But wait... most musicians maintain unrelated work schedules. Those 40 hours a week, work schedules, must include time spent traveling to the place of employment. If your job allows for a radio turned down low, you may train your ears to listen for little segments of steel guitar fills in recordings. Musical activity on the part of the industrious individual, is reduced considerably in the wake of maintaining a budgeted lifestyle. No doubt the involuntary dream world affects the repetitive trudging off to work, with a lunch tucked beneath the arm. For those who prefer to imbibe by taking in a little "devil juice" on the way home, to ease tensions, please be aware of the dangers accompanying such practices. Playing the steel guitar on the average of two hours a day for 50 years, (and by the way) that includes 14 hours a day possibly thinking about playing, doesn't allow for appreciative gains on the instrument. Divide 2 over 24 hours and I believe one twelfth of the day would be spent at practicing. That narrows down considerably this "dedicated" practice routine in terms of accomplishment.

[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 09 December 2006 at 02:53 AM.][This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 09 December 2006 at 05:08 AM.]

Ken Williams · Post by **Ken Williams** » 9 Dec 2006 6:57 pm

This is odd, but over the years, I can't recall a single dream that I've had about playing steel, being on a gig, etc. For that matter I don't recall any dream where I was playing music, period.

Ken

Alan Rudd · Post by **Alan Rudd** » 9 Dec 2006 7:11 pm

I did have a dream you might have read about in one of the other posts. I went out to hear some live music and was hearing a steel, but didn't see one on the band stand, so I moved to the side of the stage to watch the band and saw a guy using both hands and fingers on slide controls like some sort of mixer. I couldn't see his right hand, but it seemed he was controlling volume with his right hand as he would control the volume pedal with his foot. Weird, huh![This message was edited by Alan Rudd on 09 December 2006 at 07:12 PM.]

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 9 Dec 2006 7:49 pm

Alan...you witnessed the Wizard.

Al

Alan Rudd · Post by **Alan Rudd** » 9 Dec 2006 9:51 pm

The Wizard? Of Oz?

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 9 Dec 2006 10:39 pm

I used to have many about PSG, in the USAF in 76-9 taking lessons, I had it plugged in in the barracks room so I'd roll out and give it a spin. Worked really good.

Now that the tele is my new "thing", I'm waking up the same way with a lick or melody in my head and I have my BSB plugged in next to the couch in the living room where I watch news at 530hrs before work.

Flying dreams are the best and most auspicious for playing onstage. Trying to capture the feeling of flying in your dreams for me is "where it's at". It doesn't have to happen all the time, and it doesn't.

I did have a dream that I went to work with just my "Wednesday" shorts on. It was really Tuesday...

EJL

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Dec 2006 5:05 am

Albeit most dreams are forgotten, according to "experts" who have done extensive research by various methods, there lingers our own wonderment, of what may be lost to experimental dabblers. The balance of "nice" dreams versus disturbing dreams, may very well be equal, which would create a sort of deadlock in making sound judgments in terms of the basis for origin. There is much humor and the possible onset of creativity originating in our dreams; which bonds this thread with musical aspirations. The steel guitarists' "juggernaut" in dreams or awake, is well known to those who play the instrument. It would be difficult to sellout on the steel guitar and walk away.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 10 Dec 2006 5:09 am

Alan, Oz played dobro, remember?

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Mikey D...

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Dec 2006 11:56 am

Eric W., thanks for helping to boost the prolificacy of relevant sleep experiences. I hope this thread doesn't simulate a family of meerkats circling a cobra. The relevancies referenced, have a direct connection with the practicing steel guitarist. It's not intended to partake in some remote or little known experience. The Everly Brothers' "Dream" was a big hit for them years ago. I guess that they might have pushed different buttons. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 10 December 2006 at 11:58 AM.]

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 10 Dec 2006 1:56 pm

Bill,

A good topic, with good info.

As I'm falling asleep, I think about how to play things, and then in the morning I try them out. But that's mostly banjo, mando and flat top because I'm still a beginner at steel.

There are ways to train yourself to remember your dreams, and for some people it might be worth it.

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"Most people's favorite music is from the era before they got married." --Earnest Bovine

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 10 Dec 2006 2:01 pm

Roy Buchanan was once asked about how he comes up with such great guitar licks. He said he just "thinks them up" while he's lying in bed.

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My Site - Instruction

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Dec 2006 6:14 am

Darryl, you've mentioned that you're a "beginner" on the steel a few times. More than one experience has taught me to check out a player's proficiencies thoroughly, before passing judgment on abilities. Sort of the same routine of not having the ability to judge a book by its title or cover. The concept may appear to be far-fetched and unrealistic, but if you've never been "zapped" by a surprise visit of flying fingers, there is room for a new musical experience. It's not a matter of deluding, but rather a concerted effort of avoiding braggadocio; on the part of the claimant. In any event, the old cliche', "I'm from Missouri, show me", still has its merits. It all ties in with hopes and dreams. [This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 11 December 2006 at 12:51 PM.][This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 12 December 2006 at 02:34 AM.]

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Dec 2006 1:16 pm

I attended a real life dream last night. Two steel guitars in a 5 piece band! Both players played Emmons Steel Guitars. The bandleader is strictly country music oriented, which pleases me. Too bad dreams are not made up of similar settings.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 11 Dec 2006 7:20 pm

Bill, I had the same dream! It's coming into focus now... a red LeGrande D-10 and a rosewood push-pull S-10 on stage... twin steels on many classic country tunes and a twin steel rendition of Steel Guitar Rag. December really is a time for miracles!

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My Site - Instruction