Shifting Gears Inadvertently

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 27 May 2007 8:35 pm

Some corelate their most recent practice history
to their following performance style.

Some will think after a 'faster day' of repetition,
this will magically come out in performance
as blinding elequence.
While it may not be so.

On a day where you shifted gears to a different,
slower or more thoughtful practice technique,
and then intended a more langorous performance,
that the speed of that performance
actually was faster than intended,
and more appropriate for the music
it is overlaying.

Shifting gears may give you different persepectives
and different 'logging of memories' to mind and muscle.

Two thoughts;
down shift and dig in for more power, at faster revs.

Or up shift to greater 'eventual speed',
but lower starting motor revs and torque
and slower acceleration.

If you always practice the same way,
then you never get different feedback
on how YOU retain your repeated music datum.

2ndly ALWAYS practicing licks and lines,
doesn't set the mind free when the time of improvisation comes.

Sometimes it's good to just 'wander' around your steel
into uncharted territory, either at slow or fast speeds.
Ideally both.

The only mistake is one you can't
find a way to make logical.
If you can't make a bad note logical,
then you need to explore it's surroundings more.

Bill would this be more along the lines
of your desired responces?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 27 May 2007 10:34 pm

David,

Yes, and BTW, your writings have always been dedicated (as I see it) to furthering the knowledge of each crucial step necessary, in attempting to master the steel guitar. The versatility of your writings, quickly establishes that you are not out of touch with the constant influx of writings on this forum. I often wish for your wide range of knowledge, that encompasses a wider range of literary studies on many subjects,
wih music as the forerunner to all others.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 27 May 2007 11:12 pm

Thank you Bill.
Being dyslexic I have been forced to :

a) Read (& write) a lot to keep the translation synapses function well.
A byproduct of this is increased knowlege in general.

b) Analyze my learning processes,
and those with whom I am working,
to make it go as efficently as practicable.

(Presently doing a stylistic renaisance gig,
with a Jamaican/african drummer, a La funk guitarist
a German jazz Gt/Keys and an British tenor man;
each has a very different learning methodology and style basis.)

c) As a jazz fan, and multi-musical stylist,
I have had to look at both expanded forms,
and improvisation and it's basis
in ways often counter to rote learning processes.

d) Also Post "Manual Of Style' individualization
for steel players.

Since pedal Steel and it'a greatly
enhanced harmonic possibilities
is a relatively new instrument for me,
but not music in many forms in general,
I got to look at it a bit differently
than maybe the typical steeler would.
And look at it fairly intensely also.

That said, being able to bounce ideas off of
the significantly more expirenced steelers here,
is a great learning process also.

In disagreement AND agreement is progress and learning.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 28 May 2007 5:16 am

David,

Separating malarkey from accurate information is one of the dregs of society. Trying to keep a safe distance from negativism isn't the easiest of practices. Many everyday situations can trigger discouraging trains of thoughts which have a definite counterproductive trend away from our main interests. The outpouring of people participation in such things as gambling extremes, is an effective example of human behavior. Why would those who are busy sorting out stakes, be inclined to focus on such a trivial activity as a steel guitar discussion?

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 28 May 2007 9:14 pm

Yeah, the explosion of casinos on indian land is
really causing a drain on regional economies.
But you can't let that 'dreg' you down with it.

"Information Retrieval"
and the validation of that information,
is maybe the greatest pursuit in this day and age;
after keeping a centered and rational self.

This forum site gives you a great preponderance of "Steeler Opinion".
If you read between the lines, and make your own judgments
of the veracity and clarity of the opinions expressed,
and as importantly the validation by those
clearly well versed in the subjects,
you likely WILL get useful and valid info.

Some will NEVER change their opinions;
from age or stylistic stagnation, or obtuseness.

While others are still open to exploration and developement.

We each have the free will to decide what WE need
from that broad range of possible opinions.
As well as looking at the great preponderance
of agreement in each subject as likely being fact based,
rather than solely opinion.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 29 May 2007 2:41 am

David,

I like your accurate accounts of peculiar behaviors,especially in the group (no shortage of) (I've met a few) who will not for any reason accept truths that been laid out before them. Its labeling as peculiar, is deserving of the term for those who happen to fall in that category. It's amazing to witness the individual who will go to whatever extreme imaginable to avoid a correction of an issue. All friendly stuff, mind you, once the
awareness is established that no amount of proof will satisfy the argumentative individual. It can be a real bummer on mechanical issues, where solutions to problems are necessary to avoid the unfair practices of excessive service charges. That is basically where the rub begins. It's my wallet that gets lighter with each passing day. I heard today that those who enjoy luxuries will be receiving an excise tax for their purchases. Some have all, while others have none.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 29 May 2007 9:13 am

Where lies the demarcation twixt peculiar and original?

Atypical or deviant?

Set in stone
or busting my stones?

Where lies the the space between
an id needing constant re-enforcment
and blind obedience to ideas,
whose sun has past the rubicon?

Takes all sorts,
but some take more home
from the phrenic exercise.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 29 May 2007 9:43 am

Why don't you two get each other's email and spare the rest of us from this BS? Better yet, b0b, why do you let this continue?

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 29 May 2007 12:08 pm

Or you could just not read it,
and go about your business.

A. J. Schobert · Post by **A. J. Schobert** » 29 May 2007 1:45 pm

Chris I for one enjoy Bill's post's. You to should be glad that he is so willing to share his wisedom that only a jedi night has. Or you can skip these threads.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 29 May 2007 2:10 pm

Chris S.,

I'm considering converging on the humor column. It is there that your brand of critique could be met with a similar outburst that could deal with a chaotic semblance of mischief.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 29 May 2007 9:19 pm

I will note the '1459 views' by forumites of this thread.
In the upper perctengaes for all current threads
in Steel Players at the moment.
Many people look in just to see what Bill might say next.

In general, with an occasional aside,
my posts with Bill are directed at the
learning process and methodology for steel players,
and the sometimes set cultural attitudes affecting
that process and the instruments growth,
by necessity because the PLAYERS either
move it forward or not.

The NOT is as interesting a question as the
choice to progress, and has great effect
over the future of the instrument IMHO.

That Bill and I like to 'spare' verbally,
is a side affect...

If you learn one new word a day
because Bill posts something you
don't get at first, till ya lookitup,
well that is learning too.

Should those with more curious minds
NOT use them,because others choose
not to develope theirs in like manner?
I think not.

Bill didn't post for a long time,.
and MANY of us are most happy he is
back as a regular.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 30 May 2007 3:48 am

A.J. and Donald,

Thanks for helping to manage a delicate situation that involves door slamming. I don't know of anyone who appreciates having their efforts cast aside amid the trumpeting and wailing. The forum has been a great source of enjoyment for me. Always willing to give another the benefit of doubt, while more attention is directed on controversial issues, is my main goal in exercising the thinking processes. The steel guitar offers an endless supply of interesting facts and fictions. Separating those issues is my cup of tea.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 30 May 2007 5:42 am

Keep it up guys. I would like to see how many big words steel players really know.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 30 May 2007 7:25 am

Quite a few of us know "Humuhumunukunukuapua`a"

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 30 May 2007 7:38 am

Well thanks David for telling me to mind my own business. I will. But any other person who posts on this forum with nonsense, off topic, or political, gets shut down. BH seems to get a pass when it comes to his nonsense.
You guys have fun....not

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 30 May 2007 8:39 am

Chris,

I disagree, b0b is not one to offer preferential treatment to any player or writer for any reason. I'll look back on some of your previous writings that may indicate a harboring of resentment toward threads containing explicit terminology. Denying others the chance to speak is pure nonsense without foundation. Not to worry, I spend very little time bickering, while there are so many who are agreeable to friendly exchanges.

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 30 May 2007 11:15 am

Bill & Dave,

Rock On!!!!

Basil, Ummmm, where can I look up "Humuhumunukunukuapua`a"??

TX

Rgds,

Ron

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 30 May 2007 11:41 am

It's the state Fish of ...... Hawaii

http://www.statefishart.com/states/west/hi.htm

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 30 May 2007 11:44 am

Bill Hankey wrote:Chris,

I disagree, b0b is not one to offer preferential treatment to any player or writer for any reason. I'll look back on some of your previous writings that may indicate a harboring of resentment toward threads containing explicit terminology. Denying others the chance to speak is pure nonsense without foundation. Not to worry, I spend very little time bickering, while there are so many who are agreeable to friendly exchanges.

My dictionary has this to say about the word "explicit":

"1. a: Fully expressed without vagueness, implication, or ambiguity: leaving no question as to meaning or intent b: .....[omitted, irrelevant].... 2: Fully developed or formulated 3: unambiguous in expression 4:...[omitted, irrelevant]...."

And later, in a discussion of synonyms:

"EXPLICIT, DEFINITE, EXPRESS, SPECIFIC mean perfectly clear in meaning. EXPLICIT implies such verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding."

While I have no problem at all with you gentlemen enjoying verbal recreation, and anyone who doesn't like it can quite simply not read it, as has been said, I would submit that "explicit" is hardly the term to describe these perorations. "Grandiloquent, sometimes bordering on obscurantist" would be more like it.

Robby Springfield · Post by **Robby Springfield** » 30 May 2007 12:09 pm

LMAO...!!! Bill, I love your knowledge of the english language but for the love of God...most of us are way too simple to compete with or understand what you are saying or why you are even saying it...what ever IT is??? Seems like it would be better to say five words that are easily understood than two pages of iuyre urt kjhsgkjhss, oiuykjherjkhe djfhjh! kj iuy iuyeruyeiuyr kjhfh hgur jg. See what I mean?

Steel guitar facts:
Spending more time behind your guitar will help improve your knowledge of the steel...hopefully.

Steel guitar fiction:
Learning every word in the dictionary and using them in the wrong place/platform will mask the inability to play well and will impress more players.

In all fairness...maybe the rest of us should spend more time behind the dictionary.

Now...what WAS the topic about??????????????

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 30 May 2007 12:55 pm

Bill
I'm going to concur with my friend Robbie.

As I've said before elsewhere, you are obviously an intelligent man with some great ideas and a complex mind. But if you want to communicate with anyone other than a very, very small percentage of the steel forum, I believe you need to reconsider and adjust your writing style accordingly.

So as to be concise and *explicit* (see Brint's post above), I'll offer that you're not effectively communicating anything except the fact that you've got a large vocabulary. I'm a moderately educated man, and I've had a successful career in newspaper advertising, so I know a little about communication. And frankly, your posts are so difficult to decipher that I simply don't have the time or the inclination to expend the amount of energy necessary to wade through the stuff.

If your goal is to demonstrate your ability to string together long, florid (but obfuscated) phrases, you are succeeding at that. But if you think you're getting a message about steel guitar across to most folks here, think again.

Yes, large numbers of people may look at your threads. That doesn't necessarily mean they read them. And far fewer comprehend them. You may very well be alienating a bunch of folks, and Chris simply has the cojones to say so publicly.

Since I believe I've accurately and succinctly stated my position, I'll shut up now and this will be the last you'll hear from me about your writing style. Proceed as you will, Bill.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 30 May 2007 1:01 pm

LMAO...!!! Bill, I love your knowledge of the english language but for the love of God...most of us are way too simple to compete with or understand what you are saying or why you are even saying it...what ever IT is???

I don't think BH even understands it, nor does he normally talk that way. I think it's all schtick.

While I have no problem at all with you gentlemen enjoying verbal recreation, and anyone who doesn't like it can quite simply not read it

As a forum member, I have the right to read or not read anything, as long as the thread remains up. A thread containing political ranting, sexual content or just off topic, is subject to be deleted according to the rules, right? So, what does this thread have anything to do with "Steel Players", when no one can understand it? Therefore, it's verbal recreation.
Right b0b?

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 30 May 2007 1:17 pm

Chris
I do think Bill's posts are about steel guitar, it's just that no one except a very small number of people can understand them!

I don't believe b0b has any rules about misspelled words, bad grammar, or even using another language besides English. What if someone wanted to post about Emmons guitars, Evans amps,... or whatever... in German, Hebrew, Swahili, Swedish, or Sanskrit? Still about steel, it's just that only a few, if any, readers would comprehend.

Political speech and sexual content tend to offend and alienate large numbers of people, which BH's posts do not. So I think they're not subject to deletion under the rules of b0b's sandbox.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 30 May 2007 1:22 pm

basilh,

Before you slip away, I am curious about another name for a Historical Lake in Webster, MA. I've always wanted to hear the pronunciation. It's called: Lake Chargoggagoggmanhaugagoggchaubunagungamaugg! Indian Ranch has featured many famous steel guitarist there, including George Edwards in past years. Guitar pickin' Sleepy La Beef was featured there one summer day.