Steel Player's Euphonious Steppingstones

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Jul 2007 1:55 pm

We never seem to tire of the euphonious "licks" that find us plugged in to search out an elusive arrangement of pleasing tones. Are there other unexplained reasons for those deliberate and tireless hours of searching?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Jul 2007 12:36 am

Modes of uncommon practices still prevail; "Where's the beef"? Loosely put, there has been a remarkable drop in the usual confab of late. Have the critiquing wells gone dry? I'm thinking that the hot sun lately may have raised havoc with incentives to respond. I'll just quote a familiar saying for now; "I'm not hard to find" as I stumble on and off the Steel Player's Forum.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 13 Jul 2007 6:18 am

The unknown is a journey Bill. And you have to keep searching to find it. THinking of it won't get it. Saerching for it will. If a man's desire to find the unknown stops than his journey is over and he has no need to search anymore. As for me, I press on. Knowledge is king and I am his servant. Playing enduces the creative flow and process. Keep playing, keep discovering!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Jul 2007 7:02 am

Bill, in my case, I just grew tired of your aimless discourse.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Jul 2007 8:01 am

Barry,

Do you really feel as though this forum warrants becoming hypercritical after becoming engrossed in a variety of trivia? It reminds me of a lawyer who demonstrated his skills by switching from pros to cons, to show that he simply had mastered the English language. From that experience, I learned that the spewing out of abject fault finding need not be taken to heart. Neither do moods project a person's true nature.

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 13 Jul 2007 9:10 am

I shall quote from an earlier post by Ken Byng, who wrote three very succinct words in an earlier Bill Hankey epic.

"What utter nonsense"

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 13 Jul 2007 9:31 am

Hear Hear
or is it There There

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Jul 2007 10:13 am

richard b.,

I couldn't practice consistently shunning the better things in life. Some folks shun a variety of things in life, while others live it to the fullest. If you can't relate to euphony, I would begin to worry!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Jul 2007 10:21 am

Bill, I wouldn't view my comment as hypercritical. I was simply implying that your constant, relentless barrage of words has worn me down to the point where I just don't care to deal with it anymore.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 13 Jul 2007 11:12 am

Barry, I totally agree. But the moderator allows this nonsense for some reason.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 13 Jul 2007 1:32 pm

Scott H.,

Thanks for the refreshing words of encouragement mingled with the disdaining responses from the UK and the California workshop. I think what they are telling me amounts to assuming an authoritative position to control who should be allowed to be a part of forum exchanges. This most recent verbal assault reminds me of the time my employer and I removed a huge hydraulic hoist from deep in solid earth by developing a 12 feet in length needle to force hot air around the structure. Speaking of the crew who had failed in their earlier attempts to raise the massive weight, my employer said; "I think we taught them something today." I can't imagine why that memory came to mind.

Tom Jordan · Post by **Tom Jordan** » 13 Jul 2007 1:50 pm

Bill,

I heven't tried the euphonious stuff yet but I'm working on the dorian an mixilodion

. Really, I haven't had much time of late to participate, congregate or pontificate 'cause I just got a new house, moved from the farm into a neighborhood and all that involves (selling horses, boats, yard sales)...I did keep one sailboat and a chicken though.

My bigger issue is that once I find that elusive lick and practice it to perfection, I can no longer stand to hear it! Go figure...

Keep talkin' bud, it is entertaining and sometimes thought provoking.

Tom

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 13 Jul 2007 2:07 pm

Bill,
Keep on plugging away! I've made a few snide comments that I feel badly about and I apologize.
The world would be a horrible place if we were all the same.
Enjoy

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 13 Jul 2007 2:32 pm

Yeah Bill, you really taught me.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 13 Jul 2007 4:17 pm

Oh Dear !!

Robert Harper · Post by **Robert Harper** » 13 Jul 2007 5:30 pm

I look forward to Bills post he can say nothin in more words than anyone I know or have met Keep posting Bill. I look foreard to reading your every word

Bobby Snell · Post by **Bobby Snell** » 13 Jul 2007 6:30 pm

I personally find Bill's threads entertaining, and sometimes informative, discussions about steel guitar. They also seem to be invitations to stretch the language legs. Enjoy...or don't click. Do you see him disparaging people on other threads?

Robert Harper · Post by **Robert Harper** » 13 Jul 2007 6:39 pm

His post are most eloquent. He truly thinks outside the box. The community needs more like him

Emmett Roch · Post by **Emmett Roch** » 13 Jul 2007 6:56 pm

Pray continue, O Word King. If nothing else (and that's not the case), your posts give me an excuse to knock the dust off my dictionary.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 13 Jul 2007 7:55 pm

Bill has already acknowledged in yet another of his threads, that he's just playing with words, not necessarily knowing or caring about syntax, definition, pronunciation, or any other "proper" usage of his verbiage. The words just look good on paper! I've compared his writings in the past to free jazz, and will continue to do so. Trying to make SENSE of his topics, comebacks, etc., is pointless. I don't believe he's writing to be understood, but I'm CONVINCED that he doesn't mean to offend.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 13 Jul 2007 8:06 pm

Bill, I seriously do not think any of the posters were attempting to decide who could and could not post; I think the comment about the moderators had more to do with a decision as to whether or not your posts have to do with the particular forum name, or whether they are just personal word excercises posted for your personal enjoyment.

Several folks have implied they sense a condescending manner in your posts, especially when they don't understand your circuitous phrasing and ask for "plain English", only to be rebuffed. To me the unwillingness to "translate" for those who don't understand IS condescending. You ARE consistent in maintaining your "stage persona", though. One wonders if you "stay in character" in all situations, or if you just save it for the SGF.

That condescension might be a clue as to why responses to your posts have dropped off. Many are simply tired of dealing with the archaic/faux-academic presentation and would rather discuss things with people who make a slightly more obvious point. You might *think* your posts are a "level above" such trite discussions; but they aren't if only a limited group will play with your deck of cards..

For others I think it's simply a matter of complete confusion - they have no idea what you are trying to say, nor do they understand why you continue to use such forced language. After a few attempts at trying to figure it out, they put you on their "ignore" list.

Personally, I find it all rather entertaining - in a Professor Irwin Corey sort of way. I see a Bill Hankey thread appear and as an old English major (and teacher) no matter how hard I try I can't avoid looking through the window to view the verbal carnage...

Edited to add (since SG and I were posting at the same time): "but I'm CONVINCED that he doesn't mean to offend."

Well, I have to say I disagree. If he didn't he'd step off the dais and speak to the "peasants" on their level when asked. His refusal to do so does not, to me, indicate an mere affinity for word play - it indicates (IMO) a personal superiority issue that is used as compensation for some other personal shortfall....

If that statement is confusing I'll translate - offline.

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 13 Jul 2007 11:04 pm

With the greatest respect,
This,and similar posts are cetainly in the wrong section.
If posted in "Humour" or "Forum Feedback"would give me(for one)the indication that the message contained therin will have little relevance to steelplaying.
Best regards
Billy

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Jul 2007 12:47 am

Thanks to all who have written messages of great interest to me. I've always been aware of the great frienships that can evolve from a special interest in steel guitars. I sincerely appreciate receiving messages from the wide band of communicative steel players around the "globe". Last night was exceptional in terms of responses, that have offered heart to heart concerns for a drifting writing status. It wouldn't be a good policy to try to respond to all comments made overnight. Billy Murdoch, from Glasgow, Scotland, U.K., was the last forum member to comment on this steel player's status quo. His words would incite a normal response in any language. He alluded to the contents of this thread having no bearing on steel guitars and their players. At the same time, I'm alluding to the structure of musical appreciation, as played on the steel guitar. I made reference to the euphonious tones of the instrument in this thread. Getting bogged down in negative fields, can be difficult to back away from.

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 14 Jul 2007 2:36 am

Bill,
Thanks for replying,
I make no apologies for having been educated in a Scottish school where English was taught.
I endeavour wherever possible to express myself in everyday words which I hope will be understood by all readers.
In reading your many posts I am left with the thought that enjoy putting subject matters in the most unusually expressive terms possible and do not wish to be understood.
I am intrigued,When you order a takeaway Pizza,does the delivery man bring Southern Fried Chicken?
I still think your posts should be in the Humour section

Best regards
Billy

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Jul 2007 4:46 am

Billy,

You leave me no choice, as I must chance falling into disfavor of forum members by exercising the "tools" Webster has provided to counter your subtle comments. Steel guitars as implied as your main interest in threads, bear no traces of connotative involvement with "humour". Like the leaking dam, your inferences are worthy of attention. I must borrow from Webster to counter a denuding of a scientific subject matter in the name of humor. Randomly interspersed contrariness denoting a need for delineation heightens my desires to respond in kind.

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Steel Player's Euphonious Steppingstones

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