Avino Rey right hand technique question

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 16 Oct 2003 9:23 am

I've been listening a lot to some BIg Band Alvino recently-

he does a lot of strums and sweeps, and very few if any obvious "grips" across more than 2 strings (which sound as if they are played with a single picking motion sequentially as opposed to simultaneously)

did Alvino wear a thumbpick and 2 finger picks? Thumb only? FLAT pick?

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 16 Oct 2003 10:02 am

Dave
Seeing Alvino Rey in person years back,he used a "thumb pick". Most of the time he used
a standard heavy gauge guitar flat pick.

Doug Seymour · Post by **Doug Seymour** » 16 Oct 2003 2:04 pm

Dave, I saw Alvino w/the King family @ Chautauqua NY back about the time they were on their own TV show. What I saw confirms Jody's recollections, of course I'm not as old as Jody, so I didn't see Alvino as long ago as he did! (Actually I might be even older???) Just pickin' on our great old gentleman, Jody! We need Al Marcus to get in on this one. I only saw Alvino using a thumbpick on pedal steel. Shame on me I'm not even able to recall if was a Fender or not, but I suspect it was? S or D ?? I can't even say that......seems like a S10?[This message was edited by Doug Seymour on 16 October 2003 at 03:08 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 16 Oct 2003 3:15 pm

Sometimes, he did just use a thumb pick. Other times, he used a thumbpick and one finger-pick (on his index-finger). Personally, I never saw him play steel with a flat pick. But since he also played guitar, I guess that's certainly possible.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 16 Oct 2003 4:07 pm

Donny Hinson you are 100% right. I have a photo of Alvino and myself and you can plainly see the thumbpick and index finger pick..

You just won a trip to my house and the reward is being locked in a room with me listening to my looooonnnng stories and there
is no way out.

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 16 Oct 2003 9:05 pm

Jody knows. Both ways.
But I saw Alvino from 6 feet away using a flat pick, several times when he switched back and forth playing the guitar which he also did so well.
But when he played the steel throughout the whole tune then he used the thumbpick and one finger pick.
Back then our guitars were tuned for chords and you could not hit a bad note in the chord.
I have also used the thumb and first finger to sweep up and down at the same time.
Now I use 4 picks. I learned that from Reece......al

------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 17 Oct 2003 11:22 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> reward is being locked in a room with me listening to my looooonnnng stories and there
is no way out.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

oh the Horror!!!

been there, done that.... I'm still alive!

you should take him up on it Donny...

thanks to all who have responded... [This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 17 October 2003 at 12:23 PM.]

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 17 Oct 2003 1:26 pm

I am so glad to see all this interest in Alvino. A great musical treasure for this world and THE major innovator in pedal steel development.
I consider myself most fortunate to have been at the Sierra factory when Alvino came in for a visit. He had his Sho Bud steel that needed some work. His decision was that he would allow us to build him a new steel. After hearing the chord structure in my 14 string steel, he decided to add one more string to his new steel. I have an 080 ga sting on my 14th string tuning and he liked that. So he opted for an eleven string tuning with this string on the bottom.
Alvino spent the week and a half with us while we built this steel. It was such a great priviledge to spend time with this legend and his most gracious wife, Louise, God rest her soul. Sitting in his RV in front of the factory every morning having coffee and great conversation about the musical instrumment we all love, and Alvino and Louise sharing their stories is all anyone in my meager position could ever hope to have.
Watching him play my steel was a great feeling for me. He used a thumb pick and one finger pick. Told me he likes to have at least eight hours practice a day or he is not comfortable on stage with less than than.
Also shared many memories when he was in Europe studying classical guitar under the great Segovia. One story he was fond of was that if he ever did tell Segovia that he (Alvino) liked the electric steel guitar, Segovia would have kicked him out of Europe forever.
PS: I want to send thanks again to the PSGA, Bob Maickel and crew for presenting to me their 1989 Appreciation Award at the same time they gave this same award to Alvino Rey.
I was in the best of company that day and will never forget this. Thanks so much for the memories with Alvino Rey.
Stay healthy Alvino.

Bill Stafford

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 17 Oct 2003 4:29 pm

oh the Horror!!! quote DVA

been there, done that.... I'm still alive!
Thanks Dave,you always have something nice to say,,,and all the while I thought you had a good time..OH well we tried.

You left your cookies here

But you took the dogs food

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 17 October 2003 at 08:58 PM.]

Roy Ayres · Post by **Roy Ayres** » 18 Oct 2003 5:34 am

Bill:

I have been practicing 3 to 4 hours per day. Are you telling me that if I practice eight hours per day, I can play like Alvino?

Roy

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 18 Oct 2003 1:48 pm

Jody-
you KNOW I had a great time, and the dog biscuits were de-lish!!

My best to you and yourn...

Greg Sullivan · Post by **Greg Sullivan** » 26 Oct 2003 8:42 pm

I dont comment often on this Steel Forum. I am by far an expert at the instrument you all
play. By trade I am a trombonist. I have known Jody Carver all of my life. (47) years.

I have never ever found Jody or his stories
to be reffered to as "Horror". He has been there at a time in history that few have been
and his kind hearted sense of humor and sincerity should not be made into what some
feel is funny.

I am sorry to take issue with the person who
made this comment inasmuch as Jody is a hospitable person and he and his wife Marilyn
have entertained my wife and myself often and
we have found Jody's stories interesting and humorous and not as a "Horror".

Time will pass and those who appreciate my friend will be sorry when he is gone. And those of you, who know Jody will realize he meant to entertain you and not cause you any discomfort with his stories of
his expieriences.And I know of no one that
Jody has offended with his so called "Horror"
stories. His Stories are meant to entertain you and tell you of his times back when that he is proud of and nothing more. He is not a braggard and he has class and dignity and would never make a comment as the person in this subject did in jest or otherwise.

I dont feel that the individual who makes light of what he feels is a sense of humor is
in good taste. I think this person who made this
comment should re-think before commenting on someone he hardly knows. If that is a sense of humor, it is warped and needs to be re-worked.

A Long Time Friend of Jody Carver's and darn proud of it.

Greg Sullivan [This message was edited by Greg Sullivan on 26 October 2003 at 09:43 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 27 Oct 2003 8:42 am

Jody, you do me great honor to invite me over, but I am far from worthy of such an accolade. Alas, I'm just a "hacker" on steel...always have been!

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 27 Oct 2003 8:49 am

Mr Sullivan;

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I think this person who made this
comment should re-think before commenting on someone he hardly knows. If that is a sense of humor, it is warped and needs to be re-worked.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The statement "oh the horror!!!" was intended to be facetiously funny, and I believe Mr Carver understood it to be so. My intention was to truly advise Mr Hinson that he SHOULD take Jody up on the offer. Which I believe Mr Hinson to have understood.

As to my "hardly knowing" Jody Carver:

I myself count myself among Jody's most ardent admirers and fans for at least the last ten years. I am the person who created the only website dedicated to the Hot Club of America in Hi-Fi related to which I have been in contact with Jody Carver for several (6 maybe) years and have spent countless hours sharing his reminscences via phone and email;

I have myself ,quite recently, spent a thoroughly delightful afternoon with the man and his beautiful wife in their lovely home with my wife and young son, finally getting to meet and shake the hand of a man I consider a pioneer and previously unsung hero of steel guitar in pop music.

I admire his steel playing, his place in the history of New York session playing, steel guitars and Fender, and his willingness to share his knowledge of such extensively.

I may not be his "confidant" or his "bosom buddy" but I feel we have mutual respect and admiration, and I also feel we share an off-beat sense of humor, which unfortunately others may not understand. I think the smilies in his reply concerning the dog biscuits show this.

Jody, would you care to comment? If I have misrepresented our relationship please say so.

I am a long time member of this forum. I may not agree with some folks,and they may not agree with me about many things. But I believe anyone who has participated on this forum for a while KNOWS how I feel about Jody Carver, and the Hot Club of America in Hi-Fi.

------------------

"I AM Z-BOY!"

Zumsteel U12 "Loafer" 8&6 :: ZB Custom D-10

:: Fender Tube Amplification
www.voicenet.com/~vanallen/ :: vanallen@voicenet.com :: www.lasttrainhome.com::
My Live365 Broadcast

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 27 Oct 2003 9:26 am

I was just about to respond to Greg's exceptions to Dave Van Allans previous post, but will "yield" to his explanation.

I find nothing in any post herein that is disrespectfully presented about Jody Carver. He is, as he is with me, respected among his peers in the steel community!

Jody is my friend, and I would be one of the first to protest if someone dissed him, but I find nothing doing that in this thread.
www.genejones.com

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 27 Oct 2003 12:13 pm

so...

how about that Alvino Rey!?!? some right hand, huh?

pretty good left too!

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 27 Oct 2003 1:53 pm

Gregory J. Sullivan is my God Child. He was
trying to protect me from what he veiwed as
an attack on me personally. His middle initial stands for Jody. What would you have done on a spur of the moment. More people should have the compassion and love for people that Greg has and his musicianship is excellent just like he is.

He has witnessed other incidents such as this
invloving other Forum members who shall remain nameless and he asked me why? My answer? I had none.

I would appreciate if you would let this end
I have seen others taken to task in the years back and it only takes a few words that
ignite some people.

Please let this be. He is a fine guy and I dont want any more of this Forum or no Forum.

Let There Be Peace In The Valley. Please.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 27 October 2003 at 01:56 PM.]

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 27 Oct 2003 7:59 pm

close it up please b0b.

another misunderstanding brought to you courtesy of the internet.[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 27 October 2003 at 08:20 PM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 28 Oct 2003 4:54 am

Bob can close this thread if Dave wishes.but
I wanted everyone to know that all is well and we still love Big DVA.

The Knight Of Fender Tweed Has Spoken

.

ALL IS WELL.

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 28 Oct 2003 7:58 am

"the feeling is mutual, I am sure."

what 40's era radio personality said this? or was it 50's- ? Judy Holliday?

I am too young to know....

[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 28 October 2003 at 11:01 AM.]

Greg Sullivan · Post by **Greg Sullivan** » 28 Oct 2003 3:10 pm

Mr Van Allen
I want to extend my hand in friendship and say that I am sorry for jumping the gun.

When the best friend I have tells me I was wrong thats good enough for me. Thank you for helping Jody and John Cucci. Jody always
speaks as high as the sky about you and those words come from Jody,and if Jody feels as he does about people like yourself,I join
him and apologize for my premature comments to you and any others I may have caused dis-comfort. I am sorry.

Yours Sincerely

Greg Sullivan

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 29 Oct 2003 4:55 am

Thats My Boy

You can close this thread as Dave requested.

All is Well

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 1 Nov 2003 7:14 pm

Greg Sullivan has openly in view of all you people apologized to Dave Van Allen and I didnt think it was necessary as he did what he did to protect his friend (me) from what he felt was inapropriate on Dave Van Allens part.

Inasmuch as it may have been in jest,Greg took it the way it sounded and for that I applaud him.

All is well and as Dave requested close this thread. Next time..if there is a next time maybe people will understand each other better.

Close PLEASE. edited this is the third request to close this thread..please do so.

Thanks.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 01 November 2003 at 07:16 PM.]

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 1 Nov 2003 8:34 pm

but not before I throw in my 2 cents.....well, um, I'm a little short this week. Hey Jody, could you loan me a few shekels til' my uncle straightens out?

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 2 Nov 2003 7:19 am

Hey Jody, could you loan me a few shekels til' my uncle straightens out?

Howard my dear friend..I would do anything for you. How far is your uncle bent over?

understand what Im talkin about Mister