INSTRUMENTALS......a thing of the past?

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 12 Dec 2003 4:29 pm

How many steel guitar instrumentals do you know and how many can you actually play?
Just curious...........

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 12 Dec 2003 4:34 pm

I try to make my own, plus arranging instrumental versions of 'vocal' songs.
My singing voice is so lousy that I really need the lap steel to carry the melody for me.

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 12 Dec 2003 4:59 pm

55 on my "practice/playlist" these days ...

Its usually 50. 25 are "permanent" ... 25 are "revolving" (take 5 off and put 5 new ones on, every couple months) ...

But I added my 5 holiday songs ... tis the season

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www.horseshoemagnets.com

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 13 Dec 2003 1:10 am

I for one, don't think instrumentals are a thing of the past. But I would think there heyday is behind us, for country music anyways.

In the 30's and 40's, audiences wanted a hot swingin' band to dance to. It seems now the audiences would rather have a catchy chorus to sing along to.

How many instrumentals do I know? More than I could probably remember all at one time. Here are some that I play on a regular basis:

Steel Guitar Rag(E13)
Panhandle Rag(C6)
Boot Heel Drag(E13)
Remington Ride(C6)
Blue Guitar Stomp(A6 and E13)
Blue Bonnet Rag(C6 and E13)
Lover(E13)
Bouquet of Roses(A6)
Rocking Alone in an Old Rocking Chair(A6)
San Antonio Rose(A6 and E13)
I've Still Got My Home In San Antone(A6, E13)
Steelin' the Blues(C6)
Steelin' Home(A6)
Tennessee Waltz(C6)
Kayton's Rag(D9)
Bud's Bounce(yes, I do it without pedals E13)
Texas Playboy Rag(A6)
Hawaiian Sunset(A6)
Wabash Blues(C6)
Byrd's Nest(D9)
Chime In(C6)
Speedin' West(A6)
Three String Swing(C6)
West of Samoa(C6)
B. Bowman Hop(A6)

I use Kayton Roberts' C6, regular A6, and Leon's E13. The D9 tuning is just C6, with the 4th string dropped from G down to F#.

Certain songs I know will be requested, no matter where I'm playing or who I'm playing to.Usually it's things like "San Antonio Rose", and "Steel Guitar Rag". If they bend my arm(and tip the band) I'll play "Sleepwalk", but I try to keep that one of my list, since it seems everybody else and their grandma already plays it.

I play quite a few "word" songs as instrumentals. Usually by people like Bob Wills, Eddy Arnold, and other original artists whose material lends itself to "steel guitar instrumentalizing".

I know the number of actual "Hawaiian" songs I play is pretty pathetic, but I don't think "Sand" and "Beyond the Reef" are what the people in the honky tonks downtown expect to hear, so I try to keep it to dancable western swing type two steppers.

I also have about 8 instrumentals I have penned myself, and play on occasion. I suppose the instrumental form of song will only die if people stop writing them, so I geuss that's part of why I make my own.

Chris Scruggs
[This message was edited by Chris Scruggs on 13 December 2003 at 01:13 AM.][This message was edited by Chris Scruggs on 14 December 2003 at 04:38 PM.]

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 13 Dec 2003 7:13 am

Hey Chris,

Pretty neat list!

I do occasional Steel Guitar Shows here in Austria, so here are some of the tunes I have to keep in my repertoire:

Steel Guitar Rag
Steelin' The Blues
Faded Love
It's Now Or Never
Sleepwalk
Canadian Sunset
Midnight Silence
Tracy's Waltz
Easy Going
Blue Jade
Crazy Arms
Texas Playboy Rag
Once Upon A Time In The West
Apple Jack
Panhandle Rag
Making Believe
Remington Ride
Cajun Potatoes
Danny Boy
When A House Is Not A Home
I Love You Because
Blues Stay Away From Me
Amazing Grace
Lucinda's Prayer
Bud's Bounce

I have to admit though that I don't practice all of them regularly, I have to sit down and bring them back to my mind if I know that I will need them.

Walter

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Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 13 Dec 2003 7:55 am

Chris, nice list. I was wondering what tunings you were using for those songs ? Do you know what tuning "Blue Guitar Stomp" was recorded in on the Leon version? Thanks

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 13 Dec 2003 7:56 am

Ok, let's name some instrumentals that actually have made it to the "Top 40" (for lack of better term) in the last 50 years.

Sleepwalk
Dueling Banjos
A Walk In The Black Forest (obscure but true)
Java (Al Hirt)
A number of tunes by the Tijuana Brass
Ventures surf guitar tunes

Any more?

The folk scare of the 60's and the "Bob Dylan-ification" of the guitar killed the instrumental on the airways.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 13 Dec 2003 8:08 am

I play a "Dobroized" version of The Lonely Bull in open E.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 13 Dec 2003 8:54 am

Back in the good ole' days (showing my age again), I always kept a list of 25 or 30 instrumentals that I felt comfortable playing....and that I knew any working musician would know.

In recent years (read the past ten years) I have found that any steel-guitar instrumental other than "Steel Guitar Rag" usually brought a look of "panic" from the band unless it was rehearsed and with charts.

I finally gave up and just play SGR if asked for an instrumental. Fiddle players feel the same way, they only play Orange Blossum Special for an instrumental.
www.genejones.com

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 13 Dec 2003 11:58 am

Wasn't Buckeroo the last country instrumental to make it into the top 10 chart? I don't think there has been anything since that has made it anywhere in the country charts.

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 13 Dec 2003 12:00 pm

I like playing Jimmie Vaughns "Hillbillies from outerspace. It's a blues shuffel on the album he and his brother Stevie did called "Vaughan Brother's, Family Style". Jimmy used an 8 string C6 tuning thru a leslie or something. I also like Dewitt Scott's version of "Great Speckled Bird and St. Louis Blues". I learned those 2 songs from his basic lap steel instruction book. Sleep Walk, Steel guitar rag and Panhandle rag are some of the instrumentals I started with.[This message was edited by Jesse Pearson on 13 December 2003 at 12:02 PM.]

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 13 Dec 2003 3:55 pm

I play a few which include;

SG Rag
Panhandle Rag
Remington Ride
Roadside Rag
Georgia Steel Guitar
Blue Steel Blues
Steelin' The Blues
Last Date

and many others which include Sleepwalk. I do not understand the negative attitude toward SG Rag and Sleepwalk. They are two of the most recognized songs requested by steel guitar enthusiasts. I guarantee any time you play Sleepwalk, the dance floor will fill up. I proudly play them.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Don Walters · Post by **Don Walters** » 13 Dec 2003 11:34 pm

In the 40's and early 50's there were a lot of instrumentals on the "hit parade" ... Autumn Leaves, Ebb Tide, a lot of Glenn Miller numbers, etc, etc ... big band/big orchestra stuff.

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 14 Dec 2003 4:15 pm

I edited my first message to include my tunings on those songs.

Blue Guitar Stomp is in E 13th, but I like to play it in A 6th for the first couple of verses, and then go to E 13th when it gets "hot".

Leon's E 13th:

E
C#
B
G#
F#
D
G#
E[This message was edited by Chris Scruggs on 14 December 2003 at 04:30 PM.]

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 14 Dec 2003 4:26 pm

Kenny,

I don't think that in general steel players dislike "Steel Guitar Rag" or "Sleepwalk". I just think that most of us have heard them and have had to play them so many times that they would rather do something different.

I know quite a few fiddlers who no longer like playing "Orange Blossom Special", or "Faded Love", because they've played them so many times.

When I first started playing steel, I LOVED to play "Steel Guitar Rag". 1,000,000 times later, I'd just rather play something else.

And at my gig this afternoon, I ended up playing it TWICE!

Chris

Bryan Bradfield · Post by **Bryan Bradfield** » 14 Dec 2003 7:01 pm

On a 6 string dobro, in high base G tuning, I play the following in either a solo style without the band, or with the band accompanying. The solo style is often necessarily in a particular key, after quite a bit of effort in arranging, so I've noted the keys I use.

Sentimental Journey - D.
Wheels - Bb, modulating to C.
Now & Then There's a Fool Such As I - G.
Hey Jude - D.
Yellow Bird - C.
Tequila - E, modulating to A, and back to E.
Last Date - C.
Banks of the Ohio - A.
Windy & Warm - Gm.
Wayfaring Stranger - Em
Frankie & Johnny - G.

There are a few others, but these are my main "players".

With the band, I play "Sleepwalk" in a G6 tuning on a lap steel. We recorded this number as an extended intro to Roy Orbison's "Running Scared", and we perform this medley at every show.

Bryan Bradfield

http://www.members.shaw.ca/DirtyHatBand/ [This message was edited by Bryan Bradfield on 14 December 2003 at 07:30 PM.][This message was edited by Bryan Bradfield on 14 December 2003 at 07:33 PM.]

Kenny Dail · Post by **Kenny Dail** » 14 Dec 2003 7:01 pm

Chris, I like you, at times get tired of doing the same old instrumentals. When this situation arises, I usually do a "different arrangement" just to keep it interesting. A change of tempo, or a different beat, or anything that might appeal to a de-sensitized ear. These are "Steel Guitar Stamdards" identified with our beautiful instrument and I do not hesitate to play a request if I know how to play it. I appreaciate your comments and I do understand.

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kd...and the beat goes on...

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 14 Dec 2003 11:43 pm

Kenny,
Yeah. I have no problem playing those two songs. But I do them only if requested. If somebody want's to here it, I do it without fuss, but I'd rather play "Panhandle Rag" over "Steel Guitar Rag".

I still think SGR is a great one, though(first on my list). But like I said, I had to play it TWICE today in the same show!

Chris S.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 15 Dec 2003 2:20 am

SGR was the first tune I did as an instrumental with my band, later on I suggested to try something else, so we started playing "Cajun Potatoes", an obscure Winnie Winston tune that I really like a lot, they learned it and seem to like it (or are they just too polite???), it also gives the lead guitar player plenty of room to jump in. We still play SGR occasionally, also "Remington Ride" is still on our playlist.

Walter

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seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 15 Dec 2003 12:34 pm

Gerald wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Ok, let's name some instrumentals that actually have made it to the "Top 40" (for lack of better term) in the last 50 years.
Sleepwalk
Dueling Banjos
A Walk In The Black Forest (obscure but true)
Java (Al Hirt)
A number of tunes by the Tijuana Brass
Ventures surf guitar tunes <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think these guitar hits were top 40;
Classical Gas - had to be!
S.R.V. (Eric Johnson)

my personal play list is growing slowly and includes:
Steel Guitar Rag
Sleepwalk
Crazy Arms
Panhandle Rag
Remington Ride
Danny Boy
Amazing Grace
Bud's Bounce
Greensleves (sniff)
Hula Blues
Chloe
Sand
How'd ya do
Blue Hawaii
In The Mood
A-Train
Tequilla
On a Little Street in Singapore

Chris

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon"
www.book-em-danno.com

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 15 Dec 2003 12:50 pm

Oooops, you are right Chris, I forgot "Classical Gas".

I don't know if I've ever heard S.R.V. (Stevie Ray Vaughn I presume).

Here is my instrumental repertoire. Not all of these songs are performance quality, many are on my "to-do" list (but I have stumbled through them all at least once).

I got an email yesterday that read
"Increase your Hawaiian Repertoire by 3 Inches!"

A Flower Lei
A Song Of Old Hawaii
Adventures In Paradise
Alekoki
Aloha Oe
Aloha Tears
Analani E
Beautiful Kahana
Beyond The Reef
Blue Bahamas
Blue Hawaii
Blue Hawaiian Moonlight
Blue Lei
Boot Heel Drag
Cherry Blossom Red
Coconut Grove
Cold Cold Heart
Come On Nancy
Coquette
Dream
Drifting and Dreaming
E Maliu Mai
E Mama E
E Manao
For You A Lei
For You And I
Hana
Hanalehi Moon
Hano Hano Hanalehi
Harbor Lights
Hawaiian Hospitality
Hawaiian Hula Eyes
Hawaiian Souvenirs
Hawaiian War Chant
Hue Hue
Hula Blues
Hula Breeze
I'm Confessin'
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Iniki Mailie
Isle Of Golden Dreams
It Happened In Monterey
Jazzin' The Strings
Kaneohe
King's Seranade
Kuuipo - Andy Iona
Lei Momi
Little Brown Gal
Little Heaven of the Seven Seas
Lovelight In The Starlight
Lovely Hula Girl
Lovely Hula Hands
Mai Poina
Makalapua
Mapuana
Maria Elena
Maui Chimes
Maui No Ka Oe'
Minnehaha
Moana Chimes
Moana Loa
Moon Of Manakoora
Moonlight And Shadows
Most Of All I Want Your Love
My Hawaiian Souvenirs
My Rose Of Waikiki
My Sweet Sweet
My Tane
Nalani
Nani Hawaii
On A Coconut Island
On A Little Bamboo Bridge
On The Beach At Waikiki
Once In A While
Pagan Love Song
Panhandle Rag
Paradise Isle
Patches
Pearly Shells
Poinciana
Pua Lilia
Rainbows Over Paradise
Rhythm of the Islands
Rudolph Red Nose Reindeer
Sand
Silouhette Hula
Sing Me A Song Of The Islands
Sleepwalk
Sleepy Lagoon
Smoke Rings
Soft Green Seas
South Sea Island Magic
South Sea Lullaby
South Sea Moon
Spanish Eyes
Stars Fell On Alabama
Steel Guitar Rag
Sweet Leilani
The One Rose
Twilight In Hawaii
Twelfth St. Rag
Waikiki
Waltz Across Texas
Watch What Happens
Weave A Lei
Westphalia Waltz
When You're Smiling
White Christmas
White Ginger Blossom
Winter Wonderland
Yellow Roses

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 16 December 2003 at 01:21 PM.]

seldomfed · Post by **seldomfed** » 16 Dec 2003 8:39 am

S.R.V. - yup Stevie Ray, cool instrumental.

[quote]I got an email yesterday that read
"Increase your Hawaiian Repertoire by 3 Inches!" [\quote]

Gerald - Is that an herbal memory enhancement remedy, or a mechanical device, like ah -backing tracks?

geez that's a huge list - move out here and we'll start a band

Happy Holidays! They're shutting down the business for a week, so I'm going to stay home next week and learn a new tune or two!

cheers - chris

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Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"There is no spoon" www.book-em-danno.com

[This message was edited by seldomfed on 16 December 2003 at 08:40 AM.]

George Rout · Post by **George Rout** » 16 Dec 2003 7:18 pm

Hey guys, what happened to all the nice but old Eddy Arnold tunes, To My Sorrow, Bucket of Roses, Be Sure There's No Mistake, and the best of all, I'll Hold You In My Heart to name a few...These are all great sounding tunes in the A Major tuning. Lil Roy Wiggins played them all......and so do I.
George

Chris Scruggs · Post by **Chris Scruggs** » 16 Dec 2003 11:20 pm

George,

I do "Bouquet Of Roses" and "Rocking Alone In An Old Rocking Chair". I would like to work up "I'll Hold You In My Heart". I could play "I'll Hold You In My Hearet" right now, but it wouldn't be as "polished" as I'd like an Eddy Arnold tune to be. I'd like to do Little Roy some justice

.

I'd also like to do "Texarkana Baby", but I would rather play it behind a singer than play it as an instrumental.

Chris S.

Chris

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 17 Dec 2003 1:56 am

I wonder what would we be left with if we discounted all the instrumental versions of "SONGS" listed here, and just left the TRUE instrumentals ?
Baz