I got the chance to play in public for the first time yesterday, at an evening service at our church. I was actually on steel in only one out of seven songs we played (I played piano/keys in all others) in a band with electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. When playing I found it very hard to get the right intonation with the bar, and found out later that the two 6-string guitarists were both somewhat out of tune by that point in the service. I wasn't sure at the time where the problem was so I ended up playing so softly I could only be heard in one or two spots in the song. I also felt kinda lost in the wash of the stage sound so I basically went into 'timid' mode. The last thing I wanted to do was blurt out a chord or some lick that was 43 cents flat or sharp. So in my very first outing with a band I've already learned 2 things about live steel playing (both are less significant issues with keyboards, my historical axe): (1) others' tuning can really effect you, and (2) you really need to be able to hear yourself well!
Anyway, I have finally imposed myself on an unsuspecting public. My itty bitty playing notwithstanding, the steel guitar itself generated a lot of interest from some of the other musicians and a few onlookers who actually want to hear more in the future. [cool!]
Now I wonder if a few notes played in a public setting actually make for a bona fide steel debut. Do y'all think I should delete "steel not out of the woodshed" from my Forum signature line?
I wouldn't worry about something being slightly out of tune, 99% of the people listening are not going to notice anyway. The main thing is, you generated some interest in the Steel Guitar. My steel is well received in the Praise Band at my Church, even though we sing almost no "Country" style songs.
Yep, don't worry about not quite being in tune, especially if there are six-stringers to blame!!!! hehehe
I play steel in church sometimes, too, and it has been well received. Everyone seems to like it, so that's good. I don't have to worry about hearing myself, because my amp is placed slightly behind me on stage. (Then I ask someone in the audience to give me a signal if I am too loud.)
Yes, take your woodshed note off your signature. After all, you are now playing in public. That takes substantial intestinal fortitude at the beginning.
Hey Bill,
Congratulations on your steel debut! It only gets better from here on. Remember that one live gig with a band is worth more to you than 6 months of practice in a music room. Good luck Bud..........
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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney tuning.
Bill I just did my first church gig and it was an experience. A good one tho Bill, you will soon leard not playin to much is a plus! Just fills and fills and======= I enjoyed mysel and my wife was happy as heck. Ole Dave
Thanks for all the comments, fellows! I did have fun and learned a lot. It was quite a bit of work hauling that heavy MSA from an upstairs bedroom at home to the church to play in just one song, but ya' gotta start off somehow! The worship team leader is also not really a fan of country so she's being pretty good about letting me work the instrument in. I'll try not to sound too country.
Incidentally, another thing I learned is that the band really needs to create a slot for the steel, just as they would for vocal. Otherwise the steel gets lost.
Oh yes, I've also changed my signature line....
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<font size=-1>Bill L | My steel page | Email | My music | Steeler birthdays | Over 50?</font><FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Llewellyn on 26 February 2002 at 06:05 PM.]</p></FONT>
My second time around playing in front of a live audience was yesterday (at church) and it went far better than my first (two weeks ago). I played a whole two songs this time, but there were no tuning problems and I could hear myself quite well. I had my amp sitting right next to me as a monitor while my MSA was being fed directly into the main PA system (actually, after my Lexicon MPX-100). My bar placement and intonation were ok, and my licks for the simple and slow songs we did were reasonable. The steel sound I heard coming back from the auditorium sounded pretty good! The other band members also liked the blend of the steel in the music (they could hardly hear me last time). The ensemble leader (not a country fan) actually recommended steel in one of the two songs, and it worked out really well.
What a difference two weeks makes! I hope there's some inertia to this.....
My itty bitty playing notwithstanding, the steel guitar itself generated a lot of interest from some of the other musicians and a few onlookers who actually want to hear more in the future. [cool!]
hehehe
