posted 25 October 2001 12:37 PM         

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BJ Bailey

posted 26 October 2001 10:03 AM         

Then I read on the Forum that Joaquin Murphy did it the same way.

And I also do something all the time I'm playing. Call it whatever, I try to keep the band sound up. There is a hole there when I don't play and I feel like I'm getting paid for playing, not laying.

And now you guys are doing it the same way as I do. Like I said; Thanks a million !!

posted 26 October 2001 11:18 AM         

...compete, as in compete with the lead player?
...compost, as in sounds like..?..
...complain, as in that's what the other band members do when you do it?..
...comply, as in play what the leader tells you to play?..
...competent, as in just barely, that's why you're thumping those little chords?..
...compose, as in you made up the progression as you go?..
...complete, as in 'if I play anything other than these chords, I'm going to make a complete ass of myself?..
...compelled, as in 'why does that steel player always feel compelled to play something?..
...comprehend, as in 'I comprehend these chords, but that's about it?...
...compromise, as in 'I'll meet you halfway, I'll just play chords and you'll keep me in the band?..
...compound, as in 'first he plays out of tune, and then compounds the problem by playing those chords in a different key than everyone else?..
...non compos mentis, as in 'not of sound mind', from which derives, as we learned last week, 'nincompoop'...

Websters says "comp", as in comping chords, is short for "accompany". I'll buy that.

posted 26 October 2001 11:34 AM         

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Rod's Place

posted 27 October 2001 08:30 AM         

I will sometimes play roots and fives on the low frequency end to add support in the forgotten baritone range.

posted 27 October 2001 09:51 AM         

I've been laying out for going on 46 years. I'm still looking for my turn to jump in somewhere.

posted 27 October 2001 10:29 AM         

If you're in a very small band environment, say only 4-5 pieces, the steel will be required to perform more work. As a personal example, frequently Johnny Bush will only carry 4 pieces besides himself: fiddle, steel, bass and drums. Fiddle cannot be counted as any type of rhythm instrument, sorry; only adds an occasional "chink chink," but mostly the fiddlers around here tuck the instrument under their arms when not called upon for solos or fills, as is appropriate. In that situation, there is no chordal instrument, such as guitar or piano, so the steel must be playing pads at least to fill out the sound.

Again, personal example: Cornell Hurd has a large western swing band: piano, 3 guitars with well-defined roles, bass, drums, saxophone, fiddle, and steel. The lead instruments... steel, fiddle, lead guitar, and to a lesser extent the piano and baritone sax... provide the "color" textures, so that if everyone was playing ALL the time, there would be TOO MUCH going on, and the sound would be cluttered and monotonous. We do a lot of two-part backup work, either fiddle/steel, fiddle/guitar, or guitar/steel, arranged beforehad and playing parts. In the times we are not playing our defined roles, either lead or backup, we stop playing and let the other players have their say. So the backup sound is always full, but always different during the various parts of the song.

The basic rule of thumb is this: the more melody/chordal instruments onstage, the less each individual musician is required (and is supposed) to do. This is basic Arranging 101.

Except the piano, bass and drums, of course. They follow the "Rule of Thump."

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

posted 28 October 2001 09:54 AM         

Regards, Paul

[This message was edited by Paul Graupp on 28 October 2001 at 09:56 AM.]

posted 29 October 2001 06:39 AM         

I like for each song to have it's separate sound, if possible. I really dislike bands who use the same instrumentation and style with every song. Yuck!
I think the steel is a great instrument to assist with dynamics and the feel of the song. Right up there with bass and drums.
(spoken like an ex bass player, I suppose)
Last weekend I played rythmn guitar on about 1/3 of the songs. Last night I only played it on two or three songs. I think that's because I'm finding more ways to use the steel for different types of songs and how to use it for dynamics to support the music.

Thanks, everyone, for this great thread and wonderful advice.

posted 08 November 2001 11:26 PM         

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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!

posted 09 November 2001 04:33 AM         

Reminds me of an related experience once when a different fiddle player was added to the band who never took his fiddle from under his chin.....with the bandstand volume it was impossible to tell whether he was playing lead, backup, or just practicing.

Our outspoken guitar player solved the problem when he tapped the new fiddle player on the arm just before the second set and said:

posted 09 November 2001 07:13 AM         

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STEELDAYS 2002
my web-site
my bands CODand TSC

posted 12 November 2001 06:35 AM         

I can't believe it's taken two pages of replies to come up with the obvious answer.
The only problem is, you forgot to mention the blondes.

posted 12 November 2001 04:10 PM         

I'm guess I'm just not as focused as the rest of the guys. When I saw the "Laying" I didn't even think of pedal steel.

posted 13 November 2001 07:09 AM         

I like the way you think.

posted 17 November 2001 01:22 PM         

Only difference was "no flowers" If my guitar case was longer I could have reposed &
been the first corpse to get paid for "being
laid out" no applause please. This is serious