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What do you do when "laying out"? (Page 1)
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
What do you do when "laying out"? (Page 1)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: What do you do when "laying out"? |
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Tony Orth Member Posts: 428 |
posted 24 October 2001 06:48 AM
Okay guys, here's your chance for some fun!! I've been given a lot of great advice but the most prevelant message has been "learn when to lay out". I mean, my brain operates at the speed of light and it needs to be occupied. This ought to bring out some rich answers. Tony |
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Pat Burns Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 24 October 2001 07:05 AM
...trim my toenails...read a book...go get a drink...mimic the bass player...practice the next song... [This message was edited by Pat Burns on 24 October 2001 at 07:17 AM.] |
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Larry Bell Member Posts: 4116 |
posted 24 October 2001 07:19 AM
What's wrong with listening to the band? It creates good will with the other band members and leaves you a channel or two of that immense brain to devote to thinking about what you're gonna use for fills or that solo that's coming up. It's also an opportunity to make eye contact with the audience. Although I doubtless do it myself, fidgeting should be avoided, as is picking your nose or adjusting bodily appendages. Just my thoughts. ------------------ |
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 24 October 2001 07:37 AM
Well, you could change strings... |
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Ray Jenkins Member Posts: 1986 |
posted 24 October 2001 07:42 AM
Tony,this is that time you start checking out the chicks,wink,body lanuage ect.Oh and by the way don't forget when it's your turn to play again.  :Ray------------------ |
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Earl Erb Member Posts: 886 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:32 AM
Sign autographs. |
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ScoobyDoo unregistered Posts: 886 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:32 AM
Pick your nose! |
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Richard Sinkler Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:37 AM
I typically just lay my arms on top of my guitar and look at chicks or watch and listen to the rest of the band. |
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KENNY FORBESS Member Posts: 792 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:43 AM
I totally agree with Larry, and above all, look relaxed and confident, NOT arrigant. Stand your bar on end between the necks and at the audience.Kenny |
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Pat Burns Member Posts: 2896 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:52 AM
...  at the cute chick in the audience and then stand your bar on end on the front of the guitar...(confidently, not arrogantly)..[This message was edited by Pat Burns on 24 October 2001 at 08:54 AM.] |
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Ernie Renn Member Posts: 2657 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:59 AM
Usually I comp chords, but on ocasion I'll work on a few troublesome licks. But remember to turn off the volume pedal!!!  ------------------ |
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rayman unregistered Posts: 2657 |
posted 24 October 2001 09:23 AM
I play spastic air guitar and make faces at the guitar player. He overplays anyhow. |
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Richard Bass Member Posts: 579 |
posted 24 October 2001 09:28 AM
Take a drink and a puff!! |
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Jerry Roller Member Posts: 3906 |
posted 24 October 2001 09:30 AM
When you are "laying out" chances are that another instrument is playing. I try to acknowledge the other players by watching them as they play and if I am liking what they are doing letting them know it which is sorta like shining a spotlight on them. It does wonders for the moral of the band when there is respect and appreciation shown between the players. I think it also helps sell the overall performance to the audience. Jerry |
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Tony Orth Member Posts: 428 |
posted 24 October 2001 10:24 AM
Oh, I get it. This is where the individuality and personality of the steel player comes out for everyone to see. Ahhh Yes! So far...all good suggestions and I think I can get them all in the first set. Tony p.s. I would say that I'd only consider the more serious and professional suggestions, but I have a feeling they're all that way. |
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Earl Erb Member Posts: 886 |
posted 24 October 2001 10:52 AM
Geez...Tony I thought the first line of your original post was "here's our chance to have a little fun"? Ok, I'll be serious now. When my fill is done I turn to the steel player and acknowlege his turn to fill and proceed to comp chords like he did for me,and smile and shake my head in approval of his great playing.Then half way through his fills I step back and proceed to screw with his amp settings while he is not looking.After the tune is over he looks at me in horror and says "there's something wrong with my amp how's yours"? Then I laugh and say,"must be that power surge again". |
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Ray Jenkins Member Posts: 1986 |
posted 24 October 2001 11:18 AM
Earl,your rotten to the core,you know that. Ray------------------ |
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Don McClellan Member Posts: 882 |
posted 24 October 2001 11:18 AM
Jerry Roller is right. |
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Steven Knapper Member Posts: 425 |
posted 24 October 2001 11:44 AM
Jerry is right, sit respecfully and at least act like you are paying attention. It's callled being a pro. |
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CrowBear Schmitt Member Posts: 6016 |
posted 24 October 2001 01:04 PM
Fun Thread ! i'll go w: Jerry Roller too. But i'm sho' gonna' at the Girls like the rest of ya's ! |
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Dave Van Allen Member Posts: 5369 |
posted 24 October 2001 01:04 PM
what is this "laying out" of which you speak?
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Dave Alfstad Member Posts: 221 |
posted 24 October 2001 01:26 PM
True story: I worked in a top-40 "country" band for a while. The fiddle player and I would get bored out of our minds while the band played rock & roll. We were in a house band and one night the club owner chewed our butts because while the band was on one of their rock & roll kicks the fiddle player and I decided to get in a couple hands of cribbage! LOL...the club owner didn't think it was very funny but my buddy and I still laugh about it! Dave Alfstad |
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Dan Crelin unregistered Posts: 221 |
posted 24 October 2001 02:37 PM
Take a nap. Check out the women. (Provided that there are women.) Ponder the many mysteries of life. etc, etc. |
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Donny Hinson Member Posts: 9192 |
posted 24 October 2001 03:15 PM
Jerry's got good advice there. Also, I play a lot of chord fills (sometimes even piano-type rhythm). And, I watch what's going on in the crowd---sometimes they're a show themselves! Sometimes it's important just to "look like you're doing something". I've heard a few barowners say..."The steelman only plays a third of the time, do you really need him?" That's why I'll practice licks, or just limber up my fingers so it looks like I'm playing when the pedal's off. But, I do a lot of listening to the overall sound too, and signal or adjust when someone's too loud or too low. I tend to be very critical of the overall sound, and less critical of the individual players. |
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MALCOLM KIRBY Member Posts: 220 |
posted 24 October 2001 03:26 PM
What Roller and Bass said. This topic brings to mind a Steel Player, that I worked with when I was playing guitar in the late 70's in Biloxi. He had a 6 cup muffin tin on a small table on his right side of his Steel. He kept his whiskey, beer, pills, cigarettes & lighter in the muffin tin. He called it his "Musical Organizer". [This message was edited by MALCOLM KIRBY on 24 October 2001 at 03:27 PM.] |
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Frank Parish Member Posts: 2327 |
posted 24 October 2001 04:00 PM
If it's a blues tune I'll use the Fast Leslie patch on the Pro-fex to be the organ or try not to play at all but I like Pats suggestion better. Listen to what the records are doing. That'll tell you everything you need to know. |
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Marc Muller Member Posts: 109 |
posted 24 October 2001 05:02 PM
Check tuning. |
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Jeff Lampert Member Posts: 2636 |
posted 24 October 2001 06:43 PM
Smooch a little, breathe heavily, go up and down, ... oh, you said "laying out". I thought you said "getting la...". Forget it. |
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R Robichaud Member Posts: 46 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:55 PM
The only thing I can add to this is lay off for a while and let the other leads make mistakes for a change......Bob |
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R Robichaud Member Posts: 46 |
posted 24 October 2001 08:59 PM
I should have added....that's one miscue for the fiddler, two for the piano player, one for the lead guitar and 12 for the banjo player.....bob |
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 24 October 2001 09:08 PM
Write postcards? |
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Bill Crook Member Posts: 1820 |
posted 25 October 2001 06:11 AM
Check my E-mail ???? Tune my guitar ???? Check my Amp ???? And...... Think,at last,I'm not in the hot seat for the time being. Let him screw up the song for a change. My pay is equal to his,even if I don't play as much. |
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Mike Weirauch Member Posts: 3528 |
posted 25 October 2001 08:07 AM
I scratch my ass some, maybe tie a shoe but mostly look real important and like I know what I'm doing. It hasn't worked yet! |
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Bill C. Buntin Member Posts: 642 |
posted 25 October 2001 08:12 AM
Plan your next moves. Play something different the next time its' your turn. Try to get to the point where you don't repeat yourself. That is what I do. Don't know if its' right but it works for me. |
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Fred Amendola Member Posts: 146 |
posted 25 October 2001 09:20 AM
I'm with Donny. We aren't horn players. We have the ability to add to the rhythm section, without being obnoxious. I usually play patterns on 6, 8 and 10th strings, or pads on slower type songs. In a 4 piece band the rhythm section needs the help while the guitar player is playing fills or a solo, while on a recording, there are a lot more instruments and parts going on. Just my opinion. fwiw Fred |
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Marc Muller Member Posts: 109 |
posted 25 October 2001 09:47 AM
.......oh yea, and do wardrobe changes. |
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Ray Montee Member Posts: 4090 |
posted 25 October 2001 10:00 AM
When I was playing radio, I just sorta watched and smiled at the other guys while they were doing their lead. It made them feel good and while responding to my acceptance of their creative talents, it allowed them to drop their fear factor somewhat and what they played then became WARMER and more relaxed. It was always policy to consider the mike LIVE!!!!! so no side jokes or foul language. On live TV, when your not playing, it was always best just to stare off into space where an audience might otherwise be. A pleasant smile was always most acceptable along with slow movements of the head so it wouldn't appear like someone had shot you with quick jerky movements. Altho' your brain should remain attentive to the band and at no time thinking about the millions of tv viewers that were out there listening to your crummy tone, spastic picking action, the hummmmmm coming from your amp OR, the police or other FM radio broadcasts blasting thro' the amp at random intervals....one should not, while laying out, ever scratch or make obscene gestures at other band members. Not a good time to be tuning or grimicing over an out of tune string or pedal. Those WIDE ANGLE cameras are always on and can catch you at ANY TIME... regardless of what you're doing. This is not baseball where anything goes. As a pro musician, we should all LOOK GOOD. On a band stand, as others have stated, checking out the crowd is always a pleasant time filler. Eye to eye contact and a friendly smile will likely keep the folks coming back and perhaps even come to you with a request and a LARGE CASH TIP! Inter-action between band members is always a plus. It is especially important during hunting season when the red necks are all out stomping thro' the woods and their bored wives and girlfriends come down to the club to "relax" with the natives...or musicians. Always size up the crowd for what they want to HEAR or DANCE to.... Play for them, NOT at them. I don't know it all......but these things have worked for me. |
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Ray Jenkins Member Posts: 1986 |
posted 25 October 2001 10:19 AM
Ray M. all thoes things you stated in your post,it looks like all you do is "lay out" Ray------------------ |
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Tony Orth Member Posts: 428 |
posted 25 October 2001 11:28 AM
I'm really glad I brought this issue up. It appears that "laying out" has become an art form in itself. So, if one isn't too good at playing the steel, he might get by if he is accomplished at laying out. All kidding aside. I have learned a lot from this thread and there's even a few suggestions I can actually use, as I knew there would be. Tony |
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Jim Cohen Member Posts: 8715 |
posted 25 October 2001 12:19 PM
quote:By jove, I think he's got it! |
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