posted 18 October 2000 11:29 AM
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I think that Freddy Tavares played most of those old Looney Tunes in the 1950's. The song that starts most of the cartoons is called "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down". The tune is in the key of C, and the slide at the beginning is a C major triad. On some versions the high note is C, and on some it is G.
I had the honor of making that sound at the Hollywood Bowl among other places. Now I can say that I have appeared as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Sounds impressive until you realize that a monkey could play the steel part. This is a great gig: you just make a silly noise then sit around and watch cartoons.
That show is called "Bugs Bunny On Broadway" and it projects the old Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies on a giant screen with the original dialog tracks and live symphonic music. I especially like "What's Opera, Doc?", "The Rabbit Of Seville", and "High Note".
I used an A major tuning on an old Fender triple 8 string. I lowered the F# string on a A6 down to E so that it wouldn't sound so bad if I got nervous and hit the wrong string. The whole orchestra is wearing headphones and listening to a click track to stay synchronized to picture. There is some pressure on the steel player since that is first thing you hear. I had to listen extra carefully to hear that first click and count 8 free clicks, or else the whole show would be off!!
The Steel Guitar Forum
posted 18 October 2000 07:23 AM
