Evening Groove

[Gary James Peters]

Hi All

Fun little Bb Minor groove I just put together...has its moments (some of them good!)



G

[Danny Mitchell]

I really like these different techniques your employing, Gary. That dampening sounds like thumb piano, great!

[Gary James Peters]

Thanks Danny.

Thumb piano...got it in one, that was exactly the idea...kind of works too.

Pity about the sound quality, I think the camera mic was struggling. I need to start doing this a bit more properly. But for now, just trying to get used to playing in front of a camera...it all still feels a little tight and inhibited for me, but I'll get there.

Gary

[Willie Gamble]

Hi Gary, I enjoyed that. Oh what I would give for a right hand like yours.
When I started playing steel ( back in the middle ages) there was precious little instruction material available, there was a Sho Bud book, Winnie Winston's book and Mel Bay. And that was about it really, no videos, DVD'S then.
Most of us older players stumbled around in the dark listening to records and tapes, not knowing if you were doing it right or not, and to see another steel player in action was a rarity indeed.
The wealth of instruction material available now on the internet is staggering and in consequence of that there are some hopeful new players coming along.
How long have you been playing steel Gary?
Asleep at the steel

[Gary James Peters]

Hi Willie

Thanks for your thanks, much appreciated.

Yes, the only instruction I ever had was Winnie's book...a great book I think.

I've been playing the steel since about 1983, but it was always very much my second instrument after the guitar. As a consequence, I rarely played it unless onstage with a band, or recording at home. Then, having not played in a band for a very long time, I spent a couple of years with an Americana band in Bristol playing steel and mandolin and suddenly started practising properly and taking it a bit more seriously. Then, 18 months ago I had a U12 built for me by Bill Rudolph/Williams Guitar Co. and have been trying to master that ever since. The result has been a noticeable improvement in my playing, although still very much work in progress. The 'secret' is obvious: endless practising. Indeed, I have very rarely ever been bothered to learn specific 'songs' on either guitar or steel, hence I have no real repertoire for the steel festival circuit. My only real interest is in improvisation (actually, I've written 2 books on the subject!! The last one has a chapter on the difference between practising and rehearsing...but I digress).

Talking of Asleep at the Wheel (which you weren't) I used to be good friends with John Ely, there steelie in the late 80's. He gave me a nice lap steel, and my wife and I were backstage at the Austin Aquafest in 1988. He always stayed with us when they played the Wembly Country Festival...happy days! He now exclusively plays Hawaiin (if that's how you spell it, never could work that one out)

Thanks again for listening/watching

Gary