- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Is the pedal steel guitar a dying instrument?
Posted on 12/27/14 at 1:27 pm
Posted on 12/27/14 at 1:27 pm
Its heyday was probably in the late 60's and 70's when it was an essential instrument of country music and was even used extensively in rock acts who had a rootsier bent, like CS&N, Neil Young, Van Morrison, etc.
But now it's not even a featured instrument in popular country music, just with the more alternative country music artists.
I play guitar, and I don't regret it. But I do regret not picking up another instrument when I was younger. I know a million bedroom rock star guitarists like me, but guys who primarily play bass are fewer, and drummers are even fewer than that. But I don't know if a single guy plays pedal steel. If you told me that there were less than 10 pedal steel players in this state, I wouldn't be surprised.
But now it's not even a featured instrument in popular country music, just with the more alternative country music artists.
I play guitar, and I don't regret it. But I do regret not picking up another instrument when I was younger. I know a million bedroom rock star guitarists like me, but guys who primarily play bass are fewer, and drummers are even fewer than that. But I don't know if a single guy plays pedal steel. If you told me that there were less than 10 pedal steel players in this state, I wouldn't be surprised.
10
Posted on 12/27/14 at 1:33 pm to Fontainebleau Dr.
Robert Randolph
Roosevelt Collier
Larry Campbell
^ current premier players, IMO
Jack White has a good one in his band. Not sure what his name is.
Roosevelt Collier
Larry Campbell
^ current premier players, IMO
Jack White has a good one in his band. Not sure what his name is.
Posted on 12/27/14 at 1:49 pm to Fontainebleau Dr.
There are way more capable drummers than bass players. Great bass players are worth their weight in gold.
Posted on 12/27/14 at 2:41 pm to Fontainebleau Dr.
quote:
But now it's not even a featured instrument in popular country music
Because it's
"bad rock with a fiddle" - not really country music.
The banjo is hurting, too, as is the mandolin. Frankly, the affordable syntesizer and inexpensive sampling machines have lowered the value of musicianship across the board.
But, these things come in cycles - they said drum machines will kill off the drummers, but they're too tough to die (I mean, really, unless you've just got a crazy badass bass player, the guy you want watching your back in a fight is probably the drummer - if you can keep him sober
- the most physically fit member of the band - and would be about average if he was on the crew.) 
Posted on 12/27/14 at 2:42 pm to Fontainebleau Dr.
I know a few pedal steel and lap steel players around BR. wish I knew how to play them. they look fun.
Posted on 12/28/14 at 11:33 am to Fontainebleau Dr.
I play a 6-string lap steel (a little bit) and shite that's plenty hard enough for me. I can't even fathom how hard a pedal steel is with many more strings not to mention pedals and knee levers that change notes on the fly. It's a great instrument in the hands of a talented player though.
This post was edited on 12/28/14 at 11:33 am
Posted on 12/28/14 at 8:09 pm to Fontainebleau Dr.
quote:
Is the pedal steel guitar a dying instrument?
Nope. It will always be in somewhat rarified air, but that's a good thing.
Posted on 12/29/14 at 1:18 pm to Fontainebleau Dr.
quote:
Is the pedal steel guitar a dying instrument?
The steel has always had very limited appeal and was/is a mainstay in the country genre.
Is it dying? I don't think so. It isn't so prominent right now because country is in a temporary transition to a semi rock mode. This isn't the first time this has happened. The genre went through the same transition in the 50s and early 60s when rock performers were crossing the charts but country music will always go back to its roots.
The pedal steel isn't going anywhere.
This post was edited on 12/29/14 at 1:19 pm
Posted on 12/30/14 at 9:53 am to Fontainebleau Dr.
quote:
Its heyday was probably in the late 60's and 70's when it was an essential instrument of country music and was even used extensively in rock acts who had a rootsier bent, like CS&N, Neil Young, Van Morrison, etc.
Prog also:
Yes: And You And I, Soon, Going For The One
Pink Floyd: One Of These Days
Posted on 12/30/14 at 10:35 am to Fontainebleau Dr.
dredg featured it pretty prominently in their recordings.
Posted on 12/30/14 at 10:54 am to Fontainebleau Dr.
Didn't have a true appreciation for pedal steel until I moved to Nashville years ago.These days, guys like Speedy West & Paul Franklin are favorites of mine. It's a warped instrument, as are many of the players who take on the challenge. I imagine they might take to a helicopter fairly smoothly, or at least bravely.
Love the whiskey crying stuff, but really dig the western, coyote vibe most. Wouldn't really say it's dying, but it's one of the 1st chairs to be axed by artists eyeing their bottom line on tour lately.
Love the whiskey crying stuff, but really dig the western, coyote vibe most. Wouldn't really say it's dying, but it's one of the 1st chairs to be axed by artists eyeing their bottom line on tour lately.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News