Let's talk Hawaiian Steel Guitar (Sailor!)

All right, I admit it... maybe I've been a miserable cuss as of late.

Well, just so you all know I'd order your double-pounder with cheese at Micky D's for you anytime, here's a little insight I've beat my brains out lately for - learning steel guitar.

I know a few of you out there are currently, or are thinking about undertaking, the momumental task of learning how to play this stupid, no-fretting, slide-ass instrument!

First off though, to want to play steel, you MUST feel some sort of urgent need to reply to an inner urge to master this equivelant of a gorgeous 18 year-old Tahitian - in 6-string lap-top form.

Now I'm not saying I'm good at it. All's I'm saying is I'm surely better than someone that started 13 months ago (as I started 14).

If you have the love for this quivering treble-ic (I just made that one up) condensation of Pineapple pie, you must have a NEED to play with it (much like new Pu$$!).

I played the stupid standard-tune 6-string for 28 freaking years. When I look back at it, I think the only reason I played it was for the "chicks".

I never had the "passion" to play 6 string standard tune. I could blaze off staccato rapid-fire stings of notes in a blind-ass fury but I never 'felt' it.

Now, to the point for what I done learnt: learn the intervalic separation of all your strings (depends on your tuning of course).

Work on 'gripping' certain combination of stings: every 2, every other one. Graps major thirds, minor thirds, 5ths, 6ths, 7th, 9ths etc.

Don't just memorize the song, but rather understand the choral progressions you're playing through.

Until next time, from the apprentice steel player... Keep Practicing! (life is short!)

Mr_Bong, your post is quite intriguing, yet taunts me at the same time. I have loved and appreciated music all my life, yet have never been able to reproduce any sounds desirable to the human ear. I envy your zealousness for your craft, and know that someday I will need to reply to that inner urge. Until then, I will look to you to precipitate pineapple pie, and anxiously await a copy of that Smokin' Menehunes cd. Steel on!

When I was uhh maybe 8, my older brother who was 13 at the time played Hawaiian Steel. He played "On Top of Old Smoky". I really liked the sound right away. Some things stay with you. Well the sound of the steel not Smoky.

I was first introduced to the steel on 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight" when I was 8.
Oweem o wop Oweem o wop

I too love that sweet steel sound. Beach music to be sure. We have a wonderful steel player who plays regularly at the http://www.ukuleleclubsantacruz.com I sit close and watch but I can't figure out a thing she is doing. I would love to learn how to play any song on that instrument, including 'ol smokey. Heck, I would like to fire rapid fire staccato without feeling given the chance.

On 2004-01-16 19:42, Tiki_Bong wrote:

Don't just memorize the song, but rather understand the choral progressions you're playing through.

Good tip bong about knowing the structure and why. a little theory can go a long way. Thanks for the info

-- I believe that our Heavenly Father invented the monkey because he was disappointed in man."
... Mark Twain

[ Edited by: Chongolio on 2004-01-17 13:44 ]

Origin of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar -

Joseph Kekuku is credited with the 'invention' of the Hawaiian steel guitar. He was born in La'ie, near Honolulu, in 1874. It was in the year 1885, when Kekuku was 11 years old, that he originated the Hawaiian method of playing the guitar with a steel held in the left hand.

While walking along the railroad strumming on a guitar of the regular type, he stopped to pick up a bolt, and somehow or other he slid this bolt on the strings of his guitar, thus producing, in embryo, the well known slur so characteristic of the Hawaiian guitar.

The bolt was far from being a success, and Kekuku tried the back of a penknife and various things, until he settled down to using the blade of an ordinary single-edge razor with the edge ground down.

Mr. Kekuku practiced in secret, but it was not possible, and before long other locals were playing in the same manner. Of course this created a sprit of friendly competition and made Kekuku more determined than ever to be the first to master this method of playing. It took him 7 years to master the instrument.

In 1904 Kekuku left Hawaii for the mainland, and he played in all the major theatres from coast to coast. In 1919 he left the US for an eight year tour of Europe.

In about 1927/28 Kekuku returned to the US and settled in Chicago, where he opened a music school. Mr. Kekuku died in 1932 at the age of 58 due to a brain hemorrhage.

Ever hear of "Pee Wee" Walker, Curly Chalker, Santos & Johnny Farina, Alvino Rey, Sol Hoopii, or Speedy West? Check out the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame: http://www.scottysmusic.com/hofplq.htm

On 2004-01-17 15:26, Tiki Rider wrote:
Ever hear of "Pee Wee" Walker, Curly Chalker, Santos & Johnny Farina, Alvino Rey, Sol Hoopii, or Speedy West? Check out the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame: http://www.scottysmusic.com/hofplq.htm

"Sleepwalk" by Santo and Johnny puts a lump in my throat everytime I hear it. It's a classic.

http://www.samgambino.com

"Sleepwalk" is the s**t as far as non-Hawaiian, non-country stuff goes. I too am a steel lover. It is one of the few non-rock-band instruments I did not decide was cornball when I was a teenager. I love Hawaiian, I love country pedal steel too, the stuff Lyle Lovett does is my favourite modern country steel. I love Sneaky Pete Kleinow and Leon McAuliffe. Take it away, Leon!

I am one of the guys who is thinking about taking up Hawaiian steel. I am a percussionist, so this is going to be a BIG leap for me - maybe I should take up vibraharp instead! Respect due to Bong and all steel players, for bringing us that sweet haunting sound.

aloha, em.

You know, Junior Brown always fascinates me to watch him too, but you don't see him much anymore. He's more of a western swing-off-the-wall style of player.
I had a chance a few years ago to buy a Fender Champ lap steel (1950 or thereabouts) for $250. or $275, and I passed it up. That was not the best price then, but they're going for a lot more now. Of course, I am still kicking myself as I type this...

Sam, there are steels galore on eBay at any given time. Just point your browser here and bookmark for future use if you want: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=lap+steel&newu=1 .

aloha,
em.

Thanks for the link, emspace. This one here is almost exactly like the one I was looking at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2373783800&category=621

It does look like you can still find some good deals though. Maybe I'll end up with one yet.

http://www.samgambino.com

[ Edited by: Sam Gambino on 2004-01-18 23:01 ]

Sam and Em, we actually did a version of "Sleepwalk" for the Menehune's recording. The cool twist? Ukulele in place of an acoustic guitar. Sounds pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

On 2004-01-19 10:10, Luckydesigns wrote:
Sam and Em, we actually did a version of "Sleepwalk" for the Menehune's recording. The cool twist? Ukulele in place of an acoustic guitar. Sounds pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

I'll bet that is cool, because the rhythm guitar part almost seems tailor-made for a ukulele.

-A kid walks up to his dad and says "Dad, when I grow up, I want to be a musician".

His dad replies; "I'm sorry son, you just can't have it both ways".

I am rendered utterly powerless in the presence of "Sleepwalk." It's my kryptonite. If you want to bend me to your will, all you have to do is play that song.

I had the pleasure of hearing the Smokin' Menehunes play it at Bong's Hut, and it was beeeeyoutiful.

On 2004-01-19 13:46, Humuhumu wrote:
I am rendered utterly powerless in the presence of "Sleepwalk." It's my kryptonite. If you want to bend me to your will, all you have to do is play that song.

Hi Humuhumu,
Uh, I'm a little busy making these Mai Tias right now (for whom it may concern) and I, uh, can't get to my computer right now, and uh, I was wondering if you could click on this link for me? Uh, Ya that's it.
Thanks!

http://www.sleepwalk-instrumental.com/sleepwalk.mp3

Oh, I just happen to have an extra mai tai. here you are. Don't drink it too fast. :)

A Tiki Cheers To You

[ Edited by: Unga Bunga on 2004-01-19 14:42 ]

Ahhhh yes.
My little orphaned steel, is now singing sweetly. For some reason I really get the intervals well. I play piano and it reminds me of that maybe... sitting and in front of me instead of the standard guitar position.

The Magnatone is about the perfect size too.

I am all over that Menehunes disk when it's out!

:), em.

Steel Guitar Tunings -

Unlike a standard tuned guitar (E, A, D, G, B, E), which is essentially tuned in 4th's, steel guitars are usually tuned in Major chords.

The reason is if you're using a steel bar, and you lay it across the strings and strum, you have a recognizable chord. Whereas if you did that with a standard tuned guitar, you'd have noise.

Steel players need to decide which tunings they want to use. I have 4 steel guitars, so I've decided on E major, G major, C6th, and D9th tunings. The E major and G major are better for single note (lead) type pickin, and the C6th and D9th are better for that classic Hawaiian chord sound.

A recent survey of of Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association members showed the C6th tuning to be the most popular, followed closely by the C6+A7, then E13, C#m.

There has been a study of the old timers tunings, but it is difficult to say exactly who did what regarding tunings. Much like slack-key tunings, steel guitarists guarded their tunings as professional secrets. Many were known to deliberately put their guitar out of tune when taking a break, so that no one could strum across the strings and guess the secret. Some fathers didn't share even with their sons.

Bong, you are giving out all your secrets!!

Seriously, great practice last night! E huli Makou!!!!!

Bong, you are giving out all your secrets!!

Seriously, great practice last night! E huli Makou!!!!!

Just going to bump this topic back up...ahh, that's it!

More damn cool sites:

http://www.nationalguitars.com/ (am I getting that new catalog? Yep!)
http://www.fuzzypsg.com/index2.html (check out the frypan 8-string! Yow!!!)
http://www.cordinternational.com/steelguitar.htm (great source for CDs)

Enjoy!

aloha,
em.