Emulating Steve Howe's use of the Steel Guitar

[Erdy1]

Many guitarists borrow techniques and ideas from the "great" guitar players they listen too. You get whole generations of guitarists that emulate the sound and technique of Hendrix, Van Halen, etc.

My specific question is, are there any guitar players or bands that emulate Steve Howe's unique use of the steel guitar? He pioneered using this instrument as a rock solo guitar, but it doesn't seem to have generated much of a following; unfortunately, the steel is still used primarily for annoying twangy slidey stuff in country music (no offence attended, country fans).

Glass Hammer is the only band I've heard which uses this instrument in a way similar to Steve. Their latest CD, Lex Rex, is a truly progressive concept album, lots of vintage keyboards, sounds somewhat similar to Yes and ELP, and is very, VERY good. There's steel guitar solos all over it. They've also used it in the past on other recordings.

So, two things:

1. Get Glass Hammer's "Lex Rex" !!! http://www.glasshammer.com

2. Know of any other guitarists playing rock solos on steel guitar?

[PO]

Hey, thanks for posting this, Erdy1. There are few guitarists who can adopt anything Steve does! Even Rabin didn't use the instrument (when required, even). Steve is just so intimidating as a guitarist that few dare tread close to his turf!

I know David Gilmour uses one (Great Gig in the Sky, for example). I haven't gone through all my Pink Floyd stuff to see where it was used, but it was part of his regualar arsenal.

I bought one of these recently because it is so unique. I am forcing myself to adapt it to my own originals and find that it fits nicely.

Most "slide" guitar is done on regular guitars with a finger slide.

I am definately going to buy the Glass Hammer release.

[PaulH]

Originally posted by paostby
Hey, thanks for posting this, Erdy1. There are few guitarists who can adopt anything Steve does! Even Rabin didn't use the instrument (when required, even). Steve is just so intimidating as a guitarist that few dare tread close to his turf!

I know David Gilmour uses one (Great Gig in the Sky, for example). I haven't gone through all my Pink Floyd stuff to see where it was used, but it was part of his regualar arsenal.


I think Rabin actually handled some of those parts quite well, especially the distorted sustain sound he used on AYAI.

Gilmour used steel on "One of these days"...I don't remember him using it on Great Gig.....as that was manily a vehicle for the female solos and a commentary on death. Then again I have taken steps to assure my memory is not what it should be.

Garcia played petal steel...which many guitarists play..but all seem to say that you can not approach it in any way like playing the guitar.
Garcia's style was definitely more of that twangy country style
but may have one of the most recognizable parts in
Crosby, Stills and Nash's-Teach your children.

Steve being the constant innovator that he is...seemed to take the instrument away from what people expected....and perhaps with the exception of Gilmour on One of these days....I have not heard any players use it quite like he has.

[Erdy1]

Again, check out Glass Hammer for at least one example of someone playing steel guitar in a style similar to Steve's.

[Buglunch]

Steve uses it more like violin/Theremin.
I'd rather see another guitarist make their own good way.

[A Student of YES]

Steve's Always been a bit of a problem for me to copy well at all. I can get some of his licks correct but I am not a music reader at all and his stuff is sometimes so quick and even choppy, quirky, and does not seem to follow any previous musical logic I have learned. I found the only way I could get "The Clap to sound like "The Clap" I had to buy some old Les Paul music and learn from the old masters first just to get an idea of how Steve's style was created.

When I listen to YES Music I find Steve can go from a Country sound, and style, to Hard Rock, and then to a Rockabilly style in just a few measures. His right hand technique using a pick and his fingers has always been difficult to adapt to for me? For me it is one style or the other.

He is and has been for some time a true master. But his style has taken what musicians like Les Paul, Chet Atkins, and others had started so long ago, to it's ultimate fruition!
Blues players like S. R. V. took that style to it's ultimate end. Players like Joe Satrioni are taking Shred guitar to it's limits. I have found alot of guitarists who can copy Trevors music but I (myself included) have never been able to consistently recreate Steves contributions to the total YES sound.

As for the Slide guitar that is still primarilly a country music instrumnet and Steve is the only ROck musician who has been able to include this instrument and it's wild capabilities into the whole prog rock scene!
I am in awe of these guy's Jon's voice is almost impossible to copy well!
Chris Squire gives me a complete mental & physical workout ever time I learn one of his songs!
Steve's guitar playing is impossible. At least any of the Musicians I have tried to get together for a YES tribute project alsways come up short of the mark!
Rick Wakeman is the Motzart! of this day! My Keyboard player is always having a hard time getting through his work! Two keyboard players might be able to do what He does. Maybe not?
Alan White is a drummer who's speed and style are right online with the best there is! Neil Pert, Bill Bruford and Alan White are, all, on any drummers list of rythem gods!

YES is the Holy Grail for me! If I can get this group formed using local tallent this will certainly be a Task that I will be happy I accomplished in my lifetime! It is my new goal! and one that will keep me busy for many years! I am stretched to my absolute limits (musically) playing Bass, second voice, and acoustic guitar. To be bluntly honest I just do not see any way I will be able to create a band that can do YES music well unless I have at least 6 members. one guy will have to be able to switch from helping on keyboards, sing some vocals, and play slide guitar? now where am I going to find this guy??

I am sure I am not telling you all anything you have not already learned if your into music and bands at all.

Pink Floyd is easy compared to these guy's That we can do!

Randy
hope you don't mind my posts they are often long

[Buglunch]

It's more the way they write and develop ideas nimbly and fully, more than style switching.
Rick can play an octave and a fifth one-handed. And he see pictures closed-eyed: does not open them; he's been at it maybe six decades with a great classical start and he's unique. But he never really swings like Emerson or Moraz. Be sparing with terms like "ultimate"; they only apply to people like Bach,
Hendrix, Paganini, Glenn Gould, Mozart and such.

Also, go easy on the !!!

"its".

[VanDerGraaf]

Rick can play an octave and a fifth one-handed.


Where did you come by this really interesting information? And i have to play that stuff with a span of (just) a ninth!

It's not fair! :keyboard:

[Buglunch]

Where did you come by this really interesting information? And i have to play that stuff with a span of (just) a ninth!

It's not fair! :keyboard:
I have small hands and can only play a tenth on white keys; 5'9", small feet, too. I'm strong and well-trained but Rick got big size and amazing parents like no-one else.

Keyboard and other mags and video interviews made this clear in the 70s- he mentioned the span himself. I talked to him for twenty minutes (wow!, ultrasmart, funny relaxed cool guy who likes me) in August and it's all true. I have the same memory and way of not using sheetmusic, except for small guides in a big performance, but I'll never be him.
Lucky bugger.

I make up for such physical gifts by playing multilines and slow, tasty weirdness that pulls one in all the time- I HOPE!! :crazy:

[Nellsalot]

I just went over to the keyboard and I can guarantee you that it is physically impossible for me to play more than a ninth with one hand (I'm small-handed, 5'1"). That's an amazing thought, that his hands can reach that far. Rick is like a giant.

P.S. Dude, I so wish I could join your Yes cover band. It sucks that you're so far away. As you said Howe is very difficult and there are certain things I could just not do but I know I could pull of some of it and if you bought me a steel guitar I bet I could do that stuff ;-)

[Buglunch]

I'd certainly never form a cover band myself but would play some choice Yes numbers as a tribute, since I got full permission from Rick, but he feels that way for everyone who is respectful and accurate.
My band would be original but playing all kinds of great spritual and scary-good prog not for money, but to worship and show it to the world.
Especially the stuff with fabulous symphonic keyboards and Squirish bass.