Do you have your style?

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 23 Apr 2003 4:04 am

I think a style is something you can't force, it just happens. It's about everything you experienced in your lifetime, in your character, in your genes, in your progressions, influences, that shines through in your playing. I think, if you are an aimable person, it can be heard in your playing, also, an asshole will sound like an asshole! I think steelguitar is like a human voice, so honest, only a few instrument show characters of people, and a steelguitar belongs to that group!
my 5 cts

JJ

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 23 Apr 2003 7:21 am

I think a lot of influence in one's style may relate somewhat to the area you first learned in. For instance, Vance Monday and I came from the same area of southern Iowa and I hear a lot of what I play in his playing (albeit he does it better) and we never even met or heard each other play until he moved to Arkansas.

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 24 Apr 2003 9:34 am

Doesn't matter how many time we would say the Gettysburg Address . . LINCOLD SAID IT BEST

Carl West

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 24 Apr 2003 9:36 am

That's LINCOLN . . too early here

Carl West

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 24 Apr 2003 3:31 pm

I HAVE MY OWN STYLE. JERRY BYRD TOLD ME TO NEVER PLAY LIKE ANYONE BECAUSE THERE'S ALREADY ONE OF THEM. AND I'VE ALWAYS TRIED TO REMEMBER THAT. ALTHOUGH, I WOULD LOVE TO PLAY A NASHVILLE SOUND ... JUST CAN'T.

Sonny Curtis · Post by **Sonny Curtis** » 24 Apr 2003 4:00 pm

I agree that you have to be yourself. There are a lot of good players out there and they all have different styles. My wife is always telling me that I have my own style and not to try to be like anyone else. I'm country and always will be. Of course Buddy is my hero, but I still play like Sonny. Good topic!! www.sonnycurtis.net [This message was edited by Sonny Curtis on 24 April 2003 at 05:03 PM.]

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 28 Apr 2003 10:24 pm

Has everyone read my post above? I'm trying so hard that I'm copying myself! Eventually I'll be sounding just like me! "Big John" }wknsg{ http://community.webtv.net/KeoniNui/BigJohnBechtels

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 29 Apr 2003 2:34 am

John I think you can play similar to several peoples styles and sound like yourself.

There are certain elements to the instrument, that you can't escape,
that will lend a small similarity to most players...
but that's to a great extent why we choose this instrument. It has this basis sound.

But no matter how hard you copy your 3 favorite players, you will only be an aproximation at best. It will still come out like you, filtering some of them through your personal technique.
But your choice of who and how you emulate is part of your style also.

Copy J. Byrd, S. Hoopii and David Lindley you sound one way.
Copy B.E., D. Jerrnigan and, Speedy West you will certainly sound another.
But still your versions of a mix of them.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 29 April 2003 at 03:37 AM.]