Living and Living Well

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 3 Aug 2012 4:10 am

I got asked to do this recording session last month. We played this tune among others. I would love some feedback from the forum ! I had never played with these guys before, just learned the parts and showed up. Emmons thru Roland cube 80x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dur3Nd0x1M

Danny Bates · Post by **Danny Bates** » 3 Aug 2012 4:44 am

Very nice... Excellent job!

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 3 Aug 2012 6:55 am

thanks Danny

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Aug 2012 7:00 am

Sounds good, Karen!

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 3 Aug 2012 7:06 am

IMO, great picking, band and vocals. How long have you been playing the steel? Thank you.

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 3 Aug 2012 7:52 am

I have just passed the 3 year mark on steel. I dont really like the newer country songs, I prefer to player the older stuff but I am very new to recording. This was my first session. I hope to get more comfortable with it as time goes on. thanks everyone for the feedback.

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 4 Aug 2012 4:51 am

Hi Karen

I know you dont know me, but I thought I would give you a word of encouragement,and compliment. As I read your responses to how long you had been playing the steel, three years???

I was shocked at the amount of talent, touch, and tone you displayed in this video. I mean to say, the band is a tight group, but your abilities stand out. For someone to play as well as you do, has a God given gift. Keep it cooking, you`ve gained another fan in me, and I`m sure many others. I`ll be listening. Best of wishes.
Bishop Ronnie P. Hall

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 4 Aug 2012 7:05 am

Hi Karen, that sounds great. You fellows all sound good.
Would enjoy hearing more of your playing sometime soon.
Carl

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 4 Aug 2012 7:30 am

That's really good, Karen. I'm as impressed by what you did not play as what you did. You and the guitarist are working together really well to trade off on fills and that's hugely important to a clean, professional sound. The band sounds great and the 3-part vocals are excellent. Great job!

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 4 Aug 2012 11:16 am

thanks so much everyone. Interesting that the band sounds tight. Neither me nor the guitarist had every played with these guys (or each other) before. The drummer just puts together these sessions, and invites different people, emails everyone the tunes and records it.
I am also working on recording some stuff on my own, I will post something when its done.
and thank you for the words of encouragement, i get frustrated a lot with my progress on the pedal steel. it's a difficult instrument to play at all let alone play well.

Peter den Hartogh · Post by **Peter den Hartogh** » 5 Aug 2012 10:54 am

Great playing Karen,and a great sound. What settings did you use on the Roland?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 5 Aug 2012 2:32 pm

Karen Sarkisian wrote:... it's a difficult instrument to play at all let alone play well.

And that's the difference between playing and playing well.

Wayne Quinn · Post by **Wayne Quinn** » 5 Aug 2012 5:59 pm

I'am with all the rest Karen. sounded great man.all the guys were tight. nice song to boot.Bishop Hall said it all.coming from him .that would make my day.

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 6 Aug 2012 3:35 am

all this positive feedback really made my weekend ! thanks again everyone

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 6 Aug 2012 5:59 am

Simple, but what you played was very nice and on pitch.
Don

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 6 Aug 2012 8:28 pm

Very nice job Karen, especially this being the first session you've played.! Keep on pickin!
terry

Bill Moran · Post by **Bill Moran** » 10 Aug 2012 1:22 pm

That was great !!!

George Brown · Post by **George Brown** » 11 Aug 2012 8:12 am

Fine Job Karen...Like Jim, I was impressed with how well you, and the Lead Guitarist worked together, neither over-playing.....You'll probably continue to get frustrated as long as you play, but then, when it all comes together, and you have a Great Jam, it makes it all worthwhile... Best of Luck to You..

George...

Carl Williams · Post by **Carl Williams** » 11 Aug 2012 1:47 pm

Nicely done Karen and band! As others have said, you played your part and let the other band members play their's as well. To me, simple is good and as you've heard in the older country classics, this is what the folks who have paved the way for us did...Thanks for posting and just remember this; We're all still learning this contraption we love!

Carl

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 12 Aug 2012 3:35 am

Really nice, Karen! I can only hope to be as accomplished in three years time. I like the way you chose your spots. Most people on lead isntruments tend to overplay, especially early on. You have great tone, too. Look forward to hearing more of your steel.

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 12 Aug 2012 6:19 am

thank you everyone so much for the feedback. I actually have something else that i was recently asked to play a steel part for. It is on soundcloud but it is set to private as the mix is not finalized and the singer doesnt want it to go public yet. It's a very interesting version of Willin' by Little Feat. I would love some feedback on this as well, if you are interested send me a pm and i will give you the link.
thanks !

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 12 Aug 2012 9:09 am

Karen Sarkisian wrote:I have just passed the 3 year mark on steel...

Three years ?
You sound like you've been playing for thirty.

What are you going sound like in another three?

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 12 Aug 2012 12:03 pm

Karen excellent job! Three years playing? You have a bright future on steel!
It was a bit repetitive, but that can only be expected.This will improve with experience no doubt.

Your sound is great, except just a tad too far back in the mix.

Your right hand is looking good. I like your blocking.

I have to say, don't let this be your last session. You got what it takes.
Overall great sound from the band!

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 12 Aug 2012 1:08 pm

Nicely done my friend. Good solid playing and not overplayed at all.Your playing fit the tune very nicely. You are well on your way

pat youself on the back!

Karen Sarkisian · Post by **Karen Sarkisian** » 12 Aug 2012 9:39 pm

Heres two more from the same session

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=140fpcKr ... RwX1o3QP3Q

they did independence day on a previous date then added me in at the session

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coPHnXN4 ... ature=plcp

i think my steel playing sounds really similar in all the tunes. i'm somewhat limited with my licks