How the heck does Buddy Emmons play this solo?

Travis Lyon · Post by **Travis Lyon** » 15 Sep 2012 6:54 am

I was listening to this earlier and the steel break came...I think it may be my new favorite steel solo.

It starts around 3:25.

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

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 15 Sep 2012 7:09 am

You're right, that is an awesome solo! Thanks for posting it!

Travis Lyon · Post by **Travis Lyon** » 15 Sep 2012 7:13 am

Sorry I should have posted this in the Steel Players forum. But to be more on topic, what are the main techniques he's using aside from fast alternate picking and crazy good note choice? Are there certain scale positions or note pockets he's using?

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 15 Sep 2012 7:15 am

How does he play it? Extremely well in my opinion!

Sid Hudson · Post by **Sid Hudson** » 15 Sep 2012 8:56 am

My gosh! First time for me hearing this.

The man's phrasing, choice of notes, the authority in which plays, I have never heard anything quite like him.

He masterfully knows how to let a solo breathe as he composes it.

I have never heard a musician in my life time that could play 5 notes and you know it’s him.

Dale Hansen · Post by **Dale Hansen** » 15 Sep 2012 9:01 am

Travis,
Thanks for posting the link. I've never heard that one before.

I might be able to save you a little time, and a whole lotta frustration, by pointing out that Buddy is playing this solo on the C6th neck.
http://www.buddyemmons.com/pockets.htm
(Please accept my apologies in advance,..If you already knew that)

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 15 Sep 2012 9:02 am

once again we have been emmonized....
awesome
Mike in and out of the box

Doug Palmer · Post by **Doug Palmer** » 15 Sep 2012 10:17 am

He uses magic.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 15 Sep 2012 10:53 am

i can't think of anyone who's picking has caused me to smile more often!

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 15 Sep 2012 11:29 am

Predictably unpredictable BE. Sounds like something one would have worked on for days. Bet it was a first take for him.

Bas Kapitein · Post by **Bas Kapitein** » 15 Sep 2012 11:37 am

You will find this track on the Flying Fish album number 044 from 1977. John Hartford recorded at least four of those albums. They all offer this kind of solos by Buddy. Those albums are real treasures.

Brett Lanier · Post by **Brett Lanier** » 15 Sep 2012 12:14 pm

A friend of mine learned it on banjo (sorry b0b) : /

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 15 Sep 2012 12:15 pm

I transcribed this solo a while back and posted it on my blog. If anyone is interested in seeing the transcription, you can see it here:

http://www.mikeneer.com/lapsteelin/2011 ... scription/

Bill Ladd · Post by **Bill Ladd** » 15 Sep 2012 12:59 pm

Mike Neer wrote:..If anyone is interested in seeing the transcription...

Damn straight! Thanks Mike!

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 15 Sep 2012 1:37 pm

Just another example of why he is...and we ain't.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 15 Sep 2012 3:21 pm

Not only Buddy's steel, but great instrumentals on fiddle and mandolin, too.

If I knew how Buddy played I would be out there playing and not sitting here typing.

Ivan Posa · Post by **Ivan Posa** » 15 Sep 2012 3:47 pm

A great solo from Buddy, just a perfect fit to the song.

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 15 Sep 2012 3:58 pm

Had the original LP. Didn't quite cotton to it as much at the time (just learning E9 pedal steel, which I preferred then), but now I realize it's just a perfect fit. Thanks for the transcription, Mike.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 15 Sep 2012 10:28 pm

Woooh, that's killer....I'm hearing some 'Diminished' scale tone's along with all the other whatever it is. Great post!

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 15 Sep 2012 10:47 pm

One of my favorite solo's by Buddy. Well by anyone.

Great transcription by Mike Neer.Would have killed to got hands on it in 1977. Wish I had Mike's ear for this kind of stuff even today. Only took him a few mins. to transcribe it. Must be nice. Mike You Rock.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 16 Sep 2012 2:14 am

Travis,
Like I said, you will gravitate towards a D-10 once the steel bug has bitten ya, and it seems you've been bitten by said posted solo.

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 16 Sep 2012 3:52 am

IMO, Buddy was born to play and he met the "steel", fell in love with it and just had to be focused, and practiced, developing his own style and ideas that we all admire so much today. I guess the foregoing is tacit also with a God given talent. I have a friend, locally, that practices for several hours everyday, seven days a week and it shows when he plays too. I bought most of Buddys CDs from Billy Coopers Music in Orange, Va.

Gary Lee Gimble · Post by **Gary Lee Gimble** » 16 Sep 2012 4:42 am

have a friend, locally, that practices for several hours everyday, seven days a week

and that isn't enough.....

How ya been Charles?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 16 Sep 2012 6:20 am

My pleasure to share--hope you enjoy. Someone posted this last year and it was the first time I'd heard it, so I immediately sat down and transcribed it.

I think one cannot understate the influence of Pat Martino on Buddy. I hear a few little Martino licks in there, especially the bluesy lick in the last 2 bars of the solo, but also a few of the little chromatic turns smack of Martino.

Tim Tyner · Post by **Tim Tyner** » 16 Sep 2012 6:22 am

Someone once said,"There are men that can't be measured".I believe Buddy Emmons to be one of these men.My all time favorite steel guitarist to listen to.Thank you so much for posting this!

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How the heck does Buddy Emmons play this solo?

How the heck does Buddy Emmons play this solo?

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