|
|
Some Thoughts by Jerry Byrd - Another gem from da chief on steel guitar fads and gimmicks
The Queen's Songbook - a new collection of famous and previously unpublished songs written by Lili`uokalani. Jerry Byrd's Instruction Course - where to order this steel guitar classic "So You Want to Play Hawaiian Steel Guitar" - a lesson from Alan Akaka
Tunings for Steel Guitar - by John Ely
Tech Tips - Build a Steel! - John Tipka on steel guitar building.
'Da Book' - Lorene's great new sourcebook ©2000 by Ely Music/Pub |
 |
Some Thoughts from Jerry Byrd
Looking back over my 61 years as a professional musician, I have learned much and was fortunate enough to have accomplished every goal that I had set out to conquer - and more. How lucky can you get (??). I inserted the question marks because luck had nothing to do with it! I hammered it out by the "hunt-and-peck" system: a long trial-and-error method of learning. Today I can teach a dedicated student in one year what it took me 50 years to learn. The problem is, however, finding that dedicated student. I very rarely see the student who has that "burning-in-the-gut" feeling to learn like I (and many of you) had and maybe still have. If I find one out of fifty that is the exception and does want to learn, then that's a good average. At least it's one more that we didn't have before - right? Few are at the age when learning comes easy - in their "teens" or twenties. Why? I believe it is because steel guitar does not get the exposure needed to reach them. We will pursue this subject in more depth in a future article. As you know by now, we have a new staff heading up the HSGA, and we must wish them well and give our full support. But we also must not be remiss in giving one big "sah-lud" to Alan Akaka and his "helms-man" (or is it helms-woman?) Marge Scott for the great job they did. As we say in pidgin - "da bes" and "tanks, eh?!!!" Again this Christmas, as always, Kaleo and I received a huge pile of beautiful Christmas cards, which to me is the nicest part of Christmas. I thank those of you who added special notes of appreciation of my music and what it has meant to you over all these many years. I do not feel worthy of such love and admiration, but God knows that I appreciate it - and am humbled by it. I will try to continue these little visits with you via the newsletter, and if you have anything you would like me to comment on, I will try. As all of you know, I have no secrets - musically, that is!!!! Oh - as for my book: It is finished and so we now begin the search for a publisher. Therein lies the "rub!" Everybody it seems is writing a book! But - maybe we'll get lucky. If so you'll find out as soon as all this resolves itself. Aloha - ly, JB 
HSGA * HAWAIIAN
STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net) Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu) |
