|
|
©2000 by Ely Music/Pub |
 |
Steel guitar in Jamaica "My Father Brought Steel Guitar to the West Indies in 1922"(by Lindon O. Stoddart, new member and steel player/teacher) My father, Cyril George Stoddart, introduced the Hawaiian steel guitar to the Island of Jamaica, West Indies in 1922. He roamed the Island of over 4,000 square miles, from end to end, holding concerts, impromptu playing for groups of people, organizations, the church, weddings. He formed his own band, and was so well known that when he walked down Kingston's main street, the throngs of people walking along King Street called out to him. He was taught by professor Kolomuku, by remote class and recordings, and his style of playing was in the Sol Ho`opi`i genre. In 1932, NBC radio of New York, sent the yacht Seth Parker down to Kingston. By relay, my father broadcast steel guitar on NBC. The news came back that his playing was well received. He also broadcast over local radio, several times. My father had a music studio and played eight instruments: steel guitar, classical Spanish guitar, mandolin, `ukulele, tenor banjo, saxophone, violin and piano. However, the steel guitar was his greatest love of them all. He played A major and E7th tunings, and dabbled in some others. He was adept on both acoustic and electric guitars. He died at 66, in May 1956, leaving eight children. At his death, approximately 95 per cent of all steel players in Jamaica had either been taught by him personally or by some of his former pupils. How Lindon Started on SteelI was born in Old Harbour, Jamaica in 1930, his second son and fourth child. When I was 3, my father sat me on the floor and placed his 1929 National "Artist Special" in my lap. At age 10, he began my steel guitar lessons. With wild enthusiasm, I ran through the Kamiki Method in five weeks, and then other books in A major. Then I learned E7th (Hi Hoch Method), although I played mostly A major tuning. My first public performance was in Elementary School, at age 11. That was also the year I began assisting my father teaching pupils. One year later, I had my own students. It all began one day when a gentleman pupil came to the house for his lesson, and my father couldn't stay to give it, having urgent business elsewhere. The gentleman looked down at the skinny kid and sneered "you expect this little boy to teach me?" Through a smile, my father said, with typical understatement "all right, Lindon, play a tune for him." The man took the lesson. Just before he died, my father said I had the talent to play like his idol, the great Sol Ho`opi`i, but that I would have to practice very hard to maintain it. At the time, I was playing the Kealoha A7th tuning. It came to me to change to A13th/C#minor combination tuning of nine strings, in 1956. It is so versatile that I think, with the addition of a B string, it could almost render the pedal steel unnecessary. I also play the E13th, but not very well, for lack of attention. I play an electric Tappin triple console special, and recently acquired a Remington D-10 non-pedal steel. Lindon Wins a TV ContestIn 1964, while studying for my accounting exams, my brother (ranked #2 in Jamaica on jazz guitar) insisted I enter a TV contest for musicians. He accompanied me. I was scared, because the performance was live, and featured a number of recording artists. I practiced steadily for three weeks, and when I played in the contest, my guitar was literally playing itself with frightening skill. I was awarded first prize, even though a judge who was a band leader did not like steel guitar. [Lindon says "after that I went back into obscurity." He came to the United States in 1978, and became a CPA in Florida, where he is now head of Internal Audit for the State of Florida's Public Health Department in Miami.] Usually I have little time to practice. I am only able to practice 45 minutes a day, during the week, and 20 minutes a day on weekends. [Lindon says he has had repeated evidence that the playing is therapeutic and has relieved pain in some people.] When I am sick, if I play for half an hour, I make appreciable improvement. Perhaps I should play in hospitals, but then it's said that the world is sick, so I guess it's okay to play for the world! His Favorite Steel Artists[The greatest influences on Lindon's playing have been his father, Sol Ho`opi`i, and Jules Ah See. "I also add to those influences something I received from God," Lindon says. Among his other favorite Hawaiian steel players are Jerry Byrd, the late Alvin "Barney" Isaacs, Jr., Georges DeFretes, Wairata, Hal Aloma, Herb Remington "and a few Country players".] (ED. NOTE: If you're looking for a teacher in Florida, why not call Lindon? You'll find his address in "E Komo Mai" Fall '99 issue. We don't have his phone, but you read where he works! Sorry, Lindon, to put you on the spot, but there are many members looking for a good teacher. Mahalo nui loa for your story.) 
HSGA * HAWAIIAN
STEEL GUITAR ASSOCIATION Homepage URL: www.hsga.org (hsga@lava.net) Last updated: 07/23/02 by Gerald Ross (gbross@umich.edu)
|