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Topic: HOW does one properly use the foot volume pedal? |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 6 Oct 2008 6:39 am |
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This question is often asked......by beginners, and occasionally, by long time steel players as well.
Speedy West used the foot volume pedal in a number of different ways as have many session players. One would have to listen to a bunch of Speedy's records to get the complete idea. Hank Thompson's olde band
had steel players using a signature sound that employed the foot volume pedal as well.
Another application, an example, can be heard on Sonny James record that is now being featured on the jerrybyrd-fanclub.com web site. Jerry Byrd uses the foot volume pedal through the first half of the verse and it is a different flavoring if used properly. A lot of the older Hawaiian players used to employ this technique in their earlier recording sessions.
A common mistake is for the newbie to use a never-ending, pumping action with the volume pedal, constantly rocking the pedal "ON" and "OFF" which gives the listener the sensation of constantly wavering musical sounds. NOT GOOD!
Make it a learning experience and visit "Jerry's Music" page on the above site. You can GOOGLE it by going to JERRY BYRD. (fan club) |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 6 Oct 2008 7:12 am edit
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edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 20 Jun 2012 5:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Rich Hlaves
From:
Wildomar, California, USA
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Posted 6 Oct 2008 8:06 am
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Up until the last week or so I have not used a swell (volume) pedal at all. I started working on a version of Angel From Montgomery by John Prine and thought organ like swells would sound good with the chording. I'm nearly full up for the solo I worked out.
Like any other effect, it can be over used. Have you ever gone to see a band and the lead player used chorus and overdrive/distortion all night long never changing tone. Yuck! Same deal with the VP. I agree Ray.
RH |
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John Burton
From:
Manassas, Va
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Posted 6 Oct 2008 11:31 am
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Nice old recording. Really enjoyable.
I use a volume pedal, and I allways have to remind myself to try and make it "transparent" and natural sounding...and most times I think I come a little closer than the last time.
The Volume pedal is really a deceptively subltle skill.(and sometimes, for me, frustrating!) |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 6 Oct 2008 1:21 pm
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I have always tried to remember the advice I received a long time ago about the volume pedal:
"The volume pedal was misnamed, it should have been called a SUSTAIN pedal. It's intended purpose was to overcome the inferiority of early guitar pickups by eliminating the decay of a played note/chord until a subsequent note/chord was played. If it's use could be readily detected, the pedal was being incorrectly used."
Exceptions would be when the pedal is used to achieve special-effects rather than for normal use.
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"FROM THEN TIL' NOW" |
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