B &C Pedals

[Robert Harrington]

I think everyone knows that the A&B pedals are a simple and common way of getting from the I Chord to the IV Chord. Can anyone sum up the use of the B&C pedals as simply as that? Probably a dumb question, but I can't answer it.

[Ken Pippus]

I major to II minor.

[George Plemons]

Another helpful hint is that the 3&4 strings with B*C pedals two frets in front of pedals up position are the same inverted notes as 3*5 strings. In other words, if you were on fret 3 playing in G 3 and 5 strings can be found again on strings 3*4 with b*c pedals down at fret 5..hope thats not to confusing.

[Larry Bressington]

Push them once in a while, they sound goooooood!
Lots O minors and 6th and 9th's over majors chords, known as exstentions/subs.
In G major fret 3 B/C over fret 3/4/5,[ group strings 345/456 and AGAIN AT fret 10/11/12 AND OF COURSE RESOLVING THE PASSAGE at the end of the phrase, Last note is on you!

[Greg Cutshaw]

Here's 30 possibilities but I've heard many more and had to give up tabbing them because the list is just endless.

E9th Pedal 3 Tabs And Sound Files


Greg

[Ray Minich]

Use them to play the scale in chords (i.e. strings 3 4 and 5) up the neck. Start at any fret, the "do" is 345 open, the "re" is 345 w/b&c, "mi" is 345 up two frets w/b&c, "fa' and "so" are the 4 and 5 chords (no pedals, up more frets), etc.

I'll let you figure out "la" "ti" and "do". "la" is 345 w/b&c again, "ti" is a weird one, it's a diminished..., then "do" is just 12 frets above the start.

(Edited later in the day 'cause I really screwed it up the first time, misnaming "la" and "ti")

[Ben Jones]

Minor chord two frets back from root no pedals position.
for example: Am at 3rd fret with BC pedals down

this also gives you a minor scale starting with the root on string 7

[Joseph Barcus]

people seem to worry about the bc pedal stuff, B is B and all the C pedal is doing is giving you that F# thats the same note you have on your top string. I myself call it the scale pedal for thats where you will find your minor chords on a scale run. lets say strings 4&5 thats whats on the (c pedal) anyways, 3rd fret we have a G with no pedals or lets call it a (1) same strings push bc pedals that will give you a (am) or 2M, move up two frets you have a BM or 3m, and so on.

[Chuck Campbell]

Thanks Greg,
Your hard work making the information available is greatly appreciated. I plan to put it to good use.

[Jim Palenscar]

Just another way of saying what has been said in the previous posts- The B/C combination does for the AB pedals position what the A pedal does for the open position- changes the chord from a 1 to a 6 minor (to the relative minor).

[Marc Friedland]

Robert,

Just letting you know I sent you an email asking for your email address so I can send you a chart that uses only the A, B & C pedals and shows you easy ways to find and play Major, Minor & 7th scales on the E9 neck.

Marc

[Mike Perlowin]

The third line of my ride in this blues rock video, where it goes to the 5 chord, features the use of the C pedal pumping up and down while I picked the 1st and 4th strings simultaneously. I got the idea from Hendrix's "Highway Child"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkSnoeTWR4I

[Brint Hannay]

Just another way of saying what has been said in the previous posts- The B/C combination does for the AB pedals position what the A pedal does for the open position- changes the chord from a 1 to a 6 minor (to the relative minor).

With the notable difference that you can't move smoothly from A/B to B/C as you can from open to A pedal. For a smooth 1 to 6 minor I prefer to have a 3rd and 6th string 1/2 step lower lever, and move up two frets from A/B to G lower only ( ex: C major, 3rd fret, A/B, to A minor, 5th fret, "G" lower).

The G lowers also give more control in going from open position 1 to 2 minor two frets up (ex: G major, 3rd fret open, to A minor 5th fret, "G" lower). The timing of the two pulls on the C pedal plus the two pulls on the B pedal is hard to get so the open to B/C move sounds good, to my ear. Except for quick moves where it doesn't matter.

I find B/C most useful for harmonized scale work on strings 6 & 4 or 4 & 3.

[Clyde Mattocks]

If you have the E to F# on a knee, you have this change without having to move off the A & B pedals.
Pretty convenient. Quite a few guys here do it.

[Robert Harrington]

I never imagined my simple question would evoke such a response, but I will tell you that every comment is much appreciated and will be put to good use. I am so glad I am a member of this forum and so glad I decided to take on the daunting task of learning to play this fantastic instrument. Thanks to all. Let's keep thjis going.

[Joseph Barcus]

bob get you some conway twitty material you will have the great BC pedals of John Hughey,thats the sound youre looking for I know