Foot placement on volume pedal

Jim Wiehoff · Post by **Jim Wiehoff** » 12 May 2002 2:05 pm

OK...this sounds like a real newbie question but I'll ask anyway. I find that sliding my foot forward on the volume pedal so that my shoe is about an inch past the front of the pedal, helps keep me from over-pumping the pedal. What is considered proper placement?...or is it this srictly an individual preference thing.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 12 May 2002 5:31 pm

Don't know that there is a "correct" way to place your foot on the volume pedal. I personally have my whole foot on the pedal with no overhang on the front. I tried that way but found my foot catching the top of the pedal bar and not allowing me to fully engage the pedal.

I've also seen (and tried myself) people that have their toes placed no farther than the pivot point of the pedal.

Over pumping of the pedal should not be a direct result of where your foot sits on the volume pedal. It is a mental thing that you just have to practice (many hours worth) to overcome. I used to be a drummer prior to picking up the steel guitar. It was very hard for me to not pump the pedal (like I was playing the bass drum).

Placement of your foot on the pedal should be a comfort thing.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Richard Sinkler on 12 May 2002 at 06:34 PM.]</p></FONT>

Sam White · Post by **Sam White** » 12 May 2002 6:51 pm

I was told to put something under the back of the volumn pedal to stop me from using thepedal to shut my string off. So I put a CD case under the back of mine and i seem to play a lot smoother to.
Sam White

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 12 May 2002 9:35 pm

As Samuel has demonstrated, whatever works for you is the correct way. Jody.

slick · Post by **slick** » 13 May 2002 2:11 pm

I saw Russ Hicks at a steel show in Birmingham,half his foot is on the pedal,the other half is out over the front of the pedal.I asked him about it,he said it was a bad habit.If bad habits make you play like he
does,i wish i had more.I think its what works
best for you.

Wayne Broyles

Robert Rogers · Post by **Robert Rogers** » 21 May 2002 4:53 pm

Thats the way I look at it too.If its comfortable to you then stick with it.

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 21 May 2002 5:28 pm

Jim, there is no "right/ wrong" way to place your foot..

IF IT FEELS GOOD ,DO IT..!!

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Jerry Wallace-2001 Zum: D-10,8+6, "98 Zum: D-10,8+8,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Session 400 head only amp,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico
http://communities.msn.com/jerrywallacemusic http://www.jerrywallacemusic.com

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 22 May 2002 6:32 am

I like to use a bracket that attaches the foot volume to the pedal board. Otherwise I have a tendency, while playing, to push the foot volume forward and it will hang up on the pedal board. The bracket holds it in place.
Erv

Tiny Olson · Post by **Tiny Olson** » 22 May 2002 6:32 pm

I agree with those who state to each his own. Whatever is most comfortable is the way to go.

As for me, I wear size 14E shoes so basically the vol. pedal disappears when I put my foot on it. I know, being tall that I prefer low-profile pedals and my guitars are 2" taller than normal so I can have leg clearance on the right leg for the vol. pedal and the vert. knee on the left leg.

Tiny Olson