Shoes or No Shoes, That is The Question??

Alan Simon · Post by **Alan Simon** » 16 Aug 2016 5:38 am

I'm new to playing pedal steel guitar. It's been a few months now and my playing is getting smoother and more musical as each day passes and I'm happy about that. My question is, I'm learning to play this wonderful instrument in my music room in my house. I'm a Southern boy who likes to go barefooted in my house almost year round so when I sit down at the pedal steel I don't wear shoes to practice. It just dawned on me that if and when I ever decide to play outside of my home, I will have to wear shoes and that could be a problem. I would not be use to it and the guitar will probably need to be raised a bit and the pedals re-adjusted to work with the shoes I'm wearing.
Your thoughts on this silly problem.
Let me start this conversation off. WEAR SHOES!! Now, what else you got?
Thanks, Alan

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 16 Aug 2016 6:06 am

I've seen people play in socks but never barefoot.

Personally, I want shoes. That is another issue, some can only play in one certain style of shoe while others can play wearing any type of shoe (I can play in any type - tennis shoes, cowboy boots, etc).

If you are eventually going to play out, most likely it will require shoes, so best to learn to play in shoes.

Mark Hershey · Post by **Mark Hershey** » 16 Aug 2016 7:00 am

I have a habit of playing in socks at the house, and when I put on shoes I have a hard time finding the pedals as accurately.

My feeling is you are probably better off practicing with a dedicated pair of shoes.

My pedal steel teacher told me to make sure the bottom is flat (running shoes won't work) and he recommended something like cowboy boots or beatle boots because the heel gives you some good leverage to get some real snap and pop on the pedals.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 16 Aug 2016 7:03 am

I understand Mike Perlowin wears mocassins; don't know whether they're hard or soft soles, but something in between bare foot and shoe
might be nice, martial arts/tai chi slippers from China, possibly.

Jeff Garden · Post by **Jeff Garden** » 16 Aug 2016 7:21 am

Another vote for flat-soled moccasins. You can still "feel" the pedals and not have to worry about being barefoot in the men's room at a dive bar

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Aug 2016 7:27 am

You need to get a pair of moccasins like these.
You better move fast, though, because wooses have been placed on the endangered species list.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 16 Aug 2016 7:57 am

Charlie McDonald wrote:I understand Mike Perlowin wears moccasins; don't know whether they're hard or soft soles, but something in between bare foot and shoe
might be nice, martial arts/tai chi slippers from China, possibly.

I use soft sole mocs. I keep them in my paca-seat.

As Charlie says, they are something in between bare foot and shoe. The mocs provide as much flexibility as playing barefoot, and at the same time have some cushion against he pedals, making playing much more comfortable.

Alan Simon · Post by **Alan Simon** » 16 Aug 2016 8:32 am

I may go the moccasin route. That way I can continue to play barefoot and when I decide to slip on the moccasins there won't be that much height difference and I will retain some barefoot feel.
Thanks, Alan

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 16 Aug 2016 8:42 am

Jay Jackson, who tours with Jason Aldean, plays barefoot.

Alan Simon · Post by **Alan Simon** » 16 Aug 2016 9:15 am

Jay Jackson plays barefooted. Now we're talkin.

Ben Edmonds · Post by **Ben Edmonds** » 16 Aug 2016 9:35 am

I think it's good to practice in the shoes you're likely to be wearing on the gig. It can add one more thing to worry about that isn't necessary. If you only want to play at the house or record then anything works

Edward Rhea · Post by **Edward Rhea** » 16 Aug 2016 9:46 am

Alan, you aren't alone...I prefer to be barefooted as well, at least at home! I've only played out publicly a couple times, and got by in socks or a pair of Converse All-Stars...any other shoe/boot and I don't have enough clearance to pedal.

Brian Gattis · Post by **Brian Gattis** » 16 Aug 2016 10:11 am

Shoes of course! Have some class

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Aug 2016 10:17 am

I know that I might get some flack, but I wouldn't advise western boots, they limit ankle movement too much.
You need to be able to tip on and off the pedals as easy as you can.

Morton Kellas · Post by **Morton Kellas** » 16 Aug 2016 10:18 am

Austin Stewart always plays pedal steel in his socks. He just wears his shoes to the show and kicks them off to play his steel. I wish I could get a pair of his socks to see if it would help me to play like him, but I don't think it would work. Austin is a very talented steel player, one of the best.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Aug 2016 10:39 am

His grandpa isn't bad either.

Kevin Barber · Post by **Kevin Barber** » 16 Aug 2016 11:01 am

I've only been learning the steel for a little over two years and play in two bands. The guys in the band are tolerant of my not so refined playing, hehe.

I play in black socks, on my left foot, which matches my black boot I keep on my right foot for the volume pedal, and doesn't stick out like a white sock would.

Playing in socks lends to being able to feel the pedals better, for me anyway. To each his own, I guess.

During the breaks, I slip my boot back on, and only a few people have asked about me taking the boot off and on.

Tom Campbell · Post by **Tom Campbell** » 16 Aug 2016 3:02 pm

How comfortable is it to push down on two pedals (A&B) at the same time in your bare feet or just socks?

I've tried it and it just tore up the sole of my foot. Must depend on the size (width) of one's foot.

Edward Rhea · Post by **Edward Rhea** » 16 Aug 2016 3:10 pm

Very comfortable! Thanks for asking, Tom!

My Sho~Bud pedals ultra soft, thanks to Ricky & James!

Kevin Barber · Post by **Kevin Barber** » 16 Aug 2016 3:55 pm

Tom Campbell wrote:How comfortable is it to push down on two pedals (A&B) at the same time in your bare feet or just socks?

My feet aren't really tough or anything, but I play a Mullen RP and fortunately, the pedal action is really smooth and doesn't take a lot of pressure to activate the pedals at all.

I've tried playing in shoes but I'm more comfortable in socks. I may change my mind if I have to play a gig outside in freezing temps, hehe.

Christopher Woitach · Post by **Christopher Woitach** » 16 Aug 2016 4:02 pm

I am absolutely mystified how anyone can actually get the pedals down in barefeet.. Or socks, for that matter! You guys either have the toughest feet or the lightest pedal action - it hurts for me to play my 2011 MSA Studio Pro without shoes....

Alan Simon · Post by **Alan Simon** » 16 Aug 2016 4:07 pm

Practice, practice, practice.

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 16 Aug 2016 4:58 pm

I play in socks. .. can't play any other way. Back when I was gigging I played in socks on the stage. ..no one cared except for the band leader who encouraged me to go with it and get a real real fancy pair of them. Lemon into lemonade.

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 16 Aug 2016 6:33 pm

Christopher Woitach wrote:I am absolutely mystified how anyone can actually get the pedals down in barefeet.. Or socks, for that matter! You guys either have the toughest feet or the lightest pedal action - it hurts for me to play my 2011 MSA Studio Pro without shoes....

Chris you must have alot of pulls on some of those pedals
I got used to playing in sock feet but when out in public play in sneaker to save the embarrassment. I. Find I am not as agile with my shoes on as I feel the hold me back or hinder my ability to find a certain pedal in a hurry. As a last ditch effort I will be trying to wear converse chucks if that doesn't work I will be saying to heck and going in my socks. I see alot of guys doing it on sock feet these days.
Dickie Overly played in sock feet I am pretty sure. :whoa:

Dave Little · Post by **Dave Little** » 16 Aug 2016 7:31 pm

Pointy toed cowyboy boots and don't let nobody tell you otherwise