Volume Pedal basics

[David Matzenik]

I have never used a volume pedal, and may have the wrong idea. It seems to me, the basic function is that by pressing down on the pedal, the volume goes from zero to maximum, and springs back to zero, once the pressure is eased. I assume "zero" is set by guitar's volume control and therefore, not actually a matter of no sound.

If this is the case, how is the pickless attack of the so-called violin effect achieved, other than by closing the guitar's control?

[Doug Beaumier]

The volume pedal goes between the guitar and the amp, so backing off on the pedal completely silences the guitar (with most pedals) regardless of where the volume on the guitar is set.

When using a volume pedal, I set the volume on the guitar all the way up and leave it there. The foot volume pedal is replacing it. When the volume on the guitar is wide open you're sending the strongest signal through the volume pedal. You're also getting the fullest tone from the guitar IMO. I might add that most pedal steel guitars today have no volume control at all. They are full output all the time and the players use volume pedals.

As far as volume pedal technique, in most playing situations you would play with the pedal about halfway down, pick, and as the notes fade you increase the volume slightly. Then bring the pedal back to the halfway position before striking the strings again. You seldom stomp down all the way on the pedal or back it off all the way for most playing. If you want some kind of a silent attack, just back off on the pedal, pick, and step on the pedal.

[David Matzenik]

Thanks Doug. My next question is about the comfort of your ankle. If you hold a kind of average volume for much of a tune, does that mean your ankle is tension with your foot on the pedal somewhere in mid-range?

[Fred]

Volume pedals aren’t spring loaded so there’s no tension on your ankle at any time.

[Andy Henriksen]

Thanks Doug. My next question is about the comfort of your ankle. If you hold a kind of average volume for much of a tune, does that mean your ankle is tension with your foot on the pedal somewhere in mid-range?

While they aren't spring-loaded, there can be some tension in the foot/ankle/leg just from the act of controlling the pedal - whether it's moving it like Doug describes, or if you are trying to hold it in one particular spot for an extended period of time. One thing that really matters is the position of the pedal. If it's too far out in front or too close, you will experience fatigue. you have to find the sweet spot. That includes the placement of your foot on the pedal - too far forward and gravity will try to give you full volume, and you have to use your leg muscles to counteract that. Same (opposite) with too far back on the pedal.

I do find that many songs sound just fine without any volume pedal action at all - especially faster songs, so I'll take my foot off the pedal for those to give my foot a break.

[David Matzenik]

Let me get this straight. Its not spring-loaded. So the volume stays wherever you take your foot off the pedal?

[Andy Henriksen]

Let me get this straight. Its not spring-loaded. So the volume stays wherever you take your foot off the pedal?

correct.

[David Matzenik]

Thank you, gentlemen. I might consider experimenting with a pedal, but the desirable ones are very expensive in Australia.

[Peter Harris]

Start with a Boss guitar volume pedal...usually around $35 secondhand in Cash Converters...sometimes even less on Gumtree.

If you like it, progress to something more suitable and expensive...and put the Boss unit back on Gumtree..

Peter

[Doug Beaumier]

As others have said, the best, most expensive VPs are not spring loaded.

If you watch a good player's foot on the pedal, you'll notice that he barely moves his foot as he plays. The range of motion is in the center of the pedal's "throw"and is very slight. Don't stomp down all the way or back off all the way.
A good way to practice this technique is to set your amp louder than you need it to be... and you'll be forced to play with the your VP about halfway down, where it should be. As a chord/note fades, press lightly on the pedal to draw out the sound. Then bring the pedal back to midpoint before picking again.

On this video you can see my foot on the pedal ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1pJUQAYYxc
For every sustained note or phrase I press down to draw out the sound, and then bring the pedal back to midpoint before picking again. After you've been playing for a while you won't even think about it. It will just happen automatically and be part of your sound.

[Nelson Checkoway]

I think that the "steel guitar" technique that guitar players like Roy Buchanan have made popular--the no-attack violin-like tone created by pulling up the volume pot on an electric guitar with your pinky or ring finger--has created a general misunderstanding about the role of volume pedals. With steels, the no-attack swell is used primarily laying down background chord or single note pads. It's a "crying effect" you hear in country or Hawaiian ballads. But the vast majority of steel playing relies on well-articulated string attack and blocking to create the sounds we're used to hearing. As Doug notes, the volume pedal' chief role is to sustain a note as the string's energy dies, enabling you to strike a note or chord once and play and clearly hear a passage as you move your bar from fret to fret. Another big advantage of a volume pedal: it makes it easy to turn up for a solo and back down for comping without reaching for a volume knob or modulating your volume solely with string attack.

[Bobby D. Jones]

There is 2 types of volume pedals. One is spring loaded to return to 0 (no volume.) They are hard to play a guitar with. The other type has a spring to hold to pedal wherever you position it. So check them close before you buy. You can take your foot off the pedal and it will stay right there.

The volume pedal is more of an expression pedal. The pedal allows you to lengthen or shorten any note or phrase you play. I takes practice but it will make smooth playing easy, Nearly without thought.

[David Matzenik]

I have been studying the use of the volume pedal, and certain things occur to me like the geometry of the position on the floor, related to the players position. Then there is the vertical geometry of the lower leg which is important for a relaxed posture.

I am swelling the volume with the fore-foot or toe region, and backing off with the heel. For me, I cannot put the pedal anywhere, because the dexterity of the toes and heel are different.

Which leads me to my question. Why did Jerry Byrd reverse the pedal action? I have my own theory on this, but I am interested to know of any definitive information.

[Gene Tani]

Let me get this straight. Its not spring-loaded. So the volume stays wherever you take your foot off the pedal?

I *think* VP's made for steel are different from VP's made for 6 string players standing, my steel VP's, Goodrich and Hilton are very free moving, my Ernie Ball is pretty stiff so that it will absolutely stay where you leave it whenyou take foot off.

The Goodrich and Hilton, when i switch, have very different tapers (the Goodrich is a vintage unit that probably almost nobody uses anynore) so it's hard to generalize about them.

[John Kwasnik]

Hi, all --
I like to play standing up. All the volume pedals I've seen mean your foot is ~3" off the floor. Much foot fatigue. What I'd like is a low-profile roller-type, no spring-load, so it stays where you put it. I don't have a shop handy to make one. Anybody is free to use this design; it would be nice to send me one if you do.

[Jerry Ledsome]

I'm a relative beginner in c6...I have a Morley VP Which has a min/ max control for volume. I like the idea of min volume for background rythm ...but find it almost as hard to utilize as learning palm blocking and other clarity accents...would you recommend a newbie leave it in the box awhile....or get used to using it as I am learning the other basics ? Thanks. J

[David Matzenik]

Jerry, I am new to VPs too. I think it comes down to having fun with it. You don't have to use it in every practice.

Mostly, I sit on a bar stool with the guitar on a stand, strings 3 feet above the floor. I like to play standing too, which means on one leg at times with the VP. Not ideal. I think John's design is interesting. It looks like you could leave your heal on the floor, but I think it would need a larger diameter foot roller for careful variation.

[Fred Treece]

I *think* VP's made for steel are different from VP's made for 6 string players standing, my steel VP's, Goodrich and Hilton are very free moving, my Ernie Ball is pretty stiff so that it will absolutely stay where you leave it whenyou take foot off.

This is true. Also, VP’s made for steel players are lower profile units than the Ernie Ball, Morley, and older Goodrich pedals, and the heel end is tapered. This makes them much more comfortable to operate from a sitting position, although not difficult to use if you play standing up.