More advices on Volume Pedal use, please

Francisco Castillo · From: Easter Island, Chile

Hi all.

It's been almost 3 yrs since i started playing lap steel and i feel it's time now to incorporate volume pedal.

I've read a lot, and understand (in theory) how it works, but i need more advice since there's no one around to show me how.

I've read you start with low volume pedal and slowly increase it to sustain the note. pricipal use.

volume swell, other use

are there eny other advices, suggestions, or other things to have in mind while practicing???

Maururu rahi, iorna korua.
hapa'o riva riva korua ta'ato'a

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Just me, I find that starting low and quickly bringing up partway just after picking, then increasing slowly to maintain volume, has a sort of compressor effect...cuts out the initial impulse response and makes a smoother sound overall. Makes a much more pedal steel-type sound than without it - I use it when I want to emulate a pedal steel.
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Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor

Nic Neufeld · From: Kansas City, Missouri

I bought one when starting out. Used it a few times, now it resides on my shelf. I agree, their main utility is getting more of a pedal steel type sound, or also a Jerry Byrd sound. Best used very subtly to decrease initial attack and push out sustain with a swell. Jerry's I think was actually wired backwards from the norm.

Other things they might be useful for, if you want volume swells but are playing a guitar where the pots are not easily located to work with your picking hand. My frypan is easy to do this without a pedal, but the Stringmaster, less so.
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I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me

Francisco Castillo · From: Easter Island, Chile

thanks for the answers.

one last question,
Do you always play lap with VP, or without VP??

thanks a lot

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

I am also new to the VP, but so far, I do not use it in the above mentioned way. My main use is to prolong the sustain of palm harmonics.

Easter Island, Rapa Nui! And I thought Cairns was remote! Laughing

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Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

And in a band, of course, a vol pedal helps balance with the rest of the band, pump up for solos, push the amp into overdrive, etc. But a volume knob works fine for that also, of course.
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor

Francisco Castillo · From: Easter Island, Chile

David Matzenik · From: Cairns, on the Coral Sea

Francisco Castillo · From: Easter Island, Chile

ok,
i'll work on it too.
thanks

Jerry Gleason · From: Eugene, Oregon, USA

Although volume pedal technique is essential for pedal steel, I find that when playing lap or console steels, I often don't use one at all, or if I do, it's mostly just to adjust overall volume rather than for expression. It just depends on the style you're playing.

Mark Mansueto · From: Michigan, USA

I've used mine a LOT this past year for songs with pedal steel parts that I had to mimic. worked great but it took quite a bit of practice to get it right. I had a thread on it a few months ago and I got a great tip from another forumite that told me to not start with zero volume but to start with the pedal at the midway point and increase from there which kept the notes from pumping.

Francisco Castillo · From: Easter Island, Chile

Perfecto !!

i've been trying all suggestions, and will continue practicing.

- Sustain harmonics
- have some spare volume/crunch in case it's needed
- don't start from zero sound (all way down)

If any advice left, please dont hesitate to write them down here.

thanks a lot

Francisco Castillo · From: Easter Island, Chile

Hi all

i've been practicing a lot with Vol Pedal. Thinking and thinking a lot too. How can this VP help me.

Following your suggestions i made this picture inside my head:
if you want to communicate (talk) something, you use the right words (notes), in the correct order ant timing, with attention to tone and volume too.

So, the volume pedal allows me to work with different volumes just like mi own voice.

whispering, normal, shouting

So now i'm workin on trying to play the way i talk. Not easy at all, since i have to worry about my playing while workin on the VP, but i trust in "work and practice"
So back to work.

Thanks a lot
Iorana

Joel Bloom · Posted 30 May 2020 12:21 am

Hi Francisco when I first got a volume pedal I practised along with these two songs alot, as the expression with their volume use was, well, so expressive! A yearning sort of a cry..alot of soul. I hope you enjoy too. Cheers

Ry Cooder Sunny's tune

https://youtu.be/TsvxCcSyckc

Tim O'brien w/ Jerry Douglas

https://youtu.be/678f4fepn0c

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