| Author |
Topic: Nervous Foot |
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
|
Posted 26 Sep 2004 3:45 pm |
|
Several times I've heard reference made to
having a "Nervous Foot".
Anyone know anything about this?
Any of you ever experienced it?
Is this limited to lap steelers only?
I'm sure Keoki would want to know; and, I certainly do.
|
|
|
|
Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 26 Sep 2004 4:56 pm
|
|
Ray
Can you describe the symptoms !
Does the foot act scared all the time ?
or is it only under stress ! Like an angry
crowd !!!! in that situation I have two
nervous feet . 
Dr. Bob |
|
|
|
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
|
Posted 26 Sep 2004 6:19 pm
|
|
| I understand it has something to do with the volume pedal useage. Someone mentioned that Jerry Byrd suffered from it; or did at one time; in one or more different tunes. I lack details or specifics of any nature. I'm looking for more information from the historians here on the Forum. |
|
|
|
Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
|
Posted 26 Sep 2004 6:26 pm
|
|
| I wonder if it's related to a clinical condition called "restless leg syndrome"... really. |
|
|
|
Paul Graupp
From:
Macon Ga USA
|
Posted 26 Sep 2004 8:00 pm
|
|
We opened for Ray Price one night in France and I knew Jimmy Day was coming. I got so shook up playing SGR that I couldn't raise my left foot off of a pedal so I had to improvise the whole thing in that tuning. When I tried to lift my left foot off the pedal, it just trembled and wouldn't not release.
I have never had the problem again nor with my right foot on the volume pedal.
Regards, Paul |
|
|
|
John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
|
Posted 26 Sep 2004 8:19 pm
|
|
My experience with a nervous-foot happened way back in the early ’50's when I played my very first job with a band in public. My right-foot continued to hop up and down on the volume-pedal sounding like a Tremelo/Vibrato. After I got over the nervousness of that first gig, it never happened again. (Now it's hard to lift either foot, because; I'm old and stiff!)
------------------
“Big John” Bechtel
(2)-Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Customs
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here
click hereclick hereclick here |
|
|
|
Bob Maickel
From:
Floral Park, NY
|
Posted 27 Sep 2004 7:44 pm
|
|
In 1985 at my performance as part of the ISGC in St. Louis, I told the audience that I had prepared an original tune which I decided not to play, in recognition of every steel player's nightmare at such a monumental event. I called it "The Foot Pedal Quiver, Bar Shiver, Blues". That title came back to haunt me in 1995 during my set at the British Steel Guitar Convention. I was totally unnerved and Jeff Newman (God rest him) got on the mic and told the audience that my "Vibrato" was one of the best he had ever heard... I could not control my right foot on the volume pedal. It was acting on its own, not responding to my brain waves saying "Don't do that!!"
I had played the British Show several times and was in total control, except for this time: "a case of the nerves" it was said... Confidence in what you do in front of your audience is the key factor. (I've played in front of hundreds of folks many times over the years and didn't miss a note or have any other problem). There are many factors that can change your attitude while playing and volume pedal quiver is a prime result of your mental attitude of the moment. We're all human after all. It's up to you to overcome any problem that might occur. Pay no attention to who might be in your audience, just play as you would if no one was present with you. |
|
|
|
Mike D
From:
Phx, Az
|
Posted 27 Sep 2004 8:36 pm
|
|
I had 'nervous pinkie' (playing bottleneck) at the first really big gig I ever sang at. I did the opening verse of 'Dust My Broom' and thought I was gonna fall over afterward...I also had the best vibrato EVER for the rest of the song! 
------------------
Half-assed bottleneck and lap slide player. Full-assed Builder of resonator instruments.
[This message was edited by Mike D on 27 September 2004 at 09:37 PM.] |
|
|
|
Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
|
Posted 28 Sep 2004 1:19 pm
|
|
Actually......I was referring to Jerry Byrd's "Nervous Foot" syndrome.........
You can hear the results on any number of his older records; Country All Stars, etc.
He will repeatedly, palm harmonic at the twelfth fret while pumping his foot volume control. It sounds like an "ECHO CHAMBER",
no electronic wizardry, no gimmicks or gadgets.........just more of Jerry Byrd's
creative mind at work.....muscially!
Give it a try! You might like it! (?)
Listen for it and ye' shall hear! |
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
|
|
|
