pedal usage question from a beginner

[Ben Jones]

Ben,

Stomping implies a motion that comes from the hip, not from the ankle. Is that what you're doing? I don't think that I ever actually stomp on the pedals.

stomp was just an expression, maybe not apt, but I dont think the more comonly used "mashing" is a much better descriptor. maybe slightly...okay, no more "stomping", "mashing" from now on

I play with my ankle planted and most motions originate from the ankle.

I think have seen however other players and not just Mooney, moving more from the knee on occasions when they have to do some fast bouncy pedaling, its almost a toe tapping kind of motion but with the ankle not planted firmly on the ground.

consider this move. Your playing a chord with AB down, the next chord is with BC down, and then back to the same chord with AB down, all in rapid succession. This seems like a tough move with the ankle planted. You're either pivoting if you have your ankle planted, or you are lifting that ankle slightly and moving your feet over to the BC pedals. Maybe this is poor technique but i find it easier to slightly lift the ankle and head on over to those BC pedals than pivoting.

seems like RR has a kind of bouncy pedal motion bt maybe he's just dancing it works whatever it is.

[Barry Hyman]

Boy, I sure wouldn't stomp (or mash!) anything on my beautiful new Williams! I don't even want to get fingerprints on it, much less stomp it...

Seriously, I would say that the trickiest movements, meaning the ones that should be practiced the most, are A+B to just A, and A to A+B.

I think we all agree that the knee levers should be set as close together as is possible but not so close that you hit them while performing these pedal movements.

I prefer narrow, thin-soled shoes that don't enclose the ankle -- I can't press my B pedal without touching A and C in my normal street shoes -- but I'm sure one could learn to use any type of shoes eventually -- it's just that thin soles and no ankle constriction make it easier...

[Richard Sinkler]

The quick movement from A & B to B & C is more common than you might think. I use it at least a few times a night. The most notable is Paul Franklin's intro and solo to Mark Chesnutt's version of "Old Country". It comes at the end of both. I pivot my ankle to make the moves and it can be done fairly quickly. I don't know that my heel ever leaves the floor unless I am reaching over to hit my Franklin pedal, which is the furthest to the left (pedal 0 position?). I play Day setup, so moving from A & B to the Franklin pedal is quite a move.

[Hook Moore]

Also: there's nothing wrong with Hook's rule, as long as it doesn't become a limitation.

The only rule I have is, don't take shortcuts today that you will regret tomorrow. The only limitations come from not forming a foundation to build on. If you are physically capable , learn to flex the ankle, it will get easier. Learn to find and feel the pedals and soon it will become second nature.
Hook

[Ben Jones]

I played for a while and watched my ankle. It turns out i dont lift it as i thought. I DO in fact pivot to get to BC.

The only time I seem to lift my ankle is when i go for the vert knee ...which is ...never.

and stomping in no way describes what i am doing.
so i guess that makes my posts in this thread not only useless, but counterproductive

[richard burton]

Yes, definately anticipate a few beats ahead, and press pedal B at the same time as pedal A, as long as the next note to be played on strings 3 or 6 is A, not G#

[b0b]

Seriously, I would say that the trickiest movements, meaning the ones that should be practiced the most, are A+B to just A, and A to A+B.

One think that occurs to me is that when I'm doing those moves, I am often moving the bar and engaging or releasing the F lever on LKL. In other words, I am going from A+B to A+F or vice versa. This is significant because the sidewards movement of the leg reduces the amount of ankle movement required.

People who have the E lower lever on LKR gain a similar mechanical advantage going from A+B to B+E and back. These movements feel very natural once you get used to them.

[Ben Jones]

heres one that kills me. BC pedals down to just the B pedal and then with B pedal down bring in LKR (which lowers my E's) without touching C.

I guess we dont really consider all thats involved in movements we have become accustomed to until we really stop to scrutinize it. ...much like walking.

[b0b]

heres one that kills me. BC pedals down to just the B pedal and then with B pedal down bring in LKR (which lowers my E's) without touching C.

Yeah, that's an awkward one. Yet another argument for lower the E's on the right knee.