How many of you pedal steel players enjoy playing non-pedal?
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- Alan Brookes
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- Ruth Iseli-Dahler
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I don't know whether I'm a pedal steel guitarist who likes to play non-pedal or a non-pedal steel guitarist who like to play pedal.
I completely agree, Alan.
My resos sounds quite different. But GREAT too.
I can play unplugged and travel by bike or train with a reso.....try this with a PSG
I love to check out different tunings on the reso
happy to learn them both
I completely agree, Alan.
My resos sounds quite different. But GREAT too.
I can play unplugged and travel by bike or train with a reso.....try this with a PSG
I love to check out different tunings on the reso
happy to learn them both
Mullen Pre-RP D10, Emmons D10, Mullen G2 SD10, Dobros
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I packed up the pedal steel (of 17 years) in favor of non-pedal a little over a year ago. I could never get the tone required for the music I wanted to do (Hawaiian-flavored pop) and I got tired of the set-up and pack-up routine.
Now I find there are more fun challenges with NP than I thought possible due to the scarcity of harmonic real estate. The fat and weird voicings that I took for granted with C6th PSG are not so accessible now. And I have to be more precise about where I position the bar (slanted and non-slanted) for voicings that require behind-the-bar string pulls. And after all these years, I discovered I spent too much time trying to find and document all of those oddball voicings. The truth is that most of the listening audience (at least mine) don't care about "sophistication". I have a newfound respect for simplicity, or at least the illusion of it.
I enjoyed the PSG, but this is a new chapter and I don't plan on revisiting the prior ones. My only regret is that I didn't appreciate this sooner.
Now I find there are more fun challenges with NP than I thought possible due to the scarcity of harmonic real estate. The fat and weird voicings that I took for granted with C6th PSG are not so accessible now. And I have to be more precise about where I position the bar (slanted and non-slanted) for voicings that require behind-the-bar string pulls. And after all these years, I discovered I spent too much time trying to find and document all of those oddball voicings. The truth is that most of the listening audience (at least mine) don't care about "sophistication". I have a newfound respect for simplicity, or at least the illusion of it.
I enjoyed the PSG, but this is a new chapter and I don't plan on revisiting the prior ones. My only regret is that I didn't appreciate this sooner.
- Thomas Ludwig
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No pedals???
I have always thought that the reason for a lap steel,was intended for players that couldn't grasp the pedal steel.
I was wrong on that idea.now I am wondering how in the world, do they play all that with just two hands, and one bar.
OK.Serious question.please.No real, stupid answers.
Do they block the same way ?.Seems like we are always blocking, except while speed picking.
One More. Are there any laps steels, that are the leading brands?session players sometimes make remarks like,I wouldn't go to a session with out my,blank,blank.
I am thinking of it lately, because of my left foot.
At least it can't be too heavy.
I would love some serious answers,if possible.
Is there a 10 string//?
Blocker Bill
I was wrong on that idea.now I am wondering how in the world, do they play all that with just two hands, and one bar.
OK.Serious question.please.No real, stupid answers.
Do they block the same way ?.Seems like we are always blocking, except while speed picking.
One More. Are there any laps steels, that are the leading brands?session players sometimes make remarks like,I wouldn't go to a session with out my,blank,blank.
I am thinking of it lately, because of my left foot.
At least it can't be too heavy.
I would love some serious answers,if possible.
Is there a 10 string//?
Blocker Bill
Bill Mayville
06 Jackson Commemorative ,S 10
Black.For Sale . $18,000 Kidding
06 Jackson Commemorative ,S 10
Black.For Sale . $18,000 Kidding
Bill, you do have to rely your manipulation of the bar, whether in slanting or just moving it around quickly. I've tried as much as possible to get pedal steel sounds with my lap steel and I've transcribed and adapted many great tunes. I use the same kind of blocking (I think) that a pedal steel player would use--pick and palm and even bar--but i don't play with my right pinky extended like many pedal players do.
There are leading brands: Fender, Clinesmith, MSA, Rickenbacker, to name a few. I play Clinesmith and Fender, but I've owned almost one of everything at some point.
If you're interested in hearing some of the pedal sounds I can get, I compiled a few of them here in this thread: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=200311
There are leading brands: Fender, Clinesmith, MSA, Rickenbacker, to name a few. I play Clinesmith and Fender, but I've owned almost one of everything at some point.
If you're interested in hearing some of the pedal sounds I can get, I compiled a few of them here in this thread: http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=200311
- Greg Gefell
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So if you are used to playing E9 only PSG (like I am) and you want to experiment with playing lap (or reso in my case) on gigs where the psg wont work for whatever reason, what 6 string tuning makes the most sense? When ever I try standard G on the reso I get lost quickly because of the different fret positions compared to E9.
- Paul Crawford
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I started playing lap steel when I was picking up C6th pedals. I picked up Byrd's course to understand the approach and theory and found it directly related to the big neck. Now I use the PSG for gigging but break out of the lap steel for great old swing jams and some vintage music I play with some other groups.
I always keep my pet Deluxe 8 sitting by my chair and do a little noodling while watching the tube or listening to Willie's Place.
I still surprised every day with how much I don't know.
I always keep my pet Deluxe 8 sitting by my chair and do a little noodling while watching the tube or listening to Willie's Place.
I still surprised every day with how much I don't know.
- Roger Edgington
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My mother started me out on her old 6 string square neck box guitar when I was about 9. It was tuned to E and I learned on Hawaiian lessons she onece taught on. As I grew up I played on my Dads D6 Fender with E and C6th. Dad taught me a lot of the Byrd,Helms and others from the 50s. I finally got a pedal steel around 62 and pretty much quit playing NPS until about 6 years ago. I've been with a western swing band the last 17 years and have gotten back into NP. I like to play C 6th and if I wasn't so lazy I'd learn the Tom Morrell tuning.
I'm currently doing a 3 CD set with Billy Mata that is a tribute to Tommy Duncan,featured singer with Bob Wills. It's all non pedal. So far I've used a Fender T8 stringmaster,a single 10 my dad made in the 70s and a Parker S 10 I use for autographs. Also used my Zum without pedals.
I'm currently doing a 3 CD set with Billy Mata that is a tribute to Tommy Duncan,featured singer with Bob Wills. It's all non pedal. So far I've used a Fender T8 stringmaster,a single 10 my dad made in the 70s and a Parker S 10 I use for autographs. Also used my Zum without pedals.
- Scott Henderson
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Love it....I play a whole bunch of tunings and guitars..I have a D-10 a UNI-12 and a double 8 NP...In fact currently working on a non pedal western swing CD...
My favs are Tom Morrell and Juaquinn Murphy....and of course Bobby Koeffer...
My favs are Tom Morrell and Juaquinn Murphy....and of course Bobby Koeffer...
D-10 JCH Dekley U-12 D-8 Magnatone Mullen RP Evans RE 200 profex 2 BJS bars
Dentyne gum (peppermint)
Dentyne gum (peppermint)
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- John Bechtel
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I've played both types for years! I started on a Single-6 Supro in ’48 and got my first ‘real’ PSG (Sho~Bud) in ’57. I still play both, although I haven't played out in several years. I've only gig’d with PSG since ’57. Couldn't find any non-pedal work after PSG became more popular! Now that I only play at home, most of my playing is done on both of my non-pedal guitars!
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My T-10 Remington Steelmaster
My T-10 Remington Steelmaster
- Frederic Mabrut
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Aside my Franklin I play a lot Don helms stuff on my Gibson D8 , I plays also Joaquin Murphy stuff on a S8 Hernnsdorf Lap steel and a bit of Dobro.
Fred
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- Joerg Hennig
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I too started on non-pedal but lost my first one long ago. I'd love to get into it again, I listen to a lot of old stuff nowadays, Western Swing etc., and it's a fascinating instrument.
But even if I had the money to buy a decent one (well I would want at least a D-eight), I doubt I could find the time for it if I want to play it well, unless I neglect PSG. Right now I'm too busy getting my chops on that one back together, in addition I got me a Dobro (well at least some kind of non-pedal guitar played with a bar), now that is also fun. Would love to play it more, but by the time I get around to practicing it's usually so late in the evening that I can't play acoustic instruments, only headphones (my neighbors go to bed early and the walls in the house are rather thin...)
Playing lap steel is still a project for the future.
JH
But even if I had the money to buy a decent one (well I would want at least a D-eight), I doubt I could find the time for it if I want to play it well, unless I neglect PSG. Right now I'm too busy getting my chops on that one back together, in addition I got me a Dobro (well at least some kind of non-pedal guitar played with a bar), now that is also fun. Would love to play it more, but by the time I get around to practicing it's usually so late in the evening that I can't play acoustic instruments, only headphones (my neighbors go to bed early and the walls in the house are rather thin...)
Playing lap steel is still a project for the future.
JH
- Doug Beaumier
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The pedals on C6 do many of the "slant positions" on non-pedal C6. For example, pedal 6 lowers string 6 (E to D#)... an often used slant on C6 non-pedal to play a IV7 chord.
[tab]
non-pedal, C6 tuning
C7 (G, E, Bb, no root)
E------------
C-----7------ (G)
A-----7------ (E)
G------------
E-----6------ (Bb)
C------------
G C7
E------------------
C-----7-----7------
A-----------7------
G-----7------------
E-----7-----6------
C------------------
[/tab]
And pedal 5 lowers string 5 (G to F#)... an often used slant on C6 non-pedal to play a II9 chord.
[tab]
non-pedal, C6 tuning
A9 (B, G, C#, no root, no 5th)
E-----7------ (B)
C-----7------ (G)
A------------
G-----6------ (C#)
E------------
C------------
G A9
E-----7-----7------
C-----7-----7------
A------------------
G-----7-----6------
E------------------
C------------------
[/tab]
[tab]
non-pedal, C6 tuning
C7 (G, E, Bb, no root)
E------------
C-----7------ (G)
A-----7------ (E)
G------------
E-----6------ (Bb)
C------------
G C7
E------------------
C-----7-----7------
A-----------7------
G-----7------------
E-----7-----6------
C------------------
[/tab]
And pedal 5 lowers string 5 (G to F#)... an often used slant on C6 non-pedal to play a II9 chord.
[tab]
non-pedal, C6 tuning
A9 (B, G, C#, no root, no 5th)
E-----7------ (B)
C-----7------ (G)
A------------
G-----6------ (C#)
E------------
C------------
G A9
E-----7-----7------
C-----7-----7------
A------------------
G-----7-----6------
E------------------
C------------------
[/tab]
- Doug Beaumier
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Ruth Iseli-Dahler wrote:I don't know whether I'm a pedal steel guitarist who likes to play non-pedal or a non-pedal steel guitarist who like to play pedal.
I completely agree, Alan.
My resos sounds quite different. But GREAT too.
I can play unplugged and travel by bike or train with a reso.....try this with a PSG
I love to check out different tunings on the reso
happy to learn them both
I have a trailer for my bicycle. I can carry a psg and a small amp.
Amor vincit omnia
- Ruth Iseli-Dahler
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how many psg players would like to play non pedal steel?
I voted yes even though I do not have a Non pedal steel guitar yet. Ive played slide on various tunings over the years and probably 17 or 18 yrs. on the pedal steel E9 (Sho-Bud).
I'd like to learn C6 and or C13th eight string. I like B11th tuning also.
I'd like to learn C6 and or C13th eight string. I like B11th tuning also.
Dana Blodgett
From Los Osos,Ca.
'74 ShoBud 6140 3+4, Martins HD28,D-12-28, D-15,'65 Gibson LG-1, '77 Gibson Les Paul special dbl cut p-90's, Les Paul Special p-100's,Les paul Special Hybrid(maple top) hbkr's,'68 Fender Strat reissue, Fender Squire Jazz bass,Epi mandolin,Epi Wilshire '66 reissue, Kamaka Concert uke, 70's Kamaka Soprano Uke, Fender Super amp, Ampeg ba112 bass amp,60's harmony banjo,'00 Gibson SG Supreme
From Los Osos,Ca.
'74 ShoBud 6140 3+4, Martins HD28,D-12-28, D-15,'65 Gibson LG-1, '77 Gibson Les Paul special dbl cut p-90's, Les Paul Special p-100's,Les paul Special Hybrid(maple top) hbkr's,'68 Fender Strat reissue, Fender Squire Jazz bass,Epi mandolin,Epi Wilshire '66 reissue, Kamaka Concert uke, 70's Kamaka Soprano Uke, Fender Super amp, Ampeg ba112 bass amp,60's harmony banjo,'00 Gibson SG Supreme