The Steel Guitar Forum

I think everyone knows that the A&B pedals are a simple and common way of getting from the I Chord to the IV Chord. Can anyone sum up the use of the B&C pedals as simply as that? Probably a dumb question, but I can't answer it.

I major to II minor.

Another helpful hint is that the 3&4 strings with B*C pedals two frets in front of pedals up position are the same inverted notes as 3*5 strings. In other words, if you were on fret 3 playing in G 3 and 5 strings can be found again on strings 3*4 with b*c pedals down at fret 5..hope thats not to confusing.

Push them once in a while, they sound goooooood!
Lots O minors and 6th and 9th's over majors chords, known as exstentions/subs.
In G major fret 3 B/C over fret 3/4/5,[ group strings 345/456 and AGAIN AT fret 10/11/12 AND OF COURSE RESOLVING THE PASSAGE at the end of the phrase, Last note is on you!

Here's 30 possibilities but I've heard many more and had to give up tabbing them because the list is just endless.

E9th Pedal 3 Tabs And Sound Files


Greg

Use them to play the scale in chords (i.e. strings 3 4 and 5) up the neck. Start at any fret, the "do" is 345 open, the "re" is 345 w/b&c, "mi" is 345 up two frets w/b&c, "fa' and "so" are the 4 and 5 chords (no pedals, up more frets), etc.

I'll let you figure out "la" "ti" and "do". "la" is 345 w/b&c again, "ti" is a weird one, it's a diminished..., then "do" is just 12 frets above the start.

(Edited later in the day 'cause I really screwed it up the first time, misnaming "la" and "ti")

Minor chord two frets back from root no pedals position.
for example: Am at 3rd fret with BC pedals down

this also gives you a minor scale starting with the root on string 7

people seem to worry about the bc pedal stuff, B is B and all the C pedal is doing is giving you that F# thats the same note you have on your top string. I myself call it the scale pedal for thats where you will find your minor chords on a scale run. lets say strings 4&5 thats whats on the (c pedal) anyways, 3rd fret we have a G with no pedals or lets call it a (1) same strings push bc pedals that will give you a (am) or 2M, move up two frets you have a BM or 3m, and so on.

Thanks Greg,
Your hard work making the information available is greatly appreciated. I plan to put it to good use.

Just another way of saying what has been said in the previous posts- The B/C combination does for the AB pedals position what the A pedal does for the open position- changes the chord from a 1 to a 6 minor (to the relative minor).

Robert,

Just letting you know I sent you an email asking for your email address so I can send you a chart that uses only the A, B & C pedals and shows you easy ways to find and play Major, Minor & 7th scales on the E9 neck.

Marc

The third line of my ride in this blues rock video, where it goes to the 5 chord, features the use of the C pedal pumping up and down while I picked the 1st and 4th strings simultaneously. I got the idea from Hendrix's "Highway Child"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkSnoeTWR4I

Jim Palenscar wrote:Just another way of saying what has been said in the previous posts- The B/C combination does for the AB pedals position what the A pedal does for the open position- changes the chord from a 1 to a 6 minor (to the relative minor).

With the notable difference that you can't move smoothly from A/B to B/C as you can from open to A pedal. For a smooth 1 to 6 minor I prefer to have a 3rd and 6th string 1/2 step lower lever, and move up two frets from A/B to G lower only ( ex: C major, 3rd fret, A/B, to A minor, 5th fret, "G" lower).

The G lowers also give more control in going from open position 1 to 2 minor two frets up (ex: G major, 3rd fret open, to A minor 5th fret, "G" lower). The timing of the two pulls on the C pedal plus the two pulls on the B pedal is hard to get so the open to B/C move sounds good, to my ear. Except for quick moves where it doesn't matter.

I find B/C most useful for harmonized scale work on strings 6 & 4 or 4 & 3.

If you have the E to F# on a knee, you have this change without having to move off the A & B pedals.
Pretty convenient. Quite a few guys here do it.

I never imagined my simple question would evoke such a response, but I will tell you that every comment is much appreciated and will be put to good use. I am so glad I am a member of this forum and so glad I decided to take on the daunting task of learning to play this fantastic instrument. Thanks to all. Let's keep thjis going.

bob get you some conway twitty material you will have the great BC pedals of John Hughey,thats the sound youre looking for I know