The Steel Guitar Forum

How many pedals are there on a pedal steel and what do they do? Thanks

Probably as many different numbers of pedals and combinations as there are PSG players. You might want to look at what some of the greats do with it: http://b0b.com/tunings/

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Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.

"Probably as many different numbers of pedals and combinations as there are PSG players."
If I went to a steel guitar showroom and asked to see the least expensive model they had- how many pedals would it have? Or do they make each guitar differently?

Bill,

The basic model would have 3 foot pedals and 1 knee lever. This is usually tuned in E9, commonly used for country music.
I guess all brands offer both standard guitars (you can still choose various options) and specials.
Carter offers a steel guitar for beginners with 3 foot pedals and 4 knee levers. Check out their website: http://www.steelguitar.com/resource/startpsg.htm

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Zumsteel S12U

Yo, Man! homepage


<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Ad Kersten on 23 June 2004 at 10:14 AM.]</p></FONT>

<SMALL>How many pedals are there on a pedal steel and what do they do?</SMALL>

The quantity of pedals varies. Each pedal operates a mechanism that stretches or loosens a string or set of strings by a specific, tuneable amount, thus raising or lowering the pitch. The knee levers perform the same mechanical function as the pedals.

Which strings are activated by which pedals is determined by historical and musical precedent, and additionally the preferences of the player.

The usual minimum standard for an E9th "Chromatic" tuning 10 string pedal steel guitar in the 21st century is 3 floor pedals and 4 knee levers. Much can be done with fewer knee levers though.

The instrument only a little over a half century old and is still evolving. Mechanical improvements over the last 30 or so years have increased the mechanical funtionality. What was "standard" only a relatively short while ago is now "limited" according to some... but many players play remarkable music with such "limited" setups.

The standard single neck has a minimum of 3 pedals. The standard double neck has a minimum of 8 pedals (3 for the front neck and 5 for the back neck).

The use of the first 3 pedals is explained on this page: http://b0b.com/infoedu/e9theory.htm


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<font size="1"><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax</font>

Standard E9th setup;

<font face="monospace" size="3"><pre>

LKL LKR 1 2 3 RKL RKR

F# G
D# D/C#
G# A
E F Eb F#
B C# C#
G# A F#
F#
E F Eb
D C#
B C#
</pre></font>

Note the following:

LKL--a left knee lever that moves from Right to left.

LKR--a left knee lever that moves from left to right.

RKL--a right knee lever that moves from right to left.

RKR--a right knee lever that moves left to right.

D/C#--a system on pedal steel guitars that allow a feelable (and tunable) "half-stop".

1 2 3 are the pedals. However 99% of us players call them either A B C or C B A; because about 30% of players reverse what pedals 1 and 3 do.

carl<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by C Dixon on 23 June 2004 at 11:43 AM.]</p></FONT>

The simple answer to what the the Pedals do is this..

If you are playing a 6 string guitar and you move your fingers up or down a fret or two the string pitch or note changes. Pedals and knee levers do the same thing, they change the pitch of a individual strings, maybe a half tone, some a whole tone. Now this being said some Pedals change the pitch of multiple strings at the same time, and some only a single string.

The tuning of the E9th Pedal Steel with what is now termed the common pedal/knee setup allows the player to create and build chords and relative chord positions by using the pedals/knee levers along with different string combinations.


see how easy that was !
t

I will add that one of the coolest things is that you can CHANGE chords with pedals and levers without stopping the notes.
Smoothly moving from E to A while the strings ring, for example.

Like bending a gutar string or two on a regular guitar,
but in this case you can do it with several different strings in different directions at the same time.
While moving the bar to find another chord position.

The combination of different bar positions, both laterally and with slants,
pedal and lever combinations,
and a large numbr of strings that can be picked at any time,
gives an incredible amount of musical power to put into even a simple chord change.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>"The combination of different bar positions, both laterally and with slants,
pedal and lever combinations,
and a large numbr of strings that can be picked at any time,
gives an incredible amount of musical power to put into even a simple chord change."</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very poignant post David. I know of no other musical instrument ever created that can do that.

This is a great collection of responses that took time from each of you. But... you guys are not doing a thing to allay my fears that an instrument with all those pedals and levers not to mention the strings themselves would be all but impossible for a guy who can't pat his head and rub his stomach at the same time. Seriously, the one from Dave alluding the the youth of the instrument sort of makes me feel like I could be in on the ground floor. It is intimidating though- the thought of buying one of these things when no one in my town offers lessons.

Bill,
The late Jeff Newman authored MANY learning courses for the pedal steel that will help you learn. His teaching videos are extremely informative AND userfriendly as well. His widow, Fran still operates their business, or so I understand. There web address is www.jeffran.com

With a little practice, you'll soon see that the pedals and knee levers actually make playing the steel guitar easier, not more difficult. The Carter Starter guitar mentioned above would be an excellent guitar for you to start out with, due to it's more than reasonable price, number of pedals and knee levers, and if all else fails, you should get most, if not all, of your money back should you decide to sell it.

I think you're probably selling yourself short concerning your ability. I think you'll be happy if you give it a try.

I notice you list Chattanooga as where you live. If I'm not mistaken, there are several fine steel guitarists near that area. I think the great Herby Wallace is even close to there, so finding a teacher shouldn't be all that difficult, or at least I wouldn't think it would be.

Lem Smith<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Lem Smith on 24 June 2004 at 09:23 PM.]</p></FONT>

Bill, I too think you are selling yourself short.
The Pedal Steel in my view is probably one of the most logical Instruments to play.

True there are some early logistical issues to overcome like using your hands, feet, knees and eyes all at the same time..but if you can actually walk in a fairly straight line , see where you are going and talk at the same time , you can overcome those obstacles. Many of us have no clue where we are going , can't see for sweat and we can still play the Steel !

You didn't say whether or not you play another Instrument such as guitar.

If you do play guitar and you understand the concept of 3 chords, EX: C, F and G for a typical Country song or even a Chuck Berry song, and even better if you understand that these 3 chords are a I,IV, V structure in music, which is about as simplistic as one can get, then you will find the E9th Pedal Steel user friendly. And..you won't even get callouses on your fingers !

just do it..
t

Sorry to say I don't play anything at all. Just have the burning desire. Somebody mentioned Jeff Newman. I click on this memorial site over and over to listen to his tribute to Jimmy Day (believe that's right). It's the only steel guitar music I know of that I can click on and listen to. Each time I hear it- I get enthused to learn.

Thank you Carl!

Bill, there is only one steeler even relatively close to me, and he speaks NO ENLGISH. And my french ain't so hot...
Crowbear is 4 hours drive away, but that didn't stop me. There is a lot you can get just by talking to a good steeler on the phone, after you have gotten some basic techniques down.

There is plenty of learning materials available.

There is likely one steeler within at least reasonable driving distance of you, and a vist to that person with or without your steel would give you weeks of work.

You most likely could have a brand new Carter Starter in your house within a week too.
For about the price of a decent guitar too.

Yes to fully harness the awesome poawer takes time,
but on the other hand you could be playing something on a 3 chord country song in an hour with a bit of instruction.

At the end of the month go have another lesson. even if it is a 200 mile round trip.
2 hours in the right hands, and again you will plenty to work on.

It is a serious chalange sure, but an enjoyable one.
If you got the fire in the belly go for it.

One idea is to go get a lesson or two before you buy, and then you are likely to find someone who will HELP you buy the right instrument to begin with.

And don't think the time after a lesson when you still don't have a steel to practice on is lost.
There is that mental component to let sink in when your not even playing yet.
This still is useful. I still learn things about playing by thinking in bed...

Gee I just notice your in Tenn.
If you can't find a steeler within a 1/2 hour drive of you there... you'er asleep!!! <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 25 June 2004 at 04:13 AM.]</p></FONT>