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Topic: "A pedal only" foot position |
George Biner
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 6 Aug 2022 9:17 am |
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(This is for Emmons-type pedal setup)
If I am only playing the A pedal, and want to make sure I stay off the B pedal, I have the habit of rotating my left foot to the left, completely off the B pedal. Of course, if I see ahead that I have to cover the B, I won't do it, but otherwise, I personally don't see any harm in it -- after all, we move the foot all ovedr the damn place anyway and I can get greater control and expression out of the A if I don't have to worry about the B.
I only bring this up as there is a pro steeler who always tells me not to do this.
Opinions?
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 6 Aug 2022 10:29 am
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I would keep my foot over both pedals, and twist my ankle to lift my big toe off the B pedal. I never shift my foot to just cover the A pedal. Although I am a Day player, I started on Emmons for about 6 months. After 51+years of playing Day, I can still play Emmons.
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 6 Aug 2022 11:45 am
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I keep my foot on A&B all the time, since that's where 80%-90% of my playing is done. When I have to cover P1 or P4, I just rotate by pivoting on the heel. My P5 on E9th is the only pedal I have to do a "lift and move".  |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 6 Aug 2022 12:10 pm
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I've seen the cat who came up with splitting up pedals and many of the greats use both methods.
Since I dedicate myself to C6th, and even though my unconventional setup is laid out so I have 5 pedal PAIR positions, I have come to grips with the fact that I have to master both methods.
With 3 pedals (E9th) that seems an easy decision which ought to turn from a discipline to a subconscious ability in weeks. And I am no kid either... anymore.
... J-D.
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 8 Aug 2022 6:02 am
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My ankle doesn't roll off the B pedal for the A only position very well, like it does for the B pedal only position. My body just can't do it, and adjusting pedal height to make that work easier, works against rolling off the A to keep B engaged. So I just pivot my foot over for the A only position. I'm sure I'm missing some stuff that being to able to roll the other way allows, but short of surgery to put a better 'hinge' in my ankle, not much I can do about it.
I also play a lot of stuff with A pedal engaged like a non-pedal tuning, i.e. the A pedal stays down and I use that change with the 9th string for 'C neck' sort of voicings (Thanks Jody Cameron! https://jodycameronpsg.com/downloads/using-the-9th-string/ ) and it can stay engaged for long sections. It seems to make sense to me to move your foot over for that.
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Jon Irsik
From:
Wichita, KS USA
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Posted 8 Aug 2022 6:26 am
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I saw a player do this "A pedal only" move and it was a bit of a revelation, I had never thought of doing that before. I gave it a try but it was awkward, I missed the pedal by a bit and using only the A pedal the change didn't sound as in-tune as using both. Since I don't particularly have an issue to begin with I didn't pursue it.
Whatever works, I suppose. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 8 Aug 2022 6:06 pm
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If you raise the "A" pedal a little higher than the "B" pedal it's a little easier, and less of an ankle bend, to roll off the B pedal and activate A --- same when you have both A and B activated - just a small ankle roll !!! 
Easy Peasy !!
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Andrew Frost
From:
Toronto, Ontario
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Posted 8 Aug 2022 6:36 pm
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Gary Carter seems to do the A pedal only thing at times, as well as the AB rolling on/off...
https://youtu.be/TI56hQOsmos |
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