| Author |
Topic: Steel Without Pedals |
Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 9:56 am |
|
It seems to me that some of you guys in the "Steel without Pedals" are ethnocentric about steel guitar styles, but there are many pedal steelers who began without pedals.
We are all steel guitarists, so why do we have this line of demarcation between us?
A steel guitar player is a steel guitar player...does it really matter if some mechanical pedals are used by some?
------------------
 www.genejones.com
[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 28 December 2006 at 04:45 AM.] |
|
|
 |
Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 10:28 am
|
|
| Doesn't matter to me. I started out on dobro and am learning to play lap steel and pedal steel also,I enjoy all of them. The lap and pedal have their own unique challenges that that when finally learned can be very rewarding. |
|
|
|
Mat Rhodes
From:
Lexington, KY, USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 10:49 am
|
|
Gene,
When we're not practicing, gigging, or at our day jobs, we have to stand for something. How can we make any progress on an issue if we can't argue about it? I for one know for a fact that a pedal steel guitar is far superior to a non pedal.  And no amount of experience and wisdom from someone who's been at it longer than I have is going to convince me otherwise. 
------------------
Matt
|
|
|
|
Gary Lynch
From:
Creston, California, USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 11:37 am
|
|
Gene,
What brand/model was that non pedal you used with the Rogers Brothers? |
|
|
|
Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 12:46 pm
|
|
The first was a Supro twin, followed by a Fender three neck Custom.....and then 15 years later, a Fender 1000.
All of them were "steel guitars"!
------------------
www.genejones.com
Some songs for the season:
Winter Wonderland
The Christmas Song
|
|
|
|
Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 12:53 pm
|
|
| Really no line. This is just a forum for this instrument. Keep from clogging up one big forum on all steels. Makes it easy to get the info you need on what type of steel you play. |
|
|
|
John Bushouse
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 1:20 pm
|
|
| Y'all started it, with the forum "Pedal Steel." But we're open to lots of steel guitar styles - Hawaiian, surf, country, Indian, even mechanical steel. |
|
|
|
Scott Thomas
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 1:51 pm
|
|
Yeah, plus Gene where are you going to retreat to when you get tired of hearing about copendants, cabinet drop, Day vs. Emmons, U-12 vs. double 10, is it plastic or carbon fiber, Jerry Garcia's solo on "Teach Your Children" (and hey, how about that Robert Randolph?) etc. etc. ad nauseum. Can you tell I have spent some time over there on the "Dark Side"? Just enough to know I don't want any part of it--yet! (But try me next week.)
Oh, and to be sure, we have our own issues over here, and I know you have been posting long enough to be able to recount some of them. (Please don't.)  |
|
|
|
Nathan Hernandez
From:
Riverside, California, USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 2:44 pm
|
|
| The reason I play non-pedal steel guitar, and switched to non-pedal, is I feel, and this soley is a personal oppinion is that Pedal Steel guitar has lost a bit of its soul! It could be the type of music I listen to or the time period of it. I know that peopple like Speedy West were useing pedals at this time but its not the way pedal steel is played today. It was more about style, and tone, it seems, back then, and now it seems to be sound and speed picking instead of style, and Im sorry but todays tone to my ears is dry. I cant pick out one individuals style of playing to anothers when I listen to todays music. This is not the fault of the players but the producers and the same goes for the dry tone. Dont get me wrong I love the pedal steel guitar players, David Brazinsky is one of my top 5 players to see and he is a friend, and Blacky Taylor is my God and my teacher. But I do believe, that if you dont have pedals,,, all your left with is the essance of style,,,, and tone,,, and the forever search of that. As far as pedal steel guitar being a "superior" instrament,,, there all made out of the same stuff,,, wood metal and wiers!!! Its just that pedals makes it easyer to find that next transition with a gliss. But on the not of the subject at hand we are all brothers and we all play "STEEL GUITARS"! But when I talk to pedal steel players I seem to get the same response,,,"why do you play that, you cant play this on that, and the ever frusterating, why dont you play a REAL steel guitar". Im am glad that there is a place for us to convers, and argue on the forum as non pedalers!!!!!!! |
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 7:09 pm
|
|
| The guy who said "why don't you play a real steel guitar" didn't know what the hell he was talking about. |
|
|
|
Richard Sevigny
From:
Salmon Arm, BC, Canada
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 7:43 pm
|
|
I agree the definition is a bit artificial. That being said, I don't think non pedalers are any more "insular" than the pedalers.
Playing with pedals involves a different headspace and seems to me to be a lot more chord/texture oriented and less linear.
Without pedals requires slanting which makes it more "right brain" oriented IMHO.
I think we all have a common interest in "steel guitar" or we wouldn't frequent this board. Once we're here, we have some divergence because there are technical differences between the instruments and the needs of the players differ.
I love steel guitar in all its forms, even if I'm admittedly (CAUTION: heretical statement follows)not a hardcore country or hawaiian fan.
There's still lots of common ground for us to meet on. The Steel on the Web, Music, and Humor sections are places were we all mix it up. |
|
|
|
Al Terhune
From:
Newcastle, WA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 8:06 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| Without pedals requires slanting which makes it more "right brain" oriented IMHO. |
Ooooh, I don't know. If you think about the combinations presented with several pedals and knee levers and ten strings (or more), I find pedal steel more brain taxing. I switch on and off again from preferring lap to pedal, but slants--in my narrow opinion--really are more technique and practice-oriented than brain thought. And many pedalers use slants when playing. I do when I play pedal, just because I incorporate it from lap and it gives me even more combinations.
With lap, you do have to be more creative, and I love that about having no pedals. Playing lap has made me a better pedal steel player, no doubt.
I highly recommend both -- life's too short. For those who feel their "Hawaiian" music would suffer, take a look at Basil. He knows how to produce some nice Hawaiian music on a pedal steel.
Al |
|
|
|
Bob Hickish
From:
Port Ludlow, Washington, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 8:10 pm
|
|
Gene
Love the tunes you posted !
one thing I can say for Standard steel - its were I started
and after leaving the pedals in 79 ! when I went back to
playing ! -- 20 years later -- I found the last remaining brain cell had pas away ,
when I picked up my old String Master there was life . I don't
think I have had more fun playing Steel than I am now ! so
I think I will just enjoy what you do with your guitar through
you music and look for that elusive cord on fender . after all
I achieved mediocrity back then and I'm all-most back .
Take care Bud ! your tops
Hick
[This message was edited by Bob Hickish on 09 December 2006 at 08:13 PM.] |
|
|
|
Kay Das
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
|
|
|
Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 10:06 pm
|
|
| I know when asked, "what instrument do you play" I have always replied, steel guitar. |
|
|
|
George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
|
Posted 9 Dec 2006 11:09 pm
|
|
| Gene...Luv ya guy, but I gotta disagree with you. The Pedal and Non-Pedal are as different as the Violin and the Cello. When I read the comments in the Pedal section about all the mechanics, etc., I'm left bewildered as I have NEVER played a pedal guitar and have absolutely no desire to start at this late stage of the game. Don't get me wrong...I think Pedal Guitars are great. In the proper hands, (and feet), they can do what we Non-Pedal guys can only dream about. But the style of playing is so different from Non-Pedal even though we all use picks and a bar....(the Violin and the Cello both have 4 strings and use a bow). Let's keep the two in separate threads....I'm happy. [This message was edited by George Keoki Lake on 10 December 2006 at 03:56 AM.] |
|
|
|
Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
|
Posted 10 Dec 2006 12:21 am
|
|
| I'm with George. I just don't want to even think about all that mechanical stuff. I also don't want to haul all that stuff around with me. I'd never play pedals. But go on ahead. It's a fine sounding instrument. Love your tunes. |
|
|
|
Philip Bender
From:
Palmetto FL USA (deceased)
|
Posted 10 Dec 2006 12:42 am
|
|
Aloha all,
I got my start on a converted Spanish guitar with raised nut. and studied the Oaha system. Between then and now, I have tried to play Sho Bud s-10 & d-10 in 2 Gospel groups, and found the experience fantastic, had to do with Who I was playing for, not what.
Don Fullmer and I have been playing together for 4 years or so, and with him on pedal steel, and me on whatever non pedal steel I pick up, we, at times come up with some pretty hot licks. As JB said, it's the player, not the instrument that makes the difference, viva la difference.
We all should appreciate the gift, and keep on pickin.
Back in gear again, thanks be to the Lord and medicine.
Thanks for the great Forum
Phil Bender |
|
|
|
basilh
From:
United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
Howard Tate
From:
Leesville, Louisiana, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 10 Dec 2006 7:21 am
|
|
All I know is, they are both the most gorgeous sounding instruments in the world. Non pedal is much harder for me to play any thing above the most basic tunes, I guess because I learned on psg. Bas, you always get such a beautiful tone out of whatever you play.
------------------
Howard |
|
|
|
Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
|
Posted 10 Dec 2006 10:39 am
|
|
| Hey Phil, glad to hear you are up'n at 'em again!! |
|
|
|
c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
|
Posted 10 Dec 2006 11:49 am
|
|
| I play both + dobro and love em all. I tried standard guitar but the only thing I was able to learn was that open G on the 3rd fret so I quit. cc |
|
|
|
Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
|
Posted 10 Dec 2006 6:49 pm
|
|
Gene-Good post and I liked your Christmas songs.
"I know that peopple like Speedy West were useing pedals at this time but its not the way pedal steel is played today. It was more about style, and tone, it seems, back then, and now it seems to be "
Nathan-Yes Speedy West had style , and tone and feeling in his playing. He did it with pedals or nonpedal. So it seems that the pedals didn't stop him from playing with good tone and feeling back in those days. So you may be right about that....al
------------------
My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/
[This message was edited by Al Marcus on 10 December 2006 at 06:55 PM.] |
|
|
|
HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
|
Posted 10 Dec 2006 8:14 pm
|
|
I STINK ON STEEL GUITAR!!!
THERE, I SAID IT......... steel guitar |
|
|
|
Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
|
|
|
|
:- 
You can't be that bad. 