playing while standing w/volume pedal

Ron Victoria · From: New Jersey, USA

Anyone use a volume pedal while standing? The angle seems a bit awkward to me. I'm at a point where my back is beginning to hurt sitting but was wondering if using a pedal while standing will create new pains.

Ron

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

I have volume pedals on both of my guitar pedalboards---One is an Ernie Ball, the other is a copy of that little Boss pedal. They pivot differently than my Sho-Bud and Goodrich pedals, so it's easier to stand on 'em all night---especially the Ernie Ball--which I can't use sitting down???

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

If you are already having back problems, standing principally on one foot could cause additional strain.

Why not stand on your own two feet (pun intended)

, and dispense with the foot volume control.

Years ago I used a foot volume control.

I concluded that I became too dependent on it to make my playing smoother, rather than developing my own smoothness without it.

IMHO If you are into Hawaiian steel guitar music, I believe the foot volume control should be left out, otherwise you sound too country western. However if you are into the country western music, the volume control works, but your back might hurt.

Aloha,
Don

Keith Cordell · From: San Diego

I do, but I rarely use the volume pedal. I am considering switching to a sitting position as I spend a lot of time on the wah and it is becoming painful to me too.

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John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

You might want to try the Jerry Byrd way for standing. Open the pedal and reverse the cord around the pot~shaft so that front-DOWN is ‘OFF’ and front-UP is ‘ON’.

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“Big John” Bechtel
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Gerald Pierce · From: Maydelle, Republic of Texas

I knew a guitar player who played standing up while also playing bass pedal keys with his left foot. He was literally standing on one foot for the most part of his gigs. I don't think I would have the strength or balance to do that.

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

I use a volume pedal for regular guitar, and I currently play guitar in a band that does 2 hour sets! Set one is 2 hours, then we take a 1/2 hour break, and set two is and hour and a half. Yes, I do "stand on one foot" much of the time. With regular guitar however, the volume pedal is not in constant use... as it is with steel guitar. For chord work the volume can be set and left alone. This gives the foot a break.

In my limited experience of playing stringmasters on stage I have found that using the volume pedal while playing stand-up steel is a pain in the neck... uh, foot.

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[This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 01 August 2005 at 07:24 AM.]

Randy Reeves · From: LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA

I sit when playing slide, but stand when playing my standard tuned electrics. I always use a volume pedal.
stading, I mainly set the olume and leave it be, until I boost for a lead.
never had back or ankle problems using a v pedal standing.

Kay Das · From: Los Angeles CA

i use a volume pedal sometimes, depends on the tune, the style i would be trying to capture and dependent on the mood i am in, also the amount of weight i would be willing to carry while travelling (!). it would be monotonous to get overly dependent on the volume pedal. however, i prefer it to the volume control on the guitar body as it gives me better scope for expression with the picking and blocking right hand. for example you can pick real hard and let your foot do a well timed swell. i prefer standing to sitting, just a little more dynamic, you can sway to the music if you wish.... most normal guitar players play standing...but then jazz and flamenco players play sitting..

but again, there can be no fixed rules, do whatever makes you, in your individual style, get the best tone...most important...i'd say.

...that is what the late great jerry byrd once told me...

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kay

Jim Bates · From: Alvin, Texas, USA

When I play my Fender T-8, whether Hawaiian, country or swing I always stand and use the volume pedal. You just do not have to keep your foot always on the pedal.

Did you ever see Bob White and Pee-Wee Whitewing with Hank Thompson's band? Also, look at Bobby Koefer and Leon McAuliffe they all stood while playing.

Thanx,
Jim

Ron Brennan · From: Orlando, Florida, USA; Formerly, Edison, NJ

Right with you Jim,

You only put your foot on the pedal when you want/need to....The way I figure, at least I don't have it hangin on my shoulder (thank God) like all the other gutiar/bass players do all night. They use pedals too....Ahhhh yes, "Sno biz, like sho biz".....

TX
rgds,
Ron

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[This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 01 August 2005 at 03:48 PM.]

[This message was edited by Ron Brennan on 01 August 2005 at 03:49 PM.]

Charlie McDonald · From: out of the blue

This is a digression (sorry, Ron), but I'm looking for a sit-down pedal, and wonder if this one (Behringer) looks like it has a good angle (I have wondered about the Ernie Ball design):

Fred Layman · From: Springfield, Missouri USA

Is anyone compromising on this, i.e., using a tall bar stool? My Fender Custom T-8 is a long reach sitting down. The bar stool allows the player more height to reach further and also permits use of the volume pedal without tiring the other leg.

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