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Topic: When to incorporate the volume pedal into learning |
Curt Trisko
From:
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 8 May 2013 6:39 pm |
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I've been casually learning to play the pedal steel for a little bit over a year now. Aside from this forum, a couple boring books, and a private lesson, I'm self-taught. That's how I enjoy it. My goal is just to learn more than it is to become an expert.
Until now, I've only touched the volume pedal when I've just been messing around. I feel that my right hand and left hand form are developed enough were I don't have to devote my entire concentration to them. Maybe it's time to focus on the volume pedal now?
I haven't had to incorporate the volume pedal yet because I don't play in a band. However, hiding string attack and sustaining notes when sliding down the strings are things that have suffered. It's not that I don't appreciate the volume pedal. I really like steel arrangements that swell and diminish.
Have I messed up by waiting this long to focus on the volume pedal? Do I need to play catch-up? |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 8 May 2013 7:14 pm
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To catch up, you must start - and stay with it!  |
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Daniel Policarpo
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Posted 9 May 2013 3:10 am
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| I don't think you messed up by waiting, Curt. You're ready when you're ready, and it seems that now you are ready. |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 9 May 2013 8:45 am
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my advice is, just stick your foot on the VP & don't think about it too much Curt
it's like the accelerator on your car
you don't really think about it do you ?
concentrate on your right hand picking & bar hand positions
slowly but surely, you'll notice the VP being incorporated into your playing & sound
if you look at pro players, often they cut back on the volume before they pick & then open it
the VP should not be a substitute for palm or pick blocking - muting is done w: the right hand
don't worry Curt, you are allowed out of this ward on week ends
gigs or family visits only.... |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 9 May 2013 8:47 am
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Last edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 9 May 2013 12:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 9 May 2013 9:09 am
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you'll find in time that just subtle control of the vp will allow you to sustain the ends of certain notes, chords and phrases.
non-subtle use will allow you to overcome a loud obnoxious guitar player. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 9 May 2013 11:29 am
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| There are those who advocate never using a volume control. It has its uses in continuing sustain, but most people seem to use it like the accelorator on a car pedal. I've often thought of wiring it backwards. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 9 May 2013 12:05 pm
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| i don't think that's true. i think most players with common sense use it as a subtle sustain and output control. |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 9 May 2013 12:23 pm
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the VP is one of the last things i added to the mix. good advice to just get one and rest your foot on it - but, to a beginner, there are so many fine motor skills to develop - i wouldnt try to use it until its time.
the problem is the VP is/should be tied to your ears (not foot) - it wasnt until i recorded some things without the VP, i noticed the pick attack, the holes and sustain issues - you kind of have to know what you are listening for before you can add it in.
_________________
'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II |
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Mitch Ellis
From:
Collins, Mississippi USA
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Posted 9 May 2013 7:25 pm
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[quote="chris ivey"
non-subtle use will allow you to overcome a loud obnoxious guitar player.[/quote]
 So true! Been there and done it!
Mitch |
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Curt Trisko
From:
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Posted 10 May 2013 8:50 am
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This is good advice. What Jerome said especially makes sense:
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| the problem is the VP is/should be tied to your ears (not foot)... you kind of have to know what you are listening for before you can add it in. |
I've notice that as my right hand technique becomes more established, I'm focusing less on the physics of my playing and more on the sound that I'm producing. It seems that this makes the volume pedal categorically different: rocking the pedal is not physically difficult, but it requires a lot sensitivity to the sound that's coming out of the amp. |
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