Johan,
In 1962, I learned to play without a volume pedal. I started from the beginning learning to control pick dynamics. Yes, is the answer. If you play guitar, you know the tonal importance for a soft and hard attack on the string and everything between.
Expressive music tends to utilize every facet or variance available when picking the string. I rely on the stroke of the volume pedal coordinated with the touch of the string. Neither one is less important. I use the same finger picks and sometimes I record without picks.
I view the dobro and lap steel as different instruments yet, they require the same dynamic considerations that expressive music brings about. I can't scream with a light touch and I can't play pretty choppin' wood. 
-Paul-
[This message was edited by Franklin on 15 May 2004 at 08:41 AM.]
[This message was edited by Franklin on 15 May 2004 at 08:43 AM.]
[This message was edited by Franklin on 15 May 2004 at 08:44 AM.]
