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Topic: Organ pedal steel anyone? |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 5:15 am |
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Over the past few weeks I've been learning to play organ pedals in order to accompany myself on solo gigs. Truthfully, I much prefer playing with other musicians, especially of the caliber I am accustomed to playing with, as their ideas and execution on their instruments far exceed what I am capable of. But when I get a burning desire to try something out, I tend to go all in. This is a prime example, as the level of difficulty in just being able to play pedals, let alone steel at the same time, is very difficult. I have been working with some books written by some of the organ's greatest practitioners in order to get decent technique but being that I am using a 17 note MIDI foot controller with different construction than what is usually the standard organ set up, I have to make compromises. The exercises are pretty intimidating. The main goal is getting hand and foot independence.
I bought the Studiologic M117 controller and initially used my Novation Bass Station as the sound module, which is great for synth sounds, but I was looking for more traditional sounds. Fortunately, back in 2020 I invested in some primo software from Arturia and and bought a huge collection of virtual keys and also a library of ensemble strings from Chris Hein, which I hope to incorporate in the future. The Arturia set has an amazing B3 VST which I use for the bass pedals. There is no detectable lag in my system and it is a joy to play. If I continue down this path, it's going to require a redesign of my setup, as I will need new amplification for the bass. I'll worry about that later.
I'm hoping to post some clips soon but not before I am ready. Here is a pic of my setup. You can see the organ on the computer screen. Also, I am using a piano bench and stocking feet only to play in order to be able to glide across the pedals.
Wish me luck! I'm working on my ever-expanding Monk repertoire.
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 8:05 am
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| I assumed this was for solo gigs. Good luck on this adventure Mike. I'm sure you'll make something interesting with it. I have enough trouble just managing 10 strings of the eharp tuning let alone pedals. As always you inspire us mere mortals. |
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Allan Revich
From:
Victoria, BC
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 10:45 am
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very cool set up!
you are a fine player, and will work this out for sure.
if you are doing solo gigs, why not also use your skill on bass and just record some bass tracks along with a drum track and just play along with those? thats what all the single keyboard guys do here in addition to a lot of guitar players. the days of thinking that playing along with tracks is not cool....thats been over a long time now. everybody does it now. the guys i know playing along with tracks get a great sound and gig a lot and make good money. you could structure the form of the tunes for plenty of verse/chorus combinations for improvising etc. be a whole lot easier than learning a totally new instrument. there are zillions of tracks online that are free. heck, you could do the monk tunes from ireal pro and a cell phone.
i looked into getting a set of moog tarus pedals a long time ago. wish i had done that and had that skill like you are working on. best to you! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 11:02 am
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Thanks, Bills and Allan.
I think the greatest attraction to doing this vs tracks is that I want to be spontaneous and not married to a track. The possibilities are endless. I usually don’t do things the same way twice ever—well almost. |
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Karl Paulsen
From:
Chicago
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 11:49 am
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That's a darned impressive setup.
As for amplification, maybe something more like what pedal steel players use? Most of those big 15" speakers handle bass quite well.
If you can get your steel sound effectively via pedals, might be good to just go with a bass amp which these days are almost like little PA's. Even the base ranges of amps by Fender and Ampeg (Rumble and Rocketbass respectively IIRC) are incredibly lightweight. They look great too. I'm sure they could handle steel and organ.
_________________
Nickel and Steel. Sad Songs and Steel Guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/NickelandSteel
Chicago Valley Railroad. Trainspotting and Bargain Hunting...
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/ |
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John Larson
From:
Pennsyltucky, USA
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 11:57 am
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Now I'm thinking how awesome this would be with Moog Taurus pedals instead.
_________________
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright. Give praise to the Lord with the harp, chant unto Him with the ten-stringed psaltery. Sing unto Him a new song, chant well unto Him with jubilation. For the word of the Lord is true, and all His works are in faithfulness. The Lord loveth mercy and judgement; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
- Psalm 33:1-5 |
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 12:00 pm Re: Organ pedal steel anyone?
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| Mike Neer wrote: |
Over the past few weeks I've been learning to play organ pedals in order to accompany myself on solo gigs.
....
Wish me luck! I'm working on my ever-expanding Monk repertoire.
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Best of luck!
I played a set of Moog Taurus pedals in the late 70's/early 80s...and owned a Hammond M-3 with a small set of pedals. Currently at church I'm playing a keyboard with a set of pedals like yours.
The design does not allow for the "heel-toe" playing that a full set of organ pedals does - but you can add that root note and bottom end and make your solo playing much more interesting.
Good for you. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 12:11 pm
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| John Larson wrote: |
| Now I'm thinking how awesome this would be with Moog Taurus pedals instead. |
I basically have that setup when I use the Novation Bass Station as my synth, but that’s not the sound or style I’m going for as much, but that is always a possibility. |
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Carl McLaughlin
From:
St.Stephen,New Brunswick,Can
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 4:58 pm bass pedals
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I have been using similar bass pedals midied into Roland BK7M as a backup while playing guitar and singing.I have done many dances this way and a number of recorded CDs.Takes a lot of practise to pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time.LOL
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I have a Tele plus telecaster, Larrivee acoustic. Also have a Fender resonator guitar with new Quarterman cone and spider, and an Allan tailpiece .Playing through a Fender Super Champ XD, using a little delay on the amp and a Harmonix Holy Grail Echo pedal, set on Hall turned to about 1pm.Just Bought a Yamaha FGX5 Recently and love it. Recently got a Sho-NUFF 6 string pedal steel in open G.Still learning.Just bought back my old SX lap steel that i modified, in open G |
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John Burton
From:
Manassas, Va
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Posted 8 Nov 2021 9:03 pm
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I do hope you post some samples! Seems like a awesome project. I play around a little with synths and have messed about with steel while operating a couple of korg volcas and a looper.
I think bass organ could definitely work well or maybe good string patches.
I still have a couple of Emu systems Proteus rack modules that I use to make backing tracks.
Never occurred to me to try bass pedals...definitely seems like a learning curve. Not sure I have the coordination.
Anyway; interesting stuff. Keep us posted. |
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Lee Baucum
From:
McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier
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Posted 9 Nov 2021 3:25 am
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This reminds me of a gentleman I saw back in the 1970s. He was playing a Guitorgan, which has switches in the frets to create organ sounds. There was an output to a small Leslie for the organ tones and another output to a guitar amp for the guitar tones. The organ output went through a volume pedal, which he operated with his right foot. He could produce nice organ swells that way.
His left foot operated an array of bass pedals, similar to what you have.
On top of all that, he sang, really well.
I was amazed at how he could keep a walking bass line going, along with guitar and organ, along with great vocals.
Can't wait to see where your adventure takes you! |
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Mark Mansueto
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2021 6:07 am
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| Many years ago I was in a band where the bass player had synth pedals that he played similar to how Geddy Lee used pedals but I've never seen organ or synth pedals used with steel. Very cool setup and I'm sure you'll make it sound great. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 9 Nov 2021 8:45 am
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| A very daunting challenge with potential for a great outcome. Good luck to you Mike! At least your bass pedals don't have a substance habit or a flakey girlfriend. |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 9 Nov 2021 10:54 am
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Looking forward to what this sounds like when the tank is full and she's ready to hit the road!
_________________
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com |
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Ethan Shaw
From:
Texas, USA
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