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Author Topic:  Non-pedallers seem to know more theory
Stefan Robertson


From:
Hertfordshire, UK
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2017 12:53 am    
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So in trying to absorb pedal steel content after watching and transcribing a quite few pedal steel moves from youtube videos I am getting the sense that ALOT of pedal players either don't know their instrument note names or are extremely weak on music theory thus anyone else who is translating it across to a different instrument will be left scratching their head.

I say this because of the frustration I get when the chords they are calling are WRONG. Example a M9 is not a M7 or a C7#11 is not a Caug.

Hence why most of the time they stick to "play string 10, 5, 4 on this fret and push the pedals)

Talk about frustration especially since they use close harmonies like E13 the slight nuance in Chord name is everything.

Anyway back to study.
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Ian Rae


From:
Redditch, England
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2017 1:58 am    
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Not necessarily WRONG, but substitutions. I know plenty of theory but find it of little practical use on pedal steel. Unacknowledged 9ths are often present because it's inconvenient to omit them. A 7#11 is hexatonic and will cover an aug chord most of the time.

Purism is a complication too far.
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Stefan Robertson


From:
Hertfordshire, UK
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2017 3:31 am    
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Thanks for you response Ian

But I don't get why they just don't say the chords correctly. Wouldn't that make it easier?

Imagine it were a Guitar tutorial and then they constantly said wrong chord names can you appreciate the frustration then.

Also an Aug chord and a C7#11 I get the use but they offer different voicings. Yes some similar but some missing that is my only frustration.
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Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com

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Ian Rae


From:
Redditch, England
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2017 5:39 am    
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It's down to functionality. If the band wants C7 and you give them something with extra sauce they don't usually send it back.
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Stefan Robertson


From:
Hertfordshire, UK
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2017 11:29 am    
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Ian Rae wrote:
It's down to functionality. If the band wants C7 and you give them something with extra sauce they don't usually send it back.


I love that saying extra sauce.

I'm going to use it.
_________________
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com

"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
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Chris Templeton


From:
The Green Mountain State
Post  Posted 31 Dec 2017 6:06 pm    
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I think you are right about lapsteel players being generally more knowledgeable about theory.
This probably comes from Hawaiian and western swing players playing in bands with horn players and bigger arrangements, giving them access to more complex jazz voicings (i.e.: Harry Owens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_TuOv8hJ18 ) and the need to know, play, or at least be able to hear what they sound like.
C6th pedal players often wade into the theory waters too.
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