correct foot for pedal

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 3 Jun 2003 1:31 pm

This is probably a stupid question(as are most of my posts)but,being self taught I have to ask...is it correct to use your right foot to work pedal's five through
eight? or do you just use your left?
(two left feet!)

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Larry Robbins
Sho-Bud ProII,
Morrell lap steel,Reagl 75 dobro and Marshall half stack(I know,I know)

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Jun 2003 1:34 pm

The only time I've ever seen anyone use the right foot on the afore mentioned pedals is when there is a split pedal combination and it couldn't be covered with the left foot.
Erv

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 3 Jun 2003 3:11 pm

Thanks Erv,
I guess I'll just keep that right foot where it uaually is.......In my mouth!!!
Larry

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 3 Jun 2003 3:16 pm

Are you using a volume pedal?

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 4 Jun 2003 2:56 am

Sometimes I like to go from holding down 5 and 6 directly to holding down 8, so necessity dictates the use of both feet. 5, 8 and RKL work well together too. I think "two-footing it" is less prevalent now than it was in the days of no knee levers.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 4 Jun 2003 6:41 am

Years ago, I went to an Ernest Tubb show and Buddy Charleton was playing steel. He was doing some twin guitar work with the lead guitar player. I never saw anyone dance all over the C6th pedals in my life! He was using both feet and I was just amazed at his dexterity! I can't hardly walk and chew gum at the same time!

Alan Kirk · Post by **Alan Kirk** » 4 Jun 2003 9:53 am

Given that the pedal steel guitar is only about 50 years old, maybe the "correct way" to do anything with it has yet to be discovered.

Keep experimenting. You may come up with a technique that blows away all the so-called experts on how to use your instrument.

That being said, however, there's a lot of great advice here on the Forum.

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Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 4 Jun 2003 10:03 am

I've seen plenty of "Masters" take the right foot off the volume pedal and go for the #8 pedal rather than the left foot move from pedal 4 to 8.

Just be careful not to hit the volume pedal instead of the #8 pedal..first three rows get out of the way !

Is it right or wrong ?..who knows..

I use my right foot for the #8 pedal often...

If it's right..cool
if its' wrong..
too bad...

tp

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 4 Jun 2003 11:09 am

i try to keep my right foot on the VP as much as possible, but i do take it off to play p5 and p8 w: both feet or p4(AtoBb)and p6.
like TP says watch out for the VP when goin' to p8
i've read here on the Fo'rum that many C6 players use both feet on the pedals all the while goin back on and off the VP.
Right or Wrong, i'll always love you....

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Steel what?

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 4 Jun 2003 1:02 pm

Thanks for the input guys!To me it just seems
naturel to use both feet.So far I haven't had
any trouble hitting the volume pedal by mistake although it sure would be easy to do!But somehow one foot or the other usually winds up in my mouth!

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Larry Robbins
Sho-Bud ProII,
Morrell lap steel,Reagl 75 dobro and Marshall half stack(I know,I know)

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 4 Jun 2003 1:32 pm

There's a dominant 7th voicing that I sometimes use on the C6 neck that uses both feet.

Example: C7 - 10th fret - strings 4,5,6,7,
Pedals 5,6,7
(4th string raised, 5th and 6th strings lowered)

Whatever it takes...

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 4 Jun 2003 4:10 pm

Buddy Charleton does indeed dance across the pedals and often uses both feet. He is a past master at it; coming off, and just as quickly back on the Vol pedal; in between using both feet.

But the one that is the absolute king at doing this, is Buddy Emmons. He will catch any possible combination (of pedals) and alternate between them; and his coming off and on the vol pedal is an awesome sight to any one seeing it for the first time. It is fluid eloquence personified.

That and his classic "grin", simply makes him truly awesome to watch. What is particularly incredible is if he happens to really start "diggin" the song. Then it is like an airforce fighter jet pilot that has just turned on its after-burners. And the grin just gets wider (and more endearing) as he dazzles his audience with foot work.

I have often felt that grin was saying to us players,

"Eat yer heart out fellows"

May Jesus richly bless Buddy Charleton, Buddy Emmons; and ALL of you.

carl