Boo Wha pedal on U-12

[Len Amaral]

While playing an E minor or G6 with the Knee lever that lowers 4 & 8 at the 8th fret, I used the "boo wha" pedal that moves the 12th string B to G# the 11th string E to D# and the 9th string B to C.

The voicing fits in nicely with an E minor or G6. I also used the knee lever that lowers the 5th string B to Bd with the Boo wha. Interesting voicing there also.

I have the boo wha on pedal 4. It's an easy reach while playing the E9 side. I always thought of the boo wha pedal in terms of B6 on the 12 string.Go figure!

[Larry Bell]

What's the difference? It's just notes. They're all good as long as you hit the right ones.

The 'boo wah' chord: a Dom7+9 chord (1 3 5 7b 9#) includes a major triad, a minor triad, a Dom7 chord, and a m7 chord. They are all usable as long as you don't hit the wrong 3rd. The principle of playing a major family chord (like a 6th chord, for example) up a minor 3rd (3 frets) to get a minor chord is a useful concept. B6 (open w/ E to D#) is Bm7 on the 3rd fret. By the same token, it is G#m7 open. Moving the 12th string down to G# gives you a low tonic. Moving the 11th string down to D# gives you the 5th. You have to be careful about the B to C since that is the MAJOR THIRD. You want to avoid the 9th string if you're using that pedal combo in a minor context.

Adding the B to A# lever to the minor chord (G#m open) gives you a m9 chord, BUT it loses the minor 3rd (moving the m3 down to a 2 or 9). Perhaps more useful, it also provides the 9th tone to a Dom7 chord, giving you a G#9 chord open.

Have you noticed that the pedal that gives you C#9 open (with the E to D# lever) is interchangeable with the A+F position? There are a bunch of uses for what you might think of as 'B6 changes' in an 'E9 context'.

Good thinking.

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<small>Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

[Len Amaral]

Hi Larry:

Thanks for the feedback. I am also using 3 finger picks to get wider grips. I use band in a box and loop an E minor or G6 and experiment with the grips using my 4th pedal. Fun and interesting at the same time.