Pedal Steel Guitar - Everything You Need To Know
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- In this video, I go through everything you need to know about the Pedal Steel Guitar including how it's tuned / what do the pedals and knee levers do? / the rig I use / what styles of music can you play on a Pedal Steel?
Timecodes
0:00 - MUSIC - "Night Terrors" Jam
0:26 - Introduction
1:11 - It's the same as a Lap Steel isn't it?
1:47 - MUSIC - "Song for Jerry"
2:03 - How is the Pedal Steel tuned?
3:50 - Pedals & Knee Levers
5:46 - Pedal / Knee Lever combinations
7:02 - Blocking
9:42 - MUSIC - Collaboration with Emily Hopkins - Harp
9:55 - Volume Pedal
10:50 - What got me into Pedal Steel?
11:43 - What makes me different as a Pedal Steel player? / Artists I've worked with.
13:17 - Double Tracked Pedal Steel
14:23 - The Rig
15:08 - Peterson Tuner
15:53 - Thorpy Peacekeeper Overdrive
16:55 - Source Audio Collider Reverb & Delay
19:58 - Hilton Volume Pedal
20:20 - eBow
21:24 - So you want to learn Pedal Steel?
21:50 - Skype Lessons
22:12 - Want Pedal Steel on your music?
The only thing I forgot to mention in the video is that I use a BJS Pedal Steel 15/16" x 10-string Bar
△ Studio Gearlist: kit.co/scottpoleymusic/home-s...
△ Website: www.scottpoley.com/
△ Songs I've Played On: bit.ly/2QPunNM
Disclosures: All opinions are my own. Sponsors are acknowledged.
#scottpoley #pedalsteel #pedalsteelguitar
Such a great video!
Did you start on lap steel and then go straight into the custom doubleneck pedalsteel? I've been thinking about taking the leap but getting one built is rather pricey
Chris! Thanks so much.
I actually started on Pedal Steel and learned Lap Steel afterwards. Getting into Pedal Steel is expensive, no getting around that.
I've reached out to a few manufacturers regarding good quality, budget Pedal Steels. I hope to report back with a video later in the year.
Thanks so much for the comment 👍😎
Hey Scott, have you thought of building your own? That's what I did nearly 50 years ago. All done with hand tools, and with just a drill press. There was nothing much to go on back then, so did it by the seat of my pants. I have to admit I can turn my hand to many things, though Dyslexic, dyscalculate, and LEFT HANDED! The in lies the clue, no money and a lefty, makes for no pedal steel!! Lot of studying, reading, experimenting and hard graft, but it was worth it.
Gave myself a hernia into the bargain, incessantly cutting aluminium bar by hand, so would recommend using a variable speed angle grinder to cut up the required parts, and to finish. This given no money for the 'right' tools to do the job.
I built a twin 10, but only ever got the Nashville E9 up and running. Hope to work on the C6 sometime soon-ish, as that is a real love to play Western swing and jazzy stuff too. I have responded to Scott also, so a little more back ground, if you are interested.
Sorry meant to say Chris!!!
Tired 60yo guitar player here .. All the information I was looking for in one vid! Awesome work, thanks!!
Amazing!! Thanks 🙏
Astounding bro… such a beautiful fluid sound, a truly magnificent and informative video ✊🙂
Fantastic. Great stuff Scott.
Thanks so much Bill!
An absolute joy.
Thanks so much!
Scott, Just wanted to say that I recently found your pedal steel videos, and they are by far the best resource that I've come across. The techniques that you demonstrate with the levers, pedals, bar, hands, etc. are what I've been looking for, actual real world examples of how they are used. I've been bitten by the pedal steel bug the last few years, but just got into a Stage One steel made by Doug. Its an exciting challenge and I'm thankful for resources and musicians like yourself who have been willing to provide some of their valuable information as a resource to others. Thank you for what you do!
Andrew
Appreciate that Andrew. Good luck with your steel, loads more videos coming soon. Best,
Scott
I am delighted you enjoy the pedal steel guitar. David Hartley is another English player whose playing I love. Keep teaching and promoting the instrument. There are less people interested nowadays. Rains guitars were superb. WBS in Germany makes quality pedal steels also.
Oooh I’ve not heard of WBS. David did a great thing for steel guitar online - great player.
Scott, I just want to say that I LOVE YOUR SHOES!!!!!!!!!! And that's from someone who has played pedal steel guitar for over 40 years!!!!!!!!!
Hahaha I'll take that!!! Hope my pedal steel playing will live up to my shoes one day 😂👍
@@ScottPoleyMusic You're doing great! Keep promoting the instrument on "the other side of the pond!"
What a great insight, bud!! Great video!
Thanks Scott!!
This is wonderful. Thank you so so much my friend 🫶
Thank you!
Thank you very much for this video. Specially your rig.
Thanks so much Roland
Nice Rains. Scott! Great video man! Great tone too! Glad I found another Steelers channel!
Love those shows too!!!!
Fantastic! Thank you my man, loads more pedal steel content coming up on this channel very soon 👍
Just come across you for the first time Scott. Great presentation, and especially good for someone considering starting out on pedal steel. Excellent clarity, relaxed gentle manner. I wish to have had that when I first started out, getting on for 50 years ago.
I played for a few years in a band, Whiskey Canyon, out of Hazel Grove, Stockport area. Even played on a Jona Lewi recording, but to be fair anyone with a slide could have done that. He was a friend, (
so got the job,) and still is, though not seen him since those times. And once did a gig with The Southern Rambler bluegrass band. Then moved to Somerset and planned to carry on, but other things got in the way. Now back playing again at 77 years old, and getting fingers moving again a little at a time after 44 years of not playing (Regret that!).. will look forward to checking out all that you do. Great stuff. And very impressed that you respond to folk.
So great to hear from you Melvyn and thank you for your kind comments. I have a feeling my grandad saw your band, I recall the name from when I was young.
I have lots of Pedal Steel videos and other content coming. Thanks for your support.
Excellent info.
Thanks so much!!
really enjoying this video...this showed my right away what i needed to know to build my own guitar...i am retired and cant afford one so i am researching and gearing up to make one...thanks so much...subscribed!
Man!!! You’re brave and huge admiration!! Send photos when you’re done 👍
hi Scott it’s a pleasure to hear you explain about the steel guitar and a big pleasure to hear you play I am a guitar player musician all my life I play many different is instrument like you know I could see guitar Spanish guitar electric guitar in and oud it’s a Arabic instrumental playing ukulele Buzuki it’s a grease instrumental Arab flute and I love very much country music I grew up on read them and blues and also plain fingerpicking bluegrass style it’s a big honour to know you it’s my first time that I watch you you give me a great inspiration and I would like to be in touch with you about music and steel guitar I would like to learn that instrument I’m wishing you the best thank you
Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
Really interesting and love your playing as usual.
Thanks so much, I appreciate it. You should upload some more videos 😃
@@ScottPoleyMusic I need to get my Daniels guitars channel going when I've got the new stuff built
Absolutely!!!
Scott you are something else you cover it all your great most people who teach pedal steel pedelsteel dont give you all that info kudos
That’s really kind Edward, thanks!
Great vid
Thank you my man.
My I structure called E9 "The 'Money' Neck"!
Yep 🤓
Magic
Thanks 🙏
Great video Scott. I love the pedal steel and the sound it creates, gives me goosebumps, but could never play one, no musical talent at all so leave that to you experts. You demonstrated 'double tracking', sounds awesome and would love to see and hear the whole track if you have it. Thank you for the beautiful music.
Hey Neil, thanks so much. I'm going to be putting out alot more Pedal Steel content when I get back from touring, stay tuned for that. Appreciate it!
Been playing pedal steel since 2011, starting at age 42. It took me about two years to remember what all 3 pedals and 4 levers did to which string. Tuning the pedal steel is apparently also a topic of debate, like do you use straight up or a sweetened tuning? Despite the difficulties, to be honest, I prefer playing the pedal steel rather than the guitar.
I use a Peterson tuner for sweetened tuning on Pedal Steel (and some guitars too). It does make a huge difference and is actually a really interesting topic for a future video...
Good luck with the Pedal Steel!! Keep your eyes posted on the channel for more pedal steel content coming soon! 😎👍
Never heard anyone lower the G# while raising the D#, interesting.
I’m of the belief any genre and style can be played on psg same as any other guitar.
Great video and great playing brother
Yes, I’m actually looking at moving that change at the moment. More on that soon, thanks so much for your kind comments 🙏
Some licks thank you in country style
👍
great video
Thank you Robert
Great info
Thanks Gerald, there’s a whole new series of free lessons on my channel too.
I have a Gibson Console Grande like the one Don Helms played, trying to teach myself to play
Wonderful instrument perfectly played but it looks very complicated to learn. Brilliant Vido thanks for posting
It reminds me of the country nights in the Longview Labour Huyton - not there anymore it got knocked down.
it is very much that, but it is just as rewarding once you start to learn to get around on it
Right, firstly you have the best channel name I've come across so far. Secondly, I quite agree it's a beautiful instrument and very rewarding once you get your head around it.
Scott. Thanks for the great introduction to pedal steel guitar. Would you ever consider posting some actual lessons and tabs of classic steel songs and that Nashville sound. I think there are a lot of wanna-be steel players out there that would love to see some detailed breakdown of some songs, riffs, fills etc. Thanks for the great videos. Cheers. Rick in Vancouver, Canada
Rick!! I'm think of doing a series on legendary steel players with a few featured licks from legendary songs. I think that would be a great way to get into what you're suggesting. Thanks so much for your comment and keep your eyes peeled on the channel, lots more Pedal Steel content coming!!
Very informative, but your offer of remote recording at the end reminds me of an offhand comment Bob Dylan naming in an interview back in the 80s about people being able to “phone in their parts” in the future.
He was right. :-)
Again, great info. Thank you.
He was indeed, it’s an essential part of today’s industry.
Great sound, wonderful video. Would love to hear you play the intro to Josh Turner's "Your Man".
I love that song George!! Loads more Pedal Steel content coming.
what inspired me to click on your video is Faye Webster's music. go check them out, the pedal steel on much of their songs is so smooth
Oooh I will!!
@@ScottPoleyMusic yayy! Here's my favorite features of the pedal steel songs: Is it too much to ask, Right side of my neck, Kingston and I know you(the solo thing in the middle of the song). You won't be disappointed
Great playing as always and very interesting Scott, I love that little orange pedal too! One question I have... what type/gauge strings do you use, are they heavier than you'd expect on a 'normal' guitar? I'd imagine they'd have to be quite resilient to withstand the constant bending etc.
It's a very good question. I use Newtone strings, made in the UK. The wound strings have a solid core - alot of string manufacturers use a hexagonal core, but the solid core gives more sustain and tone.
Gauges are .013 .015 .011 .014 .017 .020 .026 .030 .034 .036
I would love more C6 playing and demonstration please.
Working on that 👍
C6 stuff please, thx
A Rains!!!! 👏 Bravo
I love my Rains man 👍 thanks so much
@@ScottPoleyMusic I have 2 of them ♥. Tried to talk Gary into building me another one but no luck!
I don’t know what’s happening at Rains any more. Gary built mine but then the company seemed to disappear. I’m about to get mine tweaked and set up, can’t wait to get it back 👍
@@ScottPoleyMusic Well...Gary just quit building guitars, mainly because he was too busy playing and with his real estate business , which is extensive. He had a guy running it for him but that guy was too lazy to do much. It's too bad because Gary really knows mechanics and engineering and they are the best kept secret in pedal steels. I own 7 pedal steels, and the Rains play better than any of them.
That makes a lot of sense, much more money in real estate than steel guitar. Still, it’s a real shame that he’s not building as much. When I wanted to invest in the best Pedal Steel, I tried as many manufacturers as I could find in Texas. For me, Gary’s steels we’re head and shoulders above the rest in terms of build quality.
Loads more steel guitar content coming on this channel, thanks so much for subscribing.
I want a pair of those wingtips!
Man! Love a good pair of wing tips
Great video! I’d like to hear your take on C6.
Great video, thanks for posting! I've been a guitarist for almost 30yr and I'm just starting out pedal steel with a quite old Miller D-10 and a Peavey Vegas 400 and I'm looking for some good reading material, are there books you would recommend for someone who doesn't read sheet music? Thanks!
All the Jeff Newman stuff is great. If you're looking for any lessons / help, drop me a line at www.scottpoley.com - very best of luck 🤘
I really want to hear some hard rock/metal from a pedal steel!
Just you wait! 😎
@Lone Wolf. You may already know this. Have you heard of Robert Randolph And The Family Band? He plays some really "fierce" pedal steel guitar. Might be what you are looking for. Stay safe and well.
@@markmiwurdz202 THIS is some of exactly what I have been looking for. I thank you sir. Seems pretty rockin' for blues too, which I always like.
'Imagine driving a Stick Shift car while flying a helicopter and juggling at the same time' is how Mickey Adams describes it and he's one of the best. It takes 2 years to sound bad and another 3 to inflict yourself on others. Mickey got it right, but it does get in your blood.
Absolutely, great quote! Mickey's awesome, top player.
@@ScottPoleyMusic He's a wonderful human being. I bought a brand new Flamed Maple and natural Zebrawood guitar and posted pictures on Facebook, somehow he saw the pictures, he commented and congratulated me on the beauty of the instrument. I wrote back and asked him to send me a Friend Request to impress my Steel Guitar buddies. He actually did. Boy were they impressed lol. As I say, a wonderful human being.
Top stuff, I love that. Thanks so much for dropping a comment on the video. It's hugely appreciated, many more videos coming.
I'm left handed but this year I'm looking into getting a lap steel
Amazing Terence, good luck with it.
Nice shoes
Haha thanks 😎
Could you tell me again the name of the orange box & where I can get one. Thanks so much for the video, you sound awesome.
Hey Robert, thanks for the kind comments. The magic orange box of doom 😜 was built by a mate of mine who's no longer building pedals. However, Electro Harmonix now build the Ctrl Knob pedal which essentially does the same thing in a smaller box.
@@ScottPoleyMusic
Thanks Scott, much appreciated
Scott two questions if I may, 1st "do you have to know how to play the guitar to learn the peddle steel? Which I do not know, 2nd "is it too late for a 73 year old to learn"? I was a combat sailor in Vietnam 69/71 and got messed up pretty good but I am still here and very intrigued, what do you think, please be honest, also just a single string with E9 a good used one with the goodies to go along with in other words to get started money wise I don't expect down to the penny , would 6-7 thousand do it?...thanks
Lee!
A) no! You don't have to be able to play guitar.
B) it's never too late to do something you want to do!
C) Absolutely, there's loads of great manufacturers out there. Mullen, Emmons, Sho Bud, the list is endless.
I've just recorded a series of videos about pedal steel guitar, how to play one, how to get a great tone etc. Videos coming soon!
hi Scott i am back had to move to a new apartment steel still in case but will get it out today or tommorow
Amazing!
Hi Scott got it set up almost lost wingnuts for pedal rack now having tuning problems when i push pedals the chord sounds sour probably thinking about tooo many other things women for one lolololol and getting a car as well Thank you forbeing there for us steel players which I am one your a darn nice guy Thanks
What happens if you strum all the strings at the same time? is it an open chord?
How would you do a 1 5 6m 4? or similar standard sequence? Is there more than one way?
So many questions so little time,
Thanks.
Hey John, I'm going to be making some more videos answering all your questions. It'll be a series of short videos all about the Pedal Steel, how it works, techniques, effects etc. Keep your eye out on the channel for that 👍
@@ScottPoleyMusic Thank you very much.
Everything you need to know? Ha! That could take a lifetime.
🤣 Absolutely!!!! I’m hoping that this video is a good overview to people who are new to the instrument. There’s also a bunch of free lessons on the channel 👍
@@ScottPoleyMusic Thanks man! Glad you weren't offended by my statement.Being a steel player myself, I think we can agree that every time one gets behind a steel,something new can be learned!🎼
Not in the slightest!! We steel players need to stick together 👍
Actually, I believe the one thing that slows a lot of folks down is they aren't already musicians, & familiar with this thing called MUSIC Theory. If you don't know know MUSIC & can't apply the theory to the Guitar Neck, you'll have a slow growth. BUT thanks to some great people, Music is available to LEARN.... & a lot quicker than the ROTE Formula... Look up , "Playing by Ear", by Karen Ramirez & go through her lessons, on your guitar & you'll pick up a lot of invisible Info, quicker... There are many more... Once you learn what's what (the ABCs & where on your Guitar it's located, those mystery runs & licks are no longer, so hard to find.... Understanding that 24 note Lick, is the key to putting it in a song... Understanding will allow you to shorten or lengthen the same lick & move it to another KEY.... especially when it runs off the end of the neck, in either direction.... Good Luck Karen has lots of lessons, you'll be a picker when she's through with you...
What about the left hand?? Please!
There’s a whole video about the left hand on the channel ua-cam.com/video/uaCp_IrCTR0/v-deo.html
Thanks! I was just concern about the numbming of the cords and slide bar mechanics for the left hand!@@ScottPoleyMusic
Como funciona o pedal lepsteel?
Hi Roberto, a Pedal Steel has pedals and knee levers to change the pitch of certain strings and string groups. The lap steel is essentially a guitar with much higher action, no pedals or knee levers.
Hi Scott! Christo here. Awesome video. I’m a new steel player and I’ve been recording/uploading my progress on UA-cam for the past 100 days. Would love to chat with you sometime if you ever get a free moment!
Hey Christo, great idea for a channel. Would be happy to chat, drop me an email through my website 👍
@@ScottPoleyMusic Thanks! Will do.
where do i buy a pedal steel?
Generally direct from the manufacturer although there are many dealers worldwide.
Explain the C6th.
Video in the pipeline Phillip.
I just want to play like Ralph Mooney.
Don’t we all
Is it spelled "Leaver"? No.
Hey Andrew, I assume you're talking about knee levers? In the case of the Pedal Steel it's spelt lever, hope that's useful, thanks for your comment! Some great stuff on your channel.
2:15 You named the strings wrong. You only picked 9 of the strings, skipping the low F# string, then misnamed a couple others. Other than that, excellent video.
Will aim to do better next time Don 👍
Only instrument I ever gave up on because it was just too hard and time consuming to learn.
I can understand that 👍
Do not give up. Keep trying. Your love for the sound of this instrument will keep you going. Every crowd, when they hear a live pedal steel, love to listen to it. The crowd sticks around in the bar and orders more drinks, then the bar owner will do a good business.
Learning to play by ear, will help you more than considerably...
Hearing that makes me wanna sell my pickup truck and marry my cousin!
🤣🤣🤣
Great and interesting video, but christ! that looks complicated
Haha ABSOLUTELY!! It's fairly simple intervals and suspensions if you understand basic music theory, but coordinating your hands, knees and feet takes a while 😎
If you think that's complicated, wait for the video on the C6 neck!
Can't wait
But you've got a very British and not e.g. a Nashville accent. But I'm a Kraut, I could be very wrong. I connect this instrument solely with American Country music.
Do you have to be from the US to play country? Isn’t that like saying that only French people can cook French food? I’ve spent a lot of time in the US and Nashville specifically but I’m still a Brit, I’ll have a cup of tea thanks 😂
There’s some incredible British pedal steel players worth searching out.
@@ScottPoleyMusic Well for my expericene it is at least exotic over here in Europe, cause I've never experienced one over here, not even at Country gigs.
And damn, is it a complex and highly developed instrument and, as I might ad, again without knowledge, must it be a huge effort to master it properly.
Knee levers can be confusing to beginners. It’s best to name them by what they do rather than where they are.
I call mine John, Paul, George, Ringo, Mick & Keef, that just confuses people 😝🤣
New beginner guitar: Buy in $125.00. New Beginner Pedal Steel Guitar: Buy in $6,500.
TELL ME ABOUT IT!!! 🙈 I hate it! I need to try some entry level PSG’s for a video, it may help people wanting to learn. Watch this space…
@@ScottPoleyMusic This guy did a nice video on how to enter the space: ua-cam.com/video/Z_2CWRauQZU/v-deo.html
@@ScottPoleyMusic I live near Austin, TX .... so probably more opportunity for used equipment than the average.
@@ScottPoleyMusic Well, I found a lap steel on ebay for $79 and a little sidekick fender amp for $100. So, I think a $200 buy in ought'a be about right to test the slipin and slidin waters. Cool videos. Thanks.
That’s a sweet deal. I’ll post some lap steel content when I get back from tour 👍
Damn this thing is complex......
A friend of mine once described it as trying to juggle, whilst riding a unicycle, on fire 🤣 it’s not that bad, it just takes some getting used to.
@@ScottPoleyMusic Knowing MUSIC & applying it to the Pedal Steel Guitar, is the confusion.
Knowing MUSIC & applying it to the Pedal Steel Guitar, is the confusion.
Headline: First off be advised they are far more addictive than Drugs.
Next: Be prepared for a lifelong state of depression with a glimpse of hope.
Other than that, Have a good time