The pedal steel guitar is a unique and expressive instrument known for its smooth, gliding tones and intricate harmonic possibilities. It has played a crucial role in country, blues, gospel, and even rock music, bringing a distinctive voice that sets it apart from other stringed instruments. While it shares some similarities with traditional guitar playing, the pedal steel guitar requires a different approach, incorporating bar slides, pedal manipulations, and intricate picking techniques.
In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know about how to play pedal steel guitar, from understanding its construction to mastering essential techniques.
What Is a Pedal Steel Guitar?
The pedal steel guitar is a type of electric guitar that is played horizontally, typically mounted on legs or a stand. Unlike a standard guitar, it lacks a traditional fretboard with frets. Instead, players use a metal bar (called a steel bar or tone bar) to slide along the strings, creating seamless pitch changes. The instrument is equipped with foot pedals and knee levers, which allow players to change string tensions, effectively altering the pitch of specific notes while playing.
Key Components of a Pedal Steel Guitar
Body and Strings – Most pedal steel guitars have 10 to 12 strings per neck. Some models feature double necks (such as the classic E9 and C6 tuning combinations).
Pedals and Knee Levers – These mechanisms modify the string pitch, enabling smooth note transitions, complex chords, and unique voicings.
Tone Bar – This is a solid metal bar used to slide over the strings, creating the signature legato sound.
Pickups and Electronics – Similar to electric guitars, pedal steels use pickups to amplify their sound.
Volume Pedal – While not built into the guitar itself, most pedal steel players use a volume pedal to control dynamics smoothly.
Choosing the Right Pedal Steel Guitar
Single vs. Double Neck Guitars
Beginners often start with a single-neck pedal steel guitar, usually tuned to the E9 tuning, which is popular in country music. Advanced players may prefer a double-neck model, which includes an additional C6 tuning for jazz and Western swing styles.
Number of Pedals and Knee Levers
A standard beginner-friendly pedal steel guitar typically has three pedals and four knee levers. Professional models may include more pedals and levers to offer greater tuning flexibility.
Choosing the Right Amp
Since the pedal steel guitar produces complex harmonics, a high-quality amplifier with a clean, warm tone is essential. Amps like the Peavey Nashville 112 or Fender Twin Reverb are popular choices among pedal steel players.
Basic Playing Techniques
1. Holding the Tone Bar
The tone bar (steel bar) is crucial for creating the smooth, fluid sound associated with the pedal steel guitar. Hold the bar firmly but without excessive pressure. Use your index, middle, and ring fingers to grip it while keeping your hand relaxed.
2. Right-Hand Picking
Most players use fingerpicks on their index and middle fingers, along with a thumb pick. The right-hand technique involves alternating picking patterns to maintain fluidity in melodies and chord transitions.
3. Left-Hand Sliding
Since the pedal steel guitar has no frets, precise intonation depends on ear training and bar control. Slide the bar smoothly between notes while maintaining accurate pitch.
4. Using Pedals and Knee Levers
Each pedal and knee lever alters the pitch of specific strings, allowing for unique chord voicings and transitions. The most common pedal setup includes:
Pedal A: Raises strings 5 and 10 from B to C#
Pedal B: Raises strings 3 and 6 from G# to A
Pedal C: Raises strings 4 and 5 from E to F# and B to C#, respectively
Knee Levers: Modify pitches of specific strings, typically raising or lowering them by a half or whole step
Tuning Your Pedal Steel Guitar
The two most widely used pedal steel tunings are:
E9 Tuning (Country, Gospel, Rock)
1st String: F#
2nd String: D#
3rd String: G#
4th String: E
5th String: B
6th String: G#
7th String: F#
8th String: E
9th String: D
10th String: B
C6 Tuning (Western Swing, Jazz)
1st String: G
2nd String: E
3rd String: C
4th String: A
5th String: G
6th String: E
7th String: C
8th String: A
9th String: F
10th String: C
Playing Your First Song
Step 1: Learn Basic Chords
Start by practicing major and minor chords using your pedals and knee levers. The E9 tuning allows for smooth transitions between I-IV-V chord progressions, commonly found in country music.
Step 2: Play Simple Melodies
Use your tone bar and fingerpicks to pick out melodies. Focus on sliding between notes accurately and using the volume pedal for smoother dynamics.
Step 3: Practice Pedal Combinations
Experiment with different pedal and knee lever combinations to create signature chord transitions and licks.
Advanced Techniques
1. Vibrato and Sustain
Adding gentle vibrato by rocking the tone bar slightly back and forth enhances sustain and expressiveness.
2. Harmonics
Lightly touch the string with a finger while picking to create chime-like harmonics.
3. Rolls and Picking Patterns
Practice alternating thumb and fingerpicks in rolls to create fluid, cascading note patterns.
4. Volume Pedal Swells
Control the volume pedal subtly to create long, swelling notes that blend seamlessly into the mix.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Keeping Intonation Precise
Since the pedal steel guitar lacks frets, intonation can be tricky. Practice with a tuner and use your ear to develop precise pitch accuracy.
2. Coordinating Pedals, Knees, and Picking
It takes time to master foot and knee coordination while playing melodies. Start slow and gradually build speed.
3. Avoiding Unwanted String Noise
Use muting techniques with both hands to prevent unwanted string vibrations.
Final Thoughts
The pedal steel guitar is one of the most expressive instruments, offering a unique blend of smooth, gliding notes and complex harmonies. While mastering it takes time and patience, the rewards are well worth the effort. By learning proper bar control, picking techniques, pedal coordination, and vibrato, you’ll be well on your way to playing beautiful pedal steel guitar melodies.
Whether you’re drawn to classic country sounds, blues, gospel, or even experimental music, the pedal steel guitar opens up a world of musical possibilities. Keep practicing, experiment with different pedal setups, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!
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- How to Tune a Guitar with a Capo
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