Ok, I've been playin' guitar for over 50 years now and have never got it totally down, but now in my old age I think I'll take up the pedal steel. That way I can be guaranteed that I'll die frustrated.
@@captainmoretokin2172 I mostly play old-time now and one of the reasons is that we all get to sit down while playing. I even have a tall chair for playing the upright bass :-)
@@nealmont Try a Hammond B3 sometime.....left foot bass, right foot volume, left hand comping bass, right hand lead and chords, and throw in the Leslie on and off. ....40 years later and I can't still make it all happen.
You got that, man. I guess you could play any type of guitar with a pedal steel - from bluegrass to folk and country to twang-banging hard rock. (Imagine that through distortion and wah!)
@@CernanCDengaRight?! I have a MIDI Pedal Steel plugin I can use my keyboard with… I’m definitely building a song around a pedal steal through a wah and Orange Rockerverb.
Despite its immense popularity in country and western music, the pedal steel is still a tremendously underrated instrument. Fascinating instrument with an amazing sound.
Mike, I was in White Lake, N.C. way back in my late teens. Three of us were walking around town checking out the ladies. I suddenly heard someone absolutely wearing out a pedal steel. It was coming from a tent revival with a Gospel Band, so I wandered over to check out the player. I stuck my head around the tent flap, and I shit you not, it was a kid playing a ShoBud, and his feet barely reached the pedals.Some people are just gifted. The bastards.
Mike Jervis. An old gent that's been around since the stone age, in my home town, plays the best steel in 10 county's, says the only way to get really good is to play it all the time. By the time you've mastered the steel, you'll be dead. Pretty much sums it up to me. There are few young players worth a hoot -- most seem to be old farts that can barely walk, like ol' Louie Amantero, Livingston, MT
Music is a language and once you understand the grammar and vocabulary, it begins to make sense. What’s really tricky is once you begin to analyze music it is hard to simply enjoy it. That’s what turned me off from music school. Keep your mind and ears open!
@JM Coulon I'm with both of you . The more I've learned the more I appreciate even genres of music I wouldnt normally listen to or even care about, but it's also discouraging analyzing and knowing that I'll never get to the level playing through my limbs and fingers what's in my head. Music, when you start understanding it and your own shortcomings and lack of skill and creativity compared to others , becomes like madness .
Unlike guitar where most people just learn where to put their fingers when beginning it seems like you would need a basic concept of music theory and how chords are built before even beginning on pedal steel.
Ive played pedal steel for a few months...put I also play guitar,bass,drums,keys,....other insturments too but im not the best.......lets say jack of all trades
Uh, that's a lie. I am a very beginner. Self-taught, only know like 6-7+ chords that I learned over the course of a few months. Got to try a pedal guitar out and it was so much easier to play than having to do the chords my self. All I had to focus on was which string I played and then it was just off and play..
Knee levers! There are knee levers as well?!? I was just thinking I might be able to handle it then you tell me about knee levers! And then there's the C6 neck.
Jonathan Reynolds I don’t play but it looks like it gets more complicated than that, how many strings on these things, hats off to those that master this monster.
+Nicolas.T +DerDa OK, here's the thing: 1. The history of this insurtment, is not unknown. It's a couple clicks away. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_steel_guitar 2. It was developed throughout the decades by several people (as most instruments usually are). All of them men, as far as a quick search has confirmed. 3. I still like DerDa's point: it's a good thing to check your assumptions that men are responsible for everything. Women have contributed many advancements, technological and not, to human culture (they were pioneers in electronic music, for instance). We're still, unfairly, often taught mostly about men. But maybe, after that point was made, it would have been a good thing to just check the actual available facts?
@Martin G That would depend upon which god you are referring to. The one you pray to, or the one you kneel to when you are puking. I don't think the porcelain god should get an upper case g. That's my opinion, and everyone has one.
That was totally sick. I'm a jazz guitarist and I've always found steel guitar kind of mystifying thanks for taking some of the mystery of of it. I find the sound of a steel guitar intoxicating. I could how if I ever got my hands on one of those things I'd get sucked into the abyss. I like the Brian Blade release Perceptual. Steel guitar all over it in a jazz setting. I don't know who the player is by I dig it.
According to Wikipedia, the pedal steel is played by a guy named Dave Easley, but Daniel Lanois is on there as well, and he's a pretty mean pedal steel player himself. I've seen him just jam spontaneously on the instrument a few times, and it always takes you right off to dreamland. Thanks for the CD recommendation, by the way. I will pick this up. Blade is an amazing drummer.
@@raymarks7430 I just typed "Adios to Calf" into Spotify so I can check this out. D'oh! I listened to it now, and you're right -- the pedal steel's nice. My all-time favourite pedal steel playing is on the first few Mike Nesmith solo albums -- OJ Red Rhodes. Genius. Listen to 'Wax Minute' on the album 'Tantamount to Treason'. It's jaw-dropping.
From this demonstration, you can really see how the pedal steel is the perfect instrument to simulate one of the instrument choirs in a traditional big band, as is done in Texas-style Western swing. Texas and Kansas city aren't that far apart, after all. The cross-pollination was there right from the beginning.
having owned several pedal steels, since 79. I will say on thing It takes a lot more knowledge than most 6 string guitarists know ! You've gotta play a lot of "fill ins", that you wouldn't play as a 6 stringer, It comes with time BTW: Great "intro" video It takes lot mot of how relative minors apply to you basic 1-4-5 than most jammers realize/ It requires a level of exact picking, and feeling Good luck to any aspiring players
Rick Winfield sounds like it could be fun . You theoretically could make sounds that nobody has ever heard ! Seems to me that the chord/ note/ key variations are almost endless
@@djf2918/ guitar horizontal in capability of reaching your favorite inverted chord,isn't as rough or technical as a standard 6 string acoustic, as I found. After 63 years, I still find this most difficult instrument to master, as the best pedal steel players were dobro masters first.This my dear companions is how I observed it. Its the guitarist who duplicate steel players better than steel players can reproduce a guitar.Exceptions even here exists..." if they can do it so can you..." my secret sentiments since1957.Don't quit, retreat...but get back to this, carry-on...♡ Old Grandpaw will smile,& God too! Shalom& and pass a harmony of Concord... thanks for your help 👍
Pretty basic concept really. Had no knowledge of pedal steel´s but would be cool to try one. Only thing is, i hate using banjo-style thumb picks. Is like what happens if you put tape on the beans under a cats paws
@@Tonetwisters That why I took up mandolin and listen with my mouth hanging open to Ms Molly Tuttle play guitar AND mandolin. They call Jerry Douglas " flux" and for good reason. Don't know what Molly will get for a nic-name. Garcia gave great nic-names, so maybe it will be up to Peter Rowan to hang something appropriate on this phenomenal picker lady.
What I find funny about this, is that so many people stereotype country music as being a genre for less intelligent people, but yet this instrument is one of the most complicated damned things in existence. I am a multi-instrumentalist, and I can’t even imagine where to begin with this. God bless those who have mastered it.
As a banjo picker, I find the same attitude regarding Bluegrass music...just a bunch of dumb hillbillies, doing a Buck and Wing! I agree with you about those pedal steel folks. Heck, I have a bad enough time working with only 5 strings, and I don't even have to worry about pedals and knee levers.
I think that stereotype is aimed more at the general consumer than the actual musicians. And in my albeit somewhat limited experience I'd say that it does have its merits.
Right! Cuz only steel guitars, banjo's, and fiddles are limited to only country music. I have heard all of these instruments used in rock songs, blues tunes and other genres. Oooo, lets not forget harmonicas, also only country music. I know you only talking about the stereotype of "country music as being a genre for less intelligent people", but many people think these instruments are only for country music. Sad thing is though, country music isn't really country music anymore. All these kids doing "country music" now-a-days, are really only playing "twangy" rock music.
UncleFestersWorld You make a really good point. I’m not too keen on the use of steel guitar in rock music, but one of the most successful applications of that came from an Australian band from the 1980s called the Triffids. This is a really beautiful song from them: ruclips.net/video/OGkJONhkBgU/видео.html
@@sir_john_hammond -- technically you're right but I think the original commentor was speaking to the drastic pitch change to another note rather than the slight pitch change that comes from the bending or tightening in this case of the string: The pedal does of course change the pitch but so drastic it is changing the note but the slight verbato as the man in the video spoke of is just a softer pitch like bending on standard body guitar.
What I took from it was , the pedals only change certain strings , so if you want to just bend a certain string, you use the pedals because the bar would bend all the strings at once . But I could be wrong
Not only do the strings have to be in tune but the pedals and levers have to be properly adjusted, too. Just because the string is in tune open doesn't mean it will be when your feet and knees start working.
The guitar from an engineering perspective design wise is a compromise it's always at of tune which is why there's the old saying, " as guitar players we spend half our time tuning and the other half playing out of tune!"
Put in an evertune bridge mechanism and they'll always be in tune even after months of wild bends... it goes for like $400 dollars or so.... only downside it's not compatible with a tremolo
I knew this old cowboy for about 4 years and one day he mentioned to me he played pedal steel, me being a guitar player said get the hell out, I thought well he is probably pretty bad. Then one day he invited me to his house to jam around, when I got to the door he was playing and my mouth dropped, he was awesome.
I finally learned how a lot of country songs get "that" sound. That sound that sounds like its from a guitar. But its from this. Never would've guessed. Awesome instrument though!
It's interesting how David Gilmour of Pink Floyd almost completely changed the feeling of that instrument. Used to hearing as the backing of a country song, he used it to add sort of a spacey feel to their music.
its firstgrade Wise Guy. Pedal Steel has been used for country for a long time and no matter which group uses it, it sounds the same. A whiny country song. Gilmour changed that.
Thank you! Not only do you have to be a musician...you have to be a technician as well. All the wiring and leads..this is much more complicated than the average audience can fathom. Kudos!! We should all learn to appreciate the finesse involved.
Nah a 3 stick Mack single stack mack with a window in the back Pulling 1/2 loaded double shotgun tanks on old US 41 Nashville to Atlanta hitting Atlanta at morning rush hr.
Brings back memories visiting my uncle in Nashville ... his friend was Shot Jackson ... he played and I recall built steel guitars. Shot was very Nice !!
Yeah , like driving a 4WD, while upside down with 3 or 4 mirrors in different locations to see if your going forward,. Amazing, I would need another 2 lives to get the hang of it
Brought here by my renewed interest in Linda Ronstadt following a viewing of the recent documentary about her career and the reading of her memoir. The woman ate, slept and breathed music, and even though she was limited as an instrumentalist, she sure had a keen ear for finding the best musicians. A few months ago, I had no clue who Dan Dugmore was, but just loved watching him and listening to the sounds he was making. Now I'll be looking for Mr. Fishnell in Emmylou Harris videos!
@Jeff Baker Thanks for responding. Due to all the "social distancing" where I live, I've had the time to reconnect with old friends. In chatting with my old college chum from St. John's University in Jamaica, NY, I brought up Linda Ronstadt and asked if she'd ever seen her. She said, "Don't you remember, we saw her in '76 when she played in Alumni Hall?" For the life of me, I don't know what could've been so important that I wasn't there, but I wasn't! I asked Joanie to tell me what she remembered about the performance. She recalled Ms. Ronstadt just standing there in her blue jeans and simple blouse, giggling here and there and singing with that voice from beyond. But she went on to say that the band was phenomenal. When I watch her old videos, I'm always looking for Andrew Gold, Kenny Edwards, Waddy Wachtel, and Danny Kortchmar. Becoming a "homebound groupie" at 62! Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
@Jeff Baker Not complaining one bit. Have RUclips, my 14 year old pup that I can still hug...and chocolate! Now watching Rocky beat Creed for the umpteenth time. Will end the day with one more look at Ms. Ronstadt's official video of "Tracks of My Tears" with Mr. Dugmore on the pedal steel guitar (Doubt I'll get to see the "knee levers!"). All the best to you wherever you are! All the best to humanity all over the globe!
@@lnl3237 I caught a Linda Ronstadt/Jackson Browne double bill at Seton Hall University in '74, (as well as Carnegie Hall that year?) and if I recall correctly (65 myself so...), Mr. Dugmore was playing pedal steel in her band at those venues as well. ;)
@@nofascistsonmywatch Thank you so much for responding. How fortunate you were to see these two friends and talents on the same bill in the venues you did! 1974 was her breakout year with Heart Like a Wheel and she was soon performing in cavernous sports arenas to throngs of people. More intimate venues so much more conducive to showcasing their talents. Coincidentally, they'll be appearing again together in a documentary this month called "Linda and the Mockingbirds." Jackson Browne accompanied Ms. Ronstadt and a group from Los Cenzontles on a trip to Ms. Ronstadt's grandfather's birthplace in Mexico. Ms. Ronstadt has been the catalyst for sparking my interest in much of the music I took for granted in the 70's and the people who made it. They made it all look so effortless and easy. Watching this video revealed it surely wasn't! Thank you again for your feedback. I pray Heaven has a beautiful music hall with the best acoustics and because I missed a whole lotta great music down here. Glad you didn't!
Having watched Steve in person at The Birchmere, in Alexandria, VA - backing Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell through a fabulous evening - I now believe in Heaven!
I've always known this was a tough instrument to master and that was one of the reasons it has faded in use in music today. After watching this I have a whole new appreciation for the brave souls that put the time and energy in to being able to produce a melody like no other instrument can! I'm so happy that I'm old enough to wear the title of old fart so that I can live in the past and appreciate all the music of yesterday be it country, rock or jazz! I hope this instrument will continue to be used in the music still to come! Hopefully?
What an amazing video. I was totally absorbed throughout and learned so much. Steve Fishell is a master in his art - the only other pedal steel guitar player I know is Paul Franklin and these two guys are just maestros. Thank you so much for posting.
Thanks for the lesson, sir Steve. I had a 3-piece band back in 2001-2007 that was comprised of me on bass, Larry Ptron on drums and Butch Cornwell on steel. Larry was one of the finest drummers I ever had the privilege to perform with and from where I sat, Butch was probably one of the best steel players in Texas. We could play almost anything and it would work. Of course, we played country. From time to time we'd have to throw in a Rock song from the '60s or '70s. Butch never missed a lick. After a few years of performing together, I expressed an interest in learning a little bit of steel playing. For about two months, Butch allowed me to borrow one of his guitars to see what I could do. There were no instructions about the pedals. I didn't even know what key to tune it to. Basically, I was a orphan steel player. I knew enough about music theory to put a song together on the guitar or keyboard. But I knew nothing about the steel. Had I known what was shown in this video, I might have been inspired to go further. At the end of my time, I couldn't even play one song. I was frustrated and discouraged. He passed away several years ago. I wish he would have helped me as much as this video did. I might be able to play at least one song.
I've wanted to learn how this beautiful instrument was played. All that you have shown answered my questions. I want to Thank You for a fantastic demo.
How convenient it is for one of the most beautiful sounding instrument to require a expert level coordination of hands, feet, knees, and music theory at the same time. Damn.
Only took me 35 years to find someone to explain to me how this works. I'm totally blown away by this engineering marvel, and the musicians who can master it. Thank you very much.
Great, instructive & inspirational... but, I kept waiting for you to break into that famous lick by Jerome Garcia when he played with that Los Angeles quartet, Crosby, Stills, Garcia & Nash.
Most accomplished pedal steel players do bar slants, look at how many Lloyd Green does. The pedals simply make chords that aren't possible from slanting on a lap steel.
Thank you for posting this! Came across it randomly, and even though I don't really like country music I was intrigued, so watched the video. WOW! I now have better understanding on how it works and a HUGE amount of respect for lap steel players. I would love a go on one of these!!!!
Always loved the sound... recently been thinking of getting one. After watching this it's clear that I'm way too dumb lol. Hats off to all the players who make it look and sound so smooth and easy.
Why the fuck didm´t i learn this instrument long ago? I have always had it easy playing clean on a slideguitar, so i don´t think it would have been a problem. As a freelancing guitarist you can get many more gigs if you know how to play a instrument like this. But now i´m over 60 so it´s a bit late for that. But for all you youngsters out there, who can play a clean guitar slide, go for it! Not very many plays this good, so you can easily benefit from it!.
Excellent video. I love the sound of the pedal steel; in the right hands it’ll break your heart... I’d dearly love to play, if only they weren’t so expensive.
A difficult instrument to play since it requires a lot of coordination between the hands, feet, and knees. There is also a three neck steel guitar produced by some manufacturers which might be even more challenging to learn.
Ok, I've been playin' guitar for over 50 years now and have never got it totally down, but now in my old age I think I'll take up the pedal steel. That way I can be guaranteed that I'll die frustrated.
Amen brother! I tried this for a while. All consuming and way too much going on.
its not hard. and you get to sit down when playing.
@@captainmoretokin2172 I mostly play old-time now and one of the reasons is that we all get to sit down while playing. I even have a tall chair for playing the upright bass :-)
@@nealmont that's good. at our age standing up is hard on the ''ol dogs'' LOL
@@nealmont Try a Hammond B3 sometime.....left foot bass, right foot volume, left hand comping bass, right hand lead and chords, and throw in the Leslie on and off. ....40 years later and I can't still make it all happen.
I'm not sure humans could invent a more beautiful sounding instrument love it.
You got that, man. I guess you could play any type of guitar with a pedal steel - from bluegrass to folk and country to twang-banging hard rock. (Imagine that through distortion and wah!)
The glass harmonica
@@CernanCDengaRight?! I have a MIDI Pedal Steel plugin I can use my keyboard with… I’m definitely building a song around a pedal steal through a wah and Orange Rockerverb.
A steel and a pipe organ....most beautiful instruments ever created.
Or a harder one to play!
Despite its immense popularity in country and western music, the pedal steel is still a tremendously underrated instrument. Fascinating instrument with an amazing sound.
I have a new respect for pedal steel players. The precision with which they play is amazing.
Been hearing it for years never realised how complex this instrument was.
I played with a pedal steel guy years ago who said 'it takes ten years just to get shitty.'
That just made my day!!!
I just laughed out loud at this! It sounds very complicated!
I believe it.
Mike, I was in White Lake, N.C. way back in my late teens. Three of us were walking around town checking out the ladies. I suddenly heard someone absolutely wearing out a pedal steel. It was coming from a tent revival with a Gospel Band, so I wandered over to check out the player. I stuck my head around the tent flap, and I shit you not, it was a kid playing a ShoBud, and his feet barely reached the pedals.Some people are just gifted. The bastards.
Mike Jervis. An old gent that's been around since the stone age, in my home town, plays the best steel in 10 county's, says the only way to get really good is to play it all the time. By the time you've mastered the steel, you'll be dead. Pretty much sums it up to me. There are few young players worth a hoot -- most seem to be old farts that can barely walk, like ol' Louie Amantero, Livingston, MT
3. Rocket Scientist
2. Brain Surgeon
1. Pedal Steel Player
Helicopter pilot, as well!
It took me 10 years to understand how a pedal steel works.You have to be able to chew gum and walk @ same time.
Just like Buckaroo Banzai.
Amaizing, i can't believe how complicated this instrument can be.
WORD!
thinking about chords in terms of 1-4-5 like Steve here is really helpful when learning music E=1 A=4 B=5 in this case!
Oh look! A wild wintergatan!
Weird Seeing you here. hello martin
Hello!
Music is a language and once you understand the grammar and vocabulary, it begins to make sense. What’s really tricky is once you begin to analyze music it is hard to simply enjoy it. That’s what turned me off from music school. Keep your mind and ears open!
@JM Coulon I'm with both of you . The more I've learned the more I appreciate even genres of music I wouldnt normally listen to or even care about, but it's also discouraging analyzing and knowing that I'll never get to the level playing through my limbs and fingers what's in my head. Music, when you start understanding it and your own shortcomings and lack of skill and creativity compared to others , becomes like madness .
Unlike guitar where most people just learn where to put their fingers when beginning it seems like you would need a basic concept of music theory and how chords are built before even beginning on pedal steel.
No doubt! This thing is way over my head.
Offcourse, but i'm a professional guitarist and musician.
Ive played pedal steel for a few months...put I also play guitar,bass,drums,keys,....other insturments too but im not the best.......lets say jack of all trades
Joe Huffman n
Uh, that's a lie. I am a very beginner. Self-taught, only know like 6-7+ chords that I learned over the course of a few months. Got to try a pedal guitar out and it was so much easier to play than having to do the chords my self. All I had to focus on was which string I played and then it was just off and play..
The hardest and most underappreciated instrument in the world.
Sweetest sounding instrument you've ever heard.
...maybe when accompanied by a good fiddle player.
Knee levers! There are knee levers as well?!? I was just thinking I might be able to handle it then you tell me about knee levers! And then there's the C6 neck.
4 or 5 knee levers to work as well.
Jonathan Reynolds I don’t play but it looks like it gets more complicated than that, how many strings on these things, hats off to those that master this monster.
The fun part is stringing them and tuning them ...
lmaooooo brooo same.
@@gary23jag Hats off to the tech that keeps it running. Doubly so if that's the musician.
I was completely lost by the end of minute 2. I have nothing but admiration for anyone who can play this thing.
Okay, so... feet petals, knee levers, pizzicato, and the occasional use of a finger bar... this is some high-level wizardry.
+Meat Machine Clearly haha, just imagine the guy who come with it and invented it :O
I can listen to him jamming all day long
+Nicolas.T who said a guy invented it
*facepalm*...
let me rephrase just for you... "imagine the PERSON who come with it and invented it"
Happy ?
+Nicolas.T better
+Nicolas.T +DerDa
OK, here's the thing:
1. The history of this insurtment, is not unknown. It's a couple clicks away. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_steel_guitar
2. It was developed throughout the decades by several people (as most instruments usually are). All of them men, as far as a quick search has confirmed.
3. I still like DerDa's point: it's a good thing to check your assumptions that men are responsible for everything. Women have contributed many advancements, technological and not, to human culture (they were pioneers in electronic music, for instance). We're still, unfairly, often taught mostly about men. But maybe, after that point was made, it would have been a good thing to just check the actual available facts?
These are what made country music god i love them
@Martin G That would depend upon which god you are referring to. The one you pray to, or the one you kneel to when you are puking. I don't think the porcelain god should get an upper case g. That's my opinion, and everyone has one.
My first thought: Ooooooh, I wanna learn how to play that
My second thought: Man, would I be in over my head
That was totally sick. I'm a jazz guitarist and I've always found steel guitar kind of mystifying thanks for taking some of the mystery of of it. I find the sound of a steel guitar intoxicating. I could how if I ever got my hands on one of those things I'd get sucked into the abyss. I like the Brian Blade release Perceptual. Steel guitar all over it in a jazz setting. I don't know who the player is by I dig it.
Agree! listen to the pedal steel section in Adios to Calf by John Hiatt .. amazing.
According to Wikipedia, the pedal steel is played by a guy named Dave Easley, but Daniel Lanois is on there as well, and he's a pretty mean pedal steel player himself. I've seen him just jam spontaneously on the instrument a few times, and it always takes you right off to dreamland. Thanks for the CD recommendation, by the way. I will pick this up. Blade is an amazing drummer.
Brian blade is the fuckin man
@@raymarks7430 I just typed "Adios to Calf" into Spotify so I can check this out. D'oh! I listened to it now, and you're right -- the pedal steel's nice. My all-time favourite pedal steel playing is on the first few Mike Nesmith solo albums -- OJ Red Rhodes. Genius. Listen to 'Wax Minute' on the album 'Tantamount to Treason'. It's jaw-dropping.
From this demonstration, you can really see how the pedal steel is the perfect instrument to simulate one of the instrument choirs in a traditional big band, as is done in Texas-style Western swing. Texas and Kansas city aren't that far apart, after all. The cross-pollination was there right from the beginning.
having owned several pedal steels, since 79. I will say on thing
It takes a lot more knowledge than most 6 string guitarists know !
You've gotta play a lot of "fill ins", that you wouldn't play as a 6 stringer,
It comes with time
BTW: Great "intro" video
It takes lot mot of how relative minors apply to you basic 1-4-5 than most jammers realize/ It requires a level of exact picking, and feeling
Good luck to any aspiring players
Rick Winfield sounds like it could be fun . You theoretically could make sounds that nobody has ever heard ! Seems to me that the chord/ note/ key variations are almost endless
Rick, DjF; ANY clue where to start? Just can't find a good instructor.Thx
@@djf2918/ guitar horizontal in capability of reaching your favorite inverted chord,isn't as rough or technical as a standard 6 string acoustic, as I found. After 63 years, I still find this most difficult instrument to master, as the best pedal steel players were dobro masters first.This my dear companions is how I observed it. Its the guitarist who duplicate steel players better than steel players can reproduce a guitar.Exceptions even here exists..." if they can do it so can you..." my secret sentiments since1957.Don't quit, retreat...but get back to this, carry-on...♡ Old Grandpaw will smile,& God too! Shalom& and pass a harmony of Concord... thanks for your help 👍
loved this instrument the first time i heard it used in "To Be Over" on the Relayer album
steve howe is the best
this is a monster, i never knew they were so complex! amazing!
All I know about guitars is that the sound of a steel makes me happy.
I played electric guitar for 21 years but now I feel dumb. This looks so much more complicated. o_0
It's not nearly as bad, once you get going on steel. It's just a steep early learning curve
It tkaes a year to corindate everything. Bigest mistake people make is trying to play Danny Boya wek after getting your steel and won't learn scales
right?
yes i see what you mean.. i play slide guitar... and this does look more intense
Pretty basic concept really. Had no knowledge of pedal steel´s but would be cool to try one. Only thing is, i hate using banjo-style thumb picks. Is like what happens if you put tape on the beans under a cats paws
Guy: I really like slides and barre chords, but guitar is getting boring...
Inventor: BOY DO I HAVE
Hah! Been playing guitar for 57+ years, and I'm only now finding out just how much I DON'T know ...
PompousKatfish. BOY DO I HAVE THE INSTRUMENT FOR YOU (IF IT DON'T KILL YA, FIRST). LOL, LOL
@@Tonetwisters That why I took up mandolin and listen with my mouth hanging open to Ms Molly Tuttle play guitar AND mandolin. They call Jerry Douglas " flux" and for good reason. Don't know what Molly will get for a nic-name. Garcia gave great nic-names, so maybe it will be up to Peter Rowan to hang something appropriate on this phenomenal picker lady.
My favorite instrument, that sound and that emotion that it gives to a song
What I find funny about this, is that so many people stereotype country music as being a genre for less intelligent people, but yet this instrument is one of the most complicated damned things in existence. I am a multi-instrumentalist, and I can’t even imagine where to begin with this. God bless those who have mastered it.
As a banjo picker, I find the same attitude regarding Bluegrass music...just a bunch of dumb hillbillies, doing a Buck and Wing! I agree with you about those pedal steel folks. Heck, I have a bad enough time working with only 5 strings, and I don't even have to worry about pedals and knee levers.
I think that stereotype is aimed more at the general consumer than the actual musicians. And in my albeit somewhat limited experience I'd say that it does have its merits.
Right! Cuz only steel guitars, banjo's, and fiddles are limited to only country music. I have heard all of these instruments used in rock songs, blues tunes and other genres. Oooo, lets not forget harmonicas, also only country music. I know you only talking about the stereotype of "country music as being a genre for less intelligent people", but many people think these instruments are only for country music. Sad thing is though, country music isn't really country music anymore. All these kids doing "country music" now-a-days, are really only playing "twangy" rock music.
Ever heard of the Chapman Stick? Only an octopus could master it, although, the almighty Tony Levin comes close...
UncleFestersWorld You make a really good point. I’m not too keen on the use of steel guitar in rock music, but one of the most successful applications of that came from an Australian band from the 1980s called the Triffids. This is a really beautiful song from them: ruclips.net/video/OGkJONhkBgU/видео.html
there is something so deep and spiritual about the sound of a pedal steel guitar it warms me like the sun on a cold winters day
I wish more people would talk about pedal steel guitar. I'm absolutely fascinated by it.
Pedal steel= 13 ways to bend a chord
Only 13? 😂
I always thought the bending sound was made with a slide, not with a pedal. Interesting
You weren't listening carefully then... cause it's both.
@@sir_john_hammond -- technically you're right but I think the original commentor was speaking to the drastic pitch change to another note rather than the slight pitch change that comes from the bending or tightening in this case of the string: The pedal does of course change the pitch but so drastic it is changing the note but the slight verbato as the man in the video spoke of is just a softer pitch like bending on standard body guitar.
What I took from it was , the pedals only change certain strings , so if you want to just bend a certain string, you use the pedals because the bar would bend all the strings at once . But I could be wrong
After 40 years on the guitar, the hard part of this instrument to me looks to be keeping all of those strings in tune. Six is enough of a pain!
Not only do the strings have to be in tune but the pedals and levers have to be properly adjusted, too. Just because the string is in tune open doesn't mean it will be when your feet and knees start working.
The guitar from an engineering perspective design wise is a compromise it's always at of tune which is why there's the old saying, " as guitar players we spend half our time tuning and the other half playing out of tune!"
try 36 strings on an autoharp,and the tuners aren't geared.
Put in an evertune bridge mechanism and they'll always be in tune even after months of wild bends... it goes for like $400 dollars or so.... only downside it's not compatible with a tremolo
If you have a good guitar and a good set of strings it actually stays in tune.
I knew this old cowboy for about 4 years and one day he mentioned to me he played pedal steel, me being a guitar player said get the hell out, I thought well he is probably pretty bad. Then one day he invited me to his house to jam around, when I got to the door he was playing and my mouth dropped, he was awesome.
As a musician, this is the coolest thing ive seen and learned about in a very long time
I finally learned how a lot of country songs get "that" sound. That sound that sounds like its from a guitar. But its from this. Never would've guessed. Awesome instrument though!
I remember Father brought home a steel guitar. I absolutely love the sounds so soothing, my serenity is expressed. Listen to all the great music
If you can't rub your tummy while patting your head, this may not be the instrument for you.
no instrument will be for you if you can't do that
Jayo Caine well you could play percussion
It's interesting how David Gilmour of Pink Floyd almost completely changed the feeling of that instrument. Used to hearing as the backing of a country song, he used it to add sort of a spacey feel to their music.
Also, most bands have guitars, yet they all sound a little different! Crazy world we live in
its firstgrade Wise Guy. Pedal Steel has been used for country for a long time and no matter which group uses it, it sounds the same. A whiny country song. Gilmour changed that.
Gilmore used a lap steel most of the time. Big difference between that and a pedal steel.
Dave Skowron Point. Didn't Ron Wood use Pedal Steel on 'Far Away Eyes'?
Steve howe did it first
I admire the daylights out of anybody who can keep all that straight and create the art form of playing pedal steel!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸😉👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Wow. It seems even a bit more intimidating than I thought, after learning about the knee pedals ! Hats off to anyone who can master this.
Frickin gorgeous.
Belated thanks for producing this demonstration. Even as a long time guitarist I had no idea how pedal steel worked.
Fantastic, I love the sound of them. I think it's lost in some country music these days.
I just love the sound of the pedal steel guitar. Great demo Steve.
remember seeing this in ed edd n eddy
Thank you! Not only do you have to be a musician...you have to be a technician as well. All the wiring and leads..this is much more complicated than the average audience can fathom. Kudos!! We should all learn to appreciate the finesse involved.
The old SpongeBob.
SilverMoon actually, spongebob music just has slide guitar with no pedals. A Hawaiian steel
@@AECEntertainment isnt it a Guit-Steel? Junior Brown.
@@samking73 c6 tuning lap steel I believe
SilverMoon 88 Fingers Edward
@@AECEntertainment actually there are some pedal steel guitar licks
Thanks for a fres look at the pedal steel guitar. You make it look easy . Great job explaining the workings of the guitar .. Thanks again Ken
This is what much of modern “country” is missing. Bunch of soft rock pop top 40 type stuff these days
Thank god we have so much recorded country music The new Nashville sound? finger snap drum machines???? Go to blazes.
Yea..I agree!!
Thank you for taking the time to make the video. I doubt I will ever try a pedal steel, but it was cool learning more about them.
that thing sounds a-ma-zing! what a tone he gets!
I learned more from this video than watching pedal steel videos for the past 3 days. Thanks!
"a bit like driving a 4-wheel drive"? Maybe more like learning to drive a semi truck with 18-speed transmission!
While juggling and knitting a sweater. 🙂
driving an 18 speed truck on the open road is easy
Flying a helicopter?
Nah a 3 stick Mack single stack mack with a window in the back
Pulling 1/2 loaded double shotgun tanks on old US 41 Nashville to Atlanta hitting Atlanta at morning rush hr.
Both of those are easy, especially to folks who like steel guitar
Brings back memories visiting my uncle in Nashville ... his friend was Shot Jackson ... he played and I recall built steel guitars. Shot was very Nice !!
Yeah , like driving a 4WD, while upside down with 3 or 4 mirrors in different locations to see if your going forward,. Amazing, I would need another 2 lives to get the hang of it
Thank you! I used to play in a band with a pedal steel player and it always baffled and intrigued me. It’s such a beautiful sounding instrument.
thank you thank you thank you I've always wondered how these work it was great explanation thanks again
A really great introduction by a true master of the instrument. I hope he does some sequel videos.
My god that's complicated. This gives me all the more respect for those who can make this box of black magic play so beautifully.
Brought here by my renewed interest in Linda Ronstadt following a viewing of the recent documentary about her career and the reading of her memoir. The woman ate, slept and breathed music, and even though she was limited as an instrumentalist, she sure had a keen ear for finding the best musicians. A few months ago, I had no clue who Dan Dugmore was, but just loved watching him and listening to the sounds he was making. Now I'll be looking for Mr. Fishnell in Emmylou Harris videos!
@Jeff Baker Thanks for responding. Due to all the "social distancing" where I live, I've had the time to reconnect with old friends. In chatting with my old college chum from St. John's University in Jamaica, NY, I brought up Linda Ronstadt and asked if she'd ever seen her. She said, "Don't you remember, we saw her in '76 when she played in Alumni Hall?" For the life of me, I don't know what could've been so important that I wasn't there, but I wasn't! I asked Joanie to tell me what she remembered about the performance. She recalled Ms. Ronstadt just standing there in her blue jeans and simple blouse, giggling here and there and singing with that voice from beyond. But she went on to say that the band was phenomenal. When I watch her old videos, I'm always looking for Andrew Gold, Kenny Edwards, Waddy Wachtel, and Danny Kortchmar. Becoming a "homebound groupie" at 62!
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
@Jeff Baker Not complaining one bit. Have RUclips, my 14 year old pup that I can still hug...and chocolate! Now watching Rocky beat Creed for the umpteenth time. Will end the day with one more look at Ms. Ronstadt's official video of "Tracks of My Tears" with Mr. Dugmore on the pedal steel guitar (Doubt I'll get to see the "knee levers!").
All the best to you wherever you are! All the best to humanity all over the globe!
@@lnl3237 I caught a Linda Ronstadt/Jackson Browne double bill at Seton Hall University in '74, (as well as Carnegie Hall that year?) and if I recall correctly (65 myself so...), Mr. Dugmore was playing pedal steel in her band at those venues as well. ;)
@@nofascistsonmywatch Thank you so much for responding. How fortunate you were to see these two friends and talents on the same bill in the venues you did! 1974 was her breakout year with Heart Like a Wheel and she was soon performing in cavernous sports arenas to throngs of people. More intimate venues so much more conducive to showcasing their talents. Coincidentally, they'll be appearing again together in a documentary this month called "Linda and the Mockingbirds." Jackson Browne accompanied Ms. Ronstadt and a group from Los Cenzontles on a trip to Ms. Ronstadt's grandfather's birthplace in Mexico.
Ms. Ronstadt has been the catalyst for sparking my interest in much of the music I took for granted in the 70's and the people who made it. They made it all look so effortless and easy. Watching this video revealed it surely wasn't!
Thank you again for your feedback. I pray Heaven has a beautiful music hall with the best acoustics and because I missed a whole lotta great music down here. Glad you didn't!
I swear every cartoon from the '90s used this instrument. Instantly-recognisable sound.
Looney tunes at 3:33 I hear bugs bunny
Having watched Steve in person at The Birchmere, in Alexandria, VA - backing Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell through a fabulous evening - I now believe in Heaven!
I've always known this was a tough instrument to master and that was one of the reasons it has faded in use in music today. After watching this I have a whole new appreciation for the brave souls that put the time and energy in to being able to produce a melody like no other instrument can! I'm so happy that I'm old enough to wear the title of old fart so that I can live in the past and appreciate all the music of yesterday be it country, rock or jazz! I hope this instrument will continue to be used in the music still to come! Hopefully?
A Spanish singer still uses it haha
Love the sound of the pedal guitar!
Ha! I met Steve in a studio session tracking him a last year! Good guy and a great player!
I can never understand why anyone gives a thumb down for a video like this. Very informative, thanks Steve
I found this so inspiring that I put a pick-up and an effects pedal on my pair of maracas. Sweet!
video or it didn't happen
Saw one in a music museum once. We were allowed to touch and play it.
Amazing that something so complicated can be so simple and soothing to play
And that right there ladies and Gentlemen is Talent.
What an amazing video. I was totally absorbed throughout and learned so much. Steve Fishell is a master in his art - the only other pedal steel guitar player I know is Paul Franklin and these two guys are just maestros. Thank you so much for posting.
I never realized how complicated that instrument was.
Thanks for the lesson, sir Steve.
I had a 3-piece band back in 2001-2007 that was comprised of me on bass, Larry Ptron on drums and Butch Cornwell on steel. Larry was one of the finest drummers I ever had the privilege to perform with and from where I sat, Butch was probably one of the best steel players in Texas. We could play almost anything and it would work. Of course, we played country. From time to time we'd have to throw in a Rock song from the '60s or '70s. Butch never missed a lick.
After a few years of performing together, I expressed an interest in learning a little bit of steel playing. For about two months, Butch allowed me to borrow one of his guitars to see what I could do. There were no instructions about the pedals. I didn't even know what key to tune it to. Basically, I was a orphan steel player.
I knew enough about music theory to put a song together on the guitar or keyboard. But I knew nothing about the steel. Had I known what was shown in this video, I might have been inspired to go further.
At the end of my time, I couldn't even play one song. I was frustrated and discouraged. He passed away several years ago. I wish he would have helped me as much as this video did. I might be able to play at least one song.
That is SUCH a specific sound. Love it
Jerry Garcia played a mean pedal steel. If you’ve heard CSN’s “Teach the Children” you’ve heard Garcia play.
Yeah...well Pete Kleinow played steel and is in the Gumby Hall of Fame...
That made the song
Buckhorn Cortez ....ok...?
'Captain Trips' also played it on the first NRPS album, before they picked up Buddy cage full time on the break machine. ;)
I've wanted to learn how this beautiful instrument was played. All that you have shown answered my questions. I want to Thank You for a fantastic demo.
"Don't rub salt in the wound Eddy, you know how much I detest this instrument"
Country and Blues accented and defined with pedal Steel guitars. Great video.
KNEE LEVERS! How do I get my les Paul knee levers?
This reminds me a bit of playing an organ... Just even more difficult. That thing must create some incredible Blues riffs!
How convenient it is for one of the most beautiful sounding instrument to require a expert level coordination of hands, feet, knees, and music theory at the same time. Damn.
had no idea this was so complicated an instrument much more respect for pedal players now
Ed Edd and Eddy brought me here
Why
+Mysterious Internet Guy 88 fingers Edward
Lol same. Listening to some 88 fingers Edward
Me to
Jajaja
Only took me 35 years to find someone to explain to me how this works. I'm totally blown away by this engineering marvel, and the musicians who can master it. Thank you very much.
There's also a lever in the middle, but you have to be a real man to use it.
As opposed to, say, an imaginary man. A little acid will take care of that, man.
I think this joke will go over most readers' heads
😂😂
@@d.e.b.b5788 wooooooosh
Only women get to use mine, xD lol
Very interesting and looks very complicated. Thank you for the demonstration!
That looks like it would take about 20 years to master.
It takes 20 years to become a beginner
John Doe,. It takes 20 years just to tune it -- then another 20 to figure out how it works. Better stick with a Dobro,. HA HA HA
I never realised it was such a versatile instrument.... Fantastic piece of kit.... 👍🏻.... Great playing too...
i fuckn love those things
Great, instructive & inspirational... but, I kept waiting for you to break into that famous lick by Jerome Garcia when he played with that Los Angeles quartet, Crosby, Stills, Garcia & Nash.
As opposed to the lap steel, where you have to know how to slant the bar to get a bend. Much more difficult than pressing a pedal.
+radiant1ful SHUT UP YOU STUPID PIECE OF WASTE!!!! SHUT UP
Most accomplished pedal steel players do bar slants, look at how many Lloyd Green does. The pedals simply make chords that aren't possible from slanting on a lap steel.
I could listen to this everyday. Such a talented musician
Man! I thought the triangle was complicated!!
I thought flamenco guitar is the most challenging, but concert harp and steel guitar are mind boggling. What a clean sound you make...sweet!
This guitar separates the men from the boys.
That would have to be some rather vigorous knee lever action.
Thank you for posting this! Came across it randomly, and even though I don't really like country music I was intrigued, so watched the video. WOW! I now have better understanding on how it works and a HUGE amount of respect for lap steel players.
I would love a go on one of these!!!!
It's like a mixture of Country Bluegrass and Hawaiian Aloha music lol
Always loved the sound... recently been thinking of getting one. After watching this it's clear that I'm way too dumb lol.
Hats off to all the players who make it look and sound so smooth and easy.
Why the fuck didm´t i learn this instrument long ago? I have always had it easy playing clean on a slideguitar, so i don´t think it would have been a problem. As a freelancing guitarist you can get many more gigs if you know how to play a instrument like this. But now i´m over 60 so it´s a bit late for that. But for all you youngsters out there, who can play a clean guitar slide, go for it! Not very many plays this good, so you can easily benefit from it!.
never too old to learn something new, if you enjoy it. Remember, you might live to 100. Remember Les Paul?
Never too old my friend. Keep on pickin
Best explanation I have seen. Love the sound. Beautiful playing.
Ok..back to the Ukulele👀
Excellent video. I love the sound of the pedal steel; in the right hands it’ll break your heart...
I’d dearly love to play, if only they weren’t so expensive.
A difficult instrument to play since it requires a lot of coordination between the hands, feet, and knees. There is also a three neck steel guitar produced by some manufacturers which might be even more challenging to learn.