Pink Floyd uses it to launch into the ethereal opening riffs of The Dark Side of the Moon, drawing on its unique character and ability to evoke an aura of feeling. Led Zeppelin sprinkles it throughout… Read more
Harmonized sixths can add so much flavor to music, and are great for bringing subtle details to a song’s overall sound. For blues, rock, jazz, and many other styles, using the Mixolydian scale can be a great avenue for musical expression. One of the pedal steel’s unique capabilities is having a depth of options for
The E9 tuning, with the use of pedals and levers, lends itself well to playing harmonized sixths. These can provide an abundance of expression for playing licks, melodies, solos, and more. Having options for playing minor scales or modes, which are harmonized in sixths, can be beneficial when playing in minor keys, over chord vamps,
With tasteful use, the blues scale can go a long ways in many musical styles and playing environments. The E9 pedal steel tuning provides ample means for expressing this scale. Here are some tabs for the blues scale at useful pedal/lever positions on the neck…these are for the D blues scale. Feel free to click
When you begin to play the pedal steel you quickly realize the amount of time that needs to be devoted to practicing it. Read more…
Understanding that a pedal steel is basically just a lap steel with more mechanical options for expressing notes, can help in determining the difference between the two. Read more…