Pedal steel guitar

The pedal steel guitar is an iconic string instrument in country music, known for its emotive sound and complex system of pedals and levers.

About this subject

The pedal steel guitar is a stringed instrument that developed in the United States, evolving from the Hawaiian lap steel and console steel guitar. Unlike its predecessors, the pedal steel features a system of pedals and knee levers that allow the player to change the tension of the strings and thus the tuning during performance. This mechanism enables smooth glissandos and complex chords, a hallmark of classic country music.

The instrument typically has two or more necks, each with its own tuning, commonly E9 (for solos and leads) and C6 (for more jazz-inflected sounds and chords). The musician uses bare feet on the pedals and knee movements to activate pitch changes while picking the strings with a fingerpick and sliding a steel bar over them. The combination of technique and mechanics requires years of practice and coordination.

Culturally, the pedal steel guitar is synonymous with the classic Nashville sound. Artists like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Ray Price, and George Jones relied on the instrument to create both melancholic and lively atmospheres. In pop music, the pedal steel sound appeared prominently in recordings by the Beatles ("For No One"), the Rolling Stones, and more recently in works by bands like Wilco and Sturgill Simpson. Masters such as Buddy Emmons, Speedy West, Paul Franklin, and Robert Randolph pushed the instrument to new technical and aesthetic heights.

The manufacturing of pedal steels is a niche industry with legendary brands like Sho-Bud, Emmons, and MSA. Although strongly associated with country music, the pedal steel also found a place in gospel (sacred steel), jazz, and experimental music. Its construction involves hardwoods, aluminum, and chrome steel, and each instrument is handcrafted to the player's preferences. The legacy of the pedal steel guitar continues in contemporary recordings and on stages of American and world music.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between pedal steel and lap steel?

The lap steel is played horizontally on the lap without pedals or levers, with a fixed tuning. The pedal steel has a system of pedals and knee levers that change string tension during play, offering greater harmonic flexibility.

How does the pedal system work?

Pedals and knee levers are connected to rods that alter the tension of specific strings, changing their pitch. Pressing a pedal raises or lowers a string's note, enabling glissandos and chords impossible on fixed-tuning instruments.

Which famous songs feature the pedal steel guitar?

Classic examples include "Crazy" by Patsy Cline, "Your Cheatin' Heart" by Hank Williams, "For No One" by the Beatles, and "Together Again" by Buck Owens. Modern uses appear in bands like Wilco and artists like Sturgill Simpson.