You may get various opinions on this question, but my own is stated below.

Yes, a volume pedal can be used to extend the duration of a note or chord to some extent. I, personally, seldom us it for that purpose, however. It comes in handy when you need to increase or decrease the volume of your steel to accompany changes necessitated by crowd noise, variable volume to the rhythm section, etc. Some players use the pedal to eliminate or reduce the attack or sound of "plucking" the string -- although many players will say this gives your playing an "amaturish" sound.. (It never seemed to hurt Jerry Byrd.) One of its major roles in my own playing is to allow me to swell chords and diminish the level of volume as an expressive device.

As a poster said, there are those that use th volume pedal to remove all "attack" of the picks so all one hears is a violin like sound after the fact. IE, no initial note attack, just a note similar to that produced like a bow. I never cared for this sound. Some of the great western swing type players used this a lot.

Most of the other greats split the difference. In other words they back off the volume pedal just enough to take the "crack" of the initial pick attack out, but still let you hear the note being picked.

Then they gradually go down on the pedal as the normal vibration of the strings abates; to maintain a more or less constant level of sustain coming out of the amp.

The absolute master of this approach is Jerry Byrd. NO one in my opinion is greater at it. Second to him is of course Buddy Emmons. Both these great players have honed their God given talents to the nth degree when they use their volume pedals. As they have in every other facet of the steel guitar. (pedals excluded respect JB)

I have found myself staring at their feet often in awe as they do their wizardry. There are others who are really great at the use of the volume pedal as well.

I believe the best way to learn to use the volume pedal is to just let the music dictate what is best and NOT worry about a fixed set of rules; lest it end up being just mechanical. Rather, just let it happen over time. This then goes along with all the other things that develop as you learn this incredible instrument.

Don't force it. It will come; I promise.

As a long time beginner, I have had the same question. Just what is a "volumn pedal" for?

This is my current thinking. It is to make your guitar "sing". Think on it. A piano has the inital attack and then it dacays. A drum has the same start and bleed off. A guitar does the same thing.

A human voice doesn't have to! It can start soft and build - or it can stay at a certain level! And, of course, it can start strong and fade. A "breath" powered musical instrument can do all of these things too. It is only "percussion" type instruments that can't. Striking a drum head or striking a string is still a strike.

The volumn pedal gives you the ability to make music sing!! Ain't that a good thing? Try playing a slow and simple melody, and use the pedal to make it sound just like a singer. If you can't think of one, download "Unchained Melody" from the "Rebel and Ricky" site. That is the tune that made the light bulb light up for me!

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Carter-Starter, the cutest little Peavey you ever saw, and now a BJS bar!

[This message was edited by Budd Kelley on 14 September 2003 at 08:48 PM.]

The words “volume pedal” suggests the pedal is to be used for increased or decreased volume levels. However, when one thinks of it as an “expression pedal”, it provides a totally different mental picture.

It has been my experience that having a different mental image other than that of a “volume pedal”, will achieve remarkable results.

I believe most who have the mental image of the pedal as an “expression pedal” have mastered the art of its use, while those who consider it a “volume pedal” have yet to experience the marvelous advantages it can offer while being an extension of the musical soul.

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HagFan

PS: Just remembered the song is called, "What Am I Waitin' For".

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 15 September 2003 at 07:52 AM.]

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C'mon by and visit!- www.markvanallen.com
My Bands: Sugarland Kate and the Retreads Kecia Garland Band Shane Bridges Band Dell Conner Blues Band

[This message was edited by Mark van Allen on 15 September 2003 at 12:20 PM.]