Introduction to Pedal Steel Guitar

The pedal steel guitar produces some of the most expressive, emotional sounds in all of music. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

What Is Pedal Steel Guitar?

The pedal steel guitar is a type of steel guitar that sits on legs and includes pedals (operated by feet) and knee levers that change the pitch of specific strings while you play. This allows for smooth pitch bends, chord changes, and that signature "crying" sound.

If you've heard classic country music—think "Crazy" by Patsy Cline, or modern country hits—you've heard pedal steel. It's also prominent in Hawaiian music, western swing, and even rock (Pink Floyd, Bon Iver, The Eagles).

Anatomy of a Pedal Steel

A pedal steel guitar has several unique components:

• Strings: Usually 10 strings per neck (some have 12)
• Bar (Tone Bar): A solid steel bar held in your left hand, pressed against the strings
• Pedals: Foot pedals that raise or lower specific strings (typically 3-8 pedals)
• Knee Levers: Levers activated by knee movement (typically 4-5 levers)
• Finger Picks: Metal or plastic picks worn on picking-hand fingers
• Volume Pedal: Controls dynamics and creates swells

The E9 Tuning: The Standard

The most common tuning for country and popular music is E9. This tuning creates an E major chord when you play strings 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 open.

String	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Note	F#	D#	G#	E	B	G#	F#	E	D	B
Function	9th	7th	3rd	Root	5th	3rd	9th	Root	7th	5th

The Pedals: Your Pitch-Bending Tools

The standard E9 copedent (setup) includes three main pedals:

Pedal	What It Does	Result
A Pedal	Raises strings 5 (B→C#) and 10 (B→C#)	Changes E major to E major add9 / Creates A chord with bar at 2nd fret
B Pedal	Raises strings 3 (G#→A) and 6 (G#→A)	Changes E major to A major
C Pedal	Raises strings 4 (E→F) and 8 (E→F)	Adds half-step movement, useful for chord transitions

The Magic of A+B Together

When you press both A and B pedals together, you raise:

• String 5: B → C#
• String 10: B → C#
• String 3: G# → A
• String 6: G# → A

This transforms your E major chord into an A major chord—without moving the bar! This is the most essential pedal combination in country pedal steel.

Knee Levers

Knee levers provide additional pitch changes, typically raising or lowering strings by half or whole steps:

Lever	Common Name	What It Does
LKL	Left Knee Left	Often lowers strings 4 and 8 (E→D#) — creates minor quality
LKR	Left Knee Right	Often lowers string 2 (D#→D) — creates dominant 7th sound
RKL	Right Knee Left	Often raises string 6 (G#→A) — an alternative to B pedal
RKR	Right Knee Right	Often lowers string 6 (G#→G) — creates minor quality

Bar Technique Basics

Unlike guitar, pedal steel uses a solid steel bar instead of pressing strings against frets. Key points:

• Bar position: The bar should rest directly over the fret wire (not between frets)
• Keep it straight: The bar must be perfectly perpendicular to the strings
• Light touch: Just enough pressure to stop the strings—too much causes buzzing
• Vibrato: Created by rocking the bar back and forth slightly
• Slides: The signature sound—smoothly moving the bar between positions

Your First Position: The Open E

Start with your bar at the open position (no pedals engaged). Play strings 3-4-5-6 together:

Your First Chord Change: E to A

1. Play the open E chord (strings 3-4-5-6)
2. While holding the chord, press A+B pedals together
3. Hear the smooth transition from E major to A major
4. Release the pedals to return to E

This E→A→E movement is the foundation of countless country songs!

Common Bar Positions

Once you understand E9, you can find any chord by moving the bar to different positions:

Bar Position	Open Chord	With A+B
Open (no bar)	E major	A major
Fret 2	F# major	B major
Fret 3	G major	C major
Fret 5	A major	D major
Fret 7	B major	E major
Fret 10	D major	G major

Essential Techniques

Pedal-to-the-Bar

Engage a pedal before you pick the notes, then release while the notes ring. This creates the classic country "cry."

Bar-to-the-Pedal

Pick the notes with pedals released, then engage pedals while notes sustain. Creates a rising effect.

Oblique Motion

Move the bar in one direction while using pedals to move certain strings in the opposite direction. This creates intervals that aren't possible on regular guitar.

Volume Swells

Pick notes with volume pedal down, then smoothly bring up the volume. Creates violin-like entrances.

Gear You'll Need

• Pedal Steel Guitar: Beginner models start around $1,500-2,500 (used can be less)
• Tone Bar: Bullet-style or cylindrical, 3/4" or 7/8" diameter
• Finger Picks: Metal (traditional) or plastic, worn on thumb, index, and middle finger
• Volume Pedal: Essential for expression (Goodrich, Hilton, or Boss)
• Amplifier: Clean amp with headroom (Fender, Peavey, or dedicated steel amps)
• Cables: Quality instrument cables

Learning Path

1. Week 1-2: Learn the E9 tuning and bar positions. No pedals yet.
2. Week 3-4: Add the A+B pedal combination. Practice E→A changes.
3. Month 2: Add individual A and B pedal movements.
4. Month 3: Introduce knee levers one at a time.
5. Month 4+: Work on songs, timing, and developing your voice.

Resources for Learning

• FretTrain: Visualize E9 tuning and pedal effects interactively
• YouTube: Search "pedal steel lesson beginner" for free tutorials
• Steel Guitar Forum: Active community with decades of knowledge
• Books: "The Pedal Steel Guitar" by Winston Maddox
• Local teachers: Even a few lessons can accelerate your progress