Scales for pedal steel guitar-E9th Scales 3

Once again we see our C major scale chart. Have you memorized this pattern yet? I try to learn everything I can in the Key of C and then transpose.

The spreadsheet changed strings 3,5,6, & 10. We can use the same grips we used at fret 8, and still have major triads, in the key of C, at the 3rd fret. Compare our first chart with the new one and see where the scale tones line up after you press the pedals. At the third fret we see that we also have a sixth tone available. You guessed it, a C 6th chord.

To show you how the computer can help you, we will remain in the key of C and push the A & B pedals down. Notice how the pattern that the scale creates is different. Thinking in this manner, we can begin to think as each pedal combination as a new tuning. Don't you just love all the possibilities?

I've studied pedal combinations in the key of C and learned more about where things are on my guitar. The problem is the computer can produce more possibilities than I can remember. What is nice is when I have a certain piece of music and want to experiment in which scales to use for improvisation. I can print out a report that coincides with each chord on the chart. Its a great way to study your fretboard.

The next combination we are going to look at is your A pedal and the knee lever that raises your E's, strings 4 & 8. We'll see that on the chart as K2. This gives us another fret that has the major triads of the key of C. You use the same grips to play them as you did at fret 3 and fret 8.

P1 raises 5 & 10. K2 raises 4 & 8. If you play E-9th pedal steel you should have these memorized. You should know what every pedal on you guitar does on your steel. I give them names according to their function.

Pedal A is called five-ten. The B pedal is called three-six and the C pedal is four-five. If you're just starting on the steel, then these names will help you remember what your pedals do. Another exercise you can do is to pick the strings that the pedal works. This is real easy unless you start moving from one to the other in rapid succession. Pick strings 5 & 10 then push the A pedal, then pick 3 & 6 and press the B pedal, then pick 4 & 5 and press the C pedal. Now do it all again faster. And once again faster. And again faster. . . . . Keep practicing!!