How to Play Jazz and Rock Music on a Pedal Steel Guitar

In the late 1800s, the steel guitar was invented in Hawaii. It gained popularity in the States early in the twentieth century and was adapted to create other instruments that were resonators. Originally this music was used more by country bands, but musicians are creative creatures and they adapted the steel guitar to all forms of music and jazz and rock steel guitar was born.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Use a standard E9 tuning. Know that most written material uses the A, B and C pedal and D, E and F pedal. You use the pedals in modern steel guitar to get to the note on the barred fret. This setting is good for both jazz and rock guitar.

2. Use the pedals heavily when you play some jazz and rock on the steel guitar. The bar doesn't play as much in this technique as the pedal action.

3. Pick with licks that are made for jazz. The progression of the riffs and use jazz chords such as diminished, 7th and 11th chords. Pick through the notes on the chords for the riffs.

4. Accumulate knowledge on rock chord progression. Both jazz and rock use typical chord progression with most songs. Learn the chord progressions and use the steel guitar as the vehicle.

5. Capture the driving rhythm of rock and the excitement of movement of jazz. Both have definite beats. Rock has a steady heavy beat and jazz and wandering one that is embellished by creative licks. Find the right tempo and rhythm to play jazz or rock on the guitar.