This here's a buddy from the Staunton, Virginia music scene -Tyler Mansfield on the pedal steel guitar. Playing some old school country tunes here with JW Peabody.
The pedal steel is a kind of steel guitar that incorporates pedals and levers that allow for a much more versatile playing style. Steel guitars are able to slide notes very well, and can get some really great vibrato sounds. Steel guitars originated in the 1800's in Hawaii, when locals wanted to play the prevalent Spanish guitars without the years of necessary practice. The result was an open tuning style that allows a major chord to be strummed without fretting. Eventually, a resonator was added to make the popular dobro style lap steel. After electric versions were introduced in the 30's more elaborate versions were created leading up to this modern country music icon.
The instrument is played with feet and knees as well as hands, requiring serious coordination and plenty of time and effort to master. The pedals and knee levers, added in the 50's, allow for playing scales without moving the bar as well as bending the notes into the harmonic patterns of the tune. Besides country, the pedal steel is sometime featured in jazz, gospel, Indian and Nigerian music.
