Where does the Pedal Steel Guitar come from?

Pedal Steel Guitar is documented in this archive as a string tradition associated with United States. Open the culture guide from this page for regional context.

How difficult is the Pedal Steel Guitar to learn?

Difficulty varies by player and pedagogy. Use the difficulty field in the quick facts panel as a relative guide, then listen to specimen audio and explore related instruments in the same family.

Instrument · traditional

String

Pedal Steel Guitar

Name: Pedal Steel Guitar
Brand: United States
Availability: OnlineOnly

The pedal steel guitar is an American string instrument with pedals that change the pitch of the strings. It produces smooth, sliding tones and is central to country music.

Catalog

Sample

Overview

The pedal steel guitar is an American string instrument with pedals that change the pitch of the strings. It produces smooth, sliding tones and is central to country music.

Cultural context

Central to American country music, representing the innovation of American musical tradition

Legendary players

Buddy Emmons—
Lloyd Green—
Paul Franklin—

Specimen note

The pedal steel guitar has pedals that change the pitch of the strings while playing.

Technical specifications

Exhibit datasheet · derived from catalog fields

Materials & construction hints: See specimen tags and description for construction lineage
Tuning & pitch: Pitch material is tradition-specific; see description for scale and temperament context.
Register & role: String · typical use: Country, American Folk, Blues
Acoustic range (general): Harmonic content follows string length, tension, and resonator; partials differ by construction.
Market class (indicative): $1000-5000

Historical context

Central to American country music, representing the innovation of American musical tradition The pedal steel guitar is an American string instrument with pedals that change the pitch of the strings.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Pedal Steel Guitar?: The pedal steel guitar is an American string instrument with pedals that change the pitch of the strings. It produces smooth, sliding tones and is central to country music.
Where does the Pedal Steel Guitar come from?: Pedal Steel Guitar is documented in this archive as a string tradition associated with United States. Open the culture guide from this page for regional context.
How difficult is the Pedal Steel Guitar to learn?: Difficulty varies by player and pedagogy. Use the difficulty field in the quick facts panel as a relative guide, then listen to specimen audio and explore related instruments in the same family.

Discovery web

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