Transposing keys

[Nick Bidmade]

just wondering if there's a tip or two out there for helping to transpose keys.
Here's an example - I've learned a tune, lets say, in F. (A pedal and F lever, 4th fret)
I want to play along with a backing track that, let's say, in Eb. Ok - two frets down and play the changes as you've learned them, everything 2 frets down. Until I get to Dm (A pedal, first fret). Dropping this 2 frets (a tone) puts me up to the 11th fret and I'm then out of position, it sounds 'lumpy' and I can't think quickly enough to salvage it... This could be where B+C pedal come in, but by then I'm 'thinking' too much instead of playing and I get lost and can't find my way back.
There's also the 'sound' to consider. Some things sound 'right' in a particular key, the changes sound smooth and musical. Transpose this, and it can all too soon sound 'off'.
Any tips or suggestions, or is it a case of learning everything in every key, with every pedal and lever combination, just so I'm prepared?
I've spent much of this lifetime playing guitar, and I was fairly comfortable with the fretboard and the various positions. The change to pedal steel has been fairly seamless, and I am now 'thinking' psg fretboard rather than converting everything to guitar in my head as I go, but transposition is still a step too far!
What say you?

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Nick,
The chord You seek is Cm and there are several positions for playing it.The easiest way at the lower area is probably at fret four with the lever which lowers Your E strings.
If I play in the key of E flat I tend to start at the sixth fret with AandB pedals down,The four chords can be found within close proximity of one another.
There are many ways to play chord inversions and a bit practise with the grips will soon improve Your ability to find the one which suits within a few frets of the others in the key.
Best regards
Billy

[Nick Bidmade]

Thanks Billy. I think what I'm doing is memorising the 'positions' without naming the chord I'm playing... I need to pay more attention to chord names rather than just 'shapes'.

[Ken Byng]

Nick
Don't forget you E to Eb knee lever. You can get a minor chord with it too.