Transposing keys
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 6:32 pmjust 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?
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?
