C6 Pedal 4

[ZakTF]

Hi,

I have the standard Emmons pedal 4 on my D10, which raises my A strings to Bs, on the C6 neck. I'm just wondering how other people use this pedal, and if anyone knows how Buddy Emmons might have used it himself?

I've gotten to grips with the other pedals, but I still can't understand how to use pedal 4.

Cheers

Zak

[JanO]

My 4th only raises string 4 A->B, not string 8.
I use it sometimes to play fast melodic lines, for example G-A-B-C on strings 5-4-3.
Also sometimes to play chords, with root note on string 7 you get a nice maj7 instead of a 6 chord when you press it (engaging the C->B lever on/off) or with root on string 6 a minor chord with a b6 on string 3

[ZakTF]

Thanks for the reply, Jan0. I've used it for that specific maj7 too actually, although I find myself personally just using pedal 7 if I want that chord. I think I will experiment with using pedal 4 for melodic lines. Just out of curiosity, what else does your pedal 4 do?

[Ken Byng]

Zak
You might like to check out this set of free guides from Herb Steiner. Herb lays out the use of pedals 4 - 8, along with 2 or 3 levers.
You can find the link here. http://herbsteiner.com/C6_essay.pdf

[ZakTF]

Thanks, Ken. That's a really comprehensive guide! It seems like Herb also uses the pedal mostly for melodic lines, and the guide to using different pedal combinations is especially interesting.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Zak, I hesitate to get into this as my knowledge of the C6th is so limited and struggle to get around E9 but, if you wanted to play "Heres that Rainy Day" on C6th then that pedal comes into its own as you are already on the 5 pedal and it is the next pedal you are going to need....... pedal 7 is not an option as its too far away and it also raises your 3rd that you don't need for this part of the melody.
At the risk of putting myself up for ridicule (again) I could do a little help video of what I am trying to explain, but only if you insist.......

[ZakTF]

Thanks, John. Ive just taken a listen to Here's that rainy day. It's a great tune, and luckily I found a video of someone playing it (called Bill Sutton) where I can see exactly where he presses pedal 4! I think it'll be interesting to start learning it, as I do find pedal 4 difficult. I've also tried making the pedal raise the high A by just by a semitone, to Bb, which does seem quite useful, but it also makes the pedal feel lighter to press.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Zak you need both A's raise to B on the forth pedal you also need knees to raise and lower your 3rd string and one to lower top A to G#

[ZakTF]

Thank you very much indeed John! That is very helpful. Sadly, my guitar is lacking almost all of the regular C6 knee levers haha.. All I have is my RKR to drop my 3rd string to B and Bb (on a half stop), and then a strange centre lever that drops both my E strings to Eb. I'm curious about who owned and first requested the copedant on my guitar, because its weird but it does kind of work. Even that riff you played with the chromatic decending notes is playable on my guitar by changing postition slightly, and using my RKR. I may make a video when I've learnt the full song.

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

What guitar have you got Zak? I have been known to make a few levers but only in the Emmons style but they work on almost anything...