Pedal steel guitars are practically synonymous with Nashville and the country music style, but rock and metal players can also benefit from learning how to emulate pedal steel sounds on standard guitar. Why? Because it sounds cool! The basic technique involves bending one or more strings while holding stationary notes and allowing them all to ring together. These are also known as oblique bends.

The featured music example is a laid-back arpeggio passage incorporating several pedal steel bends. I’m picking with my fingers only, but you could also use a pick if you’d prefer, or even a pick and fingers together. Plant your fret-hand ring and pinky fingers on the B and E notes, respectively, at the 14th fret. You’ll want to keep those two fingers planted firmly as you perform the ensuing whole-step bend with your index finger. To execute the bend, use the tip of your index finger to pull the G string down toward the floor while allowing the previous plucked notes to ring along with it. It helps to keep all three fingers arched significantly so the strings aren’t inadvertently muted. Hold the bend while continuing the arpeggio sequence and then release the bend in the rhythm shown. The same bend returns in the next measure, but this time it is played in a quicker bend-and-release grace-note rhythm.

At this point the phrase moves to a B major chord at the 7th fret. Keep your fret hand in the same basic chord shape, with your ring and pinky fingers fretting the F# and B notes, respectively, at the 9th fret. The only difference here is that you need to fret the root note of the chord, B, with your fret-hand thumb at the 7th fret on the 6th string. For those of you who aren’t used to fretting with your thumb, now is a great time to get started! Hug the neck with your fret hand so that your thumb is able to fret the note firmly.

Angle your hand so that your index finger has enough reach to bend the C# on the G string at the 6th fret, pulling it down towards the floor. You might need to adjust your hand a few times to find the best position. The rest of the phrase unfolds in the same sequence, ending with a strummed open E chord.

The challenge with this example is keeping your ring and pinky fingers firmly planted so that they don’t move at all while you perform the bends. If you use the tip of your index finger instead of the finger pad, you should be able to gain some leverage on the bends while keeping the fretted notes stationary. Check your bend pitches by fretting the target notes (G# on the E chord and D# on the B chord) to hear if you are bending accurately and in tune. Have fun!

Listen to Lesson Audio

John 5 is the lead guitarist for Rob Zombie. Learn more wicked techniques in his instructional DVD The Devil Knows My Name. Also be sure to check out his newest solo album Requiem and its accompanying tab book. For more on John 5, visit www.john-5.com

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