Student Asking About Pedals

lowenduser · #1 11-22-2007, 08:13 AM

I've a teenage student who's asking about pedals. He's not bad - he's learning his stuff quite well, and have covered alot of theory and practical stuff with him, which he's soaking up.

He was asking about pedals recently enough at the end of a lesson, and as I was on the way out the door at the time, I didn't have much more time than a cursory quick "name a few common pedals" to him.

I'm wondering what I should do for our next lesson - I'm wrapping up a module on tapping with him - I gave him an easy enough song, with a few scales, arpeggios and chords in it, and we've been going through it (he's applying the theory to it, which is good to hear from my point of view), and am considering bringing up one or two pedals at the next lesson, spend 40 minutes going through the lesson itself, and maybe 20 minutes showing him what pedals do, how they work, what to look for if he's considering getting one, and let him basically "have a go" at them. What do you think? Is it a worthwhile exercise?

meev992 · #2 11-22-2007, 08:46 AM

Since you'll be doing a tapping lesson, some overdrive/distortion might be worthwhile.

In terms of pedals for their own use, definitely the Boss GEB-7....

beyond that, it's all about the individual's playing style.

**Pacman** · #3 11-22-2007, 10:06 AM

You can always show him how to pedal the V, which is worth more than any stompbox...

mutedeity · #4 11-22-2007, 10:56 AM

I think the best thing to do maybe is spend that 20 minutes listening to a few things. Maybe get your student to bring a cd or two with some examples of bass effects and you add a few examples you know of then discuss what the effect does, and how your student might apply that effect to something they are doing.

I find talking about things like effects and so on to be something you need to give the student as many options as possible with. Using effects is all a mater of taste really and students are basically looking to you to guide them with choices they are potientially going to make. It's like someone asking you which flavour of icecream to like.

All you can really do is show them the choices and maybe put those choices into perspective. I always address this kind of thing with a "here are the options now go and try as many things as possible to get an idea", approach. I take some factors based on the student themself into consideration in advising them what I think might suit them better, and if I think a product is questionable I will advise them so, but I try to negate the responsibility of making the choice for the student.

meev992 · #5 11-22-2007, 12:21 PM

My friend of mine, asked for recommendations on effects pedals. I asked her every question I could, and then cross-referenced that with as many youtube videos I could pull up, that would potentially match the sound she wanted to go fort.

it turns out, that she's going to buy the Bootsy Collins fuzz wah

coolrunner989 · #6 11-22-2007, 12:32 PM

if you show him any pedals, please show him a compressor and how it works, what it does, etc. IMO they are they most difficult pedals for beginners to understand their purpose and how to use them correctly.

98dvl · #7 11-22-2007, 01:22 PM

Introduce him to a looper pedal like the Boss RC-2 or RC-20XL...

I think it'd be a great tool for him to learn how to improvise and get him to practice...

That being said, I don't have one (because I can't afford one right now), but I hope to pick one up.

mutedeity · #8 11-22-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolrunner989

if you show him any pedals, please show him a compressor and how it works, what it does, etc. IMO they are they most difficult pedals for beginners to understand their purpose and how to use them correctly.

Good point. I personally would encourage my students not to rely on compressors too heavily at first. You are right though they are one of the most misunderstood "effects" around.

lowenduser · #9 11-26-2007, 06:36 AM

Thanks for the pointers! I'll bring my compresser, delay and chorus up, show him generally how they operate and not to purchase specific ones "just because his bass teacher has them".

I don't rely on pedals too much myself in my actual playing (especially hwne playing with guitarists who use them alot)

jimbob · #10 11-26-2007, 06:53 AM

I'd explain the value of upgrading their amp or bass vs buying pedals. If the student has good gear already then the demo would be time well spent.

lomo · #11 11-26-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98dvl

Introduce him to a looper pedal like the Boss RC-2 or RC-20XL...

I think it'd be a great tool for him to learn how to improvise and get him to practice...

+1 I'd have him pluck 3 note chords to a simple blues or other progression and both solo and walk over them- This helped me a lot, sounds good and is fun.