Lap Guitars and pedal steel guitars, both members of the steel guitar family, often cause confusion due to their similar sonic qualities and playing techniques that deviate from the standard guitar. However, they are distinct instruments with unique characteristics and playing styles. Understanding these differences can deepen your appreciation for steel guitar music and perhaps even guide you in choosing which instrument might be right for you.
What is a Lap Guitar?
The lap guitar, also known as a lap steel guitar, is played horizontally, typically placed on the player’s lap or a stand. Unlike a standard guitar where notes are fretted, lap guitars utilize a “slide” or “tone bar,” usually made of metal, to glide across the strings and produce notes. The strings are raised higher than a standard guitar neck, allowing the slide to move freely without hitting frets. Players use open tunings predominantly, similar to other slide guitar styles. Metal slides are favored by lap steel players because the higher string action accommodates heavier slides, contributing to improved tone and sustain. This contrasts with standard slide guitar (played upright), where players might use glass or ceramic slides. The term “steel guitar” itself is often associated with lap steel due to the common use of solid steel bars, often chrome-coated, by lap steel players.
Alt text: A close-up view of a lap steel guitar resting on a black metal stand, showcasing its horizontal orientation and strings elevated above the body.
Pedal Steel Guitar: Adding Complexity and Versatility
Pedal steel guitars take the steel guitar concept to a more complex level. Players are seated, and the instrument incorporates pedals and knee levers to alter the pitch of strings, offering a wider range of musical possibilities. The right foot typically controls a volume pedal, while the left foot operates foot pedals that change the tuning of specific strings. Furthermore, knee levers, activated by knee movements, provide additional pitch-altering capabilities. Like lap steels, pedal steel guitars are played with a tone bar slid across the strings to change pitch, but the pedals and levers allow for dynamic pitch changes during performance, creating the instrument’s signature sound. Players often use finger and thumb picks to pluck the strings, and mastering the pedal steel requires significant dedication due to its intricate mechanics and the specialized techniques needed to harness its full potential.
Alt text: A musician playing a pedal steel guitar, with focus on their left foot operating the foot pedals and their hand using a tone bar on the strings.
Key Distinctions Between Lap Guitar and Pedal Steel
The primary difference lies in the mechanics and playing approach. Lap guitars are simpler, focusing on slide technique and open tunings, making them a more accessible entry point to steel guitar playing. Pedal steel guitars, on the other hand, introduce pedals and knee levers, enabling complex pitch manipulations and requiring a more intricate technique and understanding of the instrument’s mechanics. While both utilize a tone bar and share sonic characteristics, the pedal steel offers a much broader sonic palette and greater versatility in pitch control.
Conclusion: Appreciating Both Steel Guitar Styles
Both lap guitars and pedal steel guitars offer unique voices within the steel guitar family. The lap guitar provides a foundational experience in slide playing and steel guitar tonality, while the pedal steel expands upon this foundation with complex mechanical enhancements for greater musical expression. Whether you are drawn to the simplicity of the lap guitar or the intricate capabilities of the pedal steel, exploring either instrument opens a doorway to the rich and expressive world of steel guitar music.
