Whether it be death, black, thrash or alternative, heavy metal and the palm mute guitar technique go hand in hand to creating that rhythmic brutality we relish.
by: Mike Beatham
Whether it be death, black, thrash or alternative, heavy metal and the palm mute guitar technique go hand in hand to creating that rhythmic brutality we relish.
In metal music, the rhythm guitarist has a role to play in shaping the melody and the percussive aspects. Palm muting specifically in metal is about exploiting percussive qualities of the guitar under high gain and heavy distortion.
==The Basics of Palm Mute Tone==
The first thing to note is that you don't actually use the "palm" of your hand when palm muting (well, almost) - rather the meaty part of the edge of your hand below your pinky finger. When placed over the strings just in front of the bridge of your guitar and you strike the strings as usual, you get that muted punch.
The further your "palm" is positioned toward the neck, away from the bridge, the more percussive and less defined whatever note or chord you're playing will sound. If you're a fan of Meshuggah, you'll know they have a very distinct and dry palm mute sound which is created by palm muting further away from the bridge towards the guitar neck.
So first thing would be to establish the position of your "palm" based on the sound you're after.
==Different Styles of Palm Muting==
With all palm muting techniques it's important to keep your picking hand as stationary as possible, using it only as a pivoting point over the muted area. What I do, to ensure all 6 strings are muted (if you need all 6) is get the meaty hand edge in position as usual but also lay out my pinky finger just about parallel to the bridge. This ensures the meaty part of your hand is stretched out over as much of the stringed area as possible.
- The downstroke is the most commonly used palm mute technique in rock, punk and metal. It simply involves getting your "palm" in position and then downpicking as usual in quick, sharp stabs. Picking in this way will enhance the punch of the bass and the cut of the treble through your guitar's EQ settings.
- Constant Alternate picking is where you add an upstroke to the strumming pattern - up/down/up/down/etc. in a constant rhythmic motion. Players use this to effectively double the speed of the riff, where using only downstrokes would prove too much for the average person's endurance. Whilst palm muting, this creates a violent percussive effect. The more violent and wide your picking strokes, the more violent the sound.
- Machine gunning is a technique used excessively in thrash and death metal. Probably the most famous and satisfying use of it is in Metallica's One amidst the lyric "Darkness imprisoning me...". It usually involves rhythmic bursts of 3 strokes (up/down/up - up/down/up etc.) or 5 strokes (up/down/up/down/up - up/down/up/down/up etc.) played very quick and mixed with regular downstrokes and unmuted interruptions. Precision and an excellent sense of rhythm and timing is needed. Starting slow with a metronome and gradually building up your speed is the best way to accomplish the speed of metal's best rhythm guitarists.
==Using palm mute guitar playing dynamically==
Mixing palm muted phrases with occasional injections of unmuted phrases is what adds depth to rhythm guitar playing.
e.g.
P= palm muted chord/diad
U= unmuted chord/diad
P-----P-----P-----P------U-------P------U---U------P-----P-----P-----P------U-------P------U----U-
And of course, palm muting compliments the drums, so you can work with the bass drum or against it. Often, metal guitarists will "machine gun" in sync with double-bass drumming to emphasise the thunderous charge.
The best thing to do (and you probably do this anyway if you're a metal head) is listen to as many different genres of metal you can stay awake to. Death metal, for example, uses different dynamics to hardcore. Experiment and learn to utilise the chinese water torture of a metronome (even better, a drum machine or backing tracks).
Happy thrashing!
About The Author
Mike Beatham
For some in depth lessons with audio examples and exercises in rhythmic palm muting and more, see the heavy metal guitar lessons section on Mike's website - visit http://www.audio-guitar-lessons.com/metal-guitar-lessons.html
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Recording The Guitar to a Computer
You want to record your guitar, make your own riffs, music, etc. You want to plug my guitar into my computer? How to connect the guitar to the computer the right and best way? What software?
by: Brian Murphy
You want to record your guitar, make your own riffs, music, etc. You want to plug my guitar into my computer? How to connect the guitar to the computer the right and best way? What software? Which audio interface? What about my favorites guitar effects? What computer? Where to start? It can be overwhelming.
The recording guitarist's computer setup should be something like this:
* Guitar (*GTR with 13 pin connection recommended) * Microphone for recording Acoustic guitar, vocals etc. * Quality guitar cable * Audio Interface-Firewire (recommended) or USB * Guitar/midi interface * USB/Firewire cables * Computer (Mac recommended or PC) * Extra external/internal Hard Drive (recommended) * Audio recording/sequencer software * Plug-ins: effects- reverb, compressor, delay, chorus, etc o Dedicated guitar effects/amp simulation o Sampler/synths (for 13 pin guitarists or guitarist who can play keyboards) * Quality cables to speakers * Powered Speakers * Headphones (so you do not disturb the wife an kids at those late weekend sessions).
Some recording setups:
-Setting up your whole live rig and putting a microphone in front of the your cabinet, playing at loud volumes so you get the amp to sound right, push the speaker enough, putting your speaker in a closet, using a blanket to damping volume, etc. -You could use a load on you speaker and record direct.
-Use a preamp that is compensated for direct recording as the front end. You can plug this into outboard effects or add plug-ins
-You could record from your pedal board or any outboard multi-effects you might own. You probably end up with a direct type sound. Some multi-effects have amp simulation that might take the edge off the direct sound.
With any of these scenarios you are committing yourself to the recorded track. If you record with effects, you can't change it later. You would have to re-record! And if you do not re-record on the same day or you have to come back and have to set up the rig again, hopefully the knobs setting were written down, place the speaker in the same place etc, etc.... If you get into the recording other instruments or mixing the song and you want to change the guitar sound, tone, effects, etc, -- you have to re-record!
With a guitar with a 13 pin connection, either internally or a pickup installed on the body, you get 100% use of your software. You can record your guitar sound and get access to any software synths or samplers that come with the software or as a plug-in add-on.
With a software computer base system, you can change almost everything after you have recorded--amps, effects, mics, mic placement and more. You do this with plug-ins. You can save all your presets, sounds, etc. You could have multi-guitar tracks with different settings all from recording one track. The flexibility is there! Yes, there are purists out there- "software can't sound like tubes". Well, the software is getting pretty close!!!!
There is a lot of software out there. You do not have to spend a lot of money AND it is always improving. You buy a box. (i.e.hard disk recorders, and others mentioned above), you have bought a box. You usually can't upgrade without buying a new box.
People use computers every day at work or home- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel Power Point, etc) Email, Internet. Use it to record your guitar and music!!
Hopefully, this helps and you can check out more at http://www.guitarhelper.net
Brian has 18 years experience in the Music Industry.
He can be contacted at Brian@guitarhelper.net.
About The Author
Brian Murphy
18 years Music industry experience guitar player for over 30 years
by: Brian Murphy
You want to record your guitar, make your own riffs, music, etc. You want to plug my guitar into my computer? How to connect the guitar to the computer the right and best way? What software? Which audio interface? What about my favorites guitar effects? What computer? Where to start? It can be overwhelming.
The recording guitarist's computer setup should be something like this:
* Guitar (*GTR with 13 pin connection recommended) * Microphone for recording Acoustic guitar, vocals etc. * Quality guitar cable * Audio Interface-Firewire (recommended) or USB * Guitar/midi interface * USB/Firewire cables * Computer (Mac recommended or PC) * Extra external/internal Hard Drive (recommended) * Audio recording/sequencer software * Plug-ins: effects- reverb, compressor, delay, chorus, etc o Dedicated guitar effects/amp simulation o Sampler/synths (for 13 pin guitarists or guitarist who can play keyboards) * Quality cables to speakers * Powered Speakers * Headphones (so you do not disturb the wife an kids at those late weekend sessions).
Some recording setups:
-Setting up your whole live rig and putting a microphone in front of the your cabinet, playing at loud volumes so you get the amp to sound right, push the speaker enough, putting your speaker in a closet, using a blanket to damping volume, etc. -You could use a load on you speaker and record direct.
-Use a preamp that is compensated for direct recording as the front end. You can plug this into outboard effects or add plug-ins
-You could record from your pedal board or any outboard multi-effects you might own. You probably end up with a direct type sound. Some multi-effects have amp simulation that might take the edge off the direct sound.
With any of these scenarios you are committing yourself to the recorded track. If you record with effects, you can't change it later. You would have to re-record! And if you do not re-record on the same day or you have to come back and have to set up the rig again, hopefully the knobs setting were written down, place the speaker in the same place etc, etc.... If you get into the recording other instruments or mixing the song and you want to change the guitar sound, tone, effects, etc, -- you have to re-record!
With a guitar with a 13 pin connection, either internally or a pickup installed on the body, you get 100% use of your software. You can record your guitar sound and get access to any software synths or samplers that come with the software or as a plug-in add-on.
With a software computer base system, you can change almost everything after you have recorded--amps, effects, mics, mic placement and more. You do this with plug-ins. You can save all your presets, sounds, etc. You could have multi-guitar tracks with different settings all from recording one track. The flexibility is there! Yes, there are purists out there- "software can't sound like tubes". Well, the software is getting pretty close!!!!
There is a lot of software out there. You do not have to spend a lot of money AND it is always improving. You buy a box. (i.e.hard disk recorders, and others mentioned above), you have bought a box. You usually can't upgrade without buying a new box.
People use computers every day at work or home- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel Power Point, etc) Email, Internet. Use it to record your guitar and music!!
Hopefully, this helps and you can check out more at http://www.guitarhelper.net
Brian has 18 years experience in the Music Industry.
He can be contacted at Brian@guitarhelper.net.
About The Author
Brian Murphy
18 years Music industry experience guitar player for over 30 years
Ten Easy Rock Songs For Guitar Beginners
When I started playing guitar, nobody taught me how to do it. It wasn’t easy at first. My fretting hand's fingertips were so painful that I couldn’t touch anything for days! But once I got the hang of it, I discovered it was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done
by: Eric Monsanto
When I started playing guitar, nobody taught me how to do it. It wasn’t easy at first. My fretting hand's fingertips were so painful that I couldn’t touch anything for days! But once I got the hang of it, I discovered it was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done. Over the years I would look back at those times and smile thinking how my life was changed the moment I picked up the guitar. It was actually my big sister’s guitar. However it turned out that I was more inclined to it that she was. She eventually turned over all the guitar playing duties to me.
I thought of making a random list of easy guitar songs that beginners might want to try playing, just to get things started. It will cover different genres but the objective is to improve playing, one song at a time. These are the criteria I’ve used for the selection of the songs:
a) Minimal number of chords –the less chords in a song, the easier it is to remember how to play it.
b) Minimal barre chords – barre chords require us to use our fretting hand’s index finger to press all 6 strings in a particular fret. Less barre chords is better for beginners.
c) Familiarity of the song – the songs are some of the most popular during their times.
And since we’re talking about beginner songs here, the primary goal of this list is to give novice players some songs to STRUM the guitar along with. No point in doing any complicated stuff yet. We have to first establish the rhythm within the player. So here it goes, in no particular order:
1. “Horse With No Name” – America
Chords: Em, F#m7sus
2. “Leaving On A Jet Plane” – John Denver
Chords: G, C, D
3. ”No Rain” – Blind Melon
Chords: E, D, A, G
4. “Every Rose Has It’s Thorns” – Poison
Chords: G, C, D, Em
5. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan/ Guns N’ Roses
Chords: G, C, D, Am
6. “One” – U2
Chords: Am, D7, FM7, G
7. “Four Strong Winds” – Neil Young
Chords: C, Dm, G, F
8. “I Remember You” – Skid Row
Chords: G, C, D, Am, Em
9. “Come As You Are” - Nirvana
Chords: Em, D, G, Am, C
10. “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
Chords: G, D, C, Em, Am
Finger placement:
C (x-3-2-0-1-0)
D (x-x-0-2-3-2)
D7 (x-x-0-2-1-2)
E (0-2-2-1-0-0)
Em (0-2-2-0-0-0)
A (x-0-2-2-2-0)
Am (x-0-2-2-1-0)
F (x-x-3-2-1-1)
FM7 (x-x-3-2-1-0)
F#m7sus (2-0-0-2-0-0)
G (3-2-0-0-0-3)
Legend:
D (x-x-0-2-3-2)
D - the chord name
x - E string will not be struck
x - A string will not be struck
0 - D string open
2 - Press G string on 2nd fret
3 - Press B string on 3rd fret
2 - Press e string on 2nd fret
There you go! Most of the songs have similar chords. That way, if we can recall chords from another some and incorporate that chord into another song then you get to practice applied knowledge. Ain't that grand!
Happy practicing!
About The Author
Eric Monsanto is a freelance writer. He keeps his writings in his blogsite http://monsaint.blogspot.com.
by: Eric Monsanto
When I started playing guitar, nobody taught me how to do it. It wasn’t easy at first. My fretting hand's fingertips were so painful that I couldn’t touch anything for days! But once I got the hang of it, I discovered it was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done. Over the years I would look back at those times and smile thinking how my life was changed the moment I picked up the guitar. It was actually my big sister’s guitar. However it turned out that I was more inclined to it that she was. She eventually turned over all the guitar playing duties to me.
I thought of making a random list of easy guitar songs that beginners might want to try playing, just to get things started. It will cover different genres but the objective is to improve playing, one song at a time. These are the criteria I’ve used for the selection of the songs:
a) Minimal number of chords –the less chords in a song, the easier it is to remember how to play it.
b) Minimal barre chords – barre chords require us to use our fretting hand’s index finger to press all 6 strings in a particular fret. Less barre chords is better for beginners.
c) Familiarity of the song – the songs are some of the most popular during their times.
And since we’re talking about beginner songs here, the primary goal of this list is to give novice players some songs to STRUM the guitar along with. No point in doing any complicated stuff yet. We have to first establish the rhythm within the player. So here it goes, in no particular order:
1. “Horse With No Name” – America
Chords: Em, F#m7sus
2. “Leaving On A Jet Plane” – John Denver
Chords: G, C, D
3. ”No Rain” – Blind Melon
Chords: E, D, A, G
4. “Every Rose Has It’s Thorns” – Poison
Chords: G, C, D, Em
5. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan/ Guns N’ Roses
Chords: G, C, D, Am
6. “One” – U2
Chords: Am, D7, FM7, G
7. “Four Strong Winds” – Neil Young
Chords: C, Dm, G, F
8. “I Remember You” – Skid Row
Chords: G, C, D, Am, Em
9. “Come As You Are” - Nirvana
Chords: Em, D, G, Am, C
10. “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
Chords: G, D, C, Em, Am
Finger placement:
C (x-3-2-0-1-0)
D (x-x-0-2-3-2)
D7 (x-x-0-2-1-2)
E (0-2-2-1-0-0)
Em (0-2-2-0-0-0)
A (x-0-2-2-2-0)
Am (x-0-2-2-1-0)
F (x-x-3-2-1-1)
FM7 (x-x-3-2-1-0)
F#m7sus (2-0-0-2-0-0)
G (3-2-0-0-0-3)
Legend:
D (x-x-0-2-3-2)
D - the chord name
x - E string will not be struck
x - A string will not be struck
0 - D string open
2 - Press G string on 2nd fret
3 - Press B string on 3rd fret
2 - Press e string on 2nd fret
There you go! Most of the songs have similar chords. That way, if we can recall chords from another some and incorporate that chord into another song then you get to practice applied knowledge. Ain't that grand!
Happy practicing!
About The Author
Eric Monsanto is a freelance writer. He keeps his writings in his blogsite http://monsaint.blogspot.com.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Ibanez RG350DX Electric Guitar
The Ibanez RG350DX features the ultra-fast Wizard II neck and Ibanez IBZ INF Infinity series pickups for the hottest sound and fastest playability in its price range
Product Detail
The Ibanez RG350DX features the ultra-fast Wizard II neck and Ibanez IBZ INF Infinity series pickups for the hottest sound and fastest playability in its price range. The RG350DX has a 3-piece maple neck, a bound rosewood fretboard (for warm, smooth tone and good pick attack) with 24 jumbo frets, a basswood body, and black hardware. The RG350DX's stable Ibanez Edge III tremolo bridge compares to many of the more expensive Ibanez models. The RG350DX offers all of this at an incredible price.
Ibanez Edge III Tremolo Bridge
the new Edge III is similar in construction and feel to the original, popular Ibanez Edge locking trem, however this version also features lower profile fine-tuners inspired by the lo-PRO Edge and massive, new-design saddles.
Series Features:
For over 15 years, the undisputed standard in guitars for the hard rock player.
Pickups and pickup placement provide the hard-edged cutting tone needed for heavy rock.
24 fret thin, flat and fast Wizard and Wizard II necks. Rounder Ultra necks available on RGT3120 neck-thru-body models.
Have you seen the headlines? "Guitar rock is back."
Ibanez is happy to hear it. Except at Ibanez, guitar rock never "left" - and if you're the type of player who reads Ibanez catalogs, you've been too busy playing guitar or bass to worry a whole lot about the media's take on music. However, the papers are right about one thing: there are more new guitar and bass guitar styles than ever before. That's why there are more different kinds of guitars and basses in the 2003 Ibanez line up.
Technical Info
* Wizard II neck
* Neck Material: 3-piece maple
* Body: Basswood
* 24 Jumbo frets
* Bound Rosewood Fingerboard
* Edge III tremolo bridge
* Neck Pickup: IBZ INF3 (Humbucker)
* Middle Pickup: IBZ INFS3 (Single Coil)
* Bridge Pickup: IBZ INF4 (Humbucker)
* Sharktooth Inlay
* Hardware Color: Black
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Fender American Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar (Maple, With Case)
Icon. Not a word to be used lightly. But the Stratocaster is just that. The new American Standard Stratocaster guitars are beauties to behold in sound, look and feel.
Product Detail
Icon. Not a word to be used lightly. But the Stratocaster is just that. The new American Standard Stratocaster guitars are beauties to behold in sound, look and feel. Feder kept the hand-rolled fingerboard edges, alnico V pickups and staggered tuning machines for playability, tone and stability, and added several new features, including:
- A new bridge with improved bent-steel saddles and a copper-infused high-mass block for increased resonance and sustain.
- A new neck treatment—tinted for a richer presentation, with the maple or rosewood fingerboard buffed to a high gloss. The back of the neck still has that silky satin finish.
- A thinner finish undercoat that lets the body breathe and improves resonance.
- A new Fender-exclusive SKB molded case.
- Two beautiful new finish options, Sienna Sunburst and Blizzard Pearl
Technical Info
Body:
- Alder on:
(700) 3-Color Sunburst,
(705) Olympic White,
(706) Black,
(712) Candy Cola,
(755) Blizzard Pearl,
(769) Charcoal Frost Metallic,
- Ash on:
(747) Sienna Sunburst
Neck: Maple, Modern “C” Shape, (Gloss Headstock Face with Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck)
Fingerboard: Rosewood (p/n 011-0400) or Maple (p/n 011-0402), 9.5 in. Radius (241mm)
No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups: 3 American Strat Single-Coil Pickups
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. Delta Tone
(“Delta Tone” system includes high output bridge pickup and special No-Load tone control for Middle and Bridge Pickups)
Pickup Switching - 5-Position Blade:
- Position 1. Bridge Pickup
- Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3. Middle Pickup
- Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
- Position 5. Neck Pickup
Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with New American Standard Bent Steel Saddles
Machine Heads: Fender Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Hardware: Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648 mm)
Width at Nut: 1.685 in. (42.8 mm)
Unique Features:
- New Bent Steel Saddles with Elongated String Slots
- Copper Infused High Mass 100% Metal Bridge Block
- Thinner Undercoat Finish for Improved Body Resonance
- Tinted Neck
- Maple Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Front
- Rosewood Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Headstock Front with Buffed Fingerboard
- 4-Bolt Neck Attachment with Micro-Tilt Adjustment
- Bi-Flex Truss Rod System
- Parchment Knobs and Pickup Covers
- Rolled Fretboard Edges
- Staggered Tuning Keys
- H/S/H Pickup Routing
- New Molded Fender/SKB Case with TSA Locks, Glass Reinforced Nylon Trigger Latches, and Form Fitted Plush Interior
Strings: Fender Standard Tension Bullet ST3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042), p/n 073-3250-203
Included Accessories: Fender/SKB Case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth
Case: High-Tech, Molded Rectangular SKB Case
Introduced: 1/2008
Product Detail
Icon. Not a word to be used lightly. But the Stratocaster is just that. The new American Standard Stratocaster guitars are beauties to behold in sound, look and feel. Feder kept the hand-rolled fingerboard edges, alnico V pickups and staggered tuning machines for playability, tone and stability, and added several new features, including:
- A new bridge with improved bent-steel saddles and a copper-infused high-mass block for increased resonance and sustain.
- A new neck treatment—tinted for a richer presentation, with the maple or rosewood fingerboard buffed to a high gloss. The back of the neck still has that silky satin finish.
- A thinner finish undercoat that lets the body breathe and improves resonance.
- A new Fender-exclusive SKB molded case.
- Two beautiful new finish options, Sienna Sunburst and Blizzard Pearl
Technical Info
Body:
- Alder on:
(700) 3-Color Sunburst,
(705) Olympic White,
(706) Black,
(712) Candy Cola,
(755) Blizzard Pearl,
(769) Charcoal Frost Metallic,
- Ash on:
(747) Sienna Sunburst
Neck: Maple, Modern “C” Shape, (Gloss Headstock Face with Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck)
Fingerboard: Rosewood (p/n 011-0400) or Maple (p/n 011-0402), 9.5 in. Radius (241mm)
No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Pickups: 3 American Strat Single-Coil Pickups
Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. Delta Tone
(“Delta Tone” system includes high output bridge pickup and special No-Load tone control for Middle and Bridge Pickups)
Pickup Switching - 5-Position Blade:
- Position 1. Bridge Pickup
- Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
- Position 3. Middle Pickup
- Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
- Position 5. Neck Pickup
Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with New American Standard Bent Steel Saddles
Machine Heads: Fender Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Hardware: Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648 mm)
Width at Nut: 1.685 in. (42.8 mm)
Unique Features:
- New Bent Steel Saddles with Elongated String Slots
- Copper Infused High Mass 100% Metal Bridge Block
- Thinner Undercoat Finish for Improved Body Resonance
- Tinted Neck
- Maple Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Front
- Rosewood Fingerboard Neck: Satin Finish on Back, Gloss Finish on Headstock Front with Buffed Fingerboard
- 4-Bolt Neck Attachment with Micro-Tilt Adjustment
- Bi-Flex Truss Rod System
- Parchment Knobs and Pickup Covers
- Rolled Fretboard Edges
- Staggered Tuning Keys
- H/S/H Pickup Routing
- New Molded Fender/SKB Case with TSA Locks, Glass Reinforced Nylon Trigger Latches, and Form Fitted Plush Interior
Strings: Fender Standard Tension Bullet ST3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042), p/n 073-3250-203
Included Accessories: Fender/SKB Case, Cable, Strap, Polishing Cloth
Case: High-Tech, Molded Rectangular SKB Case
Introduced: 1/2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Slide Guitar Techniques
Making a slide requires good execution. This is a technique where a guitarist can create a loud wailing sound on the guitar. Here are some tips to make a perfect slide
Author: Ian Williamson
Making a slide requires good execution. This is a technique where a guitarist can create a loud wailing sound on the guitar. Here are some tips to make a perfect slide.
1. The tuning of the guitar must be replaced from its regular chord tuning of E-A-D-G-B-E to a more open tuning; with the chord alignment on the D major arranged as D-G-D-B-D. The change should be from the sixth string up to the first string.
2. He can make a slide by moving the fingers of his left hand. The execution should follow the correct positioning of the chords. A smooth and slow slide would be perfect to accurately play the new chords.
3. Make a gentle grip on the neck of the guitar and expose the end finger to have a feel on the strings. In this way, you can easily make the slide with simple finger movement.
4. To create a wailing sound, it is necessary that you must only cover the strings that are needed for the slide. Sometimes the guitar will produce an unwanted noise from the strings if the slide is not properly done, so be sure that strings are properly covered by the fingers.
5. Always remember to have a slide vertically aligned straight to the strings. This will allow you to exert effort when making a slide than the normal way of holding a guitar.
6. You can make a little movement along the strings with the fingers. It must be executed with smoothness and gentleness. A hard press or tight hold might create distracting noises on the fret.
7. You can execute a slide on the first and second string making E and B chords and a D-major key on the twelfth fret of the guitar.
8. Then execute the slide going toward the bottom from the D-major key, which is in the twelfth fret for a G-major key in the fifth fret. That would give a loud wailing sound because of the slide.
9. You can make a slide going back on the A-major key, which is in the seventh fret and then release your fingers removing the slide and make an open twelfth fret to create a D-major sound.
To have a perfect execution in sliding requires more practice. It is easy to learn sliding by practicing with an open tone because all of the strings will have similar chords when they are strummed. If the strings are set up with their regular tones, the player needs to make sure to cover the right strings when sliding.
Article Tags: Guitar Techniques , Guitar Tips , Guitar Tuning , Acustic Guitar , Guitar Care
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
For More Information on Slide Guitar by Ian Williamson please visit http://guitar.you-can-learn.info
Author: Ian Williamson
Making a slide requires good execution. This is a technique where a guitarist can create a loud wailing sound on the guitar. Here are some tips to make a perfect slide.
1. The tuning of the guitar must be replaced from its regular chord tuning of E-A-D-G-B-E to a more open tuning; with the chord alignment on the D major arranged as D-G-D-B-D. The change should be from the sixth string up to the first string.
2. He can make a slide by moving the fingers of his left hand. The execution should follow the correct positioning of the chords. A smooth and slow slide would be perfect to accurately play the new chords.
3. Make a gentle grip on the neck of the guitar and expose the end finger to have a feel on the strings. In this way, you can easily make the slide with simple finger movement.
4. To create a wailing sound, it is necessary that you must only cover the strings that are needed for the slide. Sometimes the guitar will produce an unwanted noise from the strings if the slide is not properly done, so be sure that strings are properly covered by the fingers.
5. Always remember to have a slide vertically aligned straight to the strings. This will allow you to exert effort when making a slide than the normal way of holding a guitar.
6. You can make a little movement along the strings with the fingers. It must be executed with smoothness and gentleness. A hard press or tight hold might create distracting noises on the fret.
7. You can execute a slide on the first and second string making E and B chords and a D-major key on the twelfth fret of the guitar.
8. Then execute the slide going toward the bottom from the D-major key, which is in the twelfth fret for a G-major key in the fifth fret. That would give a loud wailing sound because of the slide.
9. You can make a slide going back on the A-major key, which is in the seventh fret and then release your fingers removing the slide and make an open twelfth fret to create a D-major sound.
To have a perfect execution in sliding requires more practice. It is easy to learn sliding by practicing with an open tone because all of the strings will have similar chords when they are strummed. If the strings are set up with their regular tones, the player needs to make sure to cover the right strings when sliding.
Article Tags: Guitar Techniques , Guitar Tips , Guitar Tuning , Acustic Guitar , Guitar Care
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
For More Information on Slide Guitar by Ian Williamson please visit http://guitar.you-can-learn.info
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Techniques You Can Use to Keep Your Guitar in Tune
Keeping your guitar tuned is THE first step in sounding hot and professional. Tune-up perfectly and THEN play is the order of the day. Tuning tip number one starts right here.
Author: David O'toole
Keeping your guitar tuned is THE first step in sounding hot and professional. Tune-up perfectly and THEN play is the order of the day. Tuning tip number one starts right here. Get yourself a decent and well made guitar that naturally stays in tune without constant tweaking. No matter how much you perfect the art of guitar tuning, a cheap instrument will seriously hamper your efforts.
No matter how well you play your latest lick or arpeggio, it won't sound hot unless your in perfect Guitar Tune Nirvana either! Conclusion: Invest in a good or even great guitar and your halfway there regarding guitar-tuning dilemmas.
To start off, here's 2 simple but BIG tuning tips for any type of six-stringer:
After every sweaty, no-holds barred, gig or rehearsal, CLEAN YOUR STRINGS! It may sound painfully obvious, but this is the biggest guitar tuning problem and string-killer of them all. Some people, including yours truly, can rust and destroy a set of strings overnight, by gigging with them and not cleaning the chemicals and sweat off, immediately afterwards. When this happens, tuning can be almost impossible.
So cleaning your strings is step one to guitar tuning nirvana. This simple precaution lengthens their lifespan, maintains tone AND tuning. Use a lint-free cloth, wrap it under and around each string, one at a time, and wipe up and down, with a slight pressure, cleaning the complete surface.
Use pure alcohol on the cloth if necessary, you can buy a small bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol in the chemists. Squeaky clean!
WARNING: Be careful with this stuff it's poisonous if taken internally!
Be careful not to run your fingers along the string too, it cuts deep and hurts like hell! I tie the cloth around the neck afterwards (they tend to mysteriously disappear for some strange reason just when needed), and make it a regular habit.
Unless you're an experienced player, DO NOT PUT NEW STRINGS ON YOUR GUITAR BEFORE A GIG! ... hi John ;-). If you must, try and allow about 30-45 Minutes to fit, stretch and warm them and yourself up.
If you've ever played a guitar which sounds fine in the lower regions but goes out of tune as you move up the neck, the answer could well be dirty or kaput strings. If you change them and the problem goes away, then you know. If it doesn't go away, it could be the guitar intonation. Get a good and trusted guitar-tech to check it for you.
When you put new strings on (if you have a Floating Bridge, do them one at a time, DO NOT take all the old ones off at once), tune them up to concert pitch, then spend about 20 minutes stretching them by hand. Left hand holds everything down at the nut, place 4 fingers of your right hand underneath one string, and slowly pull it out until you feel the tension and gently sort of bounce it forward and backwards, and S-T-R-E-T-C-H...and loosen...and S-T-R-E-T-C-H...and loos...
Slide your hand position up the neck along the string, pull it out at various points and so on, covering the entire length from nut to bridge. Then retune it and do it all again. The first few times the string tuning will drop by as much as an octave. After a few stretch/tune ups you'll notice it doesn't drop anymore. If you let this stretching happen naturally, it can take a week or so until the guitar strings stop jumping out of tune every 2 seconds. Your guitar will be as fit as a fiddle.
So adhering to these two simple but effective steps will improve any guitars tuning and even playability. Once you get into the habit of cleaning and stretching your guitar strings and it becomes second nature, you can turn your attention to other important playing points without having to tune up every few minutes. It's well worth the effort.
Next we look at some Strat whammy bar tips, Lee Chang specials to avoid, and how a humble home pencil can save your guitar life :).
Article Tags: Guitar Tuning Strategies , Guitar , Tune Instrument , Tuner Tips , Pro Tunung Tips , Guitar Gigging In Tune , Plaaying Guitar In Tune , Guita Strings , Gitar , Geetar , Isopropyl Alcohol , String Cleaner , Cleaning Guitar Strings , Stretching Guitar Strings , Music , A
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
David O'Toole is a guitar player, music fan, and musician from Ireland. He is the webmaster at the UniGTR+ Center and editor at the BellaOnline Musician Site
A keen player and experienced guitar teacher, he is also the author of the popular standard, lefthand, reverse guitar, and piano / keyboard series of Basic Chord Families -- Not just another random selection of 1000s of chords, but the key to fast learning and playing 1000s of songs with under 60 chords!
Author: David O'toole
Keeping your guitar tuned is THE first step in sounding hot and professional. Tune-up perfectly and THEN play is the order of the day. Tuning tip number one starts right here. Get yourself a decent and well made guitar that naturally stays in tune without constant tweaking. No matter how much you perfect the art of guitar tuning, a cheap instrument will seriously hamper your efforts.
No matter how well you play your latest lick or arpeggio, it won't sound hot unless your in perfect Guitar Tune Nirvana either! Conclusion: Invest in a good or even great guitar and your halfway there regarding guitar-tuning dilemmas.
To start off, here's 2 simple but BIG tuning tips for any type of six-stringer:
After every sweaty, no-holds barred, gig or rehearsal, CLEAN YOUR STRINGS! It may sound painfully obvious, but this is the biggest guitar tuning problem and string-killer of them all. Some people, including yours truly, can rust and destroy a set of strings overnight, by gigging with them and not cleaning the chemicals and sweat off, immediately afterwards. When this happens, tuning can be almost impossible.
So cleaning your strings is step one to guitar tuning nirvana. This simple precaution lengthens their lifespan, maintains tone AND tuning. Use a lint-free cloth, wrap it under and around each string, one at a time, and wipe up and down, with a slight pressure, cleaning the complete surface.
Use pure alcohol on the cloth if necessary, you can buy a small bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol in the chemists. Squeaky clean!
WARNING: Be careful with this stuff it's poisonous if taken internally!
Be careful not to run your fingers along the string too, it cuts deep and hurts like hell! I tie the cloth around the neck afterwards (they tend to mysteriously disappear for some strange reason just when needed), and make it a regular habit.
Unless you're an experienced player, DO NOT PUT NEW STRINGS ON YOUR GUITAR BEFORE A GIG! ... hi John ;-). If you must, try and allow about 30-45 Minutes to fit, stretch and warm them and yourself up.
If you've ever played a guitar which sounds fine in the lower regions but goes out of tune as you move up the neck, the answer could well be dirty or kaput strings. If you change them and the problem goes away, then you know. If it doesn't go away, it could be the guitar intonation. Get a good and trusted guitar-tech to check it for you.
When you put new strings on (if you have a Floating Bridge, do them one at a time, DO NOT take all the old ones off at once), tune them up to concert pitch, then spend about 20 minutes stretching them by hand. Left hand holds everything down at the nut, place 4 fingers of your right hand underneath one string, and slowly pull it out until you feel the tension and gently sort of bounce it forward and backwards, and S-T-R-E-T-C-H...and loosen...and S-T-R-E-T-C-H...and loos...
Slide your hand position up the neck along the string, pull it out at various points and so on, covering the entire length from nut to bridge. Then retune it and do it all again. The first few times the string tuning will drop by as much as an octave. After a few stretch/tune ups you'll notice it doesn't drop anymore. If you let this stretching happen naturally, it can take a week or so until the guitar strings stop jumping out of tune every 2 seconds. Your guitar will be as fit as a fiddle.
So adhering to these two simple but effective steps will improve any guitars tuning and even playability. Once you get into the habit of cleaning and stretching your guitar strings and it becomes second nature, you can turn your attention to other important playing points without having to tune up every few minutes. It's well worth the effort.
Next we look at some Strat whammy bar tips, Lee Chang specials to avoid, and how a humble home pencil can save your guitar life :).
Article Tags: Guitar Tuning Strategies , Guitar , Tune Instrument , Tuner Tips , Pro Tunung Tips , Guitar Gigging In Tune , Plaaying Guitar In Tune , Guita Strings , Gitar , Geetar , Isopropyl Alcohol , String Cleaner , Cleaning Guitar Strings , Stretching Guitar Strings , Music , A
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
David O'Toole is a guitar player, music fan, and musician from Ireland. He is the webmaster at the UniGTR+ Center and editor at the BellaOnline Musician Site
A keen player and experienced guitar teacher, he is also the author of the popular standard, lefthand, reverse guitar, and piano / keyboard series of Basic Chord Families -- Not just another random selection of 1000s of chords, but the key to fast learning and playing 1000s of songs with under 60 chords!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Roland GR20 Guitar and Bass Synth
New sounds. Easy interface. Now works with GK-3 or GK-3B divided pickups.
Detail Product
New sounds. Easy interface. Now works with GK-3 or GK-3B divided pickups.
Plug and Play
Ever wanted to thicken up your guitar sound with a warm synth pad? Or how about a screaming lead sound that puts you in front? The GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer makes playing high-quality synthesizer and instrument sounds from your guitar as simple as 1-2-3. First, attach the GK-3 Divided Pickup to your steel-stringed electric (no drilling necessary). Second, select the type of sound you want using the Bank knob. Third, choose a sound variation using the Number/Value dial and start playing. With the GR-20, it's easy to tap into the power of guitar synthesis.
Features:
Affordable guitar synthesizer with new sounds, easy interface.
Available with or without GK-3 divided pickup
Easy to use: select a sound category (Strings, Organ, Synth, etc.) and play!
Quick editing via Attack, Release, Chorus, and Delay/Reverb knobs
Digital pitch detection for lightning-fast tracking
Includes Roland's latest sounds like sax, strings, flute, brass, bass and percussion loops
GK-3 mounts easily on any steel-stringed electric without damage to guitar
GK-3 features an adjustable curve design and pickup cable length, plus an attachment plate for Les Paul-type guitars
Patch Link enables easy connection with MIDI-capable multi-effects like GT-6
All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Guitar Synth, or Compact Pedal
With the GR-20 it feels like both. Simply attach the GK-3 Divided Pickup to your guitar and you can be playing high-quality Roland sounds in seconds. Selecting a sound is like choosing an effect. First, select a sound category using the Bank knob. Categories include Strings/Orchestral, Wind, Brass, Bass/Guitar, Organ/Keyboard, Piano, Synth/Lead, Voice/Pad, Ethnic, and Rhythm/Percussion. Now you can select individual sounds using the Number/Value dial. It's easy!
Roland's Finest Sounds with Exceptional Tracking
At the heart of the GR-20 is an advanced sound engine based on Roland's professional synthesizers. Sounds can be played with up to 48-voice polyphony for full, rich-sounding Patches. And the sounds are equally impressive. From expressive string ensembles to spiritual tabla loops coupled with sitar -- all with adjustable attack and release -- there's no limit to what you can do. Sophisticated DSP makes the GR-20's pitch detection ultra-reliable, so you can strum with confidence.
Take Your Guitar Playing Further
Want to create a sound that's all your own? Try blending the natural sound of your guitar pickups with the GR-20. Thankfully, the GK-3 Divided Pickup makes this easy via a larger and smoother GK knob. Imagine playing chords and then slowly fading in a swirling, breathy pad to create intensity. Or how about playing a distorted lead on your guitar with a thick synth lead sound? Now take this a step further with the GR-20's Patch Link function. This allows you to easily assign GR-20 Patches to match effect Patches in MIDI-capable processors like the BOSS GT-6. It's the ultimate system for serious guitarists.
The New GK-3 Divided Pickup
When you buy a GR-20 with GK-3, you get a GK-3 Divided Pickup and GK cable in the box. In other words, everything you need to start playing synth sounds is included! The GK-3 is 30 percent thinner than its predecessor, and it now uses a 1/4 in. jack for normal guitar input. The pickup includes an adjustable curve design to keep an even distance between the strings for better response (the pickup cable length is also adjustable). Owners of Les Paul-type guitars can install the GK-3 safely without drilling using a special attachment plate included in the box.
Technical Info
Sound Generator: 1 part
Maximum Polyphony: 48 voices
Patches:
* User: 99
* Preset: Over 450
Display: 7 segments, 2 characters (LED)
Effects: MULTI-FX (40 types: included in the patches), Chorus, Delay/Reverb
Connectors/Jacks: GK IN, GUITAR OUT, MIX IN L, MIX IN R (MONO), OUTPUT L (PHONES), OUTPUT R (MONO), MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, AC IN
Power Supply: AC 14 V (AC Adaptor)
Current Draw: 600 mA
Dimensions: 313.8 (W) x 244.9 (D) x 63.1 (H) mm / 12-3/8 (W) x 9-11/16 (D) x 2-1/2 (H) inches, Maximum height: 313.8 (W) x 244.9 (D) x 97.5 (H) mm / 12-3/8 (W) x 9-11/16 (D) x 3-7/8 (H) inches
Weight: 1.7 kg / 3 lbs 12 oz (excluding the AC Adaptor)
Accessories: Owner's Manual, AC Adaptor BRC series, GK Cable (5 m)
Options: Divided Pickup (GK-3), GK Cable: GKC-3 (3 m), GKC-5 (5 m), GKC-10 (10 m), Unit Selector: US-20, GK Parallel Box: GKP-4
Detail Product
New sounds. Easy interface. Now works with GK-3 or GK-3B divided pickups.
Plug and Play
Ever wanted to thicken up your guitar sound with a warm synth pad? Or how about a screaming lead sound that puts you in front? The GR-20 Guitar Synthesizer makes playing high-quality synthesizer and instrument sounds from your guitar as simple as 1-2-3. First, attach the GK-3 Divided Pickup to your steel-stringed electric (no drilling necessary). Second, select the type of sound you want using the Bank knob. Third, choose a sound variation using the Number/Value dial and start playing. With the GR-20, it's easy to tap into the power of guitar synthesis.
Features:
Affordable guitar synthesizer with new sounds, easy interface.
Available with or without GK-3 divided pickup
Easy to use: select a sound category (Strings, Organ, Synth, etc.) and play!
Quick editing via Attack, Release, Chorus, and Delay/Reverb knobs
Digital pitch detection for lightning-fast tracking
Includes Roland's latest sounds like sax, strings, flute, brass, bass and percussion loops
GK-3 mounts easily on any steel-stringed electric without damage to guitar
GK-3 features an adjustable curve design and pickup cable length, plus an attachment plate for Les Paul-type guitars
Patch Link enables easy connection with MIDI-capable multi-effects like GT-6
All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Guitar Synth, or Compact Pedal
With the GR-20 it feels like both. Simply attach the GK-3 Divided Pickup to your guitar and you can be playing high-quality Roland sounds in seconds. Selecting a sound is like choosing an effect. First, select a sound category using the Bank knob. Categories include Strings/Orchestral, Wind, Brass, Bass/Guitar, Organ/Keyboard, Piano, Synth/Lead, Voice/Pad, Ethnic, and Rhythm/Percussion. Now you can select individual sounds using the Number/Value dial. It's easy!
Roland's Finest Sounds with Exceptional Tracking
At the heart of the GR-20 is an advanced sound engine based on Roland's professional synthesizers. Sounds can be played with up to 48-voice polyphony for full, rich-sounding Patches. And the sounds are equally impressive. From expressive string ensembles to spiritual tabla loops coupled with sitar -- all with adjustable attack and release -- there's no limit to what you can do. Sophisticated DSP makes the GR-20's pitch detection ultra-reliable, so you can strum with confidence.
Take Your Guitar Playing Further
Want to create a sound that's all your own? Try blending the natural sound of your guitar pickups with the GR-20. Thankfully, the GK-3 Divided Pickup makes this easy via a larger and smoother GK knob. Imagine playing chords and then slowly fading in a swirling, breathy pad to create intensity. Or how about playing a distorted lead on your guitar with a thick synth lead sound? Now take this a step further with the GR-20's Patch Link function. This allows you to easily assign GR-20 Patches to match effect Patches in MIDI-capable processors like the BOSS GT-6. It's the ultimate system for serious guitarists.
The New GK-3 Divided Pickup
When you buy a GR-20 with GK-3, you get a GK-3 Divided Pickup and GK cable in the box. In other words, everything you need to start playing synth sounds is included! The GK-3 is 30 percent thinner than its predecessor, and it now uses a 1/4 in. jack for normal guitar input. The pickup includes an adjustable curve design to keep an even distance between the strings for better response (the pickup cable length is also adjustable). Owners of Les Paul-type guitars can install the GK-3 safely without drilling using a special attachment plate included in the box.
Technical Info
Sound Generator: 1 part
Maximum Polyphony: 48 voices
Patches:
* User: 99
* Preset: Over 450
Display: 7 segments, 2 characters (LED)
Effects: MULTI-FX (40 types: included in the patches), Chorus, Delay/Reverb
Connectors/Jacks: GK IN, GUITAR OUT, MIX IN L, MIX IN R (MONO), OUTPUT L (PHONES), OUTPUT R (MONO), MIDI IN, MIDI OUT, AC IN
Power Supply: AC 14 V (AC Adaptor)
Current Draw: 600 mA
Dimensions: 313.8 (W) x 244.9 (D) x 63.1 (H) mm / 12-3/8 (W) x 9-11/16 (D) x 2-1/2 (H) inches, Maximum height: 313.8 (W) x 244.9 (D) x 97.5 (H) mm / 12-3/8 (W) x 9-11/16 (D) x 3-7/8 (H) inches
Weight: 1.7 kg / 3 lbs 12 oz (excluding the AC Adaptor)
Accessories: Owner's Manual, AC Adaptor BRC series, GK Cable (5 m)
Options: Divided Pickup (GK-3), GK Cable: GKC-3 (3 m), GKC-5 (5 m), GKC-10 (10 m), Unit Selector: US-20, GK Parallel Box: GKP-4
Monday, November 17, 2008
Guitar Pickups
Difference in Tonal Quality Due to Position of Pickups
The reason behind the different tonal qualities of pickups in different positions on the guitar is due to their position along the strings. When a note is played it is not just one note, but a whole range of notes that sound together.
Difference in Tonal Quality Due to Position of Pickups
The reason behind the different tonal qualities of pickups in different positions on the guitar is due to their position along the strings. When a note is played it is not just one note, but a whole range of notes that sound together. For example:
The black lines represent the way in which the string vibrates. Only 3 of the harmonics are shown in the diagram above but there are in fact an infinite number of them each with a different sound. However 3 is enough to illustrate the point I am trying to make. Harmonics are discussed in greater detail in a later chapter (3.5 Guitar Harmonics).
If you trace up each of the 3 dotted lines, you will notice that for each pickup, the magnitude of the harmonic content is different. For example, the neck pickup will have the most pronounced 2nd harmonic, whereas the bridge pickup will have the least. It is this difference which defines the unique sound of each pickup.
As a general guide, the bridge pickup will have a sound full of treble, whereas the neck pickup will have the most bass giving it a warm sound.
Difference Between Single Coil and Humbucking Pickups
The visual difference between a single coil pickup and a humbucking pickup (also known as "humbucker") is shown in the photograph to the right.
As you can see it's pretty simple to distinguish between the two types of pickups. So what's the reason behind having these two types of pickups?
The single coil pickup was the first of the two to be invented. The problem with it was the fact that it not only picked up the sound of the guitar but other unwanted sounds as well, which caused it to be noisy when the guitar was played. The humbucker is the solution to this, and it has been designed to cut out this 'hum'.
However the way in which the humbucker functions gives it a different sound from the single coil pickups. The single coil typically has a 'brighter' (more treble content) sound than the humbucker, whereas the humbucker has a more powerful sound (also produces a louder output).
The two different pickups produce different sounds and therefore you need to choose which suits your playing style best. For example humbuckers would most likely be used by a guitarist playing heavy metal, and single coils by a blues player etc...
How a Guitar Pickup Works
An electric guitar string either is made of solid metal (the G, B, and e strings) or metal wrapped around some material in the centre (the E, A and D strings). This metal is usually nickel.
The pickup works on the principle that when a magnet travels across or through a coil, it produces some electrical output. The pickup in fact consists of both a magnet and a coil. When a string is set into motion by picking it, it becomes magnetised by the magnet in the pickup. The magnetised string then repeatedly moves over the coils producing an electrical signal. This signal is then sent through the cable to the amp where it is amplified by a small amount by a preamp, processed, amplified again to a much greater degree and outputted as sound.
There is a reason for this two step amplification. The signal produced by the pickups in the guitar is in fact very small (much less than 1 volt) and therefore requires to be amplified before any processing, such as equalisation can take place. This amplification is done by a preamp, usually consisting of a component called the FET. The later amplification is so there is enough power to drive the speakers.
source: www.igdb.co.uk
The reason behind the different tonal qualities of pickups in different positions on the guitar is due to their position along the strings. When a note is played it is not just one note, but a whole range of notes that sound together.
Difference in Tonal Quality Due to Position of Pickups
The reason behind the different tonal qualities of pickups in different positions on the guitar is due to their position along the strings. When a note is played it is not just one note, but a whole range of notes that sound together. For example:
The black lines represent the way in which the string vibrates. Only 3 of the harmonics are shown in the diagram above but there are in fact an infinite number of them each with a different sound. However 3 is enough to illustrate the point I am trying to make. Harmonics are discussed in greater detail in a later chapter (3.5 Guitar Harmonics).
If you trace up each of the 3 dotted lines, you will notice that for each pickup, the magnitude of the harmonic content is different. For example, the neck pickup will have the most pronounced 2nd harmonic, whereas the bridge pickup will have the least. It is this difference which defines the unique sound of each pickup.
As a general guide, the bridge pickup will have a sound full of treble, whereas the neck pickup will have the most bass giving it a warm sound.
Difference Between Single Coil and Humbucking Pickups
The visual difference between a single coil pickup and a humbucking pickup (also known as "humbucker") is shown in the photograph to the right.
As you can see it's pretty simple to distinguish between the two types of pickups. So what's the reason behind having these two types of pickups?
The single coil pickup was the first of the two to be invented. The problem with it was the fact that it not only picked up the sound of the guitar but other unwanted sounds as well, which caused it to be noisy when the guitar was played. The humbucker is the solution to this, and it has been designed to cut out this 'hum'.
However the way in which the humbucker functions gives it a different sound from the single coil pickups. The single coil typically has a 'brighter' (more treble content) sound than the humbucker, whereas the humbucker has a more powerful sound (also produces a louder output).
The two different pickups produce different sounds and therefore you need to choose which suits your playing style best. For example humbuckers would most likely be used by a guitarist playing heavy metal, and single coils by a blues player etc...
How a Guitar Pickup Works
An electric guitar string either is made of solid metal (the G, B, and e strings) or metal wrapped around some material in the centre (the E, A and D strings). This metal is usually nickel.
The pickup works on the principle that when a magnet travels across or through a coil, it produces some electrical output. The pickup in fact consists of both a magnet and a coil. When a string is set into motion by picking it, it becomes magnetised by the magnet in the pickup. The magnetised string then repeatedly moves over the coils producing an electrical signal. This signal is then sent through the cable to the amp where it is amplified by a small amount by a preamp, processed, amplified again to a much greater degree and outputted as sound.
There is a reason for this two step amplification. The signal produced by the pickups in the guitar is in fact very small (much less than 1 volt) and therefore requires to be amplified before any processing, such as equalisation can take place. This amplification is done by a preamp, usually consisting of a component called the FET. The later amplification is so there is enough power to drive the speakers.
source: www.igdb.co.uk
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tone, Volume and Selector Switch
It's really important to get to grasps with the way that a guitar is wired.
This is a picture taken of a Stratocaster. As you can see there are 3 knobs and a switch.
It's really important to get to grasps with the way that a guitar is wired.
This is a picture taken of a Stratocaster. As you can see there are 3 knobs and a switch. Knob "a" controls the volume, knob "b" adjusts the tone of the neck pickup, and knob "c" adjusts the tone of the middle pickup (see 1.1 for the positions of these pickups). Switch "d" selects which pickup is connected to the output jack.
Switch "d" is a 5-way switch in this case and works as follows:
The reason behind the existence of the 5 way selector switch and multiple pickups is due to the fact that the tonal content of the sound generated by each of the pickups is different. The 5 way selector allows the guitarist to switch between these different sounds, and the 'tone' knobs are there to maximise the range of different sounds that can be played.
source : www.igdb.co.uk
This is a picture taken of a Stratocaster. As you can see there are 3 knobs and a switch.
It's really important to get to grasps with the way that a guitar is wired.
This is a picture taken of a Stratocaster. As you can see there are 3 knobs and a switch. Knob "a" controls the volume, knob "b" adjusts the tone of the neck pickup, and knob "c" adjusts the tone of the middle pickup (see 1.1 for the positions of these pickups). Switch "d" selects which pickup is connected to the output jack.
Switch "d" is a 5-way switch in this case and works as follows:
The reason behind the existence of the 5 way selector switch and multiple pickups is due to the fact that the tonal content of the sound generated by each of the pickups is different. The 5 way selector allows the guitarist to switch between these different sounds, and the 'tone' knobs are there to maximise the range of different sounds that can be played.
source : www.igdb.co.uk
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar (Maple, with Gig Bag)
Fast-action maple neck, comfort-contoured Alder body, 3 single-coil pickups and standard synchronized tremolo -- it's where the tradition began and still carries on today.
Detail Product
Fast-action maple neck, comfort-contoured Alder body, 3 single-coil pickups and standard synchronized tremolo -- it's where the tradition began and still carries on today.
Technical Info
Model Name: Standard Stratocaster (Upgrade)
Model Number: 013-4602-(Color#)
Series: Standard Series
Colors:
(306) Black
(325) Chrome Red
(332)* Brown Sunburst
(375) Midnight Wine
(380) Arctic White
(387) Electron Blue
(Polyester Finish)
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple, Modern 'C' Shape,(Satin Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Maple, 9.5 in. Radius (241mm)
No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
Pickups: 3 Standard Single-Coil Strat Pickups (Ceramic Magnets)
Controls:
Master Volume
Tone 1. (Neck Pickup)
Tone 2. (Middle Pickup)
Pickup Switching
5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup
Bridge: Vintage Style Synchronized Tremolo
Machine Heads: Fender/Ping Standard Cast/Sealed Tuning Machines
Hardware: Chrome
Pickguard: 3-Ply White
Scale Length: 25.5 in. (648 mm)
Width at Nut: 1.650 in. (42 mm)
Unique Features: Vintage Styling
Strings: Fender Super Bullets 3250L, Nickel Plated Steel, (.009 to .042)
Accessories: Standard Gig Bag
Case: None
Introduced: 1/2006
Notice: Product Prices, Features And Specifications Are Subject To Change Without Notice
Guitar Tapping Tips And Techniques
Although made popular recently by Eddie VanHalen, guitar tapping or right hand ‘legatos' is a technique players have been executing for years. Country players know the benefit of laying down a nice subtle lead and just putting in those quick hammers with clear guitar tapping.
Author: Brad Finley
Although made popular recently by Eddie VanHalen, guitar tapping or right hand ‘legatos' is a technique players have been executing for years. Country players know the benefit of laying down a nice subtle lead and just putting in those quick hammers with clear guitar tapping. And while it's not the easiest thing, guitar finger tapping techniques are really nothing much more then fast hammer on and a pull offs. Whether you use your middle finger or your first, most times you can hold the pick as usual to execute your guitar tapping and get the speed and positioning essential to good guitar tapping techniques. But like anything else, guitar tapping takes practice and patience.
Since this is a highly specialized, yet popular way of playing we hear a lot of player's guitar tapping these days...and just as many tapping badly. Especially when a guitar is cranked through distortion, a whole host of extra noises will come out if the player's guitar finger tapping techniques aren't the cleanest. An important trick to ‘clean-up' when you are cranked through that Marshall Stack and you're in "overdrive", is to rest the back of your right hand on the lower strings for muting; what you want to avoid is these string making a lot of extra noise while you get that guitar tapping in one steady movement. Of course, if you're a rock player you are most likely already dreaming of the all-too flashy ‘cross-handed tapping' but this is so impractical it only ever works when playing live (and even then it is a hard to get those guitar tapping progressions cooking in this way!) Admittedly though, this particular type of guitar tapping, above all other types of guitar finger tapping techniques, creates a truly distinct tone.
There are hundreds of videos and books that show guitar tapping tips, but as it is with everything else, you can't even begin to understand how guitar tapping works until you get up and do it yourself. Although modern listeners have been conditioned to want speed like Eddie V., it is more important to get the strong and clear sound of each note then to sacrifice technique for potential sloppiness. Guitar finger tapping techniques are only good if you can do them; nothing sounds worse then reaching for a flashy technique and not being able to pull it off. As with everything else you learn on guitar, if you mater a technique on acoustic then you can feel all that more confident trying it on electric.
Playing a difficult and flashy exercise, such as guitar tapping or lightening fast arpeggios, sometimes seem to be easier on an electric; you get-off on the sound you are creating, the noise, but don't catch nuisances or mistakes. Try tapping on an acoustic guitar (or you want a big challenge-try guitar tapping on an acoustic bass!) Guitar finger tapping is hard on an acoustic; cross-handed guitar tapping is almost impossible (it takes a ton of strength and precision), but master guitar tapping on an acoustic and you'll find you are that much more prepared for what you might do on your electric.
Article Tags: Guitar Tapping Techniques , Guitar Tapping Tips , Guitar Finger Tapping Techniques
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
Brad Finley is senior editor of MyGuitarWorkshop - Guitar Tips and Music Theory . Website provides guitar lessons and instructions for all level guitar players. Click for more Guitar Tips And Techniques
Author: Brad Finley
Although made popular recently by Eddie VanHalen, guitar tapping or right hand ‘legatos' is a technique players have been executing for years. Country players know the benefit of laying down a nice subtle lead and just putting in those quick hammers with clear guitar tapping. And while it's not the easiest thing, guitar finger tapping techniques are really nothing much more then fast hammer on and a pull offs. Whether you use your middle finger or your first, most times you can hold the pick as usual to execute your guitar tapping and get the speed and positioning essential to good guitar tapping techniques. But like anything else, guitar tapping takes practice and patience.
Since this is a highly specialized, yet popular way of playing we hear a lot of player's guitar tapping these days...and just as many tapping badly. Especially when a guitar is cranked through distortion, a whole host of extra noises will come out if the player's guitar finger tapping techniques aren't the cleanest. An important trick to ‘clean-up' when you are cranked through that Marshall Stack and you're in "overdrive", is to rest the back of your right hand on the lower strings for muting; what you want to avoid is these string making a lot of extra noise while you get that guitar tapping in one steady movement. Of course, if you're a rock player you are most likely already dreaming of the all-too flashy ‘cross-handed tapping' but this is so impractical it only ever works when playing live (and even then it is a hard to get those guitar tapping progressions cooking in this way!) Admittedly though, this particular type of guitar tapping, above all other types of guitar finger tapping techniques, creates a truly distinct tone.
There are hundreds of videos and books that show guitar tapping tips, but as it is with everything else, you can't even begin to understand how guitar tapping works until you get up and do it yourself. Although modern listeners have been conditioned to want speed like Eddie V., it is more important to get the strong and clear sound of each note then to sacrifice technique for potential sloppiness. Guitar finger tapping techniques are only good if you can do them; nothing sounds worse then reaching for a flashy technique and not being able to pull it off. As with everything else you learn on guitar, if you mater a technique on acoustic then you can feel all that more confident trying it on electric.
Playing a difficult and flashy exercise, such as guitar tapping or lightening fast arpeggios, sometimes seem to be easier on an electric; you get-off on the sound you are creating, the noise, but don't catch nuisances or mistakes. Try tapping on an acoustic guitar (or you want a big challenge-try guitar tapping on an acoustic bass!) Guitar finger tapping is hard on an acoustic; cross-handed guitar tapping is almost impossible (it takes a ton of strength and precision), but master guitar tapping on an acoustic and you'll find you are that much more prepared for what you might do on your electric.
Article Tags: Guitar Tapping Techniques , Guitar Tapping Tips , Guitar Finger Tapping Techniques
Source: Free Articles from ArticlesBase.com
About the Author:
Brad Finley is senior editor of MyGuitarWorkshop - Guitar Tips and Music Theory . Website provides guitar lessons and instructions for all level guitar players. Click for more Guitar Tips And Techniques
Thursday, November 06, 2008
How to Tune a Guitar
1. Standard E Tuning
The first thing you should know is what the strings should be tuned to, which is shown below:
The first thing you should know is what the strings should be tuned to, which is shown below:
There are several options when it comes to achieving this tuning:
3. Alternative Method of Tuning
2. Using an Electronic Tuner
A very easy way of tuning your guitar. You either connect the guitar to the tuner via a cable, or use the in-build microphone. The tuner will then tell you whether the string is sharp or flat etc... Some tuners however seem to fluctuate a lot, which makes it difficult. Tuners come relatively cheap so it's worth the investment. You could also consider using our online guitar tuner.
If you tune the bottom E string correctly (for example by using a piano), the other strings can be tuned using this method:
Play the 5th fret on the E string and tune the A string to this note.
Now play the 5th fret on the A string and tune the D string to this note.
Now play the 5th fret on the D string and tune the G string to this note.
Now play the 4th fret on the G string and tune the B string to this note.
Finally play the 5th fret on the B string and tune the e string to this note.
4. Drop D Tuning
The guitar can in fact be tuned in many other different ways, on of the most common being drop D tuning, in which the E string is tuned down to a D. This can be achieved from a guitar tuned to E by tuning down the E string until the 7th fret on this string plays an A.
Source : www.igdb.co.uk
Name of the Parts on a Guitar
All the parts that you need to know on a guitar are shown in the diagram below:
Source : www.igdb.co.uk
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Popular Types of Guitars
Guitars come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and types. There are acoustic guitars, electric acoustic guitars, semi hollow guitars, electric guitars, twelve string guitars, four string bass guitars, five string bass guitars; the catalog goes on and on.
Author: Victor Epand
The list for popular types of guitars can be endless. Guitars come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and types. There are acoustic guitars, electric acoustic guitars, semi hollow guitars, electric guitars, twelve string guitars, four string bass guitars, five string bass guitars; the catalog goes on and on.
Acoustic guitars
Acoustic guitar is independent of any external device to be heard. The acoustic guitar is more sober than other instruments commonly found in bands and orchestras. To play within such groups the sound is often externally amplified. Acoustic guitars, which are available today, feature a variety of pickups. This enables the player to increase and adjust the raw guitar sound.
Prominent subcategories feature within the acoustic guitar group
Classical and flamenco guitars; steel string guitars, that comprise the folk or flat top guitar; arch top guitar and the twelve string guitars. There are unamplified guitars also in the acoustic guitar group.
Such types are designed to play in various registers such as the acoustic bass guitar. The tuning of the acoustic bass guitar is similar to that of the electric bass guitar.
Classical guitars
These are normally strung with nylon strings, to be played in a seated pose and are used to play a variety of musical styles together with classical music. The classical guitar is designed in such a way that it allows the execution of solo polyphonic arrangements of music
Portuguese guitar
The Portuguese guitar is a 12 string guitar used in Portugal for the customary Fado songs.
Archtop guitars
Steel string instruments feature a violin inspired f hole design where the top (and often the back) of the instrument are engraved in a curved rather than a flat shape.
Flat top (steel string) guitars
Here the body dimension is typically considerably larger than a classical guitar and it has a narrower, resistant neck and stronger structural design
Resonator, resophonic or Dobro guitars
The hum of the resonator guitar is created by a metal resonator fitted in the middle of the top.
Tenor guitars
Some classical guitarists call the Niibori prime guitar a Tenor Guitar on the grounds that it sits in pitch between the alto and the bass.
Harp guitars
This consists of a usual guitar, with additional harp strings strung on top of the six normal strings. The instrument is generally acoustic and the harp strings are adjusted to lower notes than the guitar strings, for an added bass range.
Acoustic bass guitars
This type has steel strings or guts strings in it and often has the same tuning as an electric bass guitar.
12 string guitars
Instead of having only six strings, the 12 string guitar has six courses made up of two strings each, like a mandolin or f lute.
Electric guitars
Electric guitars are the types, which have solid, semi hollow, or hollow bodies, and generate minute sound without amplification. The electromagnetic vibrations of the strings are converted into electrical signals, which are supplied to an amplifier via a cable or radio transmitter. Sound outputted is regularly modified by other electronic instruments or the natural distortion of valves (vacuum tubes) in the amplifier.
Author: Victor Epand
The list for popular types of guitars can be endless. Guitars come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and types. There are acoustic guitars, electric acoustic guitars, semi hollow guitars, electric guitars, twelve string guitars, four string bass guitars, five string bass guitars; the catalog goes on and on.
Acoustic guitars
Acoustic guitar is independent of any external device to be heard. The acoustic guitar is more sober than other instruments commonly found in bands and orchestras. To play within such groups the sound is often externally amplified. Acoustic guitars, which are available today, feature a variety of pickups. This enables the player to increase and adjust the raw guitar sound.
Prominent subcategories feature within the acoustic guitar group
Classical and flamenco guitars; steel string guitars, that comprise the folk or flat top guitar; arch top guitar and the twelve string guitars. There are unamplified guitars also in the acoustic guitar group.
Such types are designed to play in various registers such as the acoustic bass guitar. The tuning of the acoustic bass guitar is similar to that of the electric bass guitar.
Classical guitars
These are normally strung with nylon strings, to be played in a seated pose and are used to play a variety of musical styles together with classical music. The classical guitar is designed in such a way that it allows the execution of solo polyphonic arrangements of music
Portuguese guitar
The Portuguese guitar is a 12 string guitar used in Portugal for the customary Fado songs.
Archtop guitars
Steel string instruments feature a violin inspired f hole design where the top (and often the back) of the instrument are engraved in a curved rather than a flat shape.
Flat top (steel string) guitars
Here the body dimension is typically considerably larger than a classical guitar and it has a narrower, resistant neck and stronger structural design
Resonator, resophonic or Dobro guitars
The hum of the resonator guitar is created by a metal resonator fitted in the middle of the top.
Tenor guitars
Some classical guitarists call the Niibori prime guitar a Tenor Guitar on the grounds that it sits in pitch between the alto and the bass.
Harp guitars
This consists of a usual guitar, with additional harp strings strung on top of the six normal strings. The instrument is generally acoustic and the harp strings are adjusted to lower notes than the guitar strings, for an added bass range.
Acoustic bass guitars
This type has steel strings or guts strings in it and often has the same tuning as an electric bass guitar.
12 string guitars
Instead of having only six strings, the 12 string guitar has six courses made up of two strings each, like a mandolin or f lute.
Electric guitars
Electric guitars are the types, which have solid, semi hollow, or hollow bodies, and generate minute sound without amplification. The electromagnetic vibrations of the strings are converted into electrical signals, which are supplied to an amplifier via a cable or radio transmitter. Sound outputted is regularly modified by other electronic instruments or the natural distortion of valves (vacuum tubes) in the amplifier.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
20 Easy Tips to Being a Guitar Hero
When you practice guitar chords, scales, songs, etc., make sure that you focus on quality and not quantity. The guitar sounds a lot better if all the notes in a chord ring or you hit every note in that scale with perfect timing instead of rushing through a scale or playing a chord and having some notes be muffled. Just remember to focus on playing things slow and with good technique (This is Key!).
Practice how you play
When you practice guitar chords, scales, songs, etc., make sure that you focus on quality and not quantity. The guitar sounds a lot better if all the notes in a chord ring or you hit every note in that scale with perfect timing instead of rushing through a scale or playing a chord and having some notes be muffled. Just remember to focus on playing things slow and with good technique (This is Key!). Learn whatever you are trying to learn slow and then increase the speed little by little until you get where you want to be. That's how you guitarists learn to shred or solo extremely fast. They start playing a scale or riff slow and then gradually speed it up with a metronome.
Keep your guitar out of the closet or storage
This is probably one of the biggest mistakes that a person learning guitar could make. KEEP YOUR GUITAR OUT IN THE OPEN!!! Keep it next to your bed or in your family room on a stand or anywhere where it is out of the closet or out from under the bed. If it’s out in the open, this will force you to play it and force you to mess around and practice.
Memorize the fret board of the guitar
Memorizing the fret board of the guitar can turn out to be an interesting task. There are little tips and tricks that allow you to find notes really fast. The reason why all guitarist who would like to get good should memorize the fret board is because it allows you to play create chords in different shapes, find notes in different areas of the neck and allows the guitarist to familiarize and open up to playing in different parts of the neck. Memorization of the fret board is also very beneficial in soloing and improvising.
Jam with other people with different styles and techniques
You will not believe how much your guitar playing will improve when you jam with other people. If you ever feel like you are reaching a "plateau" (you feel like you're not getting any better) in your playing, jamming with other people will definitely open you up to new tips and tricks. There's always something to learn from someone else that plays guitar no matter how good or bad they are. Also, everyone's individual style is different and the more open minded you are to other styles, the better player you will become.
Listen to new types music and try to play it
I know it’s hard, just force yourself to do it. When all else fails go back to the basics of music. A great way to do this is to listen to some classical music for inspiration. Elton John is an amazing musician and he says whenever he reaches a dull moment or block in his playing, he refers back to church hymns that he learned when he was younger.
Read guitar magazines
Guitar magazines have allot of cool stuff, but they also have allot of filler. The one thing I hate about guitar mags is that they are extremely complex (not for beginners). The articles, stories and advice are cool but some of the lessons are intense! The advanced guitar lingo having to do with intervals of certain modes and technical guitar talk gets to me sometimes. It's nice to know that stuff but ehhhhhhh..... It can be boring.
Go to concerts
Nothings more inspiring then going to a concert and seeing someone rock out on stage and totally impress the crowd. I remember a couple of years ago; I went to Vans Warped Tour. Immediately after the show, as soon as I got home, I ran to my room and tried learning allot of the songs I had heard. When I saw The Eagles back in October of 06', I couldn’t stop learning all their songs. It's amazing to be extremely inspired and motivated once again about playing guitar and going to concerts definitely rejuvenates my interest in playing guitar.
Buy concert DVDs
If you've never seen any ACDC music video or concert DVD.... then we definitely need to talk. Angus Young is an amazing guitarist and It's just amazing to see that this scrawny little Australian guy can play like he does and with such attitude and soul. Seeing that guy rip up the fret board definitely shows us that anyone can play guitar... all it takes is practice, discipline, motivation and commitment. Concert DVDs are great because they show you up close and in really good quality what exactly a guitarist is playing, unlike music videos where bands just dance around and they add in the music later. Concert DVDs are filled with raw footage of guitar playing at its best.
Always use your guitar strap
This is another biggie. When first learning how to play guitar, I never wore my guitar strap. I ended up paying for it later and basically having to relearn guitar standing up instead of sitting down. If you always play with your guitar strap on, there will be no difference to you while playing either sitting or standing. Playing with your guitar strap will also allow you to get to the "show-off" level so you can impress all your friends earlier.
A lot of people who use guitar straps find that they fall off very easy or tend to drop the guitar. There are many different types of locking mechanisms out there (I currently have two guitars that use the DiMarzio locking mechanism and it works very well)). Go to your local guitar shop and check all of them out and see which one fits you best.
Play with passion (slash)
Have you ever heard a guitar player who is a great player, but you feel that there is something missing...... THERE'S NO SOUL!!! Soul is the emotion, the love, the purpose behind guitar playing. Listen to that same talented yet boring guitar player and then compare him to Gun's and Roses guitarist or Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash. Every solo that Slash plays has so much soul, so much emotion, and so much purpose. What I want you to do is Google "Slash - Godfather theme video" or get on Napster, iTunes, kazaa, etc. and download it. This video is nuts!! Slash plays with such a great amount of solo that it's amazing. I really don't know how to explain exactly how to add soul into your playing, however I will tell you that you will understand if you choose to stick with guitar and stay committed to the instrument. It's basically playing to express yourself and not to just play because you have to or don't want to but feel you should.
Watch the clips of legendary guitar scenes or solos
Here's some instant inspiration.... Go to yahoo or Google and click on the "video" tab above the search bar and type in anything having to do with guitar solos. You will find some amazing solos along with amazing guitar tricks. One really cool guitar clip I remember is of this Asian guy playing the super Mario brothers theme for Nintendo. That guy can play that song like you wouldn’t believe. There's so much inspiring guitar playing footage out there. It's everywhere and anywhere you look, especially online. Also, checkout the movie with Ralph Maccio from the 1980's called "Crossroads"... there’s some amazing guitar playing in it.
Try tabbing out songs by ear
This is extremely helpful. Tabbing songs by ear develops your musical ear very quickly. Choose one of your favorite songs and sit next to your cd player with a guitar and a piece of paper and try to figure out the chords in the song first, and then try to figure out the riffs within the chords. Once you find out the overall "key" of the song it's easy to figure out all the riffs and chords.
Take a college music course (Beatles, history of rock and roll)
While I was at community college for two years studying to get my Associates Degree, I had taken a "History of Rock & Roll course". This course was extremely interesting. There was so much music that this class opened my eyes up to. I gained so much more appreciation for the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and many more bands of that era. Those bands really did change music forever. I definitely recommend taking a class like this anywhere you can; it will definitely open up your eyes to some great music out there and help you grow as a musician.
Read biographies of guitarists you appreciate
Some musicians out there have led incredible lives. The majority of them come from nothing and in the end, become legendary guitar gods. Look at Johnny Cash; he was a rural country boy that grew up almost penniless and turned into an amazing musician through inspiration and practice. There are so many interesting stories behind bands and musicians. Here's some that I find interesting (off the top of my head): The Beach Boys, Def Leppard, Metallica, Van Halen, The Beatles and Thin Lizzy. Do some research online and try to mirror yourself with these artists. It will give you a whole new thought process to playing their songs and guitar in general.
"Steal" riffs and ideas from other guitarists
I know it sounds bad but every great guitarist does it. Clapton stole the "crossroad blues" from Robert Johnson and the Beatles used some of Elvis' ideas and expanded upon them. Every musical generation steals ideas, riffs, chord progressions from the generation before and when it comes to music... its ok. I find this to help guitar players progress a lot, especially if you reach a plateau. One of the biggest things that helped me expand as a guitarist is to learn all my favorite solos by my favorite artists. Once I had learned them, I would play the same solo over different progressions in the same key and then play the same solos in different keys all around the neck and in different scale positions. Once I did this, I had "unlocked" all of the licks in the solo and I'm now able to use them in whatever I play. Just like how in video games you unlock new characters, levels and secrets throughout the game... you do the same in music. From there you can constantly expand upon your lick directory.
Play in front of others
This is one of the hardest parts about performing music. Playing in front of others is something that just takes time. Remember to relax and don't think about everyone watching you. Just focus on you and the instrument. The more you play in front of others, the better you will get. Everyone's first time playing in front of others can be pretty gut wrenching. Just remember that it gets easier every time and that you'll get through it just fine. What you can also do is videotape yourself playing and then put it on the internet. Lots of people including myself put videos on Youtube.com or other online video sites and its up to the viewers to judge. Some people will rip your playing apart but most will applaud you for trying and really like it. The way I look at it... "Led Zeppelin didn't write songs that everyone liked... they left that to the Bee Gees" - Wayne Campbell (Wayne's World)
"What if I screw up"? Who cares?! In music, everyone screws up while playing music. When big bands record in studios they spend days, sometimes even weeks recording tracks so that they turn out absolutely perfect. What really creative people do when they screw up is to elaborate on the screw up. If you hit a wrong note, maybe trying hitting the note again within the rhythm of the song and maybe it will sound good.
The Internet and Youtube are valuable tools...
Eric Clapton learned guitar by listening to old Robert Johnson, BB King and many other great blues records on a turntable and then trying to mimick the same sounds on guitar. Eddie Van Halen would be in his room with his door closed for days just messing around with different sounds that a guitar can make just by moving his fingers around in different shapes and seeing what they sound like. Alex Van Halen (Eddies brother and drummer for Van Halen) would go on dates and leave the house listening to Eddie whale away at 5:00pm and then come home to Eddie still whaling away at 2:00am. These artists didn't have the internet! They had a cassette player or record player and plenty of time on their hands. We're incredibly lucky today to have such great resources like youtube.com and the internet in general. Youtube.com is great for learning how to play guitar. You can find lessons, people covering songs, tips and tricks and just about anything that you need to get off on the right foot when it comes to playing guitar. The great thing about Youtube guitar lessons is that "they get to the point". No BS. Each lesson is usually under 5 minutes and they give you great info very fast, because who wants to watch a 30 minute video. Guitarists attention spans aren't that long, I know mine isn't. And Finally, you have the internet. The internet has absolutely everything you could ever possibly need, including Youtube.com, lessons, information, ultimate-guitar.com (for tabs), guitars101.com (for any other type of help that you may need), etc. The possibilities are endless. The point is that learning guitar today is and should be way easier than learning guitar in the past due to the great resources we have.
You can learn any riff from any song no matter how crazy or how fast.... just slow it down
Any riff is learnable, you just have to slow it down to a pace that you feel comfortable with, learn it, and then gradually speed it up. There are numerous programs out there that allow you to do this. One very popular one is called Transcribe. You can import any .mp3 file and then control the speed of the song. Practice the riff over and over and gradually raise the speed. If you can't play the at a given speed, then slow it down 1%, if you can play it and feel comfortable with how you played it, raise it by 2%. Doing this will allow you to master any riff, any song, anything!
Try learning the difficult songs or riffs that you've always wanted to learn, no matter what level you are at and no matter how hard the song is...
This is what makes guitar fun, seeing your improvement (ie. Quick Results). I remember trying to play songs that were at my level when I first started playing guitar. Stuff like : The Animals - House of the Rising Son, and Don Mclean - American Pie. I could play them ok, but they weren't really songs that I had started playing guitar for. I wanted to play Metallica's fade to black and Eric Clapton's Crossroads. I put the other two songs aside and started working on the new ones that had inspired me to play guitar. I had spent weeks and months on them even though they were outside my playing level. I was determined to learn them. I kind of wanted to be one of those guys that can't play anything else, just cover songs note for note. If I couldn't play any other song aside from the super hard ones note for note, I'd be happy. So I spent so much time learning these songs, and I could play them.... ok... not great.... However, when I went back to playing House of the rising son and American Pie, I could play them 100 times better. I played them like a pro. Its kind of like.... as long as you challenge yourself, you'll get better. You play with musicians that are better than you... you'll get better. You lift more and more weight than your used to... you get stronger.
A great musician once said.....
A great musician once said that as soon as guitar becomes a chore and isn't fun, that's the moment that you should put your guitar down. Come back to it later. Now this doensn't mean that when your first learning guitar and you get frustrated, you should put it down and forget it. Sorry, this rule only applies to guitar players who are advanced or who have been playing for a while. It sucks and is frustrating for everyone at first so you have to stick with it. The overall point is, guitar playing should be fun. Don't turn it into a chore or a task.
article resources http://www.articlesbase.com
Practice how you play
When you practice guitar chords, scales, songs, etc., make sure that you focus on quality and not quantity. The guitar sounds a lot better if all the notes in a chord ring or you hit every note in that scale with perfect timing instead of rushing through a scale or playing a chord and having some notes be muffled. Just remember to focus on playing things slow and with good technique (This is Key!). Learn whatever you are trying to learn slow and then increase the speed little by little until you get where you want to be. That's how you guitarists learn to shred or solo extremely fast. They start playing a scale or riff slow and then gradually speed it up with a metronome.
Keep your guitar out of the closet or storage
This is probably one of the biggest mistakes that a person learning guitar could make. KEEP YOUR GUITAR OUT IN THE OPEN!!! Keep it next to your bed or in your family room on a stand or anywhere where it is out of the closet or out from under the bed. If it’s out in the open, this will force you to play it and force you to mess around and practice.
Memorize the fret board of the guitar
Memorizing the fret board of the guitar can turn out to be an interesting task. There are little tips and tricks that allow you to find notes really fast. The reason why all guitarist who would like to get good should memorize the fret board is because it allows you to play create chords in different shapes, find notes in different areas of the neck and allows the guitarist to familiarize and open up to playing in different parts of the neck. Memorization of the fret board is also very beneficial in soloing and improvising.
Jam with other people with different styles and techniques
You will not believe how much your guitar playing will improve when you jam with other people. If you ever feel like you are reaching a "plateau" (you feel like you're not getting any better) in your playing, jamming with other people will definitely open you up to new tips and tricks. There's always something to learn from someone else that plays guitar no matter how good or bad they are. Also, everyone's individual style is different and the more open minded you are to other styles, the better player you will become.
Listen to new types music and try to play it
I know it’s hard, just force yourself to do it. When all else fails go back to the basics of music. A great way to do this is to listen to some classical music for inspiration. Elton John is an amazing musician and he says whenever he reaches a dull moment or block in his playing, he refers back to church hymns that he learned when he was younger.
Read guitar magazines
Guitar magazines have allot of cool stuff, but they also have allot of filler. The one thing I hate about guitar mags is that they are extremely complex (not for beginners). The articles, stories and advice are cool but some of the lessons are intense! The advanced guitar lingo having to do with intervals of certain modes and technical guitar talk gets to me sometimes. It's nice to know that stuff but ehhhhhhh..... It can be boring.
Go to concerts
Nothings more inspiring then going to a concert and seeing someone rock out on stage and totally impress the crowd. I remember a couple of years ago; I went to Vans Warped Tour. Immediately after the show, as soon as I got home, I ran to my room and tried learning allot of the songs I had heard. When I saw The Eagles back in October of 06', I couldn’t stop learning all their songs. It's amazing to be extremely inspired and motivated once again about playing guitar and going to concerts definitely rejuvenates my interest in playing guitar.
Buy concert DVDs
If you've never seen any ACDC music video or concert DVD.... then we definitely need to talk. Angus Young is an amazing guitarist and It's just amazing to see that this scrawny little Australian guy can play like he does and with such attitude and soul. Seeing that guy rip up the fret board definitely shows us that anyone can play guitar... all it takes is practice, discipline, motivation and commitment. Concert DVDs are great because they show you up close and in really good quality what exactly a guitarist is playing, unlike music videos where bands just dance around and they add in the music later. Concert DVDs are filled with raw footage of guitar playing at its best.
Always use your guitar strap
This is another biggie. When first learning how to play guitar, I never wore my guitar strap. I ended up paying for it later and basically having to relearn guitar standing up instead of sitting down. If you always play with your guitar strap on, there will be no difference to you while playing either sitting or standing. Playing with your guitar strap will also allow you to get to the "show-off" level so you can impress all your friends earlier.
A lot of people who use guitar straps find that they fall off very easy or tend to drop the guitar. There are many different types of locking mechanisms out there (I currently have two guitars that use the DiMarzio locking mechanism and it works very well)). Go to your local guitar shop and check all of them out and see which one fits you best.
Play with passion (slash)
Have you ever heard a guitar player who is a great player, but you feel that there is something missing...... THERE'S NO SOUL!!! Soul is the emotion, the love, the purpose behind guitar playing. Listen to that same talented yet boring guitar player and then compare him to Gun's and Roses guitarist or Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash. Every solo that Slash plays has so much soul, so much emotion, and so much purpose. What I want you to do is Google "Slash - Godfather theme video" or get on Napster, iTunes, kazaa, etc. and download it. This video is nuts!! Slash plays with such a great amount of solo that it's amazing. I really don't know how to explain exactly how to add soul into your playing, however I will tell you that you will understand if you choose to stick with guitar and stay committed to the instrument. It's basically playing to express yourself and not to just play because you have to or don't want to but feel you should.
Watch the clips of legendary guitar scenes or solos
Here's some instant inspiration.... Go to yahoo or Google and click on the "video" tab above the search bar and type in anything having to do with guitar solos. You will find some amazing solos along with amazing guitar tricks. One really cool guitar clip I remember is of this Asian guy playing the super Mario brothers theme for Nintendo. That guy can play that song like you wouldn’t believe. There's so much inspiring guitar playing footage out there. It's everywhere and anywhere you look, especially online. Also, checkout the movie with Ralph Maccio from the 1980's called "Crossroads"... there’s some amazing guitar playing in it.
Try tabbing out songs by ear
This is extremely helpful. Tabbing songs by ear develops your musical ear very quickly. Choose one of your favorite songs and sit next to your cd player with a guitar and a piece of paper and try to figure out the chords in the song first, and then try to figure out the riffs within the chords. Once you find out the overall "key" of the song it's easy to figure out all the riffs and chords.
Take a college music course (Beatles, history of rock and roll)
While I was at community college for two years studying to get my Associates Degree, I had taken a "History of Rock & Roll course". This course was extremely interesting. There was so much music that this class opened my eyes up to. I gained so much more appreciation for the Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and many more bands of that era. Those bands really did change music forever. I definitely recommend taking a class like this anywhere you can; it will definitely open up your eyes to some great music out there and help you grow as a musician.
Read biographies of guitarists you appreciate
Some musicians out there have led incredible lives. The majority of them come from nothing and in the end, become legendary guitar gods. Look at Johnny Cash; he was a rural country boy that grew up almost penniless and turned into an amazing musician through inspiration and practice. There are so many interesting stories behind bands and musicians. Here's some that I find interesting (off the top of my head): The Beach Boys, Def Leppard, Metallica, Van Halen, The Beatles and Thin Lizzy. Do some research online and try to mirror yourself with these artists. It will give you a whole new thought process to playing their songs and guitar in general.
"Steal" riffs and ideas from other guitarists
I know it sounds bad but every great guitarist does it. Clapton stole the "crossroad blues" from Robert Johnson and the Beatles used some of Elvis' ideas and expanded upon them. Every musical generation steals ideas, riffs, chord progressions from the generation before and when it comes to music... its ok. I find this to help guitar players progress a lot, especially if you reach a plateau. One of the biggest things that helped me expand as a guitarist is to learn all my favorite solos by my favorite artists. Once I had learned them, I would play the same solo over different progressions in the same key and then play the same solos in different keys all around the neck and in different scale positions. Once I did this, I had "unlocked" all of the licks in the solo and I'm now able to use them in whatever I play. Just like how in video games you unlock new characters, levels and secrets throughout the game... you do the same in music. From there you can constantly expand upon your lick directory.
Play in front of others
This is one of the hardest parts about performing music. Playing in front of others is something that just takes time. Remember to relax and don't think about everyone watching you. Just focus on you and the instrument. The more you play in front of others, the better you will get. Everyone's first time playing in front of others can be pretty gut wrenching. Just remember that it gets easier every time and that you'll get through it just fine. What you can also do is videotape yourself playing and then put it on the internet. Lots of people including myself put videos on Youtube.com or other online video sites and its up to the viewers to judge. Some people will rip your playing apart but most will applaud you for trying and really like it. The way I look at it... "Led Zeppelin didn't write songs that everyone liked... they left that to the Bee Gees" - Wayne Campbell (Wayne's World)
"What if I screw up"? Who cares?! In music, everyone screws up while playing music. When big bands record in studios they spend days, sometimes even weeks recording tracks so that they turn out absolutely perfect. What really creative people do when they screw up is to elaborate on the screw up. If you hit a wrong note, maybe trying hitting the note again within the rhythm of the song and maybe it will sound good.
The Internet and Youtube are valuable tools...
Eric Clapton learned guitar by listening to old Robert Johnson, BB King and many other great blues records on a turntable and then trying to mimick the same sounds on guitar. Eddie Van Halen would be in his room with his door closed for days just messing around with different sounds that a guitar can make just by moving his fingers around in different shapes and seeing what they sound like. Alex Van Halen (Eddies brother and drummer for Van Halen) would go on dates and leave the house listening to Eddie whale away at 5:00pm and then come home to Eddie still whaling away at 2:00am. These artists didn't have the internet! They had a cassette player or record player and plenty of time on their hands. We're incredibly lucky today to have such great resources like youtube.com and the internet in general. Youtube.com is great for learning how to play guitar. You can find lessons, people covering songs, tips and tricks and just about anything that you need to get off on the right foot when it comes to playing guitar. The great thing about Youtube guitar lessons is that "they get to the point". No BS. Each lesson is usually under 5 minutes and they give you great info very fast, because who wants to watch a 30 minute video. Guitarists attention spans aren't that long, I know mine isn't. And Finally, you have the internet. The internet has absolutely everything you could ever possibly need, including Youtube.com, lessons, information, ultimate-guitar.com (for tabs), guitars101.com (for any other type of help that you may need), etc. The possibilities are endless. The point is that learning guitar today is and should be way easier than learning guitar in the past due to the great resources we have.
You can learn any riff from any song no matter how crazy or how fast.... just slow it down
Any riff is learnable, you just have to slow it down to a pace that you feel comfortable with, learn it, and then gradually speed it up. There are numerous programs out there that allow you to do this. One very popular one is called Transcribe. You can import any .mp3 file and then control the speed of the song. Practice the riff over and over and gradually raise the speed. If you can't play the at a given speed, then slow it down 1%, if you can play it and feel comfortable with how you played it, raise it by 2%. Doing this will allow you to master any riff, any song, anything!
Try learning the difficult songs or riffs that you've always wanted to learn, no matter what level you are at and no matter how hard the song is...
This is what makes guitar fun, seeing your improvement (ie. Quick Results). I remember trying to play songs that were at my level when I first started playing guitar. Stuff like : The Animals - House of the Rising Son, and Don Mclean - American Pie. I could play them ok, but they weren't really songs that I had started playing guitar for. I wanted to play Metallica's fade to black and Eric Clapton's Crossroads. I put the other two songs aside and started working on the new ones that had inspired me to play guitar. I had spent weeks and months on them even though they were outside my playing level. I was determined to learn them. I kind of wanted to be one of those guys that can't play anything else, just cover songs note for note. If I couldn't play any other song aside from the super hard ones note for note, I'd be happy. So I spent so much time learning these songs, and I could play them.... ok... not great.... However, when I went back to playing House of the rising son and American Pie, I could play them 100 times better. I played them like a pro. Its kind of like.... as long as you challenge yourself, you'll get better. You play with musicians that are better than you... you'll get better. You lift more and more weight than your used to... you get stronger.
A great musician once said.....
A great musician once said that as soon as guitar becomes a chore and isn't fun, that's the moment that you should put your guitar down. Come back to it later. Now this doensn't mean that when your first learning guitar and you get frustrated, you should put it down and forget it. Sorry, this rule only applies to guitar players who are advanced or who have been playing for a while. It sucks and is frustrating for everyone at first so you have to stick with it. The overall point is, guitar playing should be fun. Don't turn it into a chore or a task.
article resources http://www.articlesbase.com
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Solo Fingerstyle Guitar Improvisation
by Gilbert Isbin
Improvising solo fingerstyle means you will have to be able to play 3 voices simultaneously at certain moments. The 3 voices are the melody (upper voice), the accompaniment (middle voice) and the bass (lower voice). Here are some steps I use to get a grip on this rather complex material.
When you want to improvise over a tune:
Play the chords in as much possible positions. Play them as closed or open voicings, and try to combine open strings and fretted ones. Keep the ground note in the bass, unless a slash chord is given.
Play the melody (single notes) in or around the chord sustained by the bass note of the chord. Keep it simple at first, using one bass note at the beginning of the measure. Playing the melody is often overlooked. That's why a lot of players don't sound melodical or musical. Too much emphasis is taken to play 'great chops'.
Add notes to or leave notes out of the melody. Play these new melodies with a one note bass at the beginning of the measure.
Add here and there in the middle voice, whenever you think it's needed, a short arpeggiation, a chord part (double stops, triads), or just one note.
When you feel comfortable (it will take some time to feel at ease, don't get impatient), try to get some movement in the bass. For instance, play 2 bass notes with half note duration with a melody only. Or play these bass notes together with a middle voice. You can also incorporate a fixed rhytmic bass figure (start with 2 note figures, then try out 3, 4, and 5 note bass combinations) throughout or during a part of the piece.
Keep in mind that when you are improvising you should not feel obliged to play all the voices together!
You might want to play a melody, an arpeggiation, a chordal part(s), a bass figure during a certain amount of time only and then continue with a melody and bass figure, or an arpeggiation that leads to a small melodic fragment, followed by the melody and accompaniment and bass part simultaneously.
Now what about spicing your 3 parts or one of them, with slurs, slides, vibratos, bends, here and there a little percussive attack, a pizzicato, etc. As you'll notice, there's a wealth of beauty to discover!
article resources http://www.wholenote.com
Improvising solo fingerstyle means you will have to be able to play 3 voices simultaneously at certain moments. The 3 voices are the melody (upper voice), the accompaniment (middle voice) and the bass (lower voice). Here are some steps I use to get a grip on this rather complex material.
When you want to improvise over a tune:
Play the chords in as much possible positions. Play them as closed or open voicings, and try to combine open strings and fretted ones. Keep the ground note in the bass, unless a slash chord is given.
Play the melody (single notes) in or around the chord sustained by the bass note of the chord. Keep it simple at first, using one bass note at the beginning of the measure. Playing the melody is often overlooked. That's why a lot of players don't sound melodical or musical. Too much emphasis is taken to play 'great chops'.
Add notes to or leave notes out of the melody. Play these new melodies with a one note bass at the beginning of the measure.
Add here and there in the middle voice, whenever you think it's needed, a short arpeggiation, a chord part (double stops, triads), or just one note.
When you feel comfortable (it will take some time to feel at ease, don't get impatient), try to get some movement in the bass. For instance, play 2 bass notes with half note duration with a melody only. Or play these bass notes together with a middle voice. You can also incorporate a fixed rhytmic bass figure (start with 2 note figures, then try out 3, 4, and 5 note bass combinations) throughout or during a part of the piece.
Keep in mind that when you are improvising you should not feel obliged to play all the voices together!
You might want to play a melody, an arpeggiation, a chordal part(s), a bass figure during a certain amount of time only and then continue with a melody and bass figure, or an arpeggiation that leads to a small melodic fragment, followed by the melody and accompaniment and bass part simultaneously.
Now what about spicing your 3 parts or one of them, with slurs, slides, vibratos, bends, here and there a little percussive attack, a pizzicato, etc. As you'll notice, there's a wealth of beauty to discover!
article resources http://www.wholenote.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Different Types of Guitars
by: Patrick Carpen
The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments, and it has earned a world-wide fame throughout the decades for its melodious sound and tone. These amazing instruments are found in a wide variety of sound quality, playability, and in terms of overall appearance. There are different types of guitars, each of which are chosen depending on certain factors and convenience of the professional guitarist, or the aspiring guitar players.
The first major variety in the list of the many types of guitar includes the Acoustic guitar. There are scores of guitars under the brand Acoustic, varying widely from one another. An acoustic guitar is made of a wooden structure, fixed with a soundboard, and it is free from any external inclusion. The sound emerging from this category of guitars is generally softer than the other instruments included in the orchestra bands. However, they can be accordingly amplified and modified with the needs and requirements of the musician or that of the band. There is, again, a broader variety of these acoustics that include classical and flamenco guitars, steel string guitars, and many more to be discussed. The category extends to both amplified and non-amplified guitars that are used in the different registers, such as the acoustic bass guitar.
Designed exclusively for the execution of a solo polyphonic melody, the magical guitar produces music similar to that of a pianoforte. The finely placed nylon strings on the guitar sound melodious with any music, from jazz to classical. The modern forms of classical guitars were pioneered by Antonio Torres Jurado. There is a roster of classical guitars classified distinctively according to their functions and usages. These include the tiny requinto, the larger guitarron, and many more. The requinto is a well-famed type, found mostly in the Latin-American nations as an associated part of the guitar family.
There are also the more reformed and simplified versions of the classical guitars. The Renaissance and Baroque guitars are smaller in size and are comprised of only four to five courses of strings attached to it. Often used in an ensemble for rhythmic purposes, these two types are quite common in musical performances. While the Renaissance guitar is comparatively simple and plain, the Baroque guitar comes highly embellished in the on its entire structure including the neck and body.
Included among the many other guitar types are the Portuguese guitars, the twelve-string guitars, which are exclusively meant for their traditional Fado song, the Archtop guitars, the Flat-top (steel-string) guitars, the traditional seven-string Russian guitars with an open G major tuning, Acoustic bass guitars, Tenor guitars, Harp guitars, the smaller Guitar battente, extended-range guitars, and the resonator, resophonic, or Dobro guitars.
The electric guitars have become one of the most common and significantly used instruments in any musical ensemble or performance. These guitars basically use electronic pick-ups to amplify the sound and vibration of the strings. They come in a solid or semi-solid structure, and do not use much of the body structure to produce sound. They use amplifiers to produce the maximum amount of sound that is emitted from the instrument.
About The Author
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/
The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments, and it has earned a world-wide fame throughout the decades for its melodious sound and tone. These amazing instruments are found in a wide variety of sound quality, playability, and in terms of overall appearance. There are different types of guitars, each of which are chosen depending on certain factors and convenience of the professional guitarist, or the aspiring guitar players.
The first major variety in the list of the many types of guitar includes the Acoustic guitar. There are scores of guitars under the brand Acoustic, varying widely from one another. An acoustic guitar is made of a wooden structure, fixed with a soundboard, and it is free from any external inclusion. The sound emerging from this category of guitars is generally softer than the other instruments included in the orchestra bands. However, they can be accordingly amplified and modified with the needs and requirements of the musician or that of the band. There is, again, a broader variety of these acoustics that include classical and flamenco guitars, steel string guitars, and many more to be discussed. The category extends to both amplified and non-amplified guitars that are used in the different registers, such as the acoustic bass guitar.
Designed exclusively for the execution of a solo polyphonic melody, the magical guitar produces music similar to that of a pianoforte. The finely placed nylon strings on the guitar sound melodious with any music, from jazz to classical. The modern forms of classical guitars were pioneered by Antonio Torres Jurado. There is a roster of classical guitars classified distinctively according to their functions and usages. These include the tiny requinto, the larger guitarron, and many more. The requinto is a well-famed type, found mostly in the Latin-American nations as an associated part of the guitar family.
There are also the more reformed and simplified versions of the classical guitars. The Renaissance and Baroque guitars are smaller in size and are comprised of only four to five courses of strings attached to it. Often used in an ensemble for rhythmic purposes, these two types are quite common in musical performances. While the Renaissance guitar is comparatively simple and plain, the Baroque guitar comes highly embellished in the on its entire structure including the neck and body.
Included among the many other guitar types are the Portuguese guitars, the twelve-string guitars, which are exclusively meant for their traditional Fado song, the Archtop guitars, the Flat-top (steel-string) guitars, the traditional seven-string Russian guitars with an open G major tuning, Acoustic bass guitars, Tenor guitars, Harp guitars, the smaller Guitar battente, extended-range guitars, and the resonator, resophonic, or Dobro guitars.
The electric guitars have become one of the most common and significantly used instruments in any musical ensemble or performance. These guitars basically use electronic pick-ups to amplify the sound and vibration of the strings. They come in a solid or semi-solid structure, and do not use much of the body structure to produce sound. They use amplifiers to produce the maximum amount of sound that is emitted from the instrument.
About The Author
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Electric Guitar Buying Guide
by: Ek Lucktong
So, you’re looking to buy your first electric guitar for yourself, or perhaps a gift for a young budding musician. Buying your first guitar can seem like a daunting task. With so many different brands and models available today it can be difficult to decide which guitar to purchase. Here are some helpful tips to help you make the best choice.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for new guitar players to start out with a good quality instrument that is easy to play. Electric guitars, in general, are easier to play than acoustic guitars because of their lighter gauge strings and lower playing action. They require much less hand strength to fret the strings and are much easier on beginner’s uncalloused fingers. A quality guitar will assure maximum comfort and ease-of-play while beginners are starting out. Otherwise, young players can easily get discouraged with an instrument that is hard to play and painful on their fingers.
For consistency in quality I would recommend sticking with a well-known brand name guitar rather than a cheap knock-off or reproduction. Spend a little more money to invest in a quality instrument. Many of the bigger guitar brand names will offer affordable lines of guitars specifically targeting beginners. For example, the Fender guitar company offers their Squire line of guitars. The Gibson guitar company has their Epiphone guitar models. These guitars look and play like their more expensive counterparts but are much more affordable, often hundreds to thousands of dollars less. Other popular brands such as Ibanez, Jackson, BC Rich, Gretsch, and many others offer lower-end affordable models alongside their premiere models. Good brand name guitars will also hold their value should you ever want to sell them.
Consider buying a used guitar. Unlike computers or electronics used and older guitars don’t become obsolete. You can find some fantastic deals on lightly used guitars that may have some light cosmetic signs of wear but will perform just as well as a new instrument. Some people even feel that a used guitar has been ‘worn in’ and will play even better than a new one. Most of these guitars will have already been set up properly and ready for play. Another advantage of buying used guitars is that you may find instruments that have been upgraded by their former owners: new pickups, strap locks, and custom graphics to name a few.
Another great option in guitar value is to consider Factory 2nd and refurbished guitars. These guitars may have slight cosmetic blemishes or factory repairs that prevent them from being sold as new instrument. They usually sell for significant discounts from their new counterparts. Besides minor blemishes you are practically getting a brand new guitar.
Seek the advice of someone you may know who plays guitar. Most experienced players will be familiar with the various brand names and can help guide you in your decision. Guitarists love to talk about guitars, and this is a great way to get some honest advice without the pressure of the salesman pitch.
Follow these tips and you’re sure to find an affordable, great quality guitar that will provide you with reliable performance and music for years to come. Visit http://www.2ndstringguitars.com/ for the best value in new and used guitars, factory 2nds, and refurbished instruments at cheap guitar prices.
E. Lucktong
About The Author
E. Lucktong is an avid guitar player and performer with over 20 years of experience. Visit http://www.2ndstringguitars.com for great values in new and used guitars, factory 2nds and refurbished guitars, and vintages.
So, you’re looking to buy your first electric guitar for yourself, or perhaps a gift for a young budding musician. Buying your first guitar can seem like a daunting task. With so many different brands and models available today it can be difficult to decide which guitar to purchase. Here are some helpful tips to help you make the best choice.
I can’t stress enough how important it is for new guitar players to start out with a good quality instrument that is easy to play. Electric guitars, in general, are easier to play than acoustic guitars because of their lighter gauge strings and lower playing action. They require much less hand strength to fret the strings and are much easier on beginner’s uncalloused fingers. A quality guitar will assure maximum comfort and ease-of-play while beginners are starting out. Otherwise, young players can easily get discouraged with an instrument that is hard to play and painful on their fingers.
For consistency in quality I would recommend sticking with a well-known brand name guitar rather than a cheap knock-off or reproduction. Spend a little more money to invest in a quality instrument. Many of the bigger guitar brand names will offer affordable lines of guitars specifically targeting beginners. For example, the Fender guitar company offers their Squire line of guitars. The Gibson guitar company has their Epiphone guitar models. These guitars look and play like their more expensive counterparts but are much more affordable, often hundreds to thousands of dollars less. Other popular brands such as Ibanez, Jackson, BC Rich, Gretsch, and many others offer lower-end affordable models alongside their premiere models. Good brand name guitars will also hold their value should you ever want to sell them.
Consider buying a used guitar. Unlike computers or electronics used and older guitars don’t become obsolete. You can find some fantastic deals on lightly used guitars that may have some light cosmetic signs of wear but will perform just as well as a new instrument. Some people even feel that a used guitar has been ‘worn in’ and will play even better than a new one. Most of these guitars will have already been set up properly and ready for play. Another advantage of buying used guitars is that you may find instruments that have been upgraded by their former owners: new pickups, strap locks, and custom graphics to name a few.
Another great option in guitar value is to consider Factory 2nd and refurbished guitars. These guitars may have slight cosmetic blemishes or factory repairs that prevent them from being sold as new instrument. They usually sell for significant discounts from their new counterparts. Besides minor blemishes you are practically getting a brand new guitar.
Seek the advice of someone you may know who plays guitar. Most experienced players will be familiar with the various brand names and can help guide you in your decision. Guitarists love to talk about guitars, and this is a great way to get some honest advice without the pressure of the salesman pitch.
Follow these tips and you’re sure to find an affordable, great quality guitar that will provide you with reliable performance and music for years to come. Visit http://www.2ndstringguitars.com/ for the best value in new and used guitars, factory 2nds, and refurbished instruments at cheap guitar prices.
E. Lucktong
About The Author
E. Lucktong is an avid guitar player and performer with over 20 years of experience. Visit http://www.2ndstringguitars.com for great values in new and used guitars, factory 2nds and refurbished guitars, and vintages.
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