Transcript ELECTRIC GUITAR WORKSHOP

ELECTRIC GUITAR
WORKSHOP
1.GEAR
A.PICKUPS
Humbucking - Humbuckers are essentially 2 single
coil pickups that share a large magnet at their base.
Each coil of a humbucker is wrapped differently, so
that the signals they create cancel each other out. The
only purpose in creating humbuckers was to "buck"
the hum that single coils created
single coil- half a humbucker…
1.GEAR
NECK & BRIDGE pickups:
Neck pickups - will sound warmer and deeper
Bridge pickups - will be have more high end
Different guitars have different pickup combinations,
some have 2 some have 3 some have more…
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Some examples…
1.GEAR
B. WOOD - The type of wood your guitar is made of
will affect your tone, and sustain.
(Ex Mahogany: It’s constant density compresses the mids a little, and
this can be considered a thick sound, because it does still produce
good lows and low mids.
Mahogany: It’s constant density compresses the mids a little, and this
can be considered a thick sound, because it does still produce good
lows and low mids.. )
Some necks are bolted on some are glued and
attached. This also affects tone and sustain.
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C. STRING GAUGE: Light, medium, heavy etc.
Basically just describes how easy they are to bend.
The lighter you go the easier they bend, but go too
light and you sacrifice sustain and tone.
D. CABLES – no need for super $, but don’t cheap out
either...they do make a difference.
1.GEAR
E. PEDALS/EFFECTS
Types of pedals + order of typical placement (unless
you have multi-effects):
1. Dynamic Range – Compression
2. EQ – Wah wah Pedal, Equalizer
3. Drive – Overdrive, Distortion, Fuzz
4. Modulation – Phaser, Flanger, Chorus
5. Time-Based – Reverb, Delay
1.GEAR
F. AMPS - Types of amps:
Solid State Vs. Tube
Solid State amplifiers rely on transistors, and
sometimes software, to provide the tone. Can sound
harsh.
Tube amplifiers use a series of old fashioned tubes to
provide power, distortion, and tone. Generally have
much better tone (warmer and more natural)
1.GEAR
GEAR ISN’T EVERYTHING!
HAHA, I’m one to talk:P Ok maybe it is a portion of
it; but, seriously when you’re a guitarist you’re
always eyeing something.
Owning gear, isn’t the cool part of being a guitarist.
Practicing and actually being able to play that nice
piece of gear is what you’re aiming for here.
2.ELECTRIC IN WORSHIP
First things first …attitude towards service.
Why am I playing the electric guitar during worship?
Who am I playing for?
Am I helping add to the worship atmosphere, or am I
taking away from it?
2.ELECTRIC IN WORSHIP
After your attitude is right, next step…
TUNE YOUR INSTRUMENT. Nothing sounds worse
than an out of tune guitar.
Next check your levels; amp, and pedals if you have
them.
You don’t want a volume surprise during worship time.
KNOW YOUR GEAR
2.ELECTRIC IN WORSHIP
The role of the electric guitar in worship. The guitar is
one of the most versatile instruments, so it can be
used for many different purposes within a band.
- adds energy, articulation, can be used as
lead/melodic or rhythm instrument
-You can even play the bass line and melody at the
same time, like you would on piano
Generally the electric is reserved as a
background/lead instrument.
2.ELECTRIC IN WORSHIP
Tones you may use in contemporary worship music:
-Clean
-Clean with delay/reverb
-overdriven
-overdriven with delay
FIND YOUR UNIQUE TONE! – From your gear to your
finger tips.
3. TECHNICALITY
Some times less is more …sometimes more is more :)
Listen to the song and the rest of your band
Practice at home so you are comfortable playing live
3. TECHNICALITY
Basic things to help your electric playing:
A. RHYTHM – with any instrument. If you don’t play in
time with the music, and the rest of the band, it
becomes a distraction during service.
One helpful tool is to practice playing/strumming guitar
and tapping your foot at the same time ( or better yet
to a metronome). Practice playing leads if you are
comfortable while tapping your foot. Practice different
time signatures (eg. 4/4, 3/4)
3. TECHNICALITY
B. DYNAMICS – Just like rhythm, Dynamics is one thing
universal to all instrument playing. If you don’t change dynamics
while you play your instrument can sound robotic…kinda like
those midi cell phone ringtones. In dynamics I am mainly talking
about volume in this case. Following are other examples which
can make your playing more dynamic.
3. TECHNICALITY
C. PICKING – Don’t overlook the right hand’s
importance. Practice different picking exercises. Try to
get comfortable with alternate picking. (changing your
direction of stroke each stroke.) Practice until you are
able to pick the desired string without looking at your
right hand.
Tip: Picking movement should all be in the wrist and
fingers…not the whole forearm
3. TECHNICALITY
D. PALM MUTING – exactly that, putting the strings
with your palm
E. HAMMER ONs and PULL OFFS – Play note,
hammer on with next finger. Pull offs, Play a note then
release finger to fretted note below it.
F. BENDS – Try bending up to a note, or bending
down to a note. It makes it more interesting. Even try
sliding to a desired note.
3. TECHNICALITY
G. FRETBOARD – Try and memorize all the notes on your fret board.
H. SCALES – Learn different scales (major, pentatonic, minor
etc)
I. CHORDS - Learn your chords so you can switch between chords
effortlessly, and on the fly. Learn each chord in more than one position
on the neck. This will allow you to add more variety to the song. (eg, if
the leader is playing acoustic guitar you can play the same chord in
another voicing to accent the chord, without chord overkill)
Octaves can be a good substitute for chords, on lead guitar
3. TECHNICALITY
J. MICING YOUR AMP – Generally you mic the
electric amp, and feed that through the PA system.
Your amp therein becomes your personal monitor.
FIND YOUR UNIQUE STYLE!
Now you have covered the basic techniques you
might come across in a worship setting. Now GO
PRACTICE :)
4. TIPS PLAYING LIVE
In contemporary worship music there are a lot of easy
tricks you can use to help add to the worship atmosphere.
A. ATMOSPHERE - Delay, and reverb effects can help a
lot to add ‘atmosphere’ and fill the empty space sonically.
B. REPETITION - Use repeating themes (leads) for certain
sections. (Ex. Have the same riff played throughout the
verses of the song. Use the same rhythm strum at chorus.
Etc.)
4. TIPS PLAYING LIVE
C. COMPARE & CONTRAST - Listen to what the other
musicians are doing, can you do something to accent,
harmonize, or contrast it (in a way that makes it more
interesting, either rhythmically or with a riff)?
D. INTENSITY - Look at the song as a journey. Where
does the song to peak (volume, and intensity wise)? Pick
your places to play. Overplaying can crowd a song. Ex..( If
you play ALL OUT during the verse; then, when you want
to build in the chorus you will have no room to build on)
4. TIPS PLAYING LIVE
E. MAD SKILLS - Work on your weaknesses at home,
and practice your strengths during worship. Playing live is
one of the best chances you will get to practice/perfect
your art.
F. SOLOS – If it is an upbeat song it will probably be faster
and more intense, or in a slower song maybe the lead in
melody before it begins, or during the middle in a reflective
portion of the song. Solos generally build in intensity to a
climax, kind of like a story.
4. TIPS PLAYING LIVE
I. IMPROVISATION – This might not be for everyone,
but once you are comfortable and confident in knowing
your fret board, and scales, you can try improvising on
the fly along to music.
Usually you may improvise leads, but you can chord on
the fly too if you know your notes, and come up with
your own chords. It’s important to listen to the band
while you improvise, remember your goal is to add to
the worship atmosphere, not take away from it.
4. TIPS PLAYING LIVE
H. FOCUS – Playing live, it is really easy to get caught
up in just that…PLAYING. Try and be prepared enough,
that you can play, and worship God at the same time.
That will require a certain amount of preparation in
advance so you are not freaking out worrying about the
next note, at every note.
4. TIPS PLAYING LIVE
THROW THE MUSICIAN PRIDE OUT! You will most
likely get feedback, whether that is positive or negative,
but don’t let that become your focus; instead let it be
constructive. Take it as it is and move on.
fin*
Q&A
Ask away :)