Trick Guitar tone

If you're looking to acquire skills and that are common to most guitarists like learning common guitar chords, you're thinking on the right track. With millions of songs out there, having a knowledge of the most common chords that guitarists use will open the door to the majority of those songs.

Deciding what the most common guitar chords used is kind of relative. I mean, you can't really take a poll or anything because new songs are being created every single day. So, here's a short list of what I personally think are the most common. Feel free to leave a comment with your opinion as well.

What are they? (in my opinion)

The Chords: 'C', 'D', 'A', 'Am', 'E', 'Em', 'G', and 'F'

e--|--0--|--3--|--0--|--0--|--0--|--0--|--3--|--1--|
b--|--1--|--2--|--2--|--1--|--0--|--0--|--3--|--1--|
g--|--0--|--3--|--2--|--2--|--0--|--1--|--0--|--2--|
D--|--2--|--0--|--2--|--2--|--2--|--2--|--0--|--3--|
A--|--3--|--x--|--0--|--0--|--2--|--2--|--2--|--x--|
E--|--x--|--x--|--x--|--x--|--0--|--0--|--3--|--x--|

Even you're not that proficient at forming chords just yet, you'll need to practice up. Even though these are common guitar chords, orienting and reorienting three or even four fingers is common.

What are some songs these are in?

These common guitar chords are used in tons of classic rock and acoustic guitar tunes. If you're trying to find them in metal or hardcore song, try again.

Just a few songs and bands that use common guitar chords:

• Most songs by AC/DC including "Back in Black" and "Shook Me All Night Long"
• Tom Petty songs including "Mary Jane's Last Dance"
• Green Day's "Good Riddance"
• Oasis's "Wonderwall" (chord variations are used)
• Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"

Again, these are just a few, but do some study and find what songs are easy to play with these chords and you might be able to get away with a small set without learning too many more.

As much as you might search for speed guitar techniques to increase your playing speed, it's actually kind of hard to find for free. I mean, there's a few little hints here and there about getting faster and getting more speed, but finding the proper technique without forking over some dough is tough.

That's why it's always fascinated me when I would view some of my close friends in my age group (20-25) who can shred like nobody's business. Their technique and speed on the guitar is absolutely amazing and they always say, "Um, yea... I taught myself."

I don't know about you, but I find that amazing.

It's rare when people actually have the drive within them to reach new levels with their skills and abilities, and learning new techniques to improve your speed on the guitar is the same way.

Here's an articles that I recently wrote about gaining more speed on the guitar:

Speed Guitar Techniques - Playing To A Faster Speed With Easy Tips

And I want you to know that a lot of what I've gathered in this article is from observation and being able to pry some information from fast guitarists that I know about their personal speed guitar techniques.

If you've been to any sort of punk rock or post-hardcore show within the last 10 years, you've probably seen someone perform a guitar whip. There really isn't that much too it to be honest. Seriously, here are the steps:

1. Take hold of your guitar.
2. Throw it over your shoulder.
3. Have it land in the starting position.

Now, when you read that guitar whip process, it might sound easy, but SO much can go wrong. haha I'll bet that you've seen a guitar whip completely bomb at one time or another as well. I know that I have.

That's because there are a few safety precautions and tips that you should follow if you're actually attempting this seriously dangerous action. (As you can tell, I'm kind of anti-guitar whip)

But here are some tips on attempting to complete a guitar whip safely:

* You need a locking guitar strap and a strap lock to install into your guitar.

I actually have a post on Locking Guitar Straps where I mention their use. But this allows you to keep your strap on the guitar when a lot of pressure is applied like the force of whipping the guitar over your shoulder.

* Start by practicing outside.

Really, you don't want to bang your guitar's neck off of your dresser or the couch, so just go where there's nothing to hit. Whip that thing around in the middle of your back yard where there's nothing to worry about but some soft grass.

Yea, you might look like a weirdo, but you won't damage your furniture.

* Stand up straight. Never slouch.

Leaning over by only a few inches can mean the difference between a safe guitar and broken one. You lean over 4 inches and you might see that guitar neck pile-driving right into the ground. My point = stand up as straight as you can when doing it.

* There are two ways to go.

Imagining that you're standing there with your guitar on the strap, on your shoulder (assuming you don't have a left-handed guitar) the most common way I've observed guitarists throwing their instrument is by pushing the bottom with their right hand across and up over the front of the body, behind the back, and back into the starting position.

This direction is OK for light instruments only! You'll know if you have a light guitar. Fender-style guitars that are easy to move around with are fine for that direction.

Now, the other direction that is executed by placing both hands on the guitar neck. Put your right hand where the body of the guitar meets the neck and the left hand farther up on the fret board.

Actually bring the guitar up higher across your front so you can get some momentum, then push downwards to force the guitar underneath your right arm pit, up behind your back, over your left shoulder, and back to the starting position.

So why is this way so much better for heavier guitars?

Well actually, going across the front is fighting the weight balance of your guitar. By going behind your back instead of across the front first, you can use the weight of the guitar body to guide your whip in a smoother and faster motion.

Watch out though. I've seen more than one guy take a heavy guitar like a Les Paul, swing it behind his back only for it to come and nail him in the back of the head. Which brings us to our next tip...

* When whipping the guitar reversely under the arm pit, watch your head!

You might nail yourself pretty hard if you're not being mindful where the path of your guitar is headed. Either keep your head down or guide your swing into a broader path that is more likely to miss your noggin.

I've mentioned before that I really don't condone the guitar whip. I think that it's a great thrill to watch, but I just can't get myself to put my dear guitar into that sort of peril.

Maybe when the day comes that I can afford to trash anything I want knowing that I can replace it the next day, I might have a new opinion. Until then, I'll keep the guitar whips to the braver guys.

There usually comes a point when a guitarist tires of learning the same old boring chords and scales and just wants their electric guitar to go...well...fast. I mean, learning to play fast electric guitar has its advantages of course.

• Bands will recognize you as a marketable musician. (making you more valuable)
• Improvement on your skills appears quicker.
• You'll have more confidence learning new guitar tunes.
• Depending on your band, you could potentially change the whole song creation process.

Seriously, I look at a good fast electric guitarist with awe and just think, "holy cow." It's a good goal to have, and all you need is some patience and a little bit of practice each day.

Check out this new article that I wrote on the subject of learning to play Fast Electric Guitar.

How to palm-mute strings on the guitar is a very standard skill that every beginning guitarist should know since it's so fundamental in its inclusion of most guitar tunes. As fundamental as it might appear however, how to use palm-muting efficiently and tastefully might be a little harder to grasp than the actual execution.

I don't think there are hardly any tunes created recently where palm-muting hasn't been used. It's a very popular skill to fit into any song, and lucky for you, palm-muting is not difficult learning how to do it.

What is guitar palm-muting?

Palm-muting is the idea of using your strumming hand to strike the strings on the guitar while preventing a full vibration at the same time. It's a very distinct sound how the strings create a short staccato-like hit when used with an electric guitar.

Most of the time, palm-muting the strings is easier to distinguish on electric guitars because of the amplification of the equipment, but acoustic guitar players that value a very percussive aspect of their performance figure ways how to fit palm-muting into their live shows to keep better time.

Where is palm-muting used?

It's almost impossible to think of how palm-muting isn't used actually. This technique is used in verses, choruses, mellow introductions, and even bridges and codas of almost any song that you listen to involving a guitar.

This goes for just about any genre as well. It's obviously prominent in rock and metal, but I've heard it used in jazz, blues, gospel, and even classical guitar tunes.

Now, there's no hard and fast rule about how palm-muting should be inserted into any created song, but using it tastefully is key. If an entire song contains palm-muted sections, the song lacks some luster and appeal by losing its surprise factor.

So, how do you do it?

How to palm mute is actually very easy.

Take your strumming hand and place it near the pickups, but resting on the strings that you intend to play for the moment. Then simply take the pick and sweep through the muted strings.

It's a pretty distinct sound when you execute it, but again... not difficult. There are a number of ways how palm-muting can be altered by increasing or decreasing the pressure on the muted strings, but that only really applies to electric guitar.

Learning how to palm-mute is a fast skill that you can pick up in seconds, but don't wear it out. If you're a songwriter, place it in your guitar tunes tastefully so as not to lose your song's appeal.

But, be excited that you've learned a new skill because this one is in about 99% of songs!

Overall: 3.2/5

The Yamaha Pacifica was the first electric guitar that I owned and in review, it treated me very well. For a beginning guitar, the Yamaha Pacifica gave me more power and tone than I expected, but this review will tell you that keeping it as a permanent addition to your guitar collection may not be the best decision to make.

Features: 5/5

Most guitars these days are born (manufactured...whatever) with a volume and tone knob corresponding to how many pickups there are. The Yamaha Pacifica has one pick up and it works very well.

I don't like to give away all of the good stuff, but the Pacifica's body has a slot for a whammy bar. I'm not going to trash Yamaha's guitar in the features sections only because this set up is what I'm used to and I don't require anything else to play the darn thing.

Ease of Use: 3/5

The strings on the guitar are a little high for adequate playing action. The tailpiece has always looked to me like it's incapable of being adjusted (I'm sure I don't know what I'm talking about) so I've never had it looked at.

In other reviews on the Yamaha Pacifica you'll find similar claims how the strings are not easy to press down to the frets and that means more work to learn licks.

Tone: 3/5

Now, I'm not going to lie and say that the Pacifica by Yamaha has a completely terrible tone, but it's nothing to throw a party over either. Personally (just my opinion) I'm more convinced that most of the tone comes from your electric amplifier.

However, I can tell a definite difference between the Pacifica and my Epiphone Les Paul Custom. But, the Yamah's tone is decent enough for any beginner to appreciate.

Sustain: 2/5

The Yamaha Pacifica doesn't have the best sustain. I've noticed there to be gaps in between the neck and body that could substantially alter the length of sustain on the instrument.

Dependability: 4/5

I've had this guitar for seven years now and the only thing I've had to replace on the Yamaha Pacifica was the guitar input jack. I'm happy to announce that it's very dependable on and off stage otherwise.

Conclusion:

The Yamaha Pacifica is a pretty nice thing to start with for awhile. It can really get you excited about playing and hearing an adequate tone from your amplifier that will motivate you to keep going.

However, the difficulty of pressing down on the strings and some minor craftsmanship issues coerces me to recommend this guitar for beginner use only. By the time you figure out all the subtitles of the guitar, you should recognize it's time to get another one anyway.

Playing the guitar live in front of people is a completely different game than in your bedroom by yourself. There never comes a time where your pillow or clothes on the floor are going to laugh or say something negative at you while your strumming.

(Unless your home is possessed?...)

But, playing guitar in coffee shops and open mike nights is a great way to ease your mind on the idea of playing live.

For guitarists that have never been to an open mike night, you simply add your name to a list of performers, they call your name when it's your turn, and then you play for up to 20 minutes. It's a simple system, but it works.

The best part about playing at coffee shops and open mike nights are how generally supportive the people are.

You're not going to be booed off or pelted with raw vegetables, but you'll always receive a smile and a good amount of applause when you're done. Bring a friend out and the both of you can have some silly fun up on stage.

I mean, it's really great to be able to play the guitar, but sharing your talent with others is what turns your talent into a musical contribution to society. And you're not trying to be a free-loader are you? That's what I thought.