By changing the playing style, the sound of a guitar can be significantly influenced. The following section will highlight the differences between various playing techniques, particularly the differences between different picking and fingerstyle playing.
The electric guitar offers a wide range of playing styles that significantly affect both the technique and the sound. The use of picks as opposed to fingerstyle technique results in notable differences in tone and expression, influenced by various physical mechanisms.
Fingerstyle: When playing fingerstyle, the strings are plucked or strummed with the fingers, producing a softer and more nuanced sound. Fingers allow for more individual control over each string, leading to dynamic and expressive playing. Playing closer to the guitar bridge creates a brighter tone, while playing near the neck produces warmer tones. Additionally, the larger contact area of the fingers results in a sound with a muted overtone structure when compared to a picked string.
Pick Playing:
The pick produces clear, precise tones through the quick striking of the strings. The hard surface of the pick creates a sharp attack on the strings. The tonal characteristics are influenced by the attack strength, the material of the pick, and the angle of the strike. For more details, see: Pick Comparison.
The comparison begins with the neck pickup, followed by the middle pickup, and finally the bridge pickup. Plek_Winkel_DI-Box.wav Guitar: Fender Stratocaster (made in Mexico), Guitarist: Phillip Wisser
Common Playing Techniques
Power Chords
Power chords are simple chords consisting of the root and a fifth, widely used in rock and metal.
Bending and Vibrato
Bending strings and applying vibrato are common expressive techniques in soloing, especially in genres like rock and blues.
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs
Hammer-ons and pull-offs allow for adding extra notes while playing and are fundamental techniques for lead guitar parts.
Palm Muting
Palm muting produces a muted, percussive sound and is often used in rhythm parts of metal and rock songs.
Pickslanting
The angle at which the pick is held against the string, affecting the attack and tone.
Alternate Picking
This technique involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes, a basic method for precise and fast playing.
Tapping
Tapping involves striking the strings with fingers to produce notes, commonly used in virtuosic solos like Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption."
Whammy Bar (Tremolo Arm) Techniques:
The tremolo arm is used for bends, dips, and vibrato effects, a hallmark in rock, hard rock, and metal.
String Bending and Pre-Bending:
Bending strings alters the pitch, while pre-bending involves bending the string before striking it.
Sweep Picking:
Sweep picking is a technique for smooth arpeggios and solos, especially in shredding and progressive metal genres.
Pinch Harmonics:
By plucking the string at a specific angle, harmonic overtones are produced, often used for expressive sounds in rock and metal.
Legato Playing:
Legato involves playing smoothly without re-striking the string, incorporating hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Dive Bombs:
Dramatic pitch drops of all strings by pushing the tremolo arm down, commonly featured in heavy metal solos.
Sources:
Guitar World: Power Chords, Guide to Bending, Tapping Techniques, Introduction to Sweep Picking, Legato Techniques, Dive Bombs
Guitar Techniques: Hammer-ons and Pull-offs, Bending and Pre-Bending, Pinch Harmonics
