Plectrums
It’s funny how the smallest part of your guitar kit can significantly impact your playing style and sound.
The first thing to consider when choosing a guitar pick is the thickness or gauge. This is measured in millimetres and can range from thin (0.38 mm) to thick (1.5 mm). Thinner picks are more flexible and produce a softer sound, while thicker picks offer more resistance and produce a more percussive sound.
Of course, if you are a bass player, you will want to look at the thicker end of the pick market!
If you are a beginner or prefer strumming chords, a thinner pick may be a better choice. However, if you prefer playing lead guitar or need more control over your picking, a thicker pick may be more suitable. This is a very loose rule and there are also lead guitarist who like thin picks to give then increase speed across the strings.
The shape of the pick is another important factor to consider. Standard guitar picks are triangular in shape, but there are also teardrop, jazz, and pointed picks available.
Shape can impact sound to some extent, but its really about personal preference and comfort. For example, teardrop-shaped picks are ideal for playing fast arpeggios, while pointed picks are suitable for precise picking and lead guitar playing.
The material of the pick can also affect your sound. Plastic is the most common material for picks, but there are also metal, wood, and even bone picks available. Each material produces a slightly different sound, so it’s worth experimenting to find what works best for you.
Famously, Brian May of Queen uses an old sixpenny piece as a pick. This gives that incredible scratchy metallic sound that he achieves, although it must be fairly heavy on the strings.
Finally, consider the texture of the pick. Some picks have a smooth surface, while others have a grip-enhancing texture. Textured picks can help prevent slipping and improve accuracy.
All in all pick selection is very personal, but happily they’re not too expensive and the experimentation is really the key to finding what suits you.
Tuners:
There is nothing more fundamental to getting a good guitar sound than being in tune! As long as the guitar is tuned, even strumming open strings sounds quite nice.
Gone are the days when players had to tune by ear or use pitch pipes which are generally awful, and the harder you blow them the more the reference pitch changes, which rather defeats the object.
There are several types of tuners available on the market. The most common type is the electronic tuner, which uses a microphone or a pickup to detect the pitch of each string.
Electronic tuners are convenient and easy to use, making them ideal for beginners and experienced players alike. They come in a variety of designs, including clip-on tuners, pedal tuners, and handheld tuners.
Another type of tuner is the chromatic tuner, which can tune any note on the guitar, not just the standard tuning notes. Chromatic tuners are ideal for players who use alternate tunings or play in different keys. They can be found in both electronic and pedal form.
There are also tuner apps for your smartphone, which are free, but these do not lend themselves to band environment but are fine for home use.
Whilst accuracy is important, most electronic tuners are actually quite accurate probably more so than tuning by ear. The thing to consider is the display and how user friendly that is in any particular environment. For example, a tiny display is going to be useless for a gigging musician in a dimly lit club.
In summary, guitar tuners are essential tools for any guitar player. When choosing a tuner, consider your playing style and needs, as well as the accuracy and features of the tuner. With the right tuner, you can ensure that your guitar sounds its best, whether you’re practicing at home or performing on stage.
Effects Pedals: Personalizing Your Sound
Effects pedals have come to be critical for guitarists looking to personalize their sound.
By adding effects such as distortion, chorus, delay, and reverb, guitarists can create unique tones and textures that help them stand out from the crowd.
One of the fundamental pedal effects is reverb. This simulates the natural reverberation of a room and is one of the earliest effects adopted by guitarists, often finding a basic reverb integral with an amplifier.
Reverb pedals add depth and dimension to your sound, simulating the acoustic properties of different environments, from small rooms to large concert halls. They are especially useful for Studios, or live environments with a particularly dead acoustic. Reverb can make a guitar sound bigger, haunting and be very immersive for the listener.
There are several different types of reverb pedals available, each with their own unique sound.
Plate reverb pedals simulate the sound of the original studio reverb effects that worked by using a large metal plate, while spring reverb pedals simulate the sound of a spring tank.
When choosing a reverb pedal, consider your playing style and needs. If you play in a band, you may want a reverb pedal that can cut through the mix and provide a more defined sound. If you play solo or in a smaller ensemble, longer decay times may be more suitable, as there are less instruments and sounds to compete with, so cluttering the overall sound mix is less of an issue.
In addition to reverb pedals, there are several other types of effects pedals that can be used to personalize your sound.
Overdrive pedals add a warm and gritty distortion to your sound, while chorus pedals add a subtle, shimmering effect. Delay pedals create an echo effect, allowing you to play repeated notes and phrases, while wah-wah pedals create a distinctive filtering effect that can be used for funky rhythms and solos.
In conclusion, effects pedals are an essential tool for guitarists. Whether you’re using a reverb pedal to add depth and dimension or a delay pedal to create an echo effect, effects pedals can help you stand out and create a unique sound.
Experiment with different pedals to find what works best for your playing style, and don’t be afraid to try new things. With the right effects pedals, you can take your playing to the next level.
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