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Question: What does it take to pick up the electric guitar!?
I'm an accomplished musician mostly!. In addition to being a composer, I also play the cello, double bass, and bass guitar!. Recently I was also asked to play the guitar for some jazz gigs!. I think this puts me in a good position to try for the ultimate prize: the electric guitar!.
However, I know absolutely nothing about it to begin with!. How do I get started!? I have a unique problem because I am only concerned with the technique of the electric guitar - I am not interested in anything which is 'basic' or theory-related, because, to put it bluntly, I know it all already!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Arm muscles!. Generally that's what you need to pick up anything!. Ha ha - j/k!.
The electric guitar is no different than a regular guitar, save for that it has more gadgets than an acoustic, and can have a thinner neck, depending on the brand!.
For technique - think ahead - if you know you have to play a certain chord next that has some of the same fingerings - make sure you arrange your fingers on the first chord in a way that will allow you easy movement to the next!.
If you want to do harmonics all you have to do is hover your finger on the string above the metal bar on the fret board!.
If you want the sound to come out really raw and distorted - turn up the "gain" on either your amp or guitar!.
And you don't use the thumb of your string holding hand unless you're super super good - and even then it's rarely done!.
I would assume that you know that the dominant hand does the picking and/or strumming part!.!.!.!.
For hammer-ons you keep your finger on the string before and just "hammer" another finger down onto the next note!.
A pull off is the same - only you have both those fingers on the same string and pull the bottom one off so it goes directly to the upper one!.
Bend - you literally bend the string
Palm muting = resting your palm on the strings while still having them in a chord formation - gives a plucking kind of sound!.
Slide - just as it sounds
- you can do that with your fingers as it resonates - or take a pick down the string for a more "hardcore" sound!.
Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Some people say anything!. If you play cello, bass etc!.!.!.!. you obviously have strong fingers and as for fingering, the old fashion techinique is to assign one finger per fret!.
Ex!. 1-2-3-4 fret with index, middle, ring and pinky assigned respectively!.
This way, you have the best technique!. also, alternate picking is a MUST if you figure on getting speed in your playing!. As for other techniques such as hammer-ons, finger tapping, slurs etc!.!.!.!., I doube you will have any issues!.
All you need is timing, good improvisation, and the up and down movement of the pick in perfect sync with the left hand!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Jazz electric guitar is played in much the same way as the accoustic guitar!. You'll want to boost the high end on your amp and make the sound as clean as you can!. Don't strum on the beat, find off beats like the snare drum!. Follow the rythem section for cue's!. I assume you already know your chords, so find interesting ways to "fill" using drop slides and alternate fingerings!. Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com
A good guitar,good amplification,a little experimentation,and a lot of heart and soul,so you put your own mark on your performance!.Www@QuestionHome@Com