The word 'technique' refers to the intricacies of playing
the guitar strings in order to make it sound melodious.
Finger movements play the most important role when
strumming the strings. The use of chords spices up the
music, but, then again, it involves complicated techniques,
which can only be mastered after repeated practice.
Tools and techniques are the same and should be kept in
mind when playing the guitar. One of the most important
aspects is the synchronization between the right and the
left hand. This, combined with repeated practice, can help
in the mastery of the technique of playing. The art of
learning to play smoothly lies in the movement of fingers,
and in the comfort of the muscles of each hand. For
someone who is not well-aware of the proper techniques of
playing the guitar, the following important tips can help.
1. First and foremost, is learning how to bend a note.
Bending a note allows for a change in the pitch of the
note. Remember that the easiness with which the notes can
be bent will depend upon the strings, and the type of the
guitar being used. The trick of achieving the right bending
of note is possible by pushing the string across the neck
of the guitar. One of the best techniques of playing the
guitar by bending the note while picking the string.
Another guitar technique is bending the note without
picking it. This is done by bending the note, then picking
the note, and finally releasing the bend. In such case,
the pitch of the note can be heard falling after it has
started.
2. The next guitar technique is the 'hammer ons'. This
technique allows one to play two or three notes for every
picking note that is struck. The basic principle of the
hammer on effect is that one should have good coordination
between the left and the right hand to achieve the magical
hammer-ons effect. For example, start by fretting a note on
the fifth fret with the finger on the E. Prick the string
with the fretting hand, and at the same time the fifth fret
should be able to be moved simultaneously. This will bring
out the magic of the hammering action. So, pluck both the
strings and hear the fifth and the seventh strings together.
3. 'Vibrato' means varying the pitch of the note when it
falls up and down in a cycle. If playing notes, which are
sustained, then one can use vibrato to add that extra
expression. Suppose a not is played on the fifth fret of
the top E string? Now what is to be done next? Pluck the
string and release it until it comes back to its normal
position. Then repeat this over again. Now, continue the
bend, release actions repeatedly, and this will bring the
effect of continuous varying pitch.
4. The pull-offs also sounds very thrilling. Place the
first finger on the fifth fret of the top-most string, and
place the fifth finger on the same string but on the
seventh fret. First, remove the finger from the seventh
fret, and then slowly from the fifth fret, and this will
sound truly amazing.
----------------------------------------------------
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the
website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/
Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website
that provides professionally researched, and up to the
minute content on selected subjects.
