I totally get where you're coming from, Andysounds91. Mixing genres is a good way to discover what clicks for you. If you’re comfortable with your gear, try experimenting with different pickups and pedals; they can help you find new textures in your playing. Sometimes it’s about the gear that ...

Hey Sam64, signal flow can definitely be a bit of a minefield! Generally, the most common order is to start with your tuner, then overdrive, followed by modulation effects like chorus or flanger, and finally your time-based effects like delay and reverb. The reason for this is that overdrive works ...

If you’re exploring alternate tunings, don’t overlook how they interact with your gear. For example, using Open C tuning (CGCGCE) can change how your pickups react and can influence the overall tone through your amp. It’s fascinating to see how a different tuning can breathe new life into your ...

Great advice, BluesGuy! I’d add that using different gear can really shake things up. If you have any alternative pickups or pedals, try swapping them out. A new tone can inspire different playing techniques. Also, don’t forget about the power of dynamics—playing softer or louder can change the ...

Hey George, for blues, I’d recommend adding a nice compressor to your chain. It really helps with sustain and can make your overdrive more dynamic. As for metal, you might want to experiment with a distortion pedal before your overdrive. It can give you that chunky sound. And yeah, the order ...

Hey Lee, great to see you diving into recording! For a warm sound, I’d recommend starting with your mic about 12 inches from the sound hole, angled slightly towards it. This can help capture the body resonance while reducing some of the harshness. Also, try experimenting with the mic position around ...

Hi there! A setup can ensure your guitar is optimal for playability and sound. It involves adjusting the neck relief, action, and pickup height, which can greatly affect your tone. If you plan on playing live or recording, I’d say it’s worth investing in. If you're more of a casual player, you might ...

I'd add that using a metronome can really help with timing as you work on your dexterity. Start slow, focus on accuracy, and gradually increase the speed. If you're into gear, trying out different string gauges can also affect how easily you can play, which might help with your finger agility.

Great shout, Sam! The Holy Grail’s spring reverb mode is particularly nice for that vintage vibe. I’d add that you can’t underestimate how important it is to place your reverb in the right part of the signal chain. Placing it after delays can give you some really lush sounds that a lot of people ...

Great tips so far! Another thing I do is to analyse the song's structure. Knowing whether it follows a verse-chorus pattern or has a bridge can give you clues on what to expect. Plus, using a looper pedal can really help isolate and repeat sections without losing focus. Works wonders for solos!

Hey Pman63, I get where you’re coming from. Solid state amps can be incredibly versatile and are often lighter, making them great for gigging. If you’re into various styles, a solid state amp can handle everything from clean tones to heavier sounds without breaking a sweat. That said, valve amps do ...

Hey everyone! I've been putting together my pedal board and I'm finding that I keep gravitating towards the same few effects. I was chatting with a mate the other day and he mentioned some pedals that really opened my eyes to how much I might be missing out on. I'm curious, what do you all think is ...

Hey UKPete24, the general rule of thumb is to change your strings every 1-2 weeks if you’re playing regularly, especially if you sweat a lot. The sweat can really wear them down. Coated strings might be worth a try since they tend to last longer and resist sweat better, but they can feel a bit ...

Definitely! I’ve got a Micro Amp on my board too. It’s one of those ‘why didn’t I try this sooner?’ moments for sure. What do you all think about modulation pedals? I feel like some of them don’t get the attention they deserve.

From a technical standpoint, it’s all about the density and resonant properties of the wood. Mahogany is known for mid-range warmth, while maple tends to produce a brighter tone with more high-end clarity. If you're experimenting, you might want to compare specific guitars side by side to hear the ...

Hey folks, I've been digging into my pedalboard lately and it got me thinking about those hidden gems that often get overlooked. There are loads of pedals out there that can really enhance our sound, but some don’t seem to get the love they deserve.

I’m curious, which pedals do you think are the ...

First off, I’d recommend checking the setup on your cheap Les Paul. Even budget guitars can play surprisingly well with the right adjustments. Make sure the action is comfortable, and consider upgrading the strings to something better—like a set of Ernie Ball Slinkys or D'Addario. It might not be a ...

To create arpeggios from those extended chords, start by identifying the chord tones. For instance, when you play a Cmaj7, you have C, E, G, and B. If you want to extend it to a Cmaj9, add D. Try playing every other note from the scale to build your arpeggios, and remember that those extensions are ...

It's important to note that B#°7 and D#°7 are enharmonically equivalent, meaning they are essentially the same chord but spelled differently. The notes for B#°7 are B#, D#, F#, and A, which can also be interpreted as D#, F#, A, C (B#). This symmetry in diminished chords often leads to different ...

If you're diving into interesting chords, consider experimenting with Cm11 as B♭sus/C (C F B♭ E♭). This way, you're not just memorizing; you're connecting the shapes on the fretboard. Also, try out C13♭9 as A/C7, which can really spice up your progressions. These voicings are versatile and can fit ...

If you’re looking at ear training, consider checking out software like EarMaster or even the free version of Yousician. They offer listening exercises that can help you identify notes and chords without needing to interact too much. You can just let it play in the background and let your ears do the ...

To downstrum on the 'and', think about a subtle wrist motion rather than a big arm swing. You want to create a flicking motion that allows your pick to barely graze the strings or miss them entirely on the downbeat. This will set you up perfectly to hit the 'and' cleanly.

If you're looking to improve your pentatonic playing, definitely explore different positions on the neck. The Em pentatonic scale is a great starting point—learn it in the first position and then try it over backing tracks. Once you feel comfortable, branching out to other scales like the Dorian or ...

Center your thumb behind the middle of your hand, don't pinch the neck with your pointer finger and thumb. Rotate your index finger slightly so you're barring more with the bony side of your finger and less with the fleshy pad. If you need any additional force, it should come from "pushing" the neck ...

Yes, keep practicing and playing. You can sit down and deliberately study theory to perhaps speed up the process, but if you don’t find that fun, just playing songs and paying some attention to the chords will do wonders.