We live in a day where the latest pedals and amps help modulate and shape your sound, which is such a great tool in developing your unique sound. I use pedals about 90 percent of the time, even in acoustic sets. But, what is a guitar player if they can’t simply play guitar? No not a fake or any less of a guitarist, but maybe one who chooses to hide behind effects due to some insecurity in their ability to play.
It’s you who determines the sounds that your guitar can produce. From the callouses of your fingers to the style of music that you are playing. If you are a string picker, or shredder, your fingers ultimately determine your accuracy, clarity, and sometimes even your tone.
If you are new to guitar, make sure you develop some strength in your fingers. Callouses may be ugly, but help so much with the ability to hold your strings down firmly. Try building your finger strength with scales and your basic chords like G, C, D, Em, etc.
Again, having pedals and certain amps to help shape your sound is NOT AT ALL saying that you don’t depend well enough in your own abilities to play guitar. After learning and feeling confident in yourself in playing clean, meaning guitar straight to amp, then you can begin to bring in some other elements to craft and tighten your sound.
TIP: Before adding pedals, make sure you have a great amp and guitar combo. Adding pedals and effects on top of that can only enhance your clean tone. Some prefer solid state amps, some enjoy tube amps. Some choose single coil guitars, others use full humbuckers. Go experiment, go and find your clean tone!
I hope this has blessed you and would love to hear stories here, or on Instagram or Twitter @anhonestsound!
-AO
anhonestsound.com 