Electric guitar lessons

Playing electric guitar offers a world of possibilities. Learn the unique techniques and styles that make electric guitar so special.

What are the most important techniques to learn for electric guitar?

The electric guitar is a versatile instrument that requires different techniques to master its unique sounds and styles. Below I list the most important and common techniques for you. Be sure to also read guitar lessons for adults, guitar lessons for beginners, guitar lessons chords and guitar lessons for children.

Basic and advanced techniques

• Alternating plucking: this is the technique of alternating downward and upward plucking movements, which allows you to produce a sequence of notes more quickly than, for example, only downward strokes.

• Bending: it is a basic technique that is very often used in rock, blues and country guitar. By pushing the string up or down while fretting a note, the pitch changes and more emotion and power is added.

• Vibrato: by quickly moving the pressed string up and down, you subtly vary the pitch again, which gives a (longer) sustained note a richer, fuller and more rounded character.

• Hammer-ons / pull-offs: playing two different notes by means of one plucking and the rapid placement/retraction of an (extra) finger on or to another position. Hammer-ons are ascending intervals and pull-offs are descending intervals.

• Palm muting: or palm damping is the practice of lightly placing the side of the palm of the rhythm hand on the strings at the bridge while playing. This creates a muffled, percussive sound typical of rhythm parts in rock and metal.

Using amplifiers and effects

An important part of playing an electric guitar is the use of amplifiers and effects. In the lesson I will show you how to use this equipment optimally to perfect your sound. I will already give you a word of explanation about the different types of amplifiers and which effects you can place between your electric guitar and the amplifier to get the sound that you can completely immerse yourself in.

The most sought-after amplifiers today are still the tube amplifiers that amplify the sound by means of vacuum tubes. They are known for their warm, rich and dynamic sound. They react sensitively to the guitarist's playing, which ensures a natural, organic musical experience.

Transistor amplifiers use transistors and therefore offer a clear, tight tone. They are more reliable and require less maintenance than tube amplifiers. Then you also have the modelling amplifiers. These are digital amplifiers that simulate the sound of the well-known classic amplifiers. They therefore offer a very wide range of sound possibilities with the advantage of enormous versatility.

Hybrid amplifiers combine the properties of tube and transistor amplifiers, often with tubes in the preamp and transistors in the power amplifier. The result is the warm sound of tubes with the reliability of transistors. Acoustic amplifiers are specifically designed to enhance the natural sound of the acoustic guitar without coloring the sound.

The most popular effects for guitarists of all kinds are listed below:

• Distortion / overdrive: the natural signal of the guitar is transformed into a raw, powerful tone. The extent to which this signal is overdriven is greater and more aggressive with 'distortion'.

• Reverb: this effect falls under the atmosphere or "ambient" effects and is actually indispensable for every guitarist who wants to take his sound to the next level. The effect adds reverb, making the sound sound as if it is being played in a larger space. 

• Delay: repeats the signal with time delay, creating echo-like repetitions. It is used to add depth and texture to the guitar playing.

• Chorus: doubles the guitar sound and shifts the pitch slightly, making it sound as if multiple guitars are playing the same thing at the same time. It provides a thick, rich and floating sound.

• Phaser / Flanger: modulation effects that change the signal by phasing, resulting in a floating or “jet engine” sound. They are often used to create psychedelic or futuristic sounds.

• Compressor: evens out the sound by reducing the difference between loud and soft tones. This makes everything sound more balanced and the music is generally more pleasant to listen to.

• Wah-wah: changes the frequency response of the signal, creating a “wah-wah” sound often used in funk and rock for more expression.

• Looper: allows guitarists to record and loop pieces of music in real time, giving them the ability to create complex layers or play a background setting over which they can practice a solo.

I also refer you to my article “Which 5 guitar effects are the best starters for the electric guitarist”.

Playing different styles of music

Whether you want to play rock, blues, jazz or metal, the electric guitar is suitable for various styles. Our lessons are flexible and adapt to your musical preferences. If desired, the student will be helped with the correct settings of his amplifier and effects to create his desired sound setup. Custom advice can also be given when purchasing the right new material that closely matches the personal musical preference.

Electric guitar maintenance

Maintaining your electric guitar is essential for a good sound and playability. In the guitar lessons, we teach you the right techniques for responsible guitar maintenance, if desired.

• Cleaning: keep your guitar clean by regularly wiping the strings and neck with a cloth. There are also products that ensure optimal maintenance of the guitar neck so that sweat and dirt cannot damage the guitar

• Replacing strings: every so often it is necessary to place new strings. Old strings sound dull and can break more quickly. This is also a good time to clean your fingerboard.

• Adjusting the neck: changes in temperature and humidity can cause the neck to warp, which affects playability and intonation.

• Checking the electronics: by regularly checking and cleaning the potentiometers and switches, you keep everything in good condition.

• Storage and protection: by storing the guitar in a suitable place, you ensure that it remains protected against dust, bumps and extreme weather conditions, which can have a negative effect on the neck and body.

Improvisation and solos

The easy accessibility of the higher notes near the bridge on the guitar neck gives you the opportunity to improvise and play solos with the greatest comfort. In the course ‘Solo guitar and improvisation’ you will acquire the right knowledge and learn to master the appropriate techniques that go hand in hand with playing impressive solos.

Want to start guitar lessons?

Would you like to come by for a conversation in which we discuss together how we can make the lessons ideal for you? Then contact us now for a free introduction! Would you like to start right away? Then book a course of private guitar lessons or duo guitar lessons right away.