Combine Delay Reverb with Finger Tricks

There are different levels of tricks and skills for electric guitar, some of which are fine for the beginning player. Other tips and tricks, such as delay, reverb or distortion, should probably be saved for later, when the player is comfortable with their guitar and the music that comes from it.

This piece of advice doesn’t mean that a new player can’t use a delay pedal or a reverb pedal early on. But the focus should probably be on other areas, at least in the first month or two.

Baby Steps

Learning how to listen to music is one of the early lessons that many young players don’t take seriously. Too often the enthusiasm of youth tries to hurry the learning process and frustration is the result.

Let’s concentrate on two “listening” keys: variety first, then how to listen.

It is important to listen to different types of music. This will give the young player a better understanding of how music is created and how it is put together in a final package such as a song. In the 1960s, a successful rock/blues musician said there are two types of music: good music and bad music. Keep that in mind as you learn.

Some new players might think that “how to listen” is a silly idea for the learning process. But experience players of electric guitar, and players who are comfortable with technology such as delay pedals and reverb pedals, understand that listening to music is part of practice.

When you begin to truly listen, you hear the parts of the music and you can concentrate on one part even while all the other instruments and voices are there. Take your favorite song or group of songs and listen for the use of loudness, sometimes called dynamics. Find the delay, the echo, the reverb, in the song. Take it apart in your mind and try to reproduce it during your practice.

You may also find that becoming a good player on the electric guitar begins with playing the fast licks slowly. In addition, a young player should also be comfortable with playing along with a constant beat. Your drummer will appreciate it!

Enjoy Your Work

It’s not often that you find the words “work” and “enjoy” in the same sentence but the truth is – if you are going to be a good player on the electric guitar you have to do the work.

So, here are a few things that even the beginner can master.
First of all, these basic tips and tricks involve the guitar, the pick and the fingers on the frets. Try playing a single note somewhere on the guitar, and immediately slide your finger up or down a few frets. This sliding technique will come in handy when you play your solos and leads.

You can also produce a vibrato sound by playing a single note and wiggling your finger without moving it from its original position. This will be another key element for adding flavor to your leads.

One of the popular ways to give your music more flavor is through simple use of the volume/loudness knob on your electric guitar. Play a note at a lower volume then turn it up with the volume control. You can turn the knob to produce an up-and-down effect while the note is ringing out.

There are many simple ways to spice up your music, even before you invest in a good delay pedal or reverb pedal. These include the hammer-on and muting the strings with your hand to produce a neat, chunky sound when playing rhythm or lead.

Electronic Help

Taking the idea of tips and tricks to another level involves choosing a reliable control device, such as the reverb pedal or delay pedal. Some players still use such long-time favorites as the wah-wah pedal and the tremolo or vibrato pedal.

From the start, it is important to understand that you don’t have to invest a lot of money to get some nice effects for your electric guitar. But it is also best to avoid buying something too cheap.

In many cases, saving a lot of money up front means paying more in the long run – when you have to buy a better delay pedal or reverb pedal to replace the one that doesn’t work well or doesn’t work at all.

When you start the search for a good reverb pedal, keep in mind that you can get a good pedal for about $40 to $50. You can also spend more than $100, up to $175 for one of the better reverb pedals on the market.

With any choice, look for strong but light case and a switch that will stand up to regular use. Some pedals have a switch that sticks up above the box while others have a flat piece that covers the inner workings.

Spend a bit more than the minimum and you will get more control – for example, knobs to control blend and time. At the higher end of the cost spectrum are reverb pedals that provide control for dwell, tone and mix.

Many players enhance their electric guitar sounds with a delay pedal. As with reverb pedals, price varies from the $30 range to $200 and more. Construction of the delay device is similar to that of the reverb pedal. But the results are quite different.

Digital delay pedals are available, as are analog delay pedals. The choice between the two is often a matter of personal taste.

In simple terms, this device records the sound – the note you play – and repeats it in a set amount of time. A delay pedal’s performance is usually measured in milliseconds. Controls generally include level and time.

When you start looking for the right pedal, be prepared to ask a few questions first and do some online studying.

This brief article touches only the high spots of electric guitar tips and tricks. Simple things like the slide and finger wiggle, combined with smart use of reverb and delay, add a lot to your playing, even when you’re just starting out.

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