Guitar Chords

I am sorry guys, because I think I forgot this topic for a while. However, it's never too late, so now let us check the guitar chords.

Anyway, guitar chords are very important simply because it is the pattern that we should be following when playing guitar. Well, it is really great if we can read the actually notes, like the ones used by pianists. The guitar chords as we know it comes with lines and dots. This is probably the simplest way to look for the notes that our fingers should follow.

Basically, a guitar chord chart has sets of notes from A to G. From A to G, there will be variations, which will give you their Majors, Minors, 7th, 6th, Sus, Dim, etc. The best way to learn this is to follow what it tells you to do. A good example is the Amaj. Every chart you will see on a guitar chord chart has six vertical lines, which represents the string number. From left to right it simply means string 6 to 1. Another is the lines arranged in horizontal, which only indicates the frets and downward means towards high notes. The next thing would be the numbers on the top o the guitar chord chart. Number 1 is referring to your index finer, then 2 is your middle finger, 3 for ring finger and 4 for pinky or baby finger. If you ever see a strong line on the top or rather a bold line then it only means that you should start doing the chord on the first fret. Otherwise, it will be indicated at the side of those lines on what position you will be starting the guitar chords. Nevertheless, it is granted that you have your guitar, of course. Without the guitar, it is very hard to understand this.

Anyway, the chord of Amaj is (as you can see on the image below) starts on the first fret. However, you will start pointing your fingers after it. In the case of this image, there are no bold lines or strong lines above it, and yet you will start on the first fret. The thing is, it doesn't have any number on the side of the chord either. It is then considered on the first fret, and this is another way of determining where to start the guitar chords. As you may notice, there is also a letter "X" on the sixth string. This only means that you shouldn't be including that on your strum. And the "0" only means that it is an open note where you should include it to the set.

Another example is the Gmin, and notice that it is set to start on the third fret, which is indicated by the number 3 on its side.

Well, these are only examples of guitar chords, and they have the same concept on how to learn. There are tons more, and you can even create your own. I hope this helps to you fellow newbies out there. Thanks. Enjoy. =)

Compressor Pedal

As newbies, you may be asking what is a compressor pedal, and what it can offer to our guitar tone. First of all, a compressor pedal is a pedal that will put all the string volumes into equilibrium. Each string of the guitar differs in volume actually, and this what cause you to learn dynamics. Learning on how to do dynamics is really a big help, and it will create great guitar sounding. However, there are times that a guitarist would want compression on his or her sound when it is needed, like maybe on rhythm sections.

Many guitarists do use a compressor pedal on their guitar sounding because of its ability to introduce sustain. It can actually amplify the guitar's sustain, and this what gives guitar tones last longer than without one. Of course, a good setup of guitar and using other pedals can also add sustain. However, the compressor pedal does it actually, and it intends to give you that on a snap.

Sometimes too much of everything is not good. What I am trying to say here is too much compression will decrease the signal attack. It is better to set your compressor pedal into the setting you want as minimal as possible. You will set it just enough to balance the volume of all strings.

A good example of compressor pedal is like the one made by MXR, the dyna comp. It has been uses by different guitarists all over the world including those famous ones, and even today. The dyna comp is a compact-designed compressor pedal that does great compressing sounding to your guitar. It got only got two knobs, the output and sensitivity knob, and a good mixing of the two can introduce a great sound. Dyna comp runs on 9V DC, and I think the company already gave it an input to run on AC to DC adapter. Anyway, you can try that, but of course, you can also do test all the pedals a music store does have and buy one that will suit your taste.

Best distortion pedal

Many newbies are asking if what is or are the best distortion pedal. Even I asked the same question a long time ago, simply because I have many reasons. I guess many newbies have similar reasons why they asked that certain question.

Reason #1. I don't have the budget to buy more than one distortion pedal.
Reason #2. I don't have a decent amp (tube amp), all I have is a hybrid.
Reason #3. I don't know which one simply because I want to copy the sound of my favorite guitarists.
Reason #4. I totally don't have any idea, because good sources of information like the Internet are not yet available.

These are some of the reasons, and I am definitely sure that there are tons more.

Anyway, choosing the best distortion pedal is not exactly based from your idea of copying others' tone. What I am trying to say here is, you must be creative. Create your own tones, and be unique. That is the first thing actually. After your struggle of creating your own sound you will then notice that you need a distortion pedal that you like. Well, at first I thought this was not possible, but you can actually try those ones in the music store. Alright, again I am saying this to you guys, "buy at least something half-decent guitar devices". The reason why is very simple, and it is they sound better "period".

Well, the store will let you test their pedal, of course, test them with a lot of care. If you break it then you will pay for it, so please be very careful. Now, if you don't find a pedal that will sound nice to your ear then go to the other store, then to another. Music is a continues search for almost anything with regards to it, so please be patient. This is true, and it happened to me back then.

If you find great one, then it is the best distortion pedal for you. Basically, every distortion pedal sound has distinctive tonality. Just make sure that the tone will match what you are up to. Guys, this is my opinion on how you will find the best distortion pedal, and I hope it helps.

Best boost pedal

This is really a question, and we (newbie) should know what to be picked precisely.

First of all, what is a boost pedal? A boost pedal is a pedal that pushes the guitar signal higher. At some point, guitar signal is boosted very hard, and it becomes distorted. These are the overdrive pedals, which do intend to do so. For rock and metal genres this is great, because they want that kind of thing. Some of the examples are like the Boss OD1 and MXR ZW-44.

On the other hand, there are also genres that want something else, which is the clean boost. For this, you can use a pedal that is made just for that. Actually, I know one, and it is made by Dunlop. It is the "Line Driver", and it is excellent for clean boosting. It gives a boost without coloring your tone. This is also great to place on your pedal board to minimize the signal lost along the path.

Now, how you will choose the best boost pedal? It is very simple actually, and it is up to you. If you are into a clean guitar type of genres, then you go for clean boost. Otherwise, you can go for the other pedals for distorted tones. There is no better way of doing your selection rather than testing them all yourself. Music stores do give chances to customers to feel their products. You can freely test all of them, and if you don't find one then say thank you and leave. This is the best way, and of course try getting at-least those half-decent pedals.