guitar app Archives - Learn to Play an Instrument with step-by-step lessons | Simply Blog Creators of Simply Piano, Simply Guitar, Simply Sing, and more - Discover the magic of music while playing songs you love | By Simply (formerly JoyTunes) Thu, 29 Feb 2024 10:10:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://old.hellosimply.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.ico guitar app Archives - Learn to Play an Instrument with step-by-step lessons | Simply Blog 32 32 The 5 Best Digital Guitars of 2024 https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/digital-guitars/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/digital-guitars/#respond Sun, 11 Feb 2024 15:30:26 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11840 What are digital guitars, and how do they work? This article goes over everything you need to know about these cool instruments and showcases some of the best digital guitars of 2022.   The music we make is changing, and so are the instruments we use to create it. Inventors and instrument-makers have merged musical instruments […]

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What are digital guitars, and how do they work? This article goes over everything you need to know about these cool instruments and showcases some of the best digital guitars of 2022.  

The music we make is changing, and so are the instruments we use to create it. Inventors and instrument-makers have merged musical instruments with technology, opening a new avenue for musical creation. 

Now, some guitars look and sound completely different than their predecessors. 

Let’s check out some of the new guitar designs that people are coming up with and the musical powers they grant you. 

What is a digital guitar?

Digital guitars–guitar synthesizers or midi guitars–come in many unique shapes and sizes. Some look similar to electric guitars. They have standard-looking bodies decked out with steel strings and long necks. Other digital guitars look different. Their bodies have odd shapes (in some cases, they look nothing like a guitar), and some fretboards have buttons instead of strings.

How do digital guitars work?

A digital guitar is an electronic musical instrument that produces sound by converting the strings’ vibrations into digital data. The data is then processed by a digital signal processor, which converts it into an audio signal that can be amplified and played through a speaker or headphones.

The digital signal processor can be programmed to change the sound’s timbre, pitch, and other characteristics. 

Digital guitars typically have various features that allow the player to control the instrument’s sound. These features include neck and body sensors, which detect the position of the player’s hands on the neck and body of the guitar. The signals from the neck and body sensors are used to control the instrument’s sound.

History of digital guitars.

Digital guitars aren’t a new type of guitar about to take the industry by storm. They’ve been around for a few decades. 

SynthAxe is a guitar-like midi controller that was manufactured in England in 1985. It uses electronic synthesizers to produce sound via the stringed neck. However, as the first of its kind, it was expensive, and only a handful of professional musicians ever used it. 

It wasn’t until the early 2000s that companies like Yamaha and Starr Labs began creating digital instruments. 

Starr Labs’ Ztars use buttons on the fretboard instead of strings–giving the instrument some polyphonic qualities.  

In 2010 the You Rock Guitar was introduced. Using ‘virtual’ strings, the midi controller senses your finger positioning along the fretboard, determining the pitch of the notes.  

These are just a few designs that have emerged over the years. Manufacturers continue to create and develop new models to this day. 

If you’re curious about the history of the guitar, take a look at our blog, Who Invented the Guitar? A Brief History.

What are the pros and cons of playing a digital guitar?

Pursuing a musical instrument (digital or other) can be a deeply fulfilling experience. Just like any instrument, there are some pros and cons to using a digital guitar.

Pros: 

  • Ability to play unique sounds.
  • Seamlessly connect your instrument to DAWs and other digital devices.
  • It can be easy to transport.
  • Make you look like you’re from the future.

If you’re looking to play an instrument that resembles the guitar, the digital guitar may not be an ideal choice. 

Cons: 

  • Digital guitars don’t sound like acoustic or electric guitars. 
  • Digital guitars don’t typically feel the same as electric or acoustic guitars–many of them look and feel entirely different from actual guitars and require you to play them differently.
  • They often require an amplifier or computer for sound. 

The five best digital guitars in the market.

Shopping around for a digital guitar? Start your search on the right foot and check out our top choices for 2022.

Jammy Guitar

The Jammy G is as sleek as it is portable. You can quickly take it apart and put it back together, making it ideal for travelers.

This midi controller has the shape and aesthetic of a guitar. With a body, neck with 15 frets, and steel strings, it feels like you’re playing the real thing. However, the device struggles with certain techniques like slides, mute-palming, and hammer-ons. 

As advertised, you can use this device to play virtually any instrument as a guitar. The Jammy G comes with classic, acoustic, and electric voices and a Jammy Guitar app to help you learn how to play. You can connect this midi controller to your computer, tablet, or phone, and it has a 4400 mAh battery, allowing you to play for up to six hours. So you can play it anywhere.

digital guitars

Jamstik 7 Bundle Edition

The Jamstik 7 comes with a guitar strap, case, extension piece, batteries, and some picks. So you’re fully equipped to jam to your heart’s content.

With just seven frets, the midi guitar is compact and easy to bring around. While some musicians may dislike the lack of frets, you can easily access higher frets by changing the settings on your laptop. The Jamstik 7 has a set of steel strings, giving it a guitar-like feel. With wireless capabilities, you can position yourself comfortably while playing. 

There are tons of cool sounds for you to experiment with. However, like other midi controllers, it doesn’t produce sound independently. You need to connect it to a device. 

digital guitars

Suzuki 49-Key Q-Chord

The Suzuki 49-Key Q-Chord doesn’t look like a guitar. However, it has all of the essential elements.

The device has a strum plate on the body, a short neck with buttons, and a speaker to project sound. And with four octaves and 109 midi voices, it offers users a ton of sounds to play with.

What’s cool about the Q-Chord is that it’s compatible with other midi controllers. The device is great for anyone who wants a convenient medium to create fun sounds and interact with other musicians. 

digital guitars

Pocket Digital Guitar

All of the digital guitars on our list are easy to pack and carry around, but when it comes to portability, the Pocket Digital Guitar is in a league of its own.

However, this device is more of a training tool than an instrument. 

The Pocket Digital Guitar is a digital set of frets, and they can quite literally fit in your pocket. The device has steel strings and comes with a cool training tool that teaches you chords and other fingering positions, and it has a built-in metronome. 

Not every environment is suited for playing guitar, but with this tool, you can sharpen your skills anytime and anywhere.

digital guitars

Sensus Smart Guitar

Last but certainly not least is the Sensus Smart Guitar. This instrument is the first of its kind, a full-blown guitar (It creates sound via vibrating strings) with amazing digital capabilities. 

The instrument looks and plays just like an electric guitar. However, embedded in the body and neck are modulators that allow you to manipulate the sounds without the assistance of a computer. 

The IoT device offers musicians a new level of expression. You can easily jam with people long-distance, record your music, and add infinite sound modulations. 

Digital guitars need digital teachers.

Digital guitars come in all shapes and sizes. Some emulate a guitar, others are guitar-like midi devices, and some are neat training tools. With smart guitars emerging, who knows what kind of music guitarists will make.

Speaking of neat tools. Simply guitar is a fantastic app that helps beginner guitarists learn and practice essential guitar skills. You can practice with short and effective lessons at a time and place that works with your schedule. Try it today!

FAQs.

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Everything you need to know about left-handed guitars https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/left-handed-guitars-learning/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/left-handed-guitars-learning/#respond Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:59:49 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11817 Left-handed and learning guitar? This article shares everything there is to know about left-handed guitars. According to statistics, about ten percent of the world is left-handed. That adds up to about 700 million lefties on the globe. If you are a leftie, you notice that the world revolves around right-handers whenever you pull out a […]

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Left-handed and learning guitar? This article shares everything there is to know about left-handed guitars.

According to statistics, about ten percent of the world is left-handed. That adds up to about 700 million lefties on the globe. If you are a leftie, you notice that the world revolves around right-handers whenever you pull out a pair of scissors. 

So how can you play guitar left-handed? 

As a leftie, you have a few options. You can play right-handed, restring a guitar, or buy a left-handed guitar. 

Let’s see everything you need to know to become a left-handed guitarist.

What is a left-handed guitar?

A left-handed guitar is a mirror image of the average guitar. Everything from the strings to the slant of the saddle is opposite. This allows a left-handed guitarist to strum with the dominant hand and finger chords with the right hand. Since the dominant hand is more graceful, strumming and picking with the left hand can make for smoother-sounding music. 

However, left-handed guitars are a niche market, while right-handed guitars come with more options. For this reason, many lefties choose to start on a right-handed guitar as beginners. 

Before you decide to play as a leftie or learn like a rightie, it’s best to study the differences. You can even try out both designs in a guitar store to see which style is more natural for you. 

Left-handed guitars vs. right-handed: What are the differences?

The guitar is a reasonably symmetrical-looking instrument. So, it would be easy to assume that a leftie can just turn a right-handed guitar upside down to make a guitar more comfortable to play. However, making a left-handed guitar out of a right-handed guitar is not that simple. 

Here are a few key differences between left-handed and right-handed guitars:

The strings

The main difference between left-handed versus right-handed guitars comes down to the strings. The bass strings should be at the top of your guitar, and the treble notes should be below them. 

However, if you flip a right-handed guitar over to the left side, the bass notes are now at the bottom. To make a right-handed guitar a left-handed one, you need to restring the instrument from top to bottom.

The pickguard

Many acoustic and electric guitars have pickguards. The pickguard rests under the sound hole. This guitar piece protects your instrument from getting scratched up by over-enthusiastic strumming. However, if you play a right-handed guitar upside down, the pickguard would rest above the hole. This position is not very useful and looks wrong visually.

The pickguard is correct when you buy a left-handed guitar–below the soundhole. 

The saddle

The saddle angle can also reveal if the guitar is for lefties or righties. Notice that the saddle slants slightly to give the guitar a proper intonation. A left-handed acoustic guitar’s saddle needs to slant in the opposite direction. This slant ensures that the low E is the longest string and the treble strings are shorter. 

The strap peg

The strap peg on a right-handed guitar is above the guitar neck. However, if you flip it to the left side, the strap peg is now under the fretboard. This would make it awkward to play guitar with a strap! However, when you buy a left-handed guitar, the strap peg rests above the fretboard. This allows you to attach a guitar strap without interfering with the strings. 

The body shape

Some acoustic guitars have a symmetrical shape, but not all guitars do. Many guitar bodies have a single or double cutaway. This ergonomic design makes it easy for your fingers to reach the strings on the upper frets. With a left-handed guitar, you can strum with your dominant hand. This puts you on an even playing field with right-handed guitarists. 

Famous left-handed guitarists.

Suppose you are a left-handed guitarist, no worries. You are not alone on your musical journey. Many famous musicians have walked the road you are on. (But did you know they were left-handed?)

Left-Handed Guitars

Jimi Hendrix

While left-handed guitars are available in the musical world today, Jimi Hendrix missed out on this opportunity.

He still chose to play his instrument as a leftie, but he had to flip a right-handed guitar to do it. Notice the pickguard is above the soundhole in pics of Jimi with his guitar. (Okay, we admit the flipped pickguard doesn’t look silly when it’s in this guitar icon’s hands.) Jimi Hendrix went on to write one of the 5 Best Guitar Solos of All Time.

Left-Handed Guitars

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney is another leftie who chose to flip the guitar on its head and restring it.

George Harrison may be the official lead guitarist of the Beatles. However, Paul certainly had some shining riffs and solos of his own. Some even argue that Paul is the better guitarist of the two. Whether you are Team George or Team Paul, it is undeniable that Paul McCartney is a gifted left-handed musician.

Left-Handed Guitars

David Bowie 

Although David Bowie was a leftie, he learned to play the guitar as a rightie.

Left-handed guitars were few and far between, so he decided to take the mainstream route. It doesn’t seem to have slowed down his career any! 

Some lefties find it easier to use the dominant hand to finger chords since it is the naturally stronger hand. Whether you use your dominant hand to fret or strum, practice is what makes perfect in the long run.

Left-Handed Guitars

Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain was a frontman for Nirvana and the face of 90s grunge rock.

He wrote and played drums right-handed, but when it came to guitar, he played as a lefty. Was he right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous? With Kurt Cobain, no one knows for sure. Cobain unsuccessfully for the perfect left-handed guitar and flipped several right-handed models. When he got into the spotlight, Fender designed a left-handed guitar just for him. That’s just one of the perks of being famous—and left-handed.

How to hold left-handed guitars.

The proper guitar position is a critical part of guitar playing, whether right-handed or left-handed.

The right hand’s job on left-handed guitars

As a beginner, it’s best to start sitting down with the guitar. Remember to keep your back straight and your feet on the floor. You can also raise one foot slightly to balance the guitar. 

With a left-handed guitar, your right hand plays the frets. You don’t want to bend your wrist. Instead, keep the wrist straight and curve your fingers. Place your digit behind the fret bar to finger a chord. This finger position gives you the clearest sound. Play in the middle or on top of the fret can give you unwanted string buzz. Keep the thumb of your right hand upright and rest it on the back of the guitar neck for support. 

The left hand’s job on left-handed guitars

On a left-handed guitar, the left-hand strums or picks the strings. First, get a comfortable grip on the pick. You should hold it between the first knuckle of your pointer and thumb. Keep your wrist straight and strum using your entire forearm. Generally, you want to land your strokes between the soundhole and bridge. However, you can experiment with different strums for unique sounds. 

Check out How to Hold a Guitar Properly for more techniques on holding your guitar correctly. Just substitute the terms right and left with dominant and non-dominant to play a left-handed guitar.

The five best left-handed guitars on the market.

If you feel more comfortable strumming with your left hand and fretting with your right, a left-handed guitar may be for you. Here are some of our favorite options on the market for lefties:

This small-scale Lyx Pro electric guitar is perfect for beginning guitarists ten years old and up. The starter pack includes all the necessary equipment for a budding rockstar to begin his musical journey. The 39-inch guitar has a beautiful Canadian Maple top and rosewood fretboard. Its classic SSS pickup and 20-watt amplifier produce a satisfying sound for practicing at home. A headphone jack allows students to practice with a favorite song or a backup track. Extra amenities include a clip-on digital tuner, replacement strings, and an instruction booklet. 

The Lyx Pro left-handed electric guitar is an affordable option for a beginning guitarist. This complete kit can make dreams become a reality.

2. Best budget acoustic model: Fender CC-60S Left Hand Concert Acoustic Guitar

This concert Fender guitar is comfortable to hold and easy to play. Beginning guitarists can learn the fretboard and strum patterns as they play this small-scale concert guitar. 

The classic dreadnought body with its spruce top is perfect for either strumming or fingerpicking. It gives off a rich sound without an amp. 

This left-hand concert-size acoustic is an inexpensive model compared to many other left-handed guitars. However, the quality of the build and sound is everything you expect from the Fender brand.

3. Best mid-range electric guitar: Ibanez GRX 6 String Solid-Body

The Ibanez brand builds a quality guitar that musicians love. However, they make models to fit into a variety of budgets. This mid-range Ibanez electric guitar looks snazzy on stage with its iridescent blue poplar guitar body. The New Zealand Pine fingerboard and white dot inlays give this guitar great aesthetic appeal. And the sound doesn’t disappoint. The infinity R humbucker pickups create a warm, high-output sound. You can also try out the 5-way selector switch and T106 tremolo to add a unique touch to your pieces. The great looks and sound quality of the Ibanez guitar make it a perfect choice for beginning or advanced leftie guitarists. 

4. Best for performing: Candy Apple Red Fender Newporter 

The Fender Newporter acoustic guitar has a sound you can take to the stage. The glossy solid spruce top with cream accents provides visual appeal. This lightweight instrument also packs in the sound with superior sound resonance and sustain. You can also plug in this instrument for added volume. However, the natural acoustic tones still shine through. You can play solo riffs with this instrument. Or, use it to back up a lead vocalist. Whether you go solo or join a band, this high-performing, unconventional instrument is ready to bring a sound that doesn’t disappoint. 

5. Best luxury model: Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar 

This mid-century style guitar is a carbon copy of the Fender 1965 Jaguar that Kurt Cobain played at the forefront of the band Nirvana. This luxury electric guitar has a solid alder body, metal accents, and pearlescent fret markers. Not only is it a gorgeous instrument, but it also includes a super distortion bridge pickup and a three-position toggle switch. Some extra perks are its hardshell case and an exclusive Fender book on Kurt Cobain. The Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar is a professional instrument built for legends. 

These are some of our top picks for left-handed electric and acoustic guitars. You can also check out some of our favorite right-handed kids’ guitars for comparison: Kids Guitar: How To Buy A Guitar For Children.

Left-handed guitars for the win.

For a leftie who wants to play the guitar, two roads diverge. You can choose to invest in a left-handed guitar or a right-handed design. 

Whether you play a guitar upside down like Jimi Hendrix, right-handed like David Bowie, or decide on a left-handed guitar like Kurt Cobain, regular practice is key. You can build strength and grow your skills with the Simply Guitar app in as little as five minutes daily. This app takes you from the basics and lays a solid framework for more advanced material. Choose to try it free for two weeks and see if it works for you!

FAQs.

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6 Strumming Patterns Every Beginner Must Know https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/strumming-patterns/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/strumming-patterns/#respond Sat, 12 Nov 2022 22:05:20 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11983 Beginner Guitar Strumming Patterns - Learn with Simply Guitar

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Young musician practicing guitar strumming patterns with Simply Guitar app
Unlock these 6 essential strumming patterns to enhance your guitar skills with Simply Guitar

Mastering beginner guitar strumming patterns is essential for any aspiring guitarist. This article teaches beginners how to play six basic strumming patterns that sound great on an electric and acoustic guitar.

Most beginners focus on learning finger patterns and positioning along the fretboard–it’s time well spent. 

Although the guitar is a two-handed instrument—the other half of the equation is strumming. 

On the surface, strumming can seem like a simple practice. However, the difference between noise and music is technique. 

And the intricacies of strumming are numerous. 

So what are the secrets to strumming like a pro? How do you read strumming diagrams? This blog arms you with everything you need to know.

What is guitar strumming?

Guitar strumming is a rhythmic stroking or sweeping technique that guitarists use to strike their guitar strings. 

There is an infinite number of strumming patterns. They affect the rhythm of a song and characterize various genres. 

You need to hinge from your elbow and rotate your forearm to strum. Many skilled musicians like to strum with their thumb, index finger, and middle finger, but today, we’ll focus on doing it a pick.

Guitar strumming tips for beginners.

For the most part, strumming is intuitive. You grasp the pick and strum in an upward and downward motion. However, like any technique, you can optimize the movement. 

Implementing and reinforcing the best habits is crucial–learning a skill correctly is easier than unlearning faulty practices down the line. 

Here are some tips to hone your strumming skills the right way:

  • Relax. Relaxing your arm makes strumming feel more natural and helps you flow with the music. However, that doesn’t mean being loose like a noodle. Strumming is a balance of fluidity and integrity. 
  • Use a light touch. Often, beginners need to grasp their pick more tightly. A tight grip can create tension in your wrist and forearm. It constrains the movement of your strumming and creates unnecessary friction on the strings. With a light touch, you can strum more effectively.

We dive into how to hold a pick in our blog, How To Properly Hold And Use a Guitar Pick. Give it a read!

  • Don’t strum all of the strings. Strumming doesn’t require you to strike all of the strings every time. More often than not, you only need to strike between two and four of them. Generally, you hit the lower, thicker three strings on the down strum (E-A-D) and the higher three strings on the way up (G-B-E).
  • Practice, practice, practice. As with anything else, practice makes perfect. Try out a bunch of patterns and work on them every day. The more you strum, the better you get. 
strumming patterns

How to read strumming diagrams.

Before playing strumming patterns, you need to know how to read them. Lucky for you, it’s pretty simple.

Strumming diagrams mainly include symbols like:

  • Down = ↓
  • Up = ↑
  • Mute = x

Now that you know how to read basic strumming diagrams—start practicing! 

We’ve put together a few basic patterns for you to try.

6 guitar strumming patterns ideal for beginners.

Applying a technique to your strumming can feel awkward at first. 

It’s like rubbing your stomach with one hand while tapping your head with the other. 

Your brain has to execute two different movements simultaneously. 

However, with some beginner strumming patterns, you can gradually ease your way to something more complex. 

Strumming patterns #1: Downward strumming

Let’s start with the most basic strumming pattern. 

Downward strumming is the more intuitive. When you’re just starting to play, your focus is on finger patterns along the fretboard. Often beginners tend to strike strum in a downward motion. 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓   ↓     ↓    ↓ 

While you practice these patterns, you can also practice counting ‘1, and, 2, and, 3, and, 4, and strumming down for each number. 

Strumming patterns #2: Adding some upstrokes

Once you have the timing of your downward strum … down, it’s time to implement some upward strokes. 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑

There is a different feel to sweeping upwards. On the up-stroke, you need to shift the positioning of your wrist slightly to pass over the strings smoothly. 

Strumming patterns #3: Adding some muting

Not that you’re familiar with the upward and downward strum. It’s time to mix things up! 

For this pattern, we’re bringing some muting. The strumming technique is the same. However, you need to lightly rest the fingers on your fretting hand on the strings to mute the guitar.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓↑ ↓ x  ↓ ↑ x ↑

Muting adds a unique sound to your strumming. Musicians add muting to make creative rhythms in their songs. 

Strumming patterns #4: Southern Rock

Some patterns create a distinctive sound. The following pattern is quite common in Southern Rock. Give it a try!

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓    ↓↑     ↑↓

As you can see, there is a unique spacing between the strokes. How you space each strum can add can dramatically change the vibe of your song.

Strumming patterns #5: Light Rock

Let’s move on to a basic Light Rock pattern. This strumming sequence mixes in all fundamental techniques: downstrokes, upstrokes, and muting.

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

↓↑ ↓ x  x ↑ ↓ x

Like how that sounds? Another aspect of strumming to consider and practice is the speed at which you play the pattern—playing it slowly and quickly yields a different sound. 

Strumming patterns #6: Reggae

Let’s add a little bounce to your strumming with a basic Reggae. This pattern has more muting than basic strumming, which gives it the Raggae feel. 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

x x ↓ ↑  x x ↓ 

These six strumming patterns should get you off to a good start. Once you have the hang of these, you should search for others—a quick Google search should yield some excellent results. 

Another thing to try is making up your patterns. Play around with the various techniques and try playing them at different speeds. 

The more you work on your strumming, the smoother it will be. 

Strum along.

Learning how to strum with proficiency is crucial in learning and playing the guitar. It dictates the tempo and rhythm and ultimately gives it a specific feel. 

While it may feel awkward to strum the strings in a calculated fashion, once you understand how things work, it dramatically affects your ability to play.

At JoyTunes, we help beginners and intermediate musicians build and learn the essential skills to play their favorite instrument. If you’re looking for a game-changing tool to take your guitar playing to the next level, check out Simply guitar. We pack tons of valuable information into compact lessons—so you can practice anytime and anywhere.

FAQs.

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Guitar Hanger: A Buyer’s Guide for Beginners https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-hanger/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-hanger/#respond Thu, 10 Nov 2022 23:31:31 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11944 This buyer’s guide explains everything you need to know before buying a guitar hanger. Check out some of the best guitar hangers in 2022. Looking for the ideal way to store your guitar?  You can keep it in the case, but taking it out is a bit of a hassle. To make things more convenient, […]

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This buyer’s guide explains everything you need to know before buying a guitar hanger. Check out some of the best guitar hangers in 2022.

Looking for the ideal way to store your guitar? 

You can keep it in the case, but taking it out is a bit of a hassle. To make things more convenient, you can use a guitar stand. 

This blog details everything that you need to know about guitar hangers, from how to install them to which ones you should buy.

guitar hanger

What is a guitar hanger?

A guitar hanger is a small device that lets you hang your guitar on a wall.

They’re commonly made with metal, wood, and plastic and use foam or rubber to cushion your guitar’s headstock.

Why should you use a guitar hanger?

Guitar hangers and stands are game-changers for storing your instrument, providing your guitar with safety and accessibility. 

One potential drawback of using a guitar hanger is storing your beloved instrument in a seemingly precarious spot. That’s a fair concern. However, people worldwide use them without issue. 

Guitar stands work splendidly for many guitarists; they keep their instruments secure (much closer to the ground) and out in the open–ready for you to pick them up and play. 

Guitar hangers are more practical. They’re much smaller and cheaper, and because you mount them on a wall, they allow you to be more spatially efficient. Practicality aside, they also turn your instrument into a cool wall decor when you’re not using it.

How to install a guitar hanger.

Guitar hangers are perfect storage accessories. Generally, they come with two or more screws, so all you need is a screwdriver and a stud finder. 

guitar hanger

Follow these steps to install your guitar hanger safely:

  1. Gather the necessary tools (screwdriver, stud finder, hanger).
  2. Find a beam in the wall and mark down where you’ll screw your device.
  3. Remove the hanger from the packing.
  4. Screw the base of the hanger into the beam. You must screw your handle into a beam, not the gyprock because it supports your instrument. 
  5. Screw the base of the fork into the piece connected to the wall. 
  6. Vacuum the dust.

Voila! Your guitar hanger is secure and ready for use.

Types of guitar hangers.

When it comes to guitar hangers, there a many creative designs. Some offer additional security, others focus on aesthetics, and some go with a more straightforward design.

While shopping for guitar hangers, you’re likely to encounter many different brands–each with unique details. Generally, there are three types of hangers. 

Standard guitar hangers

With the standard guitar hangers, what you see is what you get. They come with a metal or wooden piece that you screw into the wall and a cushioned fork that curves upwards to secure the headstock. Some forks come with knobs on the ends for additional security.

Most hangers rotate, so they better caress your guitar’s headstock–an essential feature. While some headstocks are parallel with three tuners per side, many of them (particularly electric guitars) have uneven headstocks.

Hangers with locking mechanisms

Some hangers come with an automatic locking system. The design looks similar to the standard hangers, except when you place your guitar on the fork, two levers rise and block the neck from falling forward.  

Wall rack hangers

For those who own several guitars, you have two options: buy a lot of individual hangers or a wall rack hanger. 

The description is in the name—a wall rack that you can hang your guitars on. They are solid backboards that come with several individual hangers. They’re often elegant and sturdy pieces that are made of wood. Depending on the particular hanger, you can store up to five guitars. 

Average price.

Like anything, the price of a guitar hanger depends on the quality of the device. A guitar hanger can range from under $10 to $300. Some hangers are made with better materials than others. Many guitar hangers have more intricate designs, offering you more security or the ability to store many instruments. All of these factors determine the cost of the device.

3 excellent guitar hangers you can buy now.

There are tons of guitar hangers available. Here are three of the best you can buy today.

Hercules GSP38WBK Plus

One of the main concerns people have when buying a guitar hanger is the possibility of your precious instrument falling. For this reason, at the top of the list of our best guitar hangers of 2022 is the Hercules GSP38WBK Plus!

This device has an automatic locking system that helps to keep your guitar secure. With an ‘attractive’ wooden base, it compliments almost any interior. Additionally, the hanger has two rubber pieces that you can attach to the fork, which shortens the distance between each support pillar–allowing you to hand virtually and guitar on it.

guitar hanger

String Wing Guitar Keeper Bundle

The String Wing Guitar Keeper is ideal for people with several guitars. It offers people a secure and convenient way to showcase and store their favorite instruments. This wall mount is handcrafted and comes with five adjustable hangers–ideal for collectors, shop owners, and guitar enthusiasts. And with a lifetime warranty, you rest easy knowing your instruments are in good … hangers. 

String Swing Hardwood Home and Studio Guitar Hanger

We present the String Swing Hardwood Home and Studio Guitar Hanger for those looking for a practical guitar hanger. It’s a durable and simple device, and ingenuity is imbued.

The forks curve upwards, and by doing so, secure your instrument without a locking mechanism. With foam padding for your headstock and quality materials, it’s a wall mount that you can depend on.

A guitar hanger is a practical and aesthetic solution for storing your instrument. They’re affordable and reliable, clear up a ton of space, and come in all shapes and sizes–so you can find the perfect device for your home. 

Practicality, affordability, and reliability are all essential characteristics of any tool. Ideally, your approach to learning the guitar incorporates those values. Simply Guitar is the perfect tool for anyone learning the guitar, allowing you to choose when, where, and how long you practice. 

Designed by music teachers, the app offers bite-sized lessons that effectively teach you how to play your instrument, read sheet music, and much more! You can use the program as a supplement to guitar lessons or as a primary source. Give it a try today.

FAQs.

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How To Tune An Electric Guitar With And Without A Tuner https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/tune-an-electric-guitar/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/tune-an-electric-guitar/#respond Wed, 09 Nov 2022 03:35:19 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11939 This article teaches you how to tune your electric guitar with and without a tuner. Tuning your instrument is an essential part of being a guitarist.  An untuned guitar has a dramatic impact on the music you create.  It affects synchronicity in a band.  It makes you sound off (to put it lightly). There are […]

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tune an electric guitar

This article teaches you how to tune your electric guitar with and without a tuner.

Tuning your instrument is an essential part of being a guitarist. 

An untuned guitar has a dramatic impact on the music you create. 

It affects synchronicity in a band. 

It makes you sound off (to put it lightly).

There are many ways to tune an electric guitar, which usually only takes a few minutes. 

As a beginner, you may be unsure about tuning your instrument. 

That’s why we put together this guide. 

It helps you understand tuning and explains a few methods to tune your electric guitar. 

The essentials of guitar tuning.

Tuning your guitar means assigning a particular pitch to the open strings of your instrument. 

There are many tunings. 

Drop D, Open G, Open D, and GABDEG, to name a few. 

People use them for playing particular genres. 

For instance, many guitarists tune their instrument to ‘Drop C’ when playing metal!

As a beginner, you don’t need to worry about the different types of tunings for now. 

The standard tuning (the one we are focusing on) for a guitar is E-A-D-G-B-E.

tune an electric guitar

Tuning pegs

There are six tuning pegs on the guitar’s headstock.

By turning them, you tighten and loosen the strings of your electric guitar. 

When your instrument is out of tune, a string is either too tight and sharp (#), or too loose and flat (♭). 

The tuning pegs allow you to tighten or lengthen the strings to change the pitch of your guitar.

How to tune an electric guitar with a tuner.

There are tons of effective, affordable, and easy-to-use tuning devices available. 

tune an electric guitar

We cover the different guitar tuners and how to use them in our blog post, How to Use a Guitar Tuner Step-by-Step

Regardless of the tuner, you have, tuning your electric guitar is the same. 

Guitar tuners gauge your instrument’s pitch in sound or vibration. 

By playing an open string, the tuner interprets the pitch and shows you if you’re off and by how much.

To tune your electric guitar, find a quiet room and follow these steps:

  1. Open your tuner and set it to the desired settings (i.e., standard tuning E-A-D-G-B-E).
  2. Grab your guitar and plug it into your amp (make sure any modulations are off).
  3. Play the open E chord and tighten or loosen the string as indicated on the tuner.
  4. Repeat the process for each string.

Just like that, you’re ready to play!

How to tune an electric guitar without a tuner.

There are a few ways to tune your guitar without a tuner. However, they require experience and a deeper, more intimate understanding of the correct pitch. 

Tune by ear

Many guitarists know how to tune their instruments just by listening. 

It takes time. However, as you familiarize yourself with the sound of an in-tune guitar, making corrective adjustments becomes intuitive. 

When tuning your electric guitar by ear, the process is the same as a tuner. 

You play an open string and tighten or loosen it as needed. 

To ensure that you’re doing it correctly, check with a tuner. 

Eventually, you can tune your guitar confidently without the assistance of a tuning device. 

Tune with a piano

You can always tune your guitar using a piano (assuming the piano is in tune). 

In the end, pitch is pitch. 

You can tune your guitar strings by comparing the sound of your guitar strings to the piano’s keys. 

We get into the nitty-gritty on how to do that in our blog, How to Tune a Guitar With a Piano.

Relative tuning

Another tuning technique is known as ‘relative tuning.’ This is the process of using one string to tune the next. 

The sixth (low E) string must be in the correct pitch. 

It serves as the reference point for tuning the rest of the strings. 

By holding the fifth fret down, you know what the following lower string needs to sound like. 

Follow these steps to apply the relative tuning technique:

  1. Play the sixth string at the fifth fret and adjust the open fifth string (A string) so it sounds the same.
  2. Repeat the process for the next two strings (fourth and third).
  3. When tuning the second string, play the fourth fret on the third string as the reference point for the correct pitch.
  4. Use the fifth fret on the second string for the first and final strings. 

If this process is still unclear, check out this YouTube video that walks you through it.

How often should you tune your electric guitar?

Now that you know some tuning techniques, it’s good to know how often you should tune your instrument.

Many variables affect the pitch of your strings. 

It depends on the frequency and intensity that you play. 

The strings you use and your guitar itself affect how quickly they get out of tune. 

And even when you’re not playing, the humidity affects the guitar’s tone.

It would be best if you tuned your guitar before every session. 

Today, tuning is super convenient. 

You can download a free guitar tuner on your phone. 

We recommend Simply Tune. It’s easy to use and keeps your instrument sounding right. 

Tuning out.

Tuning is an essential skill that every guitarist needs to learn. 

Otherwise, all the music you create will be, well, out of tune. 

There are tons of options available to you when it comes to tuning your instrument, from quality tools to effective techniques. 

At Simply, we help beginners get the most out of their musical journey. 

Whether you’re learning how to play the guitar or write music, we provide content and tools that give you to best information and environment to grow. 

Simply Guitar is an app that teaches you everything you need to know about playing guitar, from basic chords to reading sheet music. 

Learn at a rhythm that works for you!

FAQs. 

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10 Easy Guitar Techniques Every Beginner Should Know https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-techniques/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-techniques/#respond Tue, 08 Nov 2022 00:06:25 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11930 This article covers guitar techniques that every beginning guitar player needs to learn, how best to implement them into your playing, and some cool ways to intertwine multiple techniques in your music. Learning how to play the guitar is an amazing journey. It can seem daunting at times—learning your first chords, scales, and songs can […]

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guitar techniques

This article covers guitar techniques that every beginning guitar player needs to learn, how best to implement them into your playing, and some cool ways to intertwine multiple techniques in your music.

Learning how to play the guitar is an amazing journey.

It can seem daunting at times—learning your first chords, scales, and songs can feel like you are far from being the skilled guitarist you dream to be.

That is where learning some simple guitar-playing techniques comes in.

Several cool guitar techniques are easy to pick up and help you learn songs, chords, and scales more easily.

So let’s look at ten guitar techniques that are easy for beginners.

1. Proper hand positioning

Hand positioning is one of the most important guitar techniques every beginner should know. Knowing the correct hand position helps you play the guitar more easily and efficiently. If you don’t learn how to hold your fretting hand the right way in the beginning, it can take years to break the habit later on.

Remember a few things when positioning your hands on the guitar: Where your thumb and index finger should be and how to hold the strings down with your other fingers. If you are playing guitar in an open position, place your thumb on the back of the neck near where the next chord or note is to be played.

2. Picking techniques

There are many ways to hold a guitar pick. The style of music you play often dictates how you hold your pick. In general, you should hold your pick downward towards the body of your guitar.

Alternate picking

This is one of the most commonly used picking techniques. With this method, the guitar player alternates between upstrokes and downstrokes. This technique is used in all genres of music and is a great starting point for the beginning guitarist.

Tremolo picking

Folk and classical music often use this technique. Tremolo picking involves rapidly picking one note multiple times in quick succession. It can be difficult to master but sounds great once you get it down.

Sweep picking

Play arpeggios quickly and efficiently using sweep picking. It is one of the go-to guitar techniques for Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Yngwie Malmsteen.

Triple picking

A favorite of metal bands worldwide, triple or speed picking, is simply adding a third stroke to the alternate picking method. Triple picking is one of the cool guitar techniques every rock or metal player should learn.

Finger-picking

This style is common in genres such as Bluegrass, Flamenco, and Classical. Instead of a guitar pick, you use the fingers on your strumming hand to pluck the individual notes that your fretting hand is holding.

This gives the chords you are playing complete voice, depth and clarity. Finger-picking can be tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you can bring more life to your music.

No Pick

Playing with no pick is less common. However, many acoustic guitarists prefer this method. To play this style, you hold your thumb and index finger tightly together, with the nail on your index finger slightly protruding, forming a guitar pick.

3. Palm muting

There is probably no more famous technique in Rock and Roll, Metal, and even Blues music than the palm mute. It’s one of the basic guitar techniques that are easy to learn and adds a lot of depth to your guitar playing.

To palm mute, you take the palm of your hand on the pinky finger side and rest it just above the bridge on the desired string or strings. The more pressure you put on the strings, the more mute effect you get.

The closer your palm is to the bridge, the deeper the sound. This is how you get that chunky metal sound with overdrive or distortion.

You can mute with the fingers on your fretting hand as well. Hold your finger lightly on the strings at the top of the fretboard towards the headstock, then strum the guitar.

4. Hammer-ons & pull-offs

This technique is common in musical styles ranging from Jazz to Metal. Guitarists like John Mayer, Joe Pass, and Chuck Berry are masters of this versatile and easy-to-learn method.

These are two basic techniques that every guitarist should know—using your fretting hand to strike or “hammer” the string to play a hammer-on. The desired note plays without using your picking hand.

Pull-offs are the opposite. Using your fretting hand, pluck the string while letting go or “pulling off” of the note. This drops or raises to the next note you’re holding on the same string.

Both of these guitar techniques add complexity and depth to your guitar playing. Some great examples of these techniques in action are the songs “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room’ by John Mayer and “Trapeze Swinger’ by Iron & Wine.

5. Guitar sliding

This guitar technique, not to be confused with slide guitar, is a fun way to make songs more dynamic. You hear this technique in almost every genre, especially Jazz. You can use it with single notes and chords too.

To utilize this technique,  slide your hand or finger to the next note without letting go of the strings. For instance, starting with a G major chord and sliding up into an A chord without breaking contact with the strings.

6. Harmonics

Professional guitarists often use harmonics to tune the guitar – but we also can use them in music. The high-pitched, ringing tone can add a touch of brightness or darkness to any song.

Performing a harmonic is easy, even for the novice guitar player. When you look at your fretboard, there is usually a series of inlays starting with the third fret. Harmonics can resonate by gently placing a finger of your fretting hand across the string or strings above these inlays and strumming or plucking the desired strings.

The easiest harmonics to play are the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets.

7. Augmenting chords

You become familiar with different chords when first learning to play the guitar. It’s easy to take these chords as gospel when first starting. But remember that you can augment any chord to better suit your song.

Don’t be afraid to change a C minor into an augmented G chord. The freedom of augmenting chords can help the budding songwriter find that missing piece and get past writer’s block.

8. Dropped, open, and other tunings

There are many more tuning arrangements than the standard E on guitar. The first alternate tuning you may learn as a beginning guitarist is dropped D. This tuning presents itself in many styles of music. However, it is most common in Hard Rock and Metal arrangements.

Another popular choice is open tuning. Artists such as Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and Barry Gibb are well known for using this tuning, and major label bands, including Pearl Jam. There are also modal and instrumental tunings, among others.

Utilizing these tunings requires learning guitar playing techniques specific to the tuning arrangement.

9. String bending

Guitar masters of the past and present use string bending to spice up their musical arrangements on guitar. Blues, Jazz, Rock, and Metal guitarists implement this technique in their songs. It can even be heard in classical arrangements.

String bending is when you hold a note or chord and either push the strings up towards you on the neck or pull them away. This gives the guitarist more range in notes and tone on the fly.

10. Vibrato

Regarding basic guitar techniques, vibrato is an absolute must for any guitarist to learn. This technique is similar to string bending with much smaller movements. By holding the note and moving the finger repeatedly on the fretboard, you can slightly change the sound and make the note quiver to the listener.

It takes practice to master the vibrato. String bending is easier to learn for the beginner. However, once you add this to your repertoire, you can play in a much more dynamic fashion in no time.

Guitar techniques takeaways.

Testing these guitar techniques is the best way to determine which works best for your goal. As a guitarist, you may incorporate them into your music in one way or another.

If you are frustrated or having trouble learning a certain technique, put it on the shelf and move on to another. By the time you come back to it, you likely won’t be struggling anymore.

Are you interested in taking your guitar playing to the next level? Then download the Simply Guitar app and start learning today!

FAQs.

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6 Guitar Muting Techniques Beginners Should Know https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-muting/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-muting/#respond Sun, 06 Nov 2022 16:16:10 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11906 What is the purpose of muting on the guitar? This article teaches you the most common guitar muting techniques. When you practice guitar, you want to hit all the right notes. However, muting guitar strings can be just as essential as fingering the correct frets.  Guitar muting can take some time and effort to learn. […]

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guitar muting

What is the purpose of muting on the guitar? This article teaches you the most common guitar muting techniques.

When you practice guitar, you want to hit all the right notes. However, muting guitar strings can be just as essential as fingering the correct frets. 

Guitar muting can take some time and effort to learn. Sometimes, it requires your fingering hand to stop unwanted strings from sounding. At other times, your picking hand is responsible for muting. 

With the appropriate techniques and a bit of practice, you can play the right strings and mute like a pro. Let’s look at the best ways to mute guitar notes and get the clearest sounds.

What is the purpose of guitar muting?

Guitar muting can add interest to your strum patterns, give you crisp staccato notes, allow you to play slide guitar with clear sounds, and stop the music for rest notes. You can also dampen notes to cut down on reverb and change the dynamics of your piece. Guitar muting gives you more control over your sound and is a great learning tool for beginning guitarists.

To mute the guitar, you may use techniques in your right hand or your left. Sometimes you may need to mute guitar strings with both hands. 

Here are some of the best guitar muting techniques for fretting and strumming hands.

Six guitar muting techniques.

Muting strings on the guitar may sound simple. However, it can take a week or more to get just the right touch. Here are a few guitar muting techniques to add depth to your pieces.

1. Muting guitar strings with your index finger.

Playing guitar with a smooth, legato touch is lovely. However, if you let one note bleed into another, you can quickly get a muddy, unclear sound. It’s like pressing down a piano’s sustain pedal for too long. 

For clear notes, stop the string’s vibration before you move on to the next. Or, you can block other strings from sounding and highlight just one note. This technique is useful in classical guitar playing when you have to pluck individual notes in a melody line. 

Mute by lightly releasing a string in the left (or non-dominant) hand. Let your finger hover on the note as you lift with precisely the right amount of pressure. If you release a note too quickly, you might create jarring notes. However, if you don’t press down hard enough, this can cause the string to buzz. 

A quick touch from the left index finger can stop a string from ringing. As you move on to new notes, you cut down on reverb to get a clear sound.

If you need to use your index finger to fret, simply use the pad instead of your fingertip. This intentionally sloppy fingering lets you fret one string while stopping the string next to it using one finger.

You can use this technique for:

  • Rest notes
  • Slide guitar
  • Transitioning from one note or chord to the next

2. Mute with the thumb or fingers of your strum hand.

You can also mute strings with the strumming hand. Use the side of your thumb to stop the vibration. If you want to mute more than one, plant your fingers on several strings to keep them from sounding. 

Muting with your strumming hand prevents you from accidentally hitting a string you want to keep silent.

Use this technique to:

  • Stop the sound for rest notes 
  • Transition from one note or chord to another
  • Block off unwanted strings

3. Mute with the side of your palm as you strum

With palm-muting, you use the side of your strumming hand to tighten up your strumming patterns. Place the side of your palm against the strings as you strum. This technique muffles your sound and creates a soft piano dynamic. Your hand should be near the bridge of the guitar. If your hand is too close to the sound hole, it may muffle the sound entirely.

Palm muting adds depth to your music and gives you more control over your strumming patterns. This technique can be helpful for beginning guitarists. It forces your strumming hand to stay close to the strings and eliminates unnecessary movement. 

Use this technique to:

  • Add a quieter dynamic to your songs
  • Gain more control over your strumming and picking
  • Create rhythms

4. Mute with the side of your strumming hand for a hard cut-off

You can add interest to your strum pattern by cutting off all sounds abruptly with a hard chop. Use the edge of your strum hand to mute the strings near the guitar bridge. Lighten the pressure of your hand If you hear the guitar strings click against the fretboard. 

Intersperse this hard cut-off with an up-and-down strum pattern to add rhythm to a piece. You can also use this technique to end a song dramatically.

  • This technique is compatible with electric and acoustic guitar playing.

5. Create fade-away endings with the side of your palm

If you want to be less abrupt with your muting, try fading away your sound. For this technique, use the side of your palm on the bridge. However, instead of chopping the sound off, roll your hand forward. This technique creates a subtle ending. 

  • Use this technique to end a piece or a movement. 

6. Try palm muting and plucking with the pizzicato method

Pizzicato is a guitar-playing method that also uses the side of your strumming hand. You can place the side of your hand on the guitar bridge, saddle, or in front of the saddle. Mute all the strings, just the bass strings or the treble strings depending on the sound you want. 

As you rest your hand on (or near) the bridge, pluck the strings instead of strumming. This technique gives you a unique sound on the guitar. 

  • The pizzicato guitar playing method fits well with the classical guitar genre.
guitar muting

How to avoid muting guitar strings by mistake.

Muting can be a desirable technique when it is intentional. However, accidental muting can make your playing sound muddy. Try these tips to avoid muting guitar strings by mistake. 

Check your hand position

To avoid muting strings accidentally, check your hand position on the guitar. When you play the guitar, you want to curve your fingers and press with your fingertip instead of the pad. This position lets you only fret the string you want. (You may need to trim your nails!) Then, keep the thumb upright behind the fretboard for support and point your elbow down. Using the correct guitar posture allows your fingers to play from a position of strength.

Bring the guitar close to your body

Holding a guitar too far away can cause your fingers to blunder notes and mute strings. 

Pulling the guitar closer in can help you avoid unwanted string muting. The guitar body should touch your torso. Now, the guitar neck is easy for your fingers to reach. 

Simplify the chords

Instead of playing overcomplicated chords messily, focus on playing simple chords well. Beginner guitarists need time to build hand strength and finger independence. You may unintentionally mute strings if the reach is too much for you to master. Often beginners choose to play open chords or even drop a note from a difficult chord. Try out these 7 Easy (But Impressive) Guitar Songs for Beginners with simple chords. When guitar chords are easy for your fingers to reach, you can get a more distinct sound. 

Practice, Practice, Practice

Unintentional guitar muting can ruin great songs. But practice can help you avoid buzzing strings and muffled sounds. Focusing on reaches and simple chord transitions can help you improve your finger accuracy. You can also warm up before you play with these 5 Finger Exercises for Every Guitarist.  With practice, you can strengthen your hands and eliminate unwanted muting.

Try new guitar muting techniques.

Guitar muting can add depth to your pieces while granting you more control over your guitar. However, accidental muting can negatively affect your sound. To mute guitar strings effectively, practice makes perfect. Take one technique and practice until you master the skill. You are closer to becoming a guitar expert with each new guitar trick.

If you want to learn guitar but don’t have much free time, download the Simply Guitar app to learn how to play on the go. 

This app takes you through the basics of playing guitar. It also gives you feedback in real time. Once you conquer one skill, you can move on to the next. Watch your guitar skills improve in five minutes of focused practice daily.

FAQs.

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What’s a Guitar Saddle, and What’s its Role?  https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-saddle/ https://www.hellosimply.com/blog/guitars/guitar-saddle/#respond Sat, 05 Nov 2022 15:29:25 +0000 https://hellosimply.com/blog/?p=11912 Learn everything there is to know about guitar saddles, including how to adjust the bridge saddle height and how you can replace it.  When you learn to play the guitar, you also need to become familiar with the parts of the guitar. It’s easy to see the role the strings, fretboard, and soundhole have as […]

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Learn everything there is to know about guitar saddles, including how to adjust the bridge saddle height and how you can replace it. 

When you learn to play the guitar, you also need to become familiar with the parts of the guitar. It’s easy to see the role the strings, fretboard, and soundhole have as we strum the guitar. However, many other guitar parts affect the final sound. 

The guitar saddle is a piece that is easy to overlook but has a significant role in your sound. It is only about two or three inches long and rests between the bridge and strings. 

But what exactly does it do

Let’s look at a guitar saddle’s role in guitar playing and how to adjust its height for the best sound.

What is a guitar saddle?

A guitar saddle is a small piece of bone, brass, or plastic that rests between the bridge and strings. It can transfer the vibration of the guitar strings to the soundboard. When you raise or lower the saddle, you can alter a guitar’s intonation to get a better pitch. 

Why is it important?

A guitar saddle is so small it looks insignificant. However, this tiny plastic has an essential role in guitar playing. 

The strings rest directly on the saddle. The saddle has the job of transferring tones from the guitar strings to the soundboard. You can bring pitches back in tune if the guitar saddle is too high or low. 

If you want to change the height of your guitar saddle, you first need to know what kind of saddle you have. 

The five main types of guitar saddles.

A guitar needs a saddle at the right height to sound its best. But, just as guitars come in many shapes, sizes, and styles, so do guitar saddles.  

What type of saddle does your guitar have? Is it a drop-in, or is it glued to the bridge? Do you need to hire a luthier to do it? 

Here are the five main saddles you usually see on a guitar.

1. The compensated saddle

A compensated saddle is one of the most popular options for acoustic guitar. It has high points and low points molded into it. This shape allows the treble strings to rest higher and gives the low guitar strings a longer stretch. It adjusts the heights for bass and treble strings to keep the guitar’s intonation on the pitch.

guitar saddle

2. The straight, uncompensated saddle

The straight, uncompensated saddle is the “Plain Jane” of the different saddle types. It has no grooves or ridges. Instead, it is straight where the strings rest on it. Often, you find an uncompensated saddle on classical guitars with nylon strings. Nylon strings don’t need height compensation as much as metal strings do. They tend to hold intonation better, as well.

guitar saddle

3. The adjustable, split saddle

Electric guitars often have adjustable saddles. While other saddles are one piece, the split saddle has six metal pieces that screw into the guitar bridge. Or, you may have three adjustable saddles that couple the strings into groups. This type of guitar saddle is one of the easiest to adjust. Simply tighten or loosen the screws with an Allen wrench to raise or lower the string height. 

guitar saddle

4. The drop-in saddle

Drop-in saddles are not attached to the guitar with glue or screws. Instead, drop-in saddles fit into a groove in the guitar bridge. This design makes it easy to change the angle or string height. You can also easily remove a drop-in saddle when you need to replace it. Many acoustic guitars use the drop-in saddle.

guitar saddle

5. The long set saddle

Unlike the drop-in saddle, a set guitar saddle attaches to the guitar bridge with glue. To remove or adjust this saddle, apply heat until the glue softens. Without heat, the guitar saddle may break off in the groove when you try to remove it. However, if you apply too much heat, you can damage the finish on your guitar. When you need to replace a long set saddle, it may be a good time to call a luthier for help.  

Guitar saddle vs. guitar bridge.

You often hear about the saddle and bridge as if they are the same thing. Indeed, you can’t have one without the other. However, these two guitar parts have different functions. 

A bridge usually fits on the guitar body and holds the saddle and bridge pins. The strings cross the saddle and attach them.

The saddle rests on the bridge, and the strings rest on the saddle. Raising or lowering the saddle can affect the tone of your guitar. At the right height, a guitar saddle can reduce fret buzz and give your guitar the perfect intonation.

How to adjust the saddle height on a guitar.

As you strum out guitar pieces regularly, you may notice that your guitar keeps going out of tune. You may hear the strings buzzing against the frets, or the frets may be difficult to press down for a clear sound. 

These issues indicate that you need to adjust the saddle height on your guitar. For techniques like slide guitar, you need to raise the saddle higher than usual to allow the guitar slide to move smoothly across the frets.  

So, how do you raise or lower a saddle on a guitar?

Adjusting the saddle on an acoustic guitar

Adjusting the saddle on an acoustic guitar requires more precision than on an electric guitar. Before you start this in-depth project, you want to be sure that the saddle needs adjusting and that it’s not another part of the guitar at fault. The truss rod, nut slot depths, and the worn fret tops can also be responsible for string buzz.

Here are a few steps to follow to adjust the saddle on an acoustic guitar:

Mark the amount you want to remove.

By marking the saddle before you sand, you can be sure you don’t remove too much material. Even simply drawing a line in permanent marker on the bottom of the saddle can be a good idea. This mark lets you see how much saddle material you are shaving off at a time.

Indicate which side is treble and which is bass.

To put the saddle back in the correct position, subtly mark the treble and bass sides of the saddle. Then, when you put the piece back on the guitar, you know which direction it should face.

Use fine-grit sandpaper.

Place the saddle on a strip of fine grit sandpaper and rub it gently to lower the height.

Rub in one direction.

Make sure you push the saddle only in one direction. This way, you get more control over your strokes. You don’t want to shave off so much that this guitar part loses its purpose. 

Apply even pressure.

Use even pressure as you sand the saddle to take off an equal amount of material on both sides. Then, make sure the bottom is flat. You don’t want a humpy base at the bottom of your guitar saddle.

Work in small increments. 

In music, you don’t need to rush. (Unless you are playing a piece in Prestissimo.) Working slowly and checking your progress can give you the desired result.

When you are sanding down a guitar saddle, less is more.

Adjusting the saddle height for acoustic guitars can be a tedious project. However, changing the height of an electric guitar is much more straightforward.

Adjusting the saddle on electric guitars

Electric guitar saddles are generally the most accessible type of guitar to adjust. You don’t have to sand guitar parts or make permanent changes you may regret later. You don’t even have to remove the strings. Instead, each guitar saddle has two pins you can raise or lower using an Allen wrench. 

Adjust both sides evenly, so the top of the saddle remains straight. You can check your work by seeing if the top of the saddle is level with the guitar top. Lopsided saddles are not what you want.  

How to replace a bridge saddle on the guitar.

If your saddle is worn, you may need to replace it for a better height. Hiring someone to replace your saddle can cost up to $150. Doing it yourself can cost between $15 and $30, depending on the saddle you choose. Here are the steps you should follow.

1. Choose your saddle

Before you start working, you need to find a replacement saddle with the right characteristics. Check your existing guitar to see what type of saddle it uses. Then make your choice.

  • Length–Choose a saddle that is slightly larger than you need. Then you can sand the edges to keep it even with the bridge.
  • Thickness– Make sure your saddle fits your guitar in the right spot. 
  • Height– It’s a good idea to get a higher saddle than you need. You can always take off extra with sandpaper, but it’s hard to put it back.
  • Material– Man-made ivory gives a great sound for acoustic and classical guitars. However,  plastic is the most inexpensive version.

2. Remove the strings

To replace a saddle on an electric or acoustic guitar, you must remove the strings first. Then, you can reach the saddle and bridge. 

3. Clean the guitar

Once the strings are off, take a moment to wipe down your guitar. Clean any grime from the frets. You can also rub some fretboard conditioner into the wood with a soft cloth.

4. Remove the saddle

Remove the saddle. If you have a set saddle, you need to unglue it using heat. However, drop-in saddles are easy to remove.

5. Replace the saddle

Once you remove the old saddle, it’s time to add a new saddle to your guitar. Generally, keep the bass strings lower and the treble strings higher for the best intonation. 

6. Restring the guitar

Add new strings to your guitar, and then comes the moment of truth. How does the guitar sound now? Do you notice a difference in the tone? 

Once you finish setting your guitar with the proper intonation, try out your skills for a crowd. 

It can be cheaper to replace a guitar saddle on your own. But should you try it? If you are a beginning guitar student, it may be best to leave the job to an expert. This is especially true if your saddle is glued to the bridge. Better to be sure the job is done correctly than play the guitar with a poorly installed guitar saddle. 

Final words.

As you learn to play the guitar, you master the guitar lingo and memorize the Parts of a Guitar. While saddle may only conjure up thoughts of horses, cowboys, and the wild west, now it has a new meaning. From now on, you can think of a tiny but significant part of the guitar. 

To gain more guitar knowledge in quick soundbites, try out Simply Guitar. This friendly app gives you daily challenges and corrects your guitar songs in real-time. 

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The post What’s a Guitar Saddle, and What’s its Role?  appeared first on Learn to Play an Instrument with step-by-step lessons | Simply Blog.

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