Why Beginners Have Bad Tone And How To Fix It!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 มิ.ย. 2022
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What tone tips do you have?
Don't scoop the mid frequencies.
You need less distortion than you think you do
Finger some notes, pick others. Boost the mids pre gain, then cut them back down post gain.
A common thing is that amateurs tend to practice alone at home at low volume. If they ever find themselves at a real gig all their pedal settings that sounded good at home won’t work. The low end is lost and gain levels changes as the amp is cranked etc.
1) Play slooooooow and focus on every single note. Speed is a byproduct of precision.
2) The picking hand is more important rhan the fretting hand. Rhythm is more important than scales.
3) Focus on timing and intonation. Small things count. Listen and play slooooow.
I think another huge one is muting techniques. All beginner guitarists I’ve seen don’t have any muting techniques and there’s a lot of unwanted open notes ringing out. Which causes some muddy tone. It’s sometimes very minor so it’s not that noticeable to beginner players. But more experienced players can pick it out instantly.
Also on the flip side accidentally muting notes that are supposed to ring out, i still struggle with that.
☯️
@Tommy Snurkerburger true but it's that same cursed muscle memory you have to unlearn that accelerates you in the other direction and helps you learn faster...lol... double edged sword..good luck..once you get it it comes really quick and becomes second nature
I was just about to add a comment to say just this. Absolutely learning to mute strings AND allow strings to ring when desired/needed.
Definitely muting is the biggest change. I think a lot start on acoustic and don’t need to mute as much and then when you start playing electric, it’s a mess if you aren’t conscious of it
Beginners have bad tone because they haven’t yet invested the gdp of a small country on gear!
Facts
Tone is in the Fingers
tone is in the mind and 90% of beginners just don't know how to use the treble/bass/tone knobs correctly.
@@misterroberts344 or don't know the tone and volume pots on your guitar don't have to be on 10
@@johnfoskey7855 I swapped mine for ones that I can just leave on 11. Gives me a unique tone with everyone else stuck on 10.
I once got this tip from a more experienced friend…”play CLEAN, no pedals, if it sounds good clean then it will sound good with any pedal”. another one: if you can whistle it (a solo part or a song) then you can play it”. Those tips hold true to this day. Cheers.
Best tip I heard right now thanks still useful
I disagree with the first tip. Just because it sounds good with a clean sound, doesn’t mean it’ll sound good with any tone or effect. You need a symbiosis between the tone/effect and the performed part.
The second tip is great. Humming, singing, or whistling a part will always get you more inside it.
@@TheMasonator777 Agree with you brother. You can get away with far sloppier muting technique playing clean than with high gain.
Honestly time and practice makes awesome! You don't need the most expensive gear to have a good tone but you do need practice to understand how to find it and keep it in your sound! Hope y'all have good days 🍀
A good guitarist can make a shitty squier sound like a million bucks.
Practice, practice, study, practice. And when your done, practice again.
@@cheenu711 yeah with a decent amp
@@cheenu711 yes,, but they usually step up to a better guitar at the same time. My first guitar was a squire when i was 13, and it sounded great. But it did not remain my main guitar 30 years later. I agree get your playing down first, then explore gear later. ¹
@@cheenu711 Jack Pearson,
One of the greatest guitarists in the world but is not real well known. The man plays the Indonesian built fenders and makes them sound like custom shop gear.🎶
You always sit with such good posture. I find myself completely hunched over after only a few minutes playing. I have GOT to try to improve my posture!
Start standing up while you play, your back will thank you.
My tips:
- A lot of tone is in your fingers. You just need to control your inflections on the strings. Play evenly. Don't let strings ring if they shouldn't be. Don't try to be your own drummer on the strings - particularly on distorted electric guitar.
- Take time to learn how to use your volume, tone and pickup selectors that are on the guitar.
- Change your strings often. Figure out what brand and gauge works best for you.
- Have your guitar properly set up and learn how to set it up yourself.
- On electric guitar, figure out what pickup height works best for you.
- Learn how to use the EQ on your amp.
- Don't waste money on pedals until you know how to use them. By that I mean that your first pedal should be a digital mult-fx that allows you to try out every effect there is. Or an amp like a Boss Katana that has it all built in. You can dissect the factory presets to learn how tones are built and you can explore all of the effects to figure out what you like best without spending thousands of dollars on individual stompboxes that aren't even right for you.
Great tone advice
Thank you for explaining what “tone is in the fingers” actually means. I wish someone had explained those very subtle concepts to me 20 years ago
I never realized what amps or pedals I really liked , because its not easy to have access to everything to compare side by side.. untill I got the Axe fx . Then I was able to compare everything and I really like the Marshall/brit patches. After studying some of my favorite patches I got a better understanding on how they chain things to get a good sound. Its very helpful and consistent on delivering the exact same tone every time.
Hi Robert, I really appreciate your positive, high energy, can-do approach to guitar. Always inspiring!
Beginner tone? Treble 10, mids 0, bass 10, gain 11.
that's the Dimebag way!
“Just do all the things, all the times, everyday, 25/7…. and end bluesy.” 😂 This resonates because I’ve always been crazy obsessive with my hobbies, and I’ve always wanted to specialize in one area. It’s comforting to know I’m actually on the right track 😂😂 with doing all the things, all the time 🤣🤣 Hey man, thanks for taking the time to share your advice on tone and I look forward to your next video! -Addie
YOUR TRACK is always the right track my friend... always go easy on yourself when chasing that perfection you seek..it's objective...what's perfect for me may be an abomination to others..be your best
☯️
@@ericwarrington6650✊🏻 ☯️
One thing I highly suggest to beginners is, if you're buying your first rig, make the cabinet your best piece of equipment. Cheap amp through good cab always sounds better than good amp through cheap cab, also a good cab will last you a lifetime,
Robert - I’m loving these little “5 Minute Ideas” series thingy your doing. Thx bro!
Dude your tips are always great short to the point .. love it
I love to use “power barres”. I combine a power chord and a barre chord together. It’s great for strumming or string skipping patterns and allows you to play the power chords, the barre chords, or both together. When you add distortion, classic 80s hair band sounds. Add in some pinch harmonics and you’re rocking now.🤘🏻
Isn’t a power chord and a barre chord together just a regular barre chord? I’m curious what you mean
@@cjscarff6453 not really sure if there any such thing as a “regular barre chord” either. Any chord can be barred, but what I do is mix a three string power chord with a three string barre. The power chord can be played alone and barre chord can be played alone or the can be played together. Use use the power chord on the upper (heavier gauge) strings and the barre on the lower (lighter gauge) strings. There is one string that is shared in the pattern, the D string. I’ve always just barred the A chord (D-G-B at the second fret), because it’s easier for me. The term “power barre” is just a play on words because these chord patterns work well with high energy songs.😁
@@ziggy4465 tab it for us. G Barred would be 355433 C on the A string would be X35553
@@nathaniellarson8 it’s a very movable pattern. Making a tab of it really is hard due to the variability. To use very simple terms the index finger is placed across all six strings and barres only as needed. The ring finger barres the D, G, and B strings. With varying pressure, the index finger can be used to only depress the E, A, and D strings. I often use the E (2nd fret) and D (4th fret) fingering for a power chord (I think that’s an F# power chord) and then barre the D, G, and B strings at fret 4. Like I said, it’s a moveable pattern… works on the entire fretboard. If I want to play just power chords I can using the E and A or D and G, just have to slide that ring finger up to the A string to play the lower register power chords. If I could post a picture, that might simplify the pattern example, but TH-cam wouldn’t allow it.
@@ziggy4465 I don't know the terminology exactly, but you're adding the low F# to a B chord, so I believe the "power" chord in that shape would be the A and D strings combined. I think adding the f# makes it a sus or something like that, at least one time I heard that back in the day when all I played was power chords and octaves, lol.
Hey Robert,
thxamillion for all! your informative
and always inspiring content.
Here are my two cents:
It all starts with how you attack
the string(s).
What kind of pick,which angle,slanting,how tight you hold
it and where you attack the string(s).
And that’s related to how loud you dial in your amp.
It’s good to leave some headroom say at least 20%.
And of course what kind of vibrato
you put on a note(slow,middle or fast which again relates to the tempo of the song,letting the note ring for a moment and starting to "massage" afterwards sounds better to my ears as well),when and how to end a phrase(The solo of Hotel California is
a very good blueprint for it)
It’s the same with bending the strings,you have to land on your target note in time.
So again:slow,middle or fast,with fast being used most of the time,and therefore landing on the desired pitch.
Best regards
Great tips Robert! I just wanted to throw in my thoughts here. I found it easier for Myself to play along with backing tracks and and find the tone that fits the particular backing track that I am playing along to. Everyone is different!
Having a nice PRS certainly helps with tone!
I’m a beginner and I already have great tone after a week. Sounds like bees and I love it.
Your last point is why I really encourage new musicians to use modeling gear. It's a cheap and increasingly more effective way of what sort of gear you will want to get as you progress.
Hello Robert, thank you for these tips, they are relevant to both a beginner and an intermediary. I have a question, did the Gibson draw take place? I feel like I haven't seen it pass. Thanks
Re: #2: it's all in the touch. The more you play, the more control you have on the subtleties of your touch.
Your insight and info is going to make me practice more. Thanks
I can remember when I was a beginner I used to hate when I heard people say “tone is all in the fingers.” I’d say “well why do guys with great tone always have bad ass gear?!” But as you learn to play over the years you learn how to put so much more expression in your playing through technique. Even with simple passages. Also you almost learn to listen to yourself playing differently. When I was a beginner I was never really happy with my tone. Now I feel I could get really good tone with any half way decent guitar and pretty much any tube amp. I still love great gear but I will now admit that “tone is at the very least mostly in your fingers.”
Your beginner self was correct. Even Robert describes technique when he’s talking about ‘tone is in the fingers’ which is not entirely true. A lot of factors make up a person’s tone. All our fingers as humans are made of the same stuff, so, no, it’s not all in the fingers…
A marshall sounds like a marshall,a big muff like a big muff,a strat like a strat etc etc and it's not because of fingers. Tone is in the gear.
@@jordanpratt3821yeah but I bet you hear 2 different people play same guitar its different.
The first point is such a big one. After years of playing i realized how much less distortion bands actually use, and how to dial in better settings to achieve similar sounds with less distortion/overdrive. One of the bigger issues with tone i encountered in recent years, is that you cant really make plugins sound like real amps in a specific way, what i mean by that is, the massive, boomy sound you hear (for example in this video). Its mostly due to direct audio vs mic'ed cabs. Currently this is the biggest issue im trying to overcome, and failing
I'm facing this now! Found any solutions?
@@barnabasgyuricza1588 can't really fix it, it's an IR issue. Some FRFR cabs help, but not much
This guy always has the best advice. Thank you Robert.🎸🤘😉
Super helpful! Subscribed
I think tone only matters in context. I hear guitarists with "great tone" all the time, but they're playing by themselves. If you've done any production or mixing, you know instantly that their tone will never work in a mix. It often has way too much low end. That can make it sound big and full by itself, but in a mix it steps all over the bass and kick and makes the whole track sound muddy. Who cares what you sound like in a room by yourself?
Thanks Robert. Hope you have a great day.
First video I’ve seen of yours. Subd because it’s short and I loved that. If the next video I see is over 20 minutes I make no promises on my retention. (Looking at you Rhett)
I agree when you start playing the more you play you listen differently to music & what's going on. Not to mention how many riffs in songs you just start to pick out in other songs. Make sure you use space too.
My problem is I’ve got my fingers in the right spot but I can’t get the note to sound like the song dose
Awesome video!!
Dynamics (i.e. string attack) will greatly improve over all tone. The same knock on midi instruments (constant 127 velocity) also holds true for humans. I don't think it's an advanced technique to learn how to play quietly and loudly within the same solo (or lick or whatever). Since I didn't start working on that early in my playing, it's a struggle for me sometimes. Listen to Robert's playing, and Tim Pierce's playing, and Rick Beato's playing - lots and lots of dynamics!
Thanks I needed this video today
Great tip Robert, play for your tone!
ALWAYS Inspiring ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Something that helped my tone is learning to use the volume and tone knobs.
Thanks for the lesson how to fix bad tone. Appreciated!!!
What amp do you recommend so a decent tone can be achieved?
That PRS is stunning
Would you consider divulging the settings on the echo for your intro to this video? I like it.
I saw the title of this and said, "no there is no quick fix, it takes time to learn this". Then your thesis was time, playing and listening. Good lesson.
My first amp was a crate digital modeling amp.This was way back before they were able to make it sound as good as today's modeling. I now play tube amps so I'm positive my tone is better,even though I can't really remember what the crate sounded like.
You have such good tone. I wish that you would share what you use along with your settings.
Question. I have a 20 year old Gibson SG, and run it through an Orange Crush 20RT, however, my tone seems limited when I play. It's got that same square chugging sound. Any tips for more tone versatility?
Love how easy it is to relate to this guy 🙌
What were you playing at the start of the video?
What is the setup on the PRS? 2 volumes or 2 tones? What model is it please?
As a beginner tone issues for me were gear related. Cheap Japanese guitars, cheap transistor amp. My tone improved when I bought a rickenbacker and a Fender twin. My playing improved astronomically. I think you’re talking about feel and technique.
So what is the difference between time and sound are they synonymous. Is the "Page" sound the same as the "Page" tone or is it a different concept? Thanks
One thing that has made me be able to make more final mix ready tones is looking at production/mixing videos. The best Djent tones actually have lots of bass guitar present in the mix, not too much bass frequencies present in the guitar tone. Jazz tones have lots of middle frequencies present and lots of middle frequencies present can give you a typical vintage sound. I recommend checking out some guitar mixing and production videos to learn more about guitar tones and how they fit in a mix with a bass. I know how to get some different tones I like for different genres now because I don't only know how to use an eq, but I know how to tone match certain tones in Bias FX 2 and I do have a Badlander amp if I want to use that. I believe that using your palm to mute strings not played when playing higher strings can also make your guitar playing cleaner and some players actually like less clean (technique) guitar playing.
PSI on the finger board.Dial in? Meaning as the volume increases the bass treble and distortion decreases. Palm muting on the picking hand. Diamond Darryl quote take one note and listen to the tone. Notice you don’t need a death grip to get tone. And where you pick the strings makes a difference placement and angle. Clean string and fret board with fast fret. Take your fretting hand and rub it on the back of your neck giving the hand natural oils to glide over strings without the scratching string noise. Lastly put a long screw on the back plate of the guitar and hang it off your belt. Now your rockin🎸🤠
One of the things that make it even more difficult, is that the tone you like alone at home, might not he the best for a band setting.
Correct..really have to dial in to the venue or environment you are in..the reverberation of reflected sound waves alone changes everything..that's what sound check is for 👊🤘🎸🎶
Absolutely! Just happened to me last weekend. Sounded great in rehearsal, but once at the gig, it was more harsh and brittle. This is one huge plus about my Helix, I have a main patch with but have it saved multiple times with slight variations within each so I can quickly run through patches until one sounds right at the venue.
Same goes for recordings. I have gone through bunch of mutlitracks to listen isolated guitars. I have to say that in few cases I could tell I like the tone. But all those tones worked well in a context of the mix. I am now trying to re-record some tracks with my part. This is really good exercise I think. It's really funny that guitarist would like to sound like someone they hear on records. Records where guitars are heavily EQed and post process so it never sounds like what you can hear from the amp in a room.
@@hbo001 for example I don't think Fuzz sounds great by itself, but in a mix it's awesome (smashing pumpkins fan)
@@oldmanfran5523 you are right. In general, all kind of distortion effects are just noise and has to be filtered and used properly to work for a given song.
SICK DGT! I love my DGT 10 top. One of the best guitars. Love that 25" scale.
Also, don't be afraid to use tremolo. Most guitars have them. Try to use your trem subtly, don't go crazy with the dice bombs!
Just a little inflection with the trem can add character and variety to your tone.
Yes, with my strat I used to keep the switch in position 1, now I probably use 5 but also 3.....it's definitely a learning process. And yes it's how you play 🎸
2 and 4 are the best positions on a strat. They are the most “strat” voiced.
When you do that slide up at around 1:44 in the video, it reminds me of the lead guitar tone in the Wallflower's One Headlight song....
Boy, you have fantastic tone today! 👍
I have Acoustic guitar does that make a difference
Nice chops.
love this guy
That guitar of yours really reminds me of an early 80s aria pro ll i had as a kid. Was blue colonial series i believe.
Cool video!
"Well-listened!" I love it 😎
Anyone know what guitar he’s using? I believe it’s a PRS SE but I’m not sure
Beautiful guitar!!
Speaking of gear... what pick are you using?
And have fun, Thanks Rob!
I keep discovering this man over and over. The playing was so baddass and then I saw who it was. I love this dude so much. When they play that well, you wanna become a disciple.
Big contributors to tone that I think loads of beginners miss - Guitar volume control, don't just leave it at 10, use your amp for actual volume, guitar volume has massive impact on overdrive pedals and other effects, so you have a great variance in tone right where you need it. Pick attack is another, muting also. Combining those 3 things with a level of precision will have a huge difference to your tone, and get a lot more mileage out of the gear you've invested in.
Always been a Marshall guy too but that’s a pretty sweet Fender tone you got going there man . Marshall guys call that a clean tone, Fender guys would call it medium to high gain lol .
Marshall’s and bc Rich’s are my go to atm but I want a bright grit wavey sound
ight mate any tips for people who cant afford five different amps and a plathora of pedals?
Great video.
Nice Job......Subbed
That prs is beautiful 😍
how do i get my guitar to not sound so acoustic
You ever tried the Mooer GE300?
There’s beginners and there’s beginners. I’ve been playing around a year and would still say that tone is well down my list of problems to solve!
excellent vid
Three tones. Good lesson. 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
As a beginner my tone was bad because I spent all my time playing Dave Matthews songs.
Did the Gibson Giveaway happen???? I don't see any video on your channel. Cheers!!
Single coils vs humbuckers, clean vs overdrive vs distortion vs fuzz, fender amps vs vox vs marshall vs orange, more sustain with compressor vs natural attack and decay, spring reverb vs hall reverb, long delay vs short delay, chorus vs flanger vs phaser, auto wah vs pedal controlled wah, trem bar vs whammy pedal, chords vs riffs, bends vs slides, single lines vs double stops, fast vs slow, fingerpicking vs using the pick, hard or soft, mute or ring the notes, pick harmonics vs open string and fretted harmonics, complex chords with extensions vs power chords, etc. These decisions, your music style, and your dexterity also contribute to your tone
When I was a beginner, I was just happy to be in tune (first priority) and have the gain all the way up 😊
Love that prs but hate the tremolo lol
Beautiful guitar ❤
A few years ago I was at an Open Jam in Denver. Some guy came up to me with a CD with only one song. What was the song called ? Know Your Tone". A good song with good advice.
I have bad tone because a practice-sized amp with no treble/mid/bass knobs etc, not enough knobs to actually change things. Supposedly, _supposedly_ the smartphone app for the amp might allow for more changes, but I'm definitely going to be getting a modeler in the future because it's just so much easier to manage.
The smartphone app requires a plugin to the phone. And I don't have the right USB cable for that
You are awesome Robert Baker
I used to dime the bass, treble and pull all the mids back when I started. damn you Metallica
When I started learning guitar I only had 2 “tones”: clean (sometimes with chorus); distortion up to the max
All the gain! no mids! metalzone! will get you there. works best through a line 6 spider.
Do you not like Vox amps?
Its all about developing an ear and your fingers. What helped me a bunch was listening and playing along to isolated guitar tracks, but don't listen to one guitar player for too long or your playing will start to sound similar to theirs.
You still using Dragon Heart picks? If not what’s your go to?
When you play for a little bit longer, I think the most work is muting tones you don’t want to ring. But you do it without thinking about it :D
That beautiful DGT would help me!