Types of Guitar Picks

Types of Guitar Picks

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Types of Guitar Picks

It is funny how the tiniest and cheapest guitar accessory can influence the tone and technique.The type of pick – material ,thickness, texture and shape can strongly influence the tone, phrasing and articulation.

Regardless of the type of genre you play, and the musical applications you’re attempting, the type  of pick will provide a tonal foundation for your sound and your technique.

Shape and size

A typical standard pick looks like an elongated triangle with rounded edge or some would say, like a teardrop.

  • On one side, it is a broad surface where it provides a comfortable grip to hold the pick
  • The other side, a flat pointy tip to strike the strings

These picks provides more control and direction connection to the strings. These picks are best for playing progressive, metal and jazz styles. Larger picks are typically meant for heavier gauge instruments such as baritone guitar and bass.

THICKNESS

The factor is the thickness of the pick. Most picks have its thickness printed on it.

The lighter picks are usually 0.53mm. These are the types that are ideal for strumming purposes or to produce a more sensitive and trebly tone. If you are looking at control, then this is not the pick to get as it bend and flicks.

For the thicker picks, it provides a rounded, fuller and heavier tone which help to assert the notes more precisely.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, thicker picks yield a fuller, rounder and heavier tone, and help to articulate notes more precisely. Jazz players and fast metal players gravitate towards these, as both the round, full-end tone and speed appeals to them.

In general, thinner striking surface (in other words, thin and pointy) will emphasize higher frequencies and give a more trebly tone; to get those lower overtones to vibrate, you need a thicker, rounder pick. Think about it: when you play with the fleshy part of your thumb it sounds muffled, much darker than with your fingernail. The same principle applies, and it becomes a question of finding the balance of tone that is right for you, and combining it with a shape that you find comfortable to hold.

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CONTACTS

Alternate Tone Pte Ltd- Music School
29b Seah St - Singapore - 188385

Tel: +65 8115 9378
Email: info@alternatetone.com

Open: Mo-Fr 12:30-21:30
Sa 10:00-18:00

Which Guitar Capo Should I Get?

Guitar accessories

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Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

On a tight budget? No worries, I have a separate list of essential and optional items.

You can slowly acquire the optional items as you progress in your skills.

Essential items Optional Items (in order of importance)
Guitar (Duh!) Extra Strings (for Stand-by)
Tuner Capo
Pick Strap
Ring binder folder(you don’t want to misplace your notes!) Metronome
Music Stand
Recorder or looper

Which brands do I use?

Guitar: We have our own label of guitars. You can purchase it at our studio (:

Alternatively, you can purchase the recommended brands in our tutorial video

Pick: When you purchase our guitars, we’ll provide you with our home-brand pick as well! I would definitely recommend purchasing a thinner pick for easier strumming.

 

Watch this video to understand how these accessories works

Extra Strings: Elixir Anti Rust Strings
Capo: D’Addario
Strap: Levy Straps
Strap Lock: D’Addario or Planet wave
Metronome: download this app
Music Stand: Hercules music stand
Recorder/ Looper: Boss

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Alternate Tone White Logo

Copyright © 2019 Alternate Tone Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

CONTACTS

Alternate Tone Pte Ltd- Music School
29b Seah St - Singapore - 188385

Tel: +65 8115 9378
Email: info@alternatetone.com

Open: Mo-Fr 12:30-21:30
Sa 10:00-18:00

60 Reasons Why You Should Play Guitar

60 Reasons Why You Should Play Guitar

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60 Reasons Why You Should Play Guitar

Let’s start off our list with 5 reasons why you shouldn’t play any other instrument than the guitar:

  1. Unless you have a 7” tongue, no one wants to date the bass player.
  2. No one throws underwear at the drummer.
  3. Good luck lugging around the piano on your next vacation.
  4. Because listening to a sax is like having a root canal.
  5. Synthesizers went out with the mullet.

Okay before you start a lynch mob, we’re just messing around with our fellow musicians! So put down your pitch forks and blow out your torches. We love and appreciate all forms of music.

So why should you play guitar?

If you think you’re the bomb for finishing Dragonforce’s “Through the Fire and Flames” in Guitar Hero, you’ll be a guitar god if you can play it live on a real guitar!

 

Here are a 55 more reasons why you should play a guitar:

 

  1. Flex your creativity muscles.
  2. Open up sonic possibilities; can you make a piano sound like an elephant?
  3. Write music on your bed.
  4. Play music for your loved one.
  5. Helps you work on your singing.
  6. Chill on the beach.
  7. Learn and appreciate different styles of music.
  8. Best way to start the day.
  9. Best way to end the evening.
  10. Live “The Dream” to be in a band.
  11. Chances are the band will be named after you!
  12. Everyone looks forward to your solo.

 

The next 10 reasons are backed by scientific research!

 

  1. Those guitar faces? That’s because guitar releases dopamine; the same hormone released during sex.
  2. Reduces stress.
  3. Reduces chronic pain.
  4. Makes you smarter!
  5. Strengthens your heart!
  6. Become more attractive to the opposite sex.
  7. People who learned music at an early age became rich later in life!
  8. Sharpens memory.
  9. Connect with your emotions.
  10. Boost your confidence.
  11. Increase the “Cool Factor”.
  12. Make new friends.
  13. Be less agitated.
  14. Ever wonder why guitar players like Joe Perry, Nuno Bettencourt and Slash are slim? Instead of eating junk food, play guitar and get healthy!
  15. Develop coordination and agility.
  16. Strengthen your hands and fingers.
  17. It’s an affordable instrument.
  18. You can take it wherever you want to go.
  19. Challenge your ability to play different types of guitar; acoustic, electric, 12-string, ukulele, Dobro and the banjo.
  20. Become a music teacher.
  21. Become more well- rounded.
  22. Impress the heck out of everyone!
  23. Create sonic works of art.
  24. Make life more exciting.
  25. Develop positive values like dedication, commitment and patience.
  26. Feel more accomplished.
  27. Improve your social life.
  28. Live the rock and roll lifestyle!
  29. Record your own compositions.
  30. Be able to play the music of your idols.
  31. Become more productive.
  32. Give yourself a chance of having a financially rewarding career.
  33. Get to travel more often.
  34. Heal your troubles through the power of music.
  35. Inspire other people.
  36. Have more memorable family reunions.
  37. Collecting guitars is a fantastic hobby.
  38. Express yourself through music.
  39. Become a story teller.
  40. Have a good reason to grow your hair.
  41. Experience, sing and play the blues.
  42. Break the Guinness Record for “Fastest Guitarist in the World”.
  43. Help others get through problems or tough times.

 

Let’s end the list with a bonus: the most important reason to play guitar is… to be happy!

 

Learning how to play guitar comes with its own set of challenges. But once you start getting your groove on, it becomes fun and highly entertaining.

 

Guitar playing is one of those activities where every single day you are 100% sure of accomplishing something. Whether it’s the first verse of your favorite song, the first section of a difficult solo, a new technique or another lick in your arsenal, you will always move forward and get better.

 

When you play guitar, it will make you believe that nothing is impossible! The more you practice, the sooner you will develop ways of breaking down your favorite songs and learning them on your own.

 

If you felt great learning “Tom Dooley”, wait until you figure out Estas Tonne’s “The Song of the Golden Dragon”.

 

You’ll be in cloud 9!

 

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Alternate Tone White Logo

Copyright © 2019 Alternate Tone Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

CONTACTS

Alternate Tone Pte Ltd- Music School
29b Seah St - Singapore - 188385

Tel: +65 8115 9378
Email: info@alternatetone.com

Open: Mo-Fr 12:30-21:30
Sa 10:00-18:00

The Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar Review

The yamaha f310 acoustic guitar review

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The Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar Review

Beginner Acoustic Guitar Review
When it comes to acoustic guitars, one of the more popular inexpensive options is the Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar. Is this a perfect guitar? By no means – but if you are looking for an acoustic guitar for a beginner or someone who just plays as a hobby, it’s not a bad choice.

yamaha F310

This 44 x 21.5 x 5.5 inch, 10 pound Yamaha acoustic guitar has 20 frets, is made of mahogany, with a laminated spruce top and rosewood fretboard. The guitar may be a little bulkier than some entry level options, but it is made of quality wood which means it can still produce a decent tone – something that can’t be said about several of the other cheapest options out there. The Yamaha F310 holds up well over time, but one selling point is that if it does get beat up too much, it wasn’t that big of an investment in the first place and is easy to replace. For these reasons, you can see why it is a popular option for an entry-level Japanese style Acoustic Guitar.
When it comes to how the F310 feels in your hands, the neck is slender and comfortable to grip. Because it’s not too wide, it’s a good choice for younger players whose hands may be smaller and have a difficult time fitting around a guitar with a wider neck. Additionally, the strings on the guitar don’t have tons of action – making it easy for anyone new to guitar to correctly finger chords as they build up finger strength.
Conclusion
So, to sum it all up – the Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar is inexpensive but still made from quality materials. If you can find one used, it’ll be an even better deal. It’s not a large investment for beginners, but, if you put some time into it you may find a more suitable option out there. So if you want something to give to the kids and not care if they destroy it, or if you just need an affordable guitar to practice or use while away from home, it can definitely get the job done.
Want to learn more about your beginner acoustic guitar options? Take a few minutes and check out our reviews of other acoustic guitars options from manufacturers like Epiphone as well as our own in-house model beginner acoustic.
learn how to play the guitar with our online guitar lesson

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Alternate Tone White Logo

Copyright © 2019 Alternate Tone Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

CONTACTS

Alternate Tone Pte Ltd- Music School
29b Seah St - Singapore - 188385

Tel: +65 8115 9378
Email: info@alternatetone.com

Open: Mo-Fr 12:30-21:30
Sa 10:00-18:00

Gibson Hummingbird Guitar

Guitar accessories

[breadcrumb]

Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

Beginners Guitar Lesson Guide on: Guitar Accessories to get

On a tight budget? No worries, I have a separate list of essential and optional items.

You can slowly acquire the optional items as you progress in your skills.

Essential items Optional Items (in order of importance)
Guitar (Duh!) Extra Strings (for Stand-by)
Tuner Capo
Pick Strap
Ring binder folder(you don’t want to misplace your notes!) Metronome
Music Stand
Recorder or looper

Which brands do I use?

Guitar: We have our own label of guitars. You can purchase it at our studio (:

Alternatively, you can purchase the recommended brands in our tutorial video

Pick: When you purchase our guitars, we’ll provide you with our home-brand pick as well! I would definitely recommend purchasing a thinner pick for easier strumming.

 

Watch this video to understand how these accessories works

Extra Strings: Elixir Anti Rust Strings
Capo: D’Addario
Strap: Levy Straps
Strap Lock: D’Addario or Planet wave
Metronome: download this app
Music Stand: Hercules music stand
Recorder/ Looper: Boss

Sign up for newsletter

Alternate Tone White Logo

Copyright © 2019 Alternate Tone Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.

CONTACTS

Alternate Tone Pte Ltd- Music School
29b Seah St - Singapore - 188385

Tel: +65 8115 9378
Email: info@alternatetone.com

Open: Mo-Fr 12:30-21:30
Sa 10:00-18:00