Guitar Help

[search1ng]

Hey guys, i'm trying to make a song sound brighter while staying in the same key.

Now the song has a lot of F's and Bb's. I'm thinking it's in the key of F? (Is that even possible?) Anyway, I've got a Capo but I'm not too sure how to use it. I've heard some other guy play it sounding brighter and i matched the original song i had to it and the normal F sounds like his brighter F, but i don't think he's playing all the way up to the 13th fret to hit that higher F.

Is it possible to use a Capo to get that brighter F sound? If so, how? If not, what do i have to do to get that sound?

e.g A sounds nicer up on the 5th fret then down below on the second.

 

[horaholic]

The Capo shouldnt affect the brightness at all. The only time I've had a problem with one, is occasionally it wont quite be in tune after you put it on. Maybe try a different kind of capo. Some have rubber backs, and some are harder. If it would make a difference, the harder backed one should be brigher (in theory) You might just need to play with the position of the capo. Too close to the fret, and it might dull the sound.

Is this a song I could listen to somehow on line? What style of music is it? Different chord positions can make a difference in brightness. If it is some kind of jazz chord or something, try a different position. Check out this link. It can help you find any chord in existance, and you should be able to simulate a capo position on there too. http://www.all-guitar-chords.com/

Also, is this acoustic or electric?

 

[search1ng]

acoustic, sry it's not a song that can be found on the net, it's semi-original. So the Capo can't/wont make the chord sound more 'brighter'? cause i know he's playing something that at least sound good with the F chord, but sounds more like an open string chord that just rings really nicely.

also, thanks for the link, much appreciated

 

[Unbridled_Phoenix]

Use the open-F chords up the neck. Just as a barred F is the same shape as all first position barred major chords up the neck, the open F shape can be played up the neck. Think of them as first position barre chords without the bass strings being used. It's the same theory as the barres, the note on the high E string is the root.

Also, for all the pitch you'd ever want, three-string minors can be played up the neck. Just barre the three high strings on the same fret (ie:XXX777), and the root note is always on the high E.

 

[search1ng]

Also, another question guys.

I've recently got my hands on a guitar amp and some pedal thing. Except the pedal doesn't have an input or output...it's just this black box thing with 2 buttons you press with your foot and 1 single lead out.

Where in the amp does this go in? The input? output? If so, where do i plug the guitar in? I'm so confused cause i can get the electric guitar to play by plugging it into the output but when i plug the 'pedal' into the input of the amp i get ear raped by this god awful screech of doom.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[horaholic]

sounds like a footswitch for the amp. The amp should have an input for it on the back.

 

[Kidd]

Why do you need to stay in the same key?

Going outside of your "key" and adding notes that don't necessarily belong is what makes your playing sound "brighter".

In your phrasing, pass over notes that do not belong in the key, while end the phrase with a note that is in the key. Or end on a note that does not belong and then slide/bend to a note that does. Do this right, and it will make your playing sound exotic and fresh.

Look up Marty Friedman lessons on YouTube. He is the absolute master of this and his lessons will teach you a lot.

Another thing you can do is use modes. Lets say you have your Fminor scale, which consists of F, G, G#, A#, C, C#, D# and F.

Lets assume you're playing over an F minor chord, which consists of F, G# and C. Instead of starting on the F note, you start on A#, and play A#, C, C#, D#, F, G, G#, A#. This is called a mode. You are still in the same key and playing over the same chord, but you are starting and ending on a note that is different than the root note, F.

And yeah, it seems that you got a footswitch pedal, to switch your tone from clean to distorted. There should be an output for it somewhere on the amp.

If you have more guitar oriented questions, feel free to pm me.