What is Electric Guitar? How to Play an Electric Guitar?

1. Guitar setup: Ensure that your electric guitar is properly set up. This includes adjusting the action (string height), intonation, and ensuring that the guitar is in tune. You may need to consult a guitar technician or learn to make these adjustments yourself.
2. Amplification: Electric guitars require an amplifier to produce sound. Experiment with different amp settings, such as adjusting the gain (distortion), tone controls, and volume to achieve the desired sound. Explore various effects pedals and amp modeling to further shape your tone.
3. Playing with a pick: Many electric guitarists use a pick to achieve a more precise and defined sound. Experiment with different pick thicknesses and materials to find the one that suits your playing style and desired sound.
4. Fretboard navigation: Learn to navigate the guitar's fretboard and familiarize yourself with scales and chord shapes. This will allow you to play melodies, solos, and chords in different positions on the neck, giving you more freedom and versatility in your playing.
5. Bending and vibrato: Electric guitars are well-suited for string bending and vibrato techniques. Practice bending the strings to reach higher pitches and develop control over your bending technique. Vibrato involves adding subtle pitch modulation to a note, creating a more expressive sound. Experiment with different vibrato techniques, such as wrist vibrato or using the guitar's tremolo system.
6. Palm muting and string skipping: Electric guitarists often use palm muting to achieve a tighter and percussive sound. Rest the palm of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge while strumming or picking to achieve a muted effect. String skipping involves skipping certain strings while playing melodies or chords, which can create interesting and unique patterns.
7. Explore different playing techniques: Electric guitars offer a wide range of playing techniques to explore. These include legato playing (hammer-ons and pull-offs), tapping, sweep picking, and harmonics. Take time to learn and practice these techniques to expand your repertoire and add variety to your playing.
8. Experiment with effects: Electric guitars allow for the use of various effects pedals and processors. Experiment with different effects, such as distortion, delay, reverb, chorus, and wah-wah, to shape your tone and create unique sounds. Learn how to use effects pedals effectively and experiment with different combinations to develop your own signature sound.
9. Learn songs and solos: Choose songs or solos that inspire you and start learning them. Studying the playing styles of your favorite guitarists can help you understand different techniques and musical concepts. Start with simpler songs and gradually progress to more complex ones as your skills improve.