Why does every guitarist sound different?
The guitar has a unique ability to capture the distinct personality and technique of the person behind the strings. It’s the main reason why there’s a difference between the sound of Jimi Hendrix’s guitar vs. Eric Clapton’s or Carlos Santana’s. Yes, the types of guitars, amps, and effects pedals used make a difference too, but I’m talking about the sound coming directly from the way their fingers touch the strings. Imagine reducing each of these three guitarist’s sounds down to an entirely acoustic one. Imagine if you heard each of them playing the same song on the same acoustic guitar, back to back to back. They would still have their own unique sound, and I would bet that most fans of their styles would be able to listen blind and identify who’s who.
The sound of playing just one single note on the guitar depends on many factors. Like the way the finger tip meets the string and fretboard, if the finger is flat or arched, and if there is a lot of pressure or not much applied. It also depends on where the string is plucked, what type of pick is used and what angle it hits the string, or if fingers are used instead, etc. The list goes on and on and this can quickly become a runaway train as soon as we start talking about equipment. And it becomes a whole other conversation when we start talking about experience and what has shaped that individual throughout their life (more on this next week).
But at the most basic level, the guitar is different from most instruments because of the intimate connection that’s needed to create the sound of one note. Take the piano, for example. When a key of a piano is pressed, a sound is instantly made as the hammer hits the string. It doesn’t matter what part of the white or black area of the key is hit, it will still make the same sound and tone, unless you intend to hit the key hard or soft for different dynamic effects.
Guitars are extremely flexible. This makes it a tough instrument to learn since playing your first note is not as simple as pressing a key of a keyboard. But of course, once the basics are taken care of, this flexibility can be used to your advantage in creating your own sound, and that becomes addicting! At that stage, it’s important to go with your gut and play what feels right to you. Don’t fight that feeling and play what you think other people may want to hear or what they will think. If you stay true to yourself, your guitar will stay true to you! Allow your own voice to shine through the instrument.
