Learn Guitar

If your a guitarist and you've performed live or just got together for a casual jam with your friends then you will have experienced guitar feedback.

If you don't know what feedback is then it's an awful high pitched sound that comes from speakers of your amplifier. This usually happens when you place your microphone too close to the speaker or you get too close to the amplifier when your playing.

Not only does this put a dampener on your live performance but it's incredibly annoying for your audience and could even damage your hearing so avoiding it has many benefits.

We have put together a few tricks to avoid feedback from occurring in the first place

1. Turn the treble down

The first recommendation is to turn down your treble on your amplifier. Too much treble will invite feedback so ease off the treble on your amplifier settings.

2. Watch the volume

The second step is to turn the volume on your guitar up about three quarters. Try not to turn your volume up full as this can invite huge feedback! Always leave a little room on your volume and you will be guaranteed to reduce feedback at least 80% with this trick.

3. Easy on the distortion

One other trick is to turn down the gain or distortion on your amp. When you play softly, you can turn your gain or distortion full. But when you start playing with some serious volume, turn your gain only 50%.

You will still get the same sound and distortion, but this is the trick to avoiding feedback from occurring when you play at higher volume levels.

4. Watch the effects

Finally, if you're using an effects pedal, only turn it up 3/4 the way. Like your guitar -- always leave a bit of leeway as it offers more control over the sound and keeps your playing tight!

So Remembe, if you keep control of your volumes, you reduce the level of feedback and have a much tighter sound as an over all band. If you turn everything up full and try to rule the world, you'll sound messy and out of control.

Videos

Guitar feedback can, however, be used to great effect. I can't think of anyone better than the master of feedback, Jimi Hendrix, to demonstrated this. This iconic rendition of The Star Spangled Banner from his 1969 Woodstock appearance demonstrated incredible control and musicality.



Finally, this next video provides an excellent introduction to guitar feedback and distortion.

Labels: guitar articles, guitar tips