| Music is a very individual expression, and | | | | tones of blues music, King uses a Gibson |
| for almost every musician and performer there | | | | hollow body, the hollow chamber of the guitar |
| is a style that is both defined by them, and | | | | creating a resonance that naturally |
| created for them. A musician's instrument is | | | | amplifies, and softens the notes performed. |
| as much a part of that individual expression | | | | |
| as the performer, and this is just as true, | | | | Whilst hollow body electric guitars use the |
| if not especially so, when it comes to the | | | | natural amplification of the guitar body to |
| guitar. When you think of famous guitarists | | | | soften the notes slightly, using a solid body |
| such as Jimmy Hendrix or Brian Welch, Eddie | | | | creates not only sharper notes, but since the |
| Van Halen, Fletcher Dragge, Angus Young or BB | | | | guitar relies entirely on external gadgets |
| King, each of these is renowned for his own | | | | and electronics to amplify the notes, allows |
| individual style and personal way of | | | | for a wide range of effects to be |
| expressing himself through the music, but in | | | | implemented. Angus Young is the lead |
| addition to the fact that each of these | | | | guitarists for AC/DC and in contrast to BB |
| performers has a very individual style which | | | | King who uses a Gibson hollow body, Young |
| is all their own, each performer has used a | | | | uses a Gibson solid body - and if you listen |
| style of guitar which is quite different from | | | | to both performers you can tell immediately |
| the others. For every one of these well known | | | | the difference in tone and voice. Ignoring |
| guitarists, there is a style of guitar which | | | | style of performance and the actual genre, |
| helps to complement the way they perform, and | | | | the sound or voice of the guitar is |
| the style, tone and voice they need in order | | | | noticeably different, yet essentially the |
| to help compliment their performance. | | | | only real difference is whether the body of |
| | | | the guitar is solid or hollow. |
| A guitar is capable of playing very soft, | | | | |
| delicate tones, but also capable of screaming | | | | If you are considering buying a guitar, or |
| rock chords and thrashing bass notes. To take | | | | learning to play guitar, one of the things |
| each of the guitarists above, Jimmy Hendrix | | | | that may well have inspired you is the sound |
| is best known for his style made famous | | | | of a particular genre, or band, or performer. |
| during the 1960s, and his guitar of choice | | | | Whilst this inspiration is good, in some |
| was the classic electric guitar, the Fender | | | | cases it can result in disappointment, as |
| Stratocaster. On the other hand, Eddie Van | | | | many of these performers have spent a |
| Halen is best known for a completely | | | | lifetime perfecting their individual style, |
| different sound, which is best described more | | | | and working with a particular type of guitar. |
| of a tapping sound, particularly the | | | | For example, as a beginner trying to learn to |
| intricate tapping solos. In order to achieve | | | | play a steel strung guitar is almost |
| his sound, he uses a guitar which is actually | | | | certainly going to result in so much pain and |
| custom made, but based on a Wolfgang, which | | | | discomfort that giving up lessons will become |
| is a peavey guitar. | | | | much more appealing! Sticking to a standard |
| | | | six string nylon strung classic acoustic |
| Blues musicians, such as BB King have an | | | | guitar is the best way to learn to play. |
| entirely different sound altogether, and | | | | After that, listening to different bands and |
| blues music is a style that is easily | | | | performers is a good way of getting to know |
| recognizable, and quite distinct from any | | | | and recognise the wide range of sounds that |
| other kind. In order to create the mellow | | | | guitars can produce. |