An electric guitar is a powerful instrument, especially through a good amplifier. But as the saying goes “With great power comes great responsibility!” We all work hard to make good sounds on the guitar, but can you make silence happen as well?
The first important silence is done with a palm mute. Anytime in a song that you’re supposed to play a rest, its not enough to stop plucking the strings; you need to mute them as well. This is best done with the pad of your palm directly under your pinky. Touch all the strings lightly and hold your hand steadily on the strings.
Then we have the Volume Knob, it turns down as well as up! When you put your guitar on the stand, turn it all the way down. Same goes for standing around not playing for a while without putting it down, especially if you talk with your hands.
Next, Control Stage Volume. Yes, your wonderful tube amp CAN rattle the windows, but if your purpose is artistic communication rather than simple household destruction, you need to keep your stage volume balanced so the audience can hear the rest of the band. In small venues I set my 15 watt tube amp facing me away from the audience. Never had a problem with it carrying through out the club. They hear what they want and I hear what I want. I even made a little wooden stand for it.
Last; always turn your amplifier off before unplugging your axe. Save our ears and your speakers.
Electric guitar is like a gun, it’s such a powerful tool that it must be kept in responsible control at all times. Please, play responsibly.
