Have you ever seen someone strum a guitar with a feather?
Trust me; there are even stranger techniques out there that will make you question everything you think you know about playing the guitar.
You won’t believe what some guitarists will do with these bizarre guitar-playing methods
The Eddie Van Halen-style
Eddie Van Halen’s innovative two-hand tapping technique revolutionized the world of rock guitar, expanding the instrument’s melodic and technical possibilities.
By using both hands to tap notes directly on the fretboard, Van Halen created intricate, lightning-fast passages that mimicked the sound of a keyboard, as exemplified in his groundbreaking solo on “Eruption.”
His unique approach to tapping, combined with his mastery of other techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and harmonics, set a new standard for guitar playing and inspired countless musicians to push the boundaries of what could be achieved on the instrument.
Transforming your Guitar into a Violin with the EBow
The EBow is a handheld electronic device that allows guitarists to achieve infinite sustain, effectively transforming their instrument into a guitar-violin hybrid.
By creating a magnetic field that vibrates the string continuously, the EBow enables players to produce long, smooth, and fluid notes without the need for fretting or plucking.
This unique tool opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing guitarists to explore new sonic textures, craft mesmerizing melodies, and add an otherworldly dimension to their playing.
Zakk Wylde’s signature sound
Pinch harmonics, also known as artificial harmonics, are a signature technique of guitar legend Zakk Wylde, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and the Black Label Society.
By lightly touching the string with the thumb or index finger of the picking hand at specific harmonic nodes, Wylde creates a high-pitched, screaming sound that cuts through the mix like a banshee’s wail.
This technique, when combined with Wylde’s aggressive playing style and heavy distortion, results in a distinctive and instantly recognizable sound that has become synonymous with his name in the world of heavy metal guitar.
Behind-the-Neck Slide for Guitarists Who Love a Challenge
The behind-the-neck slide is a visually impressive and technically challenging guitar-playing style that involves reaching around the back of the neck to play notes with a slide.
This technique, popularized by blues and rock guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, allows for smooth, fluid transitions between notes and the creation of unique, expressive sounds. While challenging to master, the behind-the-neck slide adds a dramatic flair to a guitarist’s performance and showcases their talent and creativity on the instrument.
Feather-Light Fingerstyle
Plucking guitar strings with a feather is an unconventional technique that creates a delicate, ethereal sound, adding a unique texture to a guitarist’s sonic palette.
This method involves gently brushing the strings with a soft feather, producing a subtle, shimmering tone that contrasts with the bolder sounds achieved through traditional picking or strumming.
While not commonly used, the feather plucking technique can be employed to great effect in genres like folk, ambient, or experimental music. It showcases a guitarist’s willingness to explore new and innovative ways of creating sound on the instrument.
Using Velcro Picks for Edgy Guitar Tones
Using Velcro picks to play the guitar is an unconventional technique that creates an intentionally abrasive, harsh, and grating sound.
By attaching a piece of Velcro’s rough side to a guitar pick, players can generate a distinct scraping noise as they strum or pluck the strings, adding an aggressive and industrial edge to their playing.
This experimental approach to guitar playing is often employed in genres such as noise rock, industrial, or avant-garde music, where musicians seek to push the boundaries of traditional guitar tones and create jarring, unsettling, or confrontational soundscapes.
Micro-Sonic Masterpiece
Acclaimed music producer and engineer Jacquire King has been known to employ the technique of attaching microphones to the guitar neck to capture every subtle movement and string noise in his recordings.
King, who has worked with artists like Kings of Leon, Norah Jones, and Tom Waits, uses this approach to create a highly detailed and intimate guitar sound that showcases the nuances of the performer’s playing style.
By carefully placing small, sensitive microphones along the neck, King is able to record the minute details of the guitarist’s technique, resulting in a rich and immersive listening experience that has become a hallmark of his production style.
This technique is especially useful in fingerstyle or acoustic music, where capturing the guitarist’s subtle nuances is crucial. It creates an immersive experience that draws the listener into the heart of the performance.
Electric Guitars I Love
Gretsch G5420T Electromatic Single-Cut with Bigsby, Airline Silver
FEATURES:
- Dazzling vintage-inspired design.
- Crystal-clear retro electric guitar sound.
- Solid construction and smooth playability.
- It is challenging to adjust the bridge, especially during string changes.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
3/4 LA Electric Guitar + Mini amp, Blue
FEATURES: Natural satin neck finish
OTHER INFO: Includes 3/4 sized guitar with mini amp and all essential accessories
- Lightweight body and easy-to-play C-shaped neck
- May require upgrades or modifications over time to meet the evolving needs
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Ibanez GRG121DX GIO, Metallic Grey Sunburst
FEATURES: Scale Length: 25.5"
OTHER INFO:Versatile IBZ-6 Ceramic Humbucker Pickups
- Affordable, without compromising on quality.
- Dynamic and versatile, suitable for various playing styles.
- Comfortable GRG maple neck and bound purpleheart fingerboard.
- F106 bridge enhances resonance and maintains tuning.
- 5-way blade switch allows for a wide range of tonal possibilities.
- Powerful pickups ideal for rock and metal genres.
- Limited Sound Variability
- Frequent Hardware Tune-Ups Required
- Absence of a Case in Standard Package
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Strange Techniques:
Pushing the Boundaries of Guitar Playing
From Eddie Van Halen’s game-changing two-hand tapping to the experimental use of Velcro picks, these unconventional guitar-playing techniques showcase the boundless creativity and innovation of musicians who refuse to be limited by tradition.
By pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the instrument, these guitarists have expanded the sonic palette of music and inspired countless others to explore new and exciting ways of expressing themselves through their playing.
I must disagree with the notion that using unconventional techniques like Velcro picks is purely for creating ‘abrasive’ tones. In fact, with the right setup, it’s possible to achieve very unique and musically appealing sounds. It’s all about how creatively you can use these tools.
velcro picks sound wild gotta try tht
anyone ever try the behind-the-neck slide in a live setting? sounds like it could be either super cool or a recipe for disaster depending on how steady your hands are and now im kinda tempted to give it a shot during my band’s next gig
EBow section was spot on! There’s nothing like the sound of an eBow playing through a clean amp setup. Pure magic. It’s like the guitar’s singing. Props to Lewis Turner for including it.
The section on Eddie Van Halen truly captures the essence of his impact on rock guitar. It’s refreshing to see his contributions celebrated. His technique was not just innovative but revolutionary. Great job, Lewis Turner, on highlighting this.
Totally agree, Max! Eddie was a legend. Makes me want to practice harder.
I found the part about Jacquire King attaching microphones to the guitar neck particularly intriguing. It’s a unique technique for sure, but it’s worth noting that similar methods have been used in various experimental music scenes for decades. It’s always exciting to see studio tricks making their way into more mainstream productions. Good on you, Lewis Turner, for highlighting this innovative approach.
lol using velcro for picks? what’s next, guitar strings made from spaghetti? gotta hand it to these folks for being creative though
Really digging the section on Eddie Van Halen’s tapping technique. It’s amazing how that style not just shaped a whole generation of guitarists but also how it’s being adapted and evolved even today. I’ve spent countless hours trying to master it, and it’s fascinating to see how it continues to inspire. Would have loved to see some examples of modern players who’ve taken it to the next level. Great write-up, Lewis Turner!
whos polyphia?
Totally with you on Eddie’s impact. It’s like his fingers were on a mission to break the sound barrier. Also, check out Polyphia’s Tim Henson for a modern twist on tapping.