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How To Learn Guitar: Tips For Beginners

Man playing guitar. Tips for how to learn guitar.

So, you want to learn guitar. Welcome to the wonderful world of playing! Since you’re new, you want to get started on the right foot. There are many bad habits that you can pick up that will be difficult to shake off down the road, so here are our 5 best tips for beginners wanting to learn guitar.

Tip #1: Focus on Technique

If you look at any of your favourite guitarists, regardless of whether they play heavy metal or classical tunes, they all have one thing in common: good technique. They can achieve seemingly effortless solos and chord progressions because they mastered playing the guitar with good technique. A well-structured practice routine will help you build proper technique and motor skills. Now, you might be wondering – okay, but how do I start? We suggest that you download apps like Uberchord or Fretello and watch the best YouTube channels for guitar lessons. Nowadays, there is a vast treasure trove of knowledge online, and practically everything you could ever want to know about the guitar is easily accessible. However, we also strongly recommend getting a professional guitar teacher as well, as they can point out your gaps and personally guide you through your guitar journey.

Tip #2: Take It Slow

You may envision yourself as shredding riffs at lightning-fast speeds, but don’t even bother trying to learn how to play fast. First, you need to master good technique, and trying to go fast as a beginner is just going to frustrate you. Instead, concentrate on precise fingering and hitting the right notes. Once you achieve good technique, speed will happen on its own.

Tip 3# Learn Music Theory

If you’re like many, you’d rather skip music theory. It seems dry and bland when you’d rather be creatively expressing yourself. However, most guitarists who neglect to learn music theory all run into one major roadblock – they start to plateau. You can grow as a guitarist by disgesting small bits of music theory. If you feel like you’re not making any progress, learn a little theory, then explore what you’ve learned in your playing.

Tip #4: Play Covers

I cannot stress this enough: Playing covers is one of the best ways to learn the guitar. Not only do you get to cover your favourite songs, but you get to learn about the elements that make these songs successful. Luckily, you can learn songs easily online through YouTube videos and other resources.

Tip #5: Keep Learning

Your guitar journey doesn’t have an end to it. There are always new tricks and techniques to learn! Give it time, don’t give up, and soon enough, you’ll become a great guitar player. Happy playing!

Resources For Beginner Guitarists

If you would like more resources for playing the guitar, here are other posts we’ve made:

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Best Guitar Effects Pedals For Acoustic Guitars

Man playing acoustic guitar. Best guitar effects pedals for acoustic guitar.

Acoustic guitars are renowned for their natural and organic sound. However, if you would like to add guitar effects like chorus, delay, and reverb, there are options out there that won’t muddle your core tone. Here are our suggestions for some of the best guitar pedals for acoustic guitars.

1. TC Electronic Corona Chorus Pedal


TC Electronic Corona Chorus TonePrint Series Effects Pedal

If you’re looking for a stereo chorus pedal for your acoustic guitar, check out the TC Electronic Corona Chorus. It includes four knobs for Speed, Depth, FX Level, and Tone, giving you enough control over the effects. You can also change between Chorus, TonePrint, or Tri-Chorus modes, letting you perfectly tweak your chorus to fit your acoustic tone.

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2. TC Electronic Helix Phaser Pedal


TC Electronic Helix Phaser Guitar Effects Pedal

Want control over how saturated your acoustic guitar tone is? The TC Electronic Helix Phaser pedal may be right for you! With four controls, including Speed, Depth, Feedback, and Mix, you get an incredible level of control over the phaser. You also have TonePrint capabilities and stereo inputs and outputs, making it perfect for acoustic guitars. 

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3. TC Electronic Flashback Delay Pedal


TC Electronic Flashback Delay TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal

The TC Electronic Flashback Delay Guitar Effects Pedal features 6 seconds delay time of a great range of delay types. Since it is a stereo pedal, you can also experiment with different stereo delays. And of course, because it is from TC Electronic, you also have access to TonePrint, letting you transfer your favourite delay settings onto the pedal.

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4. Electro-Harmonix Tone Corset Analog Compressor Pedal


Electro-Harmonix EHX Tone Corset Analog Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal

The Tone Corset from Electro-Harmonix is an affordable and great-sounding analog compressor/sustainer pedal. Dial-in Attack, Sustain, and Blend to shape your guitar’s dynamics. You’ll love sounds you can shape with this impressive pedal!

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5. Electro-Harmonix Nano POG Polyphonic Octave Generator Pedal


Electro-Harmonix EHX Nano Pog Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal

If you want an octave pedal to emulate a bass guitar, check out the Electro-Harmonix Nano POG. This compact pedal lets you easily mix between your dry signal, an octave down, and an octave up. You can then simulate bass guitars or even 12-string guitars. 

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6. TC Electronic PolyTune 2 Guitar Tuner


TC Electronic PolyTune 2 Guitar Pedal

No pedal collection is complete without a great tuner. We recommend the TC Electronic PolyTune 2 due to its excellent display, ability to check the tuning of all of your strings at once, and ultra-precise chromatic strobe tuner.

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Powering Your Pedals


You can power your pedals using several methods. Every guitar pedal has different requirements, so you will need to learn about power requirements before building your pedalboard.

However, one excellent recommendation we can make for powering your pedals is the Voodoo Lab Power Pedal 3. This power supply can feed your entire pedalboard and is a popular option amongst guitarists. 

Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 3 Power Supply

You can also get a pedalboard and power supply package from Voodoo Lab. Varying by the size of the pedalboard, there are small, medium, and large options available. 

Plug And Play


Now you know the vast potential your acoustic guitar playing can have. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you would like to browse more guitar effects pedals and build your own unique sound, check out our vast range of guitar multi-effects.

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4 Best Headphones For Guitar Amps

Woman wearing Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT

Let’s get this out of the way – nothing beats plugging into your guitar amp and cranking it high. That being said, sometimes your neighbours and roommates deserve some peace and quiet, especially at night. To keep on jamming without getting noise complaints, you’ll want to invest in some headphones. With so many models available, the choice can be difficult. To help, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best headphones for guitar amps. Rock on!

Best Headphones for Guitar Amps

1. Sennheiser HD 650 Open-Back Headphones


Sennheiser HD 650 Open-Back Professional Headphone

Designed for serious audiophiles, the Sennheiser HD 650 open-back headphones deliver crystal-clear sound. The lightweight aluminum voice coils ensure excellent transient response, and the elliptical design provides maximum comfort. And with a frequency of 10Hz to 41kHz, these headphones cover the entire guitar spectrum and more. Since these are open-back headphones, it’s worth nothing that these aren’t as quiet as their closed-back counterparts.  However, if you’re serious about your sound, the Sennheiser HD 650 open-back headphones are some of the best you can get.

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2. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Bluetooth Headphones


Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones

The Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBT Bluetooth headphones are one of the most popular studio-quality headphones on the market. Supporting frequencies between 15Hz to 28kHz, these headphones are well-suited for guitar players.  These headphones produce sound reproduction from 45mm large-aperture drivers with rare-earth magnets, and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. Together, they are designed to provide both clear audio and rich, deep bass. For comfort and convenience, the ATH- M50xBT headphones feature padded noise-isolating earcups and include a 3.5mm audio cable for a wired connection, if desired. Get hear the depth of your music with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT Bluetooth headphones today!

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3. AKG K240 MKII Headphones


 AKG K240 MKII Studio Headphones

 

The AKG K240 MKII is one of the best headphones for guitar amps at an inexpensive price point. Featuring Varimotion technology for enhanced bass response, these stylish headphones sport great sound and a frequency response of 15Hz to 25kHz. And thanks to its self-adjusting headband system, these headphones sit comfortably on just about any head size. For affordable and high-quality headphones, pick up the AKG K240 MKII today!

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4. Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Headphones


Sennheiser HD 280 PRO DJ Headphone

The Sennheiser HD 280 PRO headphones are an excellent inexpensive option for guitarists. With a frequency range of 8Hz to 25kHz, these headphones deliver a natural and warm sound. And thanks to the generous padding, the HD 280 PRO headphones are incredibly comfortable and suitable for long periods of time. If you’re on a budget and still want great sound, put on the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO closed-back headphones!

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Keep On Rockin’

No matter which pair you opt for, you’ll have one of the best headphones for guitar amps. So, you’ll be able to plug in and enjoy playing. And your neighbours will thank you for it, too. 

Want to browse more headphone options? Check out our entire selection of headphones!

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Best Guitar Effects Pedals For Metal

Metal band playing at concert.

Face-melting riffs. Savoury crunches. There’s nothing quite like metal. If you’re looking to dive into the dirty world of metal music, you’ll want some pedals under your belt to achieve your sound. To help in your quest, we’ll go over the best guitar effects pedals for metal. 

Best Guitar Effects For Metal

There are several effects metalheads rely on to deliver dirty riffs. Some of the most popular guitar effects are as follow:

  • Distortion
  • Compressor
  • Delay
  • Harmonizer

Distortion


Keeley Filaments High Gain Distortion Effects Pedal
Keeley Filaments

If there is any guitar effect metalheads need, it’s undeniably distortion. However, when it comes to the best metal distortion pedals, declaring a subjective winner is impossible. Distortion is a very personalized effect, and every guitarist wants different things from a distortion pedal. Whether you want face-melting distortion or a satisfying crunch depends entirely on you. That given, we can still go over some of the most popular distortion pedals amongst metal guitarists. Since distortion is such a broad genre, we’ll go in-depth over our picks.

Best Distortion Pedals

Pro Co Rat 2 Overdrive Pedal

The Pro Co Rat 2 is a unique pedal, described as 45% distortion and 55% fuzz. Many famous guitarists love this pedal, including James Hetfield and Kurt Cobain, thanks to its incredible versatility. No matter if you crave sweet and soft or crude and vulgar tones, this pedal has you covered.

Keeley Electronics Filaments Distortion Pedal

The Keeley Electronics Filaments distortion pedal delivers both aggressive high gains and gentle distortions for the best of both worlds. You also have access to incredible tone-crafting capabilities thanks to its 7 methods of EQ shaping.

BOSS MD-2 Mega Distortion Pedal

For modern metal guitarists, the BOSS MD-2 Mega Distortion pedal is the beast you need. This box delivers extreme, low-end distortion suitable for modern metal guitarists. If you’re a new-school metalhead, you’ve gotta head your hands on the BOSS MD-2.

Compressor


TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic HyperGravity Compressor

A simple compressor pedal can make a massive difference in your tone. This guitar effect tightens up otherwise mushy tones, leaving you with sharp, defined sounds. If you don’t have one of these in your arsenal, you may be shocked at the difference it can make in your playing.

Best Compressor Pedals

Delay


TC Electronic Flashback Delay TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Flashback

Delay is an awesome effect that can thicken up your lead tones and make you stand out. Without this effect, your lead tones can sound thin and watery, and adding a delay pedal is an easy fix. To help solidify your leads, let’s go over the best delay pedals for metal.

Best Delay Pedals

Wah-Wah


Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah Guitar Effects Pedal
Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q

Wah-wah pedals are used by legendary guitarists worldwide. This effect alters the tone and frequencies of the guitar signal to achieve the onomatopoeic “wah-wah” sound. You manually step on this pedal for the higher-pitched “wah” noise and release for the “wu” sound. However, achieving your desired wah effect takes time and practice. Let’s go over the best wah-wah pedals for metal.

Best Wah-Wah Pedals


Get Down ‘n’ Dirty

While metal generally keeps things simple in terms of effects, these essential guitar effects will take your playing to the next level. Want to browse more pedals for metal? Browse our extensive line of guitar effects pedals.

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4 Best Bass Amps For All Levels

Person playing bass guitar.

A great bass amp is vital to achieving great bass sound.  Even if you have a great bass guitar, if you plug it into a low-end or average amp, you’re gonna get a nonoptimal sound. For this reason, it’s important that you put a lot of thought into your bass amp purchase. To help with your decision, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best bass amps and bass combo amps you can buy now.

Best Bass Amps

1. Orange Crush Bass 50


Orange Crush Bass 50 OR Bass Combo Amp (Orange)

The Orange Crush is a 50W bass combo amplifier that is deceptively versatile. The 12″ speaker delivers bold and punchy sounds that you can customize with the onboard 3-band EQ. For even more versatility, the interactive Gain and Blend controls are primed for creating enormous ‘bi-amped’-style tones with ease, adding extra harmonics and variable levels of grit to the core bass tone. Other handy features include a buffered effects loop, integrated tuner, aux input, and a headphone output with Orange’s Cabsim circuitry. If you need more or less power, there are also 100-watt and 25-watt options. Plug into the Orange Crush Bass 50 today and experience new sounds!

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2. Orange Terror Bass Amp


Orange Terror Bass 500W Bass Hybrid Head Amp

The Orange Terror Bass amp is back and more of a mini monster than ever! This highly portable 500W amp packs huge power into a tiny package. Whether you crave clean pop sounds or gritty rock tones, the Orange Terror Bass can do it all. Not only does it deliver a great tone, but it’s surprisingly loud! Unleash your inner beast with the Orange Terror Bass amplifier. 

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3. Hartke HD50 50W Bass Combo Amp


Hartke HD50

 

The Hartke HD50 is a combo amplifier that runs at 50 watts of power, making it suitable for your practice needs. Its 1×10″ cabinet houses a 10″ bass speaker for fat tones. After connecting your instrument to its 1/4″ jack, you can manipulate the signal with bass, mid-range, and treble controls. If you need more or less power, this model also comes in 150-watt or 25-watt versions.

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4. VOX Pathfinder 10B PB10 10W Bass Combo Amp


Vox Pathfinder 10B 10W 6.5" Bass Combo Amp

The VOX Pathfinder 10B 10-watt bass combo amp sports classic VOX looks. This low-watt powerhouse houses two 5″ BullDog speakers to deliver practice-level volumes. You get versatility with its top-mounted controls that allow you to adjust the bass middle and treble filtering, as well as increase or decrease your drive for a dirtier tone. And thanks to its compact and portable design, you can easily take the VOX PB10 to your sessions.

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Plug In And Crank Up The Bass

Hopefully, now, you’ll find a great bass amplifier that suits your needs. If you would like to browse more bass amp options, check out our entire range of bass amplifiers. 

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5 Best Mini Pedals For Your Precious Pedalboard Space

The best mini pedals

Your pedalboard real estate is like an apartment in Manhatten – extremely valuable and limited in space. Given this, every addition to your pedalboard needs to bring something strong tone-shaping capabilities to help you craft your sound. Luckily, there are some great options that not only give you excellent sound but save on precious pedalboard space. Let’s go over our picks of some of the best mini pedals.

1. Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini Overdrive Pedal


 

Ibanez TSMINI Tube Screamer Mini Guitar Effects PedalThe Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini is a bite-sized version of the iconic Tube Screamer pedal. Don’t be fooled – it may be smaller, but Ibanez did not compromise on tone when making the TS Mini. Known for its rich midrange growth and versatile touch sensitivity, the Tube Screamer Mini is a welcome addition to any pedalboard. Plug into the Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini today and experience big sounds. 

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2. TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini Reverb Pedal


TC Electronic HOF (Hall of Fame) Mini Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

The TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini packs big sound into a miniature stompbox. With TC Electronic’s preloaded hall reverb, this pedal is great on its own. However, since it also has TonePrint enabled, you can load the effects of the original HoF pedal into it. So, whether you crave spring, hall, room, plate or the amazing lush cathedral reverb, you’re covered. Discover the vast creative possibilities of the TC Electronic Hall of Fame Mini.

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3. Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah Guitar Effects Pedal


Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah Guitar Effects Pedal

One of the guitar world’s most beloved effects is available in a small package. The Dunlop CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah pedal is the perfect addition for any pedalboard that doesn’t skimp on tone or usability. This mini beast comes equipped with the legendary Fasel inductor, a full sweep range, and three internally adjustable voicings—Low, Vintage, and GCB95. Save precious space without sacrificing tone and put a CBM95 Cry Baby Mini Wah on your pedalboard.

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4. Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal


Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini Guitar Effects Pedal

The Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini replicates the legendary lost fuzz tone from Jimi Hendrix’s performances for the Band of Gypsys. Woo the masses with this snarling and aggressive tone honed by Hendrix aficionado. No matter your pedalboard setup, you can make room for the Dunlop FFM6 Band of Gypsys Fuzz Face Mini Distortion.

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5. Electro-Harmonix Nano POG Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal


Electro-Harmonix EHX Nano Pog Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal

Octave effects have long been beloved by guitarists, especially when combined with fuzz. Now, guitarists get four distinct octave voices to adorn the dry signal with the Electro-Harmonix Nano POG. With this mini jewel, you get the same beloved sounds as the other POG pedals but in a pedalboard-friendly package. Create unique octave tones with the Electro-Harmonix Nano POG!

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Same Tone, Smaller Package

With any mini pedal on our list, you don’t sacrifice tone for a tiny footprint. Each one offers superior sound and tone-crafting capabilities while saving you pedalboard real estate. Pick up one of the best mini pedals from our list or browse more guitar effects pedals today!

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