How to Accompany Yourself on the Guitar

Playing guitar is not just about shredding solos or nailing that killer riff; it's also about being your own band. Accompanying yourself on the guitar can be a truly rewarding experience, whether you’re just strumming along to your favorite tunes or creating a full-on acoustic performance. Let’s walk through how you can become a one-person musical powerhouse, making your guitar not just an instrument but a companion.

Finding Your Rhythm

The first step to accompanying yourself is locking down your rhythm. Rhythm guitar is often overshadowed by flashy solos, but it's the backbone of any song. When you're playing solo, especially, the rhythm is your drummer, your bassist, and your groove. You might think it’s all about strumming patterns, but there’s more to it.

Start by tapping your foot to keep time. It sounds simple, but it’s a game-changer. Your foot acts as your internal metronome, helping you maintain a steady beat. If your foot is tapping, your hands will follow. Practice this with a metronome or a drum loop at different tempos.

• Try different strumming patterns. Mix it up with upstrokes and downstrokes.
• Listen to how different genres approach rhythm. Metal might focus on tight, palm-muted chugs, while folk could lean towards open, flowing strums.
• Record yourself playing and listen back. It might feel awkward at first, but it's one of the best ways to hear where you might be speeding up or slowing down.

For those who are keen on metal rhythms, Riffhard is a treasure trove of lessons that focus on modern metal genres, offering insights from some of the best metal guitarists around. You can find lessons on rhythm guitar techniques that will help you keep things tight and precise.

Chords and Harmony: Your New Best Friends

Chords are the bread and butter of accompaniment. They form the harmonic structure of a song and provide the foundation you need to build your melody upon. Knowing a variety of chords is crucial. Don’t just stick to the basic open chords; get comfortable with barre chords, power chords, and even some chord inversions.

Here’s a quick exercise:

• Take a simple song you know well and play it using only open chords.
• Now, try to play the same song using barre chords.
• Experiment by adding some chord inversions to give it a little flavor.

Understanding chord progressions is another crucial aspect. Learn how different chords relate to each other in a key. For example, in the key of C major, the C, F, and G chords are the I, IV, and V chords, respectively. These are the most common chords you’ll encounter. Once you know this, you can easily transpose songs to different keys.

For those who want to dive deeper into chord theory and progression, we at Riffhard offer a myriad of lessons that not only cover these topics but also show you how to apply them to metal and other modern genres.

The Art of Fingerpicking

Fingerpicking can transform a simple chord progression into a rich, intricate tapestry of sound. It allows for a more nuanced approach to accompaniment, where each finger plays a role, almost like a mini orchestra.

Start with your thumb handling the bass notes. The thumb should focus on the top three strings (E, A, D), while your index, middle, and ring fingers take care of the G, B, and high E strings. Begin with simple patterns like the Travis picking pattern:

Bass (thumb) -> G (index) -> B (middle) -> high E (ring) -> B (middle) -> G (index)

Practice slowly and gradually increase your speed. Focus on clarity and consistency. The goal is to make each note sound even and balanced. Fingerpicking requires patience, but once it clicks, it’s incredibly rewarding.

For those looking to explore fingerpicking in a more structured way, Riffhard offers lessons on various picking techniques, including those tailored for metal and progressive genres, which often incorporate fingerstyle elements.

Adding Melodies and Solos

Once you’re comfortable with rhythm and chords, it's time to spice things up with melodies and solos. Melodies can be simple, single-note lines that complement the chords you’re playing. They’re the catchy parts of the music that stick in your head.

To start adding melodies:

• Learn the scales related to the key you’re playing in. The pentatonic scale is a great starting point for solos and melodies.
• Experiment with creating simple melodies over your chord progressions. Start small and build complexity over time.
• Use hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and bends to add expression to your playing.

When it comes to solos, think of them as an extension of the melody. A solo should tell a story and have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Don’t just play fast for the sake of it. Let your personality shine through your phrasing.

For those who want to explore soloing techniques and melodic development further, Riffhard offers lessons that delve into advanced lead guitar techniques, taught by some of the most respected metal guitarists.

Keeping Things Interesting with Dynamics

Dynamics add emotional depth to your playing. They can turn a simple song into something powerful and evocative. Dynamics are all about the volume and intensity of your playing.

Here are some ways to use dynamics effectively:

• Volume control: Play softer for verses and louder for choruses to create contrast.
• Strumming intensity: Light strums can create a delicate texture, while aggressive strumming can add energy.
• Pauses and accents: Use silence and accented notes to add drama and highlight important parts of the song.

Experiment with dynamics in every song you play. Ask yourself how you can make a section more powerful or more intimate. The right dynamic changes can make your performance unforgettable.

Exploring Alternate Tunings

Alternate tunings can open up a whole new world of sound. They change the way chords and scales feel under your fingers and can inspire new ideas that you might not come up with in standard tuning.

Here are a few popular alternate tunings to explore:

• Drop D: Lower the low E string to D. This is great for heavy riffs and power chords.
• Open G: DGDGBD. This tuning is used in many blues and folk songs.
• DADGAD: A versatile tuning often used in Celtic music but also popular in rock and metal.

Each tuning has its own character and can influence the mood of your music. Spend some time experimenting with different tunings and see what resonates with you.

Looping and Layering

If you want to take your solo performance to the next level, consider using a looper pedal. A looper allows you to record a passage and play it back in a loop, freeing you up to add layers on top.

Here’s a simple way to get started with a looper:

• Record a simple chord progression as your base layer.
• Add a rhythm part or a bass line on top of it.
• Finally, layer a melody or solo over everything.

Looping can turn a one-person performance into a rich, multi-layered experience, allowing you to be your own band. Just be mindful of timing, as staying in sync with your loops is crucial.

Using Backing Tracks

Backing tracks are a fantastic way to practice and create a full-band sound. They provide a rhythm section that you can play along with, making your practice sessions more engaging and realistic.

To effectively use backing tracks:

• Find tracks in the same key and tempo as the songs you’re working on.
• Experiment with different styles to challenge yourself and expand your playing.
• Record yourself playing along with the backing track to identify areas for improvement.

Backing tracks are widely available online, and you can find them for virtually any genre or skill level. They’re a great tool for honing your timing, improvisation, and overall musicianship.

Final Thoughts

Accompanying yourself on the guitar is a rewarding journey that involves mastery of rhythm, chords, dynamics, and creativity. Whether you’re strumming by the campfire or crafting intricate melodies, it’s all about making the guitar your own. If you’re looking for guidance from the best, Riffhard is there to help, with lessons from the world’s top metal guitarists. Dive in, explore, and let your guitar be your voice.