How to Get a Post-Rock Guitar Sound

Crafting a post-rock guitar sound involves more than just plugging in and playing. It's about creating an atmosphere, building emotional landscapes, and painting with sound. If you're wondering how to get that shimmering, expansive tone, you're in the right place. Let's break down the elements that define the post-rock sound and how you can incorporate them into your playing.

Understanding the Post-Rock Genre

Post-rock is a genre that emphasizes atmosphere and texture over traditional rock structures. Bands like Explosions in the Sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Sigur Rós have popularized this style, focusing on instrumental storytelling. To nail this sound, you need to think about how each note contributes to the overall mood. It's more about the journey than the destination.

In post-rock, the guitar often takes on a more ambient role, using effects and techniques that create layers of sound. The music is less about catchy riffs and more about creating sonic landscapes that evoke emotion. This style often involves long, evolving compositions that build tension and release, guiding the listener through a range of feelings.

Setting the Tone with Your Guitar

Choosing the right guitar is crucial for achieving a post-rock sound. While you don't necessarily need a specific brand or model, there are certain features to consider. A guitar with a wide tonal range and the ability to sustain notes will be beneficial. Single-coil pickups are often preferred for their clarity and ability to cut through a mix, but humbuckers can also work if you're looking for a thicker sound.

The guitar's action should be set to a comfortable height to facilitate smooth transitions between chords and notes. Post-rock often involves intricate fingerpicking and arpeggios, so having a guitar that's easy to play can make a big difference in your performance. Remember, the guitar is just the starting point; the rest is about how you manipulate the sound.

Exploring Effects Pedals

Effects pedals play a massive role in shaping a post-rock guitar tone. Here's a rundown of some essential pedals that can help you achieve that expansive sound:

• Reverb: A good reverb pedal can create the illusion of space, making your guitar sound like it's echoing in a large hall. Experiment with different settings to find the right amount of depth and shimmer.
• Delay: Delay pedals add repetition to your notes, which can help fill out your sound. Try using both short and long delays to create complex rhythmic patterns.
• Chorus: This effect can add a shimmering quality to your sound, making it feel lush and full. Use it sparingly to avoid muddiness.
• Overdrive/Distortion: While post-rock is not about heavy distortion, a subtle overdrive can add warmth and sustain to your tone.
• Modulation: Effects like flangers and phasers can add movement to your sound, making static chords feel more dynamic.

Experiment with these pedals to find a combination that works for you. Layering different effects can lead to unique, creative sounds that are the hallmark of post-rock.

Using Dynamics and Volume Swells

Dynamics are a crucial element of post-rock music. The genre often relies on building tension through volume and intensity. Learning how to control these aspects of your playing can dramatically affect your sound.

Volume swells, for instance, can create a smooth, ethereal effect. You can achieve this by using a volume pedal or by manipulating your guitar's volume knob. Start with the volume off, play a note or chord, and gradually increase the volume to let the sound swell.

Additionally, playing with dynamics—soft versus loud, sparse versus dense—can help you create emotional peaks and valleys in your music. Pay attention to how you attack the strings; a gentle touch can produce a soft, warm tone, while a more aggressive approach can add intensity.

Crafting Melodies and Chord Progressions

In post-rock, melodies and chord progressions often serve the mood rather than follow traditional structures. Melodies tend to be simple yet evocative, often repeating and evolving over time. Try using intervals that create tension and release, such as minor thirds or sixths.

Chord progressions in post-rock are typically more about color and texture than classical harmony. Experiment with open tunings, which can give your chords a more resonant, full sound. You might also want to try using suspended or add9 chords to create a sense of ambiguity and openness.

Another technique is to use drones—sustained notes or chords that provide a foundation for the melody. This can create a meditative quality in your music, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the sound.

Layering with Multiple Guitars

One of the joys of post-rock is the ability to layer sounds to create a rich tapestry of music. Using multiple guitar tracks, you can build complex arrangements that evolve over time. Consider recording different parts—one guitar handling the melody, another providing ambient textures, and a third adding rhythmic elements.

In a live setting, you can achieve a similar effect by looping parts with a loop pedal. This allows you to create layers in real-time, building a song piece by piece. Just be mindful of how each layer interacts with the others to prevent the sound from becoming too cluttered.

Incorporating Ambient Sounds and Samples

Many post-rock musicians incorporate ambient sounds or samples into their music. This could be anything from field recordings of nature to snippets of dialogue or sound effects. These elements can add an extra layer of depth and atmosphere to your compositions.

If you're working with digital audio workstations (DAWs), you can easily integrate samples into your tracks. Alternatively, you can use pedals like the Electro-Harmonix Canyon, which have built-in looping and sampling capabilities. These tools allow you to experiment with different soundscapes and textures, enhancing the overall mood of your music.

Exploring Non-Traditional Song Structures

Post-rock often eschews the verse-chorus-verse format of traditional rock music. Instead, songs may evolve organically, following a narrative arc or emotional journey. This freedom allows you to explore different musical ideas without being constrained by conventional structures.

Think of each song as a story, with its own beginning, middle, and end. You might start with a simple motif, gradually building layers and intensity before reaching a climactic peak. The song could then wind down, leaving the listener with a sense of resolution or contemplation.

While it's important to maintain some form of coherence, don't be afraid to take risks and experiment with different approaches. The beauty of post-rock lies in its unpredictability and ability to surprise and captivate the listener.

Final Thoughts

Getting that post-rock guitar sound is all about creating an emotional journey through sound. By experimenting with effects, dynamics, and layering, you can craft your own unique voice within the genre. And if you're looking to expand your skills further, Riffhard offers lessons from some of the world's best metal guitarists, which can provide valuable insights and techniques to enhance your post-rock compositions.