Page 11 - looplibraryfullbook13092018

Anatomy of The Guitar For 'mic'd' method' Percussion

Using the principle we've mentioned - that different parts of the
guitar give different percussive sounds - let's identify them and

break each one down using this diagram.

1) Kick or Bass Drum - This is used in all the songs in this book, because it is the
fundamental starting block in all the rhythms we'll be looping. This takes up
the largest section of the top or soundboard of the guitar. And as a result,
gives a low end 'thump', especially when hit with the heel of the palm which is
ideal for replicating a kick drum.

2) Tom - The tom effect is created by still tapping the top of the guitar with
fingers or nails for a sharper sound, but using the part(s) with the smaller
surface area. This results in a sound which is less bass-heavy and has more of
a 'pop'.

3) Snare - I call this a snare, but it sounds more like a rim shot, which is where
the snare drum is hit on the metal rim as opposed to the snare skin itself. This
results in a percussive sound with a bright 'snap' to it, which compliments the
Kick and the Tom effects.

4) Low Tom - This is similar to the tom effect described in 2, but has a
different, slightly bassier quality.

5) Shaker - This effect combines muting the strings with your left hand, whilst
strumming the muted strings with your right using either your fingers or a
plectrum (reverse this if you are left handed). How far up or down the neck
your muting hand is will determine how tight or bright this effect is. About
2/3rd's up the neck (towards the bridge) seems to work well on most guitars.

Now we'll look at method number two which i call 'The Piezo Method'.