Country music is a beloved genre that features emotive lyrics and catchy melodies with beautiful guitar progressions that perfectly complement each song’s melody.
No matter if you are just getting into country music or looking to add some fresh riffs, this article can help you hone your guitar for country tunes.
Twangy Vocals
Country music’s key element is its vocals. Country singers’ distinctive singing style makes their sound truly country. Country singers typically possess a twang in their voice that may seem impossible for non-country singers to learn; but anyone can develop one and add country to their toolbox! Learning how to sing country is not hard at all – in fact it may just add another great dimension of musical creativity!
Twang is a sound most often associated with electric guitars; it is a sharp vibrating sound produced when strings are plucked. But singing with tightened vocal cords creates its own version of this signature sound: when vocalists use this technique they can reach higher notes than they could through standard guttural techniques; alternatively it offers another great alternative to falsetto singing.
Though there are different techniques used by country singers to achieve that classic country sound, one way they often utilize is pinching their nose while singing; this allows sound to come through via nasal channels rather than mouth ones while adding extra “twang” into their voice.
Another way is to curl the tongue back into the throat to produce a whistle-like sound and add extra country flare to a song.
As part of an effective performance technique, twang can be utilized effectively as part of vocal performance but must not be overdone. Excessive use can result in vocal strain and damage; so to avoid this happening it is crucial that one understands how best to use this style effectively. Practice is key here so one may learn the skill.
Twanging can add a distinct country flair to songs. Not just limited to country tunes, twang can also help make songs more memorable. Twang shouldn’t just be reserved for country tracks though; try using it with other genres to see what works for you! It wouldn’t hurt giving some of your favorite tracks a try and seeing how well they fare with Twang!
String-Based Sound
Country musicians use an assortment of stringed instruments, including guitar, bass, lap steel and pedal steel guitar. While country’s roots lie with Bluegrass and Appalachian music styles like Appalachia Dixieland, its sound has always incorporated elements from other musical genres as well. This distinctive sound makes country guitar music accessible and fun for players of all skill levels to learn.
Bending strings is key to creating the distinctive country guitar sound, enabling guitarists to alter pitch without altering overall tone and often used by country guitarists during solos or slides to produce distinct harmonic overtones.
Bending strings effectively requires a guitar with ample flexibility and the appropriate kind of string – nickel-wound strings offer bright, snappy tones ideal for country music. When searching for the ideal instrument to practice on, consider something like this Squier Affinity Telecaster which boasts an alder body finished in gloss polyurethane and two Fender single coil pickups; additionally it comes equipped with a 9.5″ radius fingerboard designed specifically to facilitate fast fretwork for classic country riffs.
When playing country music, it’s essential to remember that its style borrows heavily from other styles – particularly quick blues-like licks that characterise blues guitar. Aspiring guitarists looking to join this genre should focus on learning basic chord progressions, strumming patterns and lead lines for maximum effect.
Selecting a guitar to create that authentic country sound can be daunting, yet there are numerous models out there which will do exactly that. A Fender American Performer Telecaster Humbucking Strat can provide the desired tone thanks to vintage styling with Yosemite pickups and Greasebucket tone systems providing classic country sounds.
Fender Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecasters provide another outstanding option, boasting sturdy electric construction with jumbo frets and Yosemite pickup that replicates Brad Paisley’s signature country sound. Both models can help you take on country genre music at an affordable price point.
The Telecaster
The Telecaster guitar is a solid workhorse designed by Fender’s chief of sales Don Randall for use in Western swing and dance band guitar markets of 1951; but soon became indispensable across country music, rock ‘n’ roll and other genres that utilized its simple yet flexible construction.
Leo Fender wanted his first mass-produced electric guitar, the Telecaster, to be easy for guitarists to modify and repair; knowing they would want their instrument personalized, this was exactly what was needed. Additionally, its clean tone makes it well suited for country music genre.
Country musicians traditionally favor loud and clean guitars; however, in today’s country music world there has been an emergence of bands seeking an authentic vintage sound; as such more guitarists are turning to Telecasters as primary instruments in country and heavy metal recordings.
Telecasters equipped with high quality nickel strings are an ideal way to achieve that classic country sound. Their bright voicing and snap combine perfectly with the Telecaster’s crisp articulation and high end cut for that authentic sound that you know so well.
Not content with having just an awesome clean tone, many country players opt for pedals to add character and flavor to their sound. Some popular pedals for adding character include delay, reverb and compression pedals; compression can help thicken clean runs and soften sharp peaks from chicken pickin’ licks while delays create the impression of time passing in songs.
While many country music artists utilize a Telecaster exclusively, others often experiment with using other guitars when recording. Jason Aldean guitarist Jack Sizemore can often be heard using other types of instruments alongside the Telecaster – for instance playing Gibson Les Paul guitar on some tracks by Aldean and using a Stratocaster on Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.
The Affinity
Are You Starting Out on Guitar or Need an Emergency Backup Guitar? The Affinity range of guitars are an excellent option, whether you are just beginning or need a spare instrument in case your main one breaks, with sleek finishes and colours designed specifically to provide great sound while remaining affordable and comfortable to play for experienced guitarists as well as specifically tailored models designed to make learning to play easier and provide comfort while learning to play for beginners.
The Affinity guitar is an excellent option for country music players, featuring single-coil pickups ideally suited to this genre and an easy top-loading bridge to quickly change strings. Furthermore, at less than half the cost of a Fender Telecaster it makes an affordable backup guitar option ideal for beginners looking to explore country music or experienced musicians seeking cheap backup instruments.
Affinity guitars feature sensitive tone controls that enable you to dial in a wide array of tones ranging from bluesy twang to classic rock riffs. Plus, its gain controls give you the option of turning up the volume for some thick overdrive!
Apart from its versatile tone controls, the Affinity features an ergonomic neck profile and smooth fretwork to provide a satisfying playing experience. Furthermore, this guitar’s sturdy body ensures it will stand up against everyday playback rigours.
If you’re new to country, we recommend watching an online guitar lesson before giving it a go. YouTube offers plenty of courses that will cover all the fundamentals, with most offering chicken pickin’ lessons (essential for country music). Practice before trying your first song; playing songs can be more difficult than it appears! Once you master country music, add your personal flair.