One of the coolest "tricks" you can use to spice up your leads is to make your guitar sound like a violin by using a technique known as a "volume swell".
A volume swell is performed by playing a note on the guitar, and using the volume knob to "ease" into the note, which produces a sound that is similar to that of a bow being played across a violin string.
The technique itself is fairly simple, but the execution can be a little tricky. It can, however, be mastered with some practice.
The thought process behind a volume swell is as follows:
1. With the volume knob in the off position, play a note.
2. Then, shortly after the note has been picked, turn the volume knob up so that the sound is produced.
When this technique is repeated through a succession of notes the result is that your guitar sounds very close to a violin.
To actually perform a volume swell, you will keep the guitar pick in the normal position that you are used to.
The volume knob is then controlled by your 4th, or pinky, finger. Place the side of your pinky finger on the side of the volume knob and use it to "roll" the knob back and forth.
Some electric guitars are more conducive to using this technique than others, depending on the placement of the volume knob. A Strat style guitar is ideal because the volume knob is directly under the strings, forward of the bridge, making it an easy reach. Les Paul volume knobs are a little more difficult to reach, but still possible.
On some guitars, the placement of the volume control makes doing swells almost impossible.
Try this technique for yourself. With your hand close to the normal picking position, reach your pinky down and make contact with the side of the volume knob. See if you can rotate the knob on and off.
Now, roll the knob to the off position, pick a note (letting it sustain), and roll the knob on, increasing the volume.
The effect is that you do not hear the note actually being picked. The attack on the note is muted and you should only hear the sustain of the note as the volume is increased.
Do this with a series of notes to produce the "violin" effect.
This is a technique that is also used with double note combinations to produce a pedal steel guitar effect.
Practice this for a while until you are comfortable with it. I have used it for years and always get people in the audience that ask me what kind of "effects pedal" I use to get that sound. They're usually surprised when my answer is "none"!
Enjoy!
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