How to Harmonize With Pitch Shift Effects for the Electric Guitar

Pitch shift effects for the electric guitar are created by microprocessor-based devices that alter the pitch or tone of the sound created by the guitar. It takes some skill and computation to create different frequencies, so don't expect to perfect this ability in mere hours. These tips won't make you into a pitch shift effect expert, but they will get you on the right track.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Make sure your electric guitar is properly tuned and in good condition. The string and string tension also need to be good in order to have a properly tuned electric guitar.
2. Select the microprocessor-based device that best works for you and your electric guitar. You can select a note-shifting foot pedals device or a studio-based harmonizer.
3. Keep your effects chain short. Pitch shift effects chains for the electric guitar that are too long won't do much other than produce a lot of noise.
4. Practice. If you're creating your own music, the only way you're going to come up with something good is if you practice. Pitch shifters on electric guitars defuse the second signal slightly in increments of cents (hundredths of a semitone).
5. Decide what kind of pitch settings you need. If you want to create chorus-like effects, then you'll need to make mild pitch shift settings. For a more drastic effect, you'll need to make bigger pitch shift settings in like 3rds, 4ths and 5ths musical intervals.

Tips & Warnings

• Pitch shifters for electric guitars are sometimes called harmonizers. The two terms are often interchangeable.
• Electric guitar lessons will teach you the best ways to harmonize pitch shift effects for the electric guitar. If you can't afford lessons, you can teach yourself by purchasing training DVDs, but you'll need more than a passing understanding of music in order to understand the DVD.