How to Create a Wall of Acoustic Guitars

Many musicians are often mesmerized by what is considered a "wall of sound." The main component to achieving this is creating strong arrangements. They don't necessarily have to be complex parts, but rather the opposite. Much of this is accomplished by using multiple, virtually simple parts. It's the sum of these parts that makes it so fascinating.

The composer, producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Jeff Lynne, is often credited for this style of composition. He was able to craft amazingly rich pop songs with some of the simplest methods.

I will attempt to demystify this style of production and offer some examples of how to create some clever acoustic guitar parts.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Recording studio
• Acoustic guitar

1. Sometimes this approach requires the producer or performer to take a more analytical approach to the arrangements.
   
   If you have one main guitar part, you may have to dissect it into multiple parts. This is not unlike what an orchestral composer would do when writing on the piano. We will apply this method to the acoustic guitar.

2. Double Track Main Guitars
   
   If you have a main theme, try performing it twice by tracking one and then a duplicate and panning them hard left and right.

3. Capo at Twelfth Fret (Doubled)
   
   Perform the same main theme only with a capo on the twelfth fret. This will add another octave to the part and will immediately sound more symphonic.

4. Various Chordal Inversions (Also Doubled)
   
   If the main theme is played using simple open chords, try playing simplified chordal inversions of the same chord. You may choose to play them in a different position of the guitar neck. Sometimes just playing a chord on a different string will provide a distinction on the chord.
   
   Try playing three note chords instead of the full chord.

5. Different Guitars Doubling the Originals
   
   It is a very common practice to perform the same parts using different guitars, This can offer a distinguishable tone and character that can't be captured from just one instrument.
   
   Perhaps the parts can be additionally performed on a 12-string guitar.

6. Alternate Figures
   
   Sometimes playing a simple part over and over can make a huge difference. For instance, just playing a 1/4 note pattern on the first and second strings at the twelfth fret can create an interesting counterpoint over a simple G-C-D progression.

Tips & Warnings

• The approach to the strumming is a bit more rigid. You can't perform these parts as though they are being played solo at a coffee shop. They need to be performed like individual parts. It's the sum of all the parts that makes the piece great.

[russmediagroup]

on 3/12/2009 Awesome article. I have a Line 6 modeling guitar. Sometimes I do just what you suggested using a different model each time. I don't know if I'll ever win a Grammy but ut us a ton of fun. Good jobJoe

[smilesatme1]

on 3/10/2009 I can play one chord note--lol

[hellow99]

on 2/9/2009 "Try playing three note chords instead of the full chord."5* Thanks!