How to Make Your Guitar Scream

One reason the guitar is such a popular instrument is because it can produce a number of sounds outside of the normal musical notes and chords. One of the most common effects is making the guitar "scream" by bending notes while playing through a distortion pedal. By properly setting up your pedal and using the proper fingering to bend each note, you can use this effect in your next solo or melody line.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar amplifier
• Guitar distortion pedal
• Two guitar cables
• 9-volt battery

Instructions

1. Insert the 9-volt battery in the battery deck of the distortion pedal. The battery deck is usually located on the front or underneath the pedal, depending on the brand.

2. Insert one end of one of the guitar cables into the "input" jack of the distortion pedal, located on one side of the pedal. Insert the other end of that cable into the guitar's input jack, located on the body of the instrument.

3. Plug one end of the second guitar cable into the "output" jack of the distortion pedal located on the opposite side of the pedal as the input jack.

4. Plug the other end of the second cable into the input jack on the guitar amp.

5. Turn on the amplifier and step on the black square of the distortion pedal to turn it on. Make sure the volume on the guitar is turned down to avoid feedback.

6. Adjust the "level" button on the distortion pedal so that it is in the 12 o'clock position of the dial. Do this for the "tone" knob as well. Once you are playing, you can adjust the tone knob to the sound you desire.

7. Adjust the "distortion" button on the pedal until it is all the way to the left, the off position. Strike a string on your guitar and turn the volume on the guitar up until it is coming through your amp at an appropriate volume level.

8. Turn the distortion button on your pedal in a clockwise direction until you reach a desired level of distortion. To make a guitar "scream," you will need to have the distortion button in at least the 12 o'clock position.

9. Place your left-hand ring finger on the 10th fret of the first string and strike that string with your pick.

10. Push the first string up, toward the second string. Use your middle and/or index finger on the first string in support of your ring finger if needed. Push the string until it reaches approximately the resting position of the third string. This will produce a "screaming" sound.

11. Practice bending different notes on different strings to get used to how bends and screams sound different on different parts of the neck and in different tonal ranges.

Tips & Warnings

• Performing multiple bends on the same note in a row can produce a "wailing" sound that is popular among blues and rock guitarists.

Resources

• Where to Buy a Distortion Pedal