finding_your_own_tone

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finding_your_own_tone [2025/07/13 21:52] – rootfinding_your_own_tone [2025/09/19 18:28] (current) – root
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 The problem that seems to occur, almost as frequently as the tone chase posts themselves, is a stream of responses along the lines of, "It's not possible, for x, y, z reasons". In this post, I'd like to break down the most common reasons given, and why I think each one is wrong and/or missing the point. You'll notice a common theme that runs throughout my thoughts, that //tone chasing is how you become an individual//. The problem that seems to occur, almost as frequently as the tone chase posts themselves, is a stream of responses along the lines of, "It's not possible, for x, y, z reasons". In this post, I'd like to break down the most common reasons given, and why I think each one is wrong and/or missing the point. You'll notice a common theme that runs throughout my thoughts, that //tone chasing is how you become an individual//.
  
-==== "Its in their hands!" ====+==== "It's in their hands!" ====
  
 Easily the most common response to tone chasers is the claim that the tone is in the given player's hands and fingers, and since you cannot duplicate them, you can't get their tone. I will admit that this point has //some// truth to it, but still I believe it ultimately misses the mark. Everyone's physiology affects the way that they play the guitar, and we're all different. Shaquille O'Neal is most definitely going to hold a guitar differently than you or I, and this will necessarily change how he hits the string, where he picks, etc.  Easily the most common response to tone chasers is the claim that the tone is in the given player's hands and fingers, and since you cannot duplicate them, you can't get their tone. I will admit that this point has //some// truth to it, but still I believe it ultimately misses the mark. Everyone's physiology affects the way that they play the guitar, and we're all different. Shaquille O'Neal is most definitely going to hold a guitar differently than you or I, and this will necessarily change how he hits the string, where he picks, etc. 
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 Which brings me to my most important point: //The songs you learn, and the tones you chase inevitably influence your personal sound and style.// This is a natural and good thing, and happens for us all. Jimmy Page was heavily influenced by the blues, rockabilly, British acoustic folk players, and Indian/world music. You can hear every bit of that all over Zeppelin, and no one ever called him derivative. Which brings me to my most important point: //The songs you learn, and the tones you chase inevitably influence your personal sound and style.// This is a natural and good thing, and happens for us all. Jimmy Page was heavily influenced by the blues, rockabilly, British acoustic folk players, and Indian/world music. You can hear every bit of that all over Zeppelin, and no one ever called him derivative.
  
-It's worth mentioning at this point the way that Jimmy learned: he played the record over and over, tried to learn solos note for note, and even bought the same guitars as his heroes! //He was trying to emulate them as best he could.// I can't help but assume if he'd grown up today, he be posting on The Gear Page asking how to get that Gene Vincent slap-back sound! And yet he still turned into one of the most innovative and creative guitarists ever.+It's worth mentioning at this point the way that Jimmy learned: he played the record over and over, tried to learn solos note for note, and even bought the same guitars as his heroes! //He was trying to emulate them as best he could.// I can't help but assume if he'd grown up today, he'd be posting on The Gear Page asking how to get that Gene Vincent slap-back sound! And yet he still turned into one of the most innovative and creative guitarists ever.
  
 ==== Synthesis ==== ==== Synthesis ====
  
 We are all the sum of our influences, and I believe tone chasing is simply a very in-depth way of integrating a particular influence. Don't worry, you won't end up a clone of some famous guitarist, because you're not them! But go nuts trying to chase them, because you will develop your ears, your mind, and your chops. But don't expect your wallet to be safe :) We are all the sum of our influences, and I believe tone chasing is simply a very in-depth way of integrating a particular influence. Don't worry, you won't end up a clone of some famous guitarist, because you're not them! But go nuts trying to chase them, because you will develop your ears, your mind, and your chops. But don't expect your wallet to be safe :)
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  • Last modified: 2025/07/13 21:52
  • by root