If You’ve Got Some Time to Kill, Try Some of These! Fun Electric Guitar Techniques for When You’re Bored!

The electric guitar is an instrument that can be played in many different ways. There are some well-known serious techniques such as the tapping technique and the light hand technique. Actually, I think everyone knows these techniques, so this time I have collected some unusual and interesting techniques. If you’ve got some time on your hands, try some of these!

■ Play With Your Teeth Technique

Shaman villagrana / Jimi Hendrix Hey Joe Subtitulos Español HD SD

This is a technique in which the guitar is played with the teeth. Jimi Hendrix is famous for his use of this technique, but it seems that this technique existed before Jimi Hendrix came on the scene.

When playing, be careful not to support the electric guitar only with your arms; you will be lifting a 4kg electric guitar up to your head, so be sure to hold up the force with your entire body. Bend your back and rest the electric guitar on your chest.

Open your mouth as wide as possible to make it easier to play. It is easier to play if you move the electric guitar rather than moving your mouth. This is a surprisingly easy technique with a big impact, so you can show this one off to your mom!

■ Play On Your Back Technique

Shaman villagrana / Jimi Hendrix Hey Joe Subtitulos Español HD SD

This is the same technique as the playing with your teeth technique. It was made famous by Jimi Hendrix. The player places the guitar on their back. If the guitar is right-handed, it is placed on the right shoulder.

This may sound difficult because the guitar is played away from the player, but it does not change the way you hold your hand, and not many people usually play with their eyes fixed on the guitar anyway, so it is surprisingly easy to learn if you just practice it.

The good thing about this technique is that the audience can clearly see the movement of the guitar. With the tooth guitar, you can almost only see the back of the guitar, so people may wonder if you are really playing with your teeth, but if you play with the back of the guitar, you don't have to worry about that.

■ Guitar Spinning Technique

National Geographic TV / Guitar Spinning Technique

This is a technique where you spin the electric guitar around and around. If you can spin it three times in a row, you have mastered it. Practice wirelessly without a shield at first. Once you get used to it, you can practice with a shield.

Tighten the strap and throw the guitar in the direction of the end of the electric guitar. Rotate the guitar around your center axis. It is best to catch the guitar after one rotation at first, and after you get used to it, it will be best if you can make two or three rotations.

The strap should be firmly attached to the electric guitar. When you turn the guitar, a large centrifugal force is applied to the electric guitar, which may cause it to come off the strap pins and blow up the electric guitar. It is safer to use a new strap with no enlarged holes.

■ Comb Technique

Mattias IA Eklundh / Mattias IA Eklundh - Musth

This is the comb technique where you play the guitar with a comb. The sound is like picking the same string continuously. The teeth of the comb hit the strings, so the sound is made with the same strength and rhythm. There are various types of combs made of wood, metal, plastic, and other materials, so it is interesting to compare the different comb materials as you choose the material for your picks.

■ Lap-tap technique

erikmongrain / Erik Mongrain - PercusienFa

This is a technique in which the player sits down and rests the electric guitar on his/her lap. This may be an easier way to play. It’s easier to see the guitar strings, so you can slap the strings with certainty. Moreover, you don't have to hold it hanging down, so your shoulders don't get stiff. Personally, I think this technique is similar to playing the Taisho koto.

■ Bowing Technique

Mitsuhisa Sakamoto Official Youtube / Playing an electric guitar with a violin bow! This is the legendary “Bowing Technique”! Violin bow on electric guitar (Amazing Grace)

Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page uses this technique. He plays the electric guitar with a violin bow. With this technique, the player can play long tones like a violin! You can also use effects pedals to create a more fantastic sound.

■ Personally, I like the comb technique!

What do you think about these interesting electric guitar techniques that I introduced? Personally, I like the comb technique, which is the easiest and produces the most distinctive sound. If you have nothing to do or are bored with practicing, give these fun techniques a try!

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