Help in guitar terminology

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DavidT

Posts: 181
Joined: Mar. 17 2005
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Help in guitar terminology

Hi forumers,

I hear many terms describing the guitar sound characteritics that I don't quite understand what they really mean.
Could anyone please elaborate the following words or add the ones you know?

Thanks
Dave

Here're some of them:
- Raspy
- Overtone
- Seperation
- Gipsy sound
- Balance
- Throaty

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 31 2006 19:46:24

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: Help in guitar terminology (in reply to DavidT)

Hmmm... most of these are quite subjective, but I'll give it a shot.

Balance generally refers to the guitar sounding evenly throughout its length. The thicker sixth string shouldn't be much louder than the skinny 1st string. The strings in the middle shouldn't dominate the outer. The open strings shouldn't be too much more powerful than the areas higher up the neck. Subjective.

Separation: I think this means that each note wil have a certain indepdence and clarity--you don't want things sounding like mush when a bunch of strings are played together. Think the difference between four clear choral voices in harmony, rather than a bunch of wobbly, wavering voices that it's hard to tell what's going on.

Overtone: When you play a note, say an E, that is the fundamental, yet many other notes such as a b and an e are also sounding at the same time. A guitar that has a heavy fundamental, you won't hear so much overtones or extra notes. So this is somewhat a tradeoff between clear sounds and richness or interesting sounds.

Raspy-throaty-Gypsy Sound-- I'm not sure how to define this or even if I believe in it. If you keep your action quite low, you will get some buzz and harshness that would qualify. I'm sure there is more to this, but it's pretty subjective and I don't know what to say...

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 31 2006 19:54:21

bernd

Posts: 680
Joined: Feb. 15 2004

RE: Help in guitar terminology (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miguel de Maria
Raspy-throaty-Gypsy Sound-- I'm not sure how to define this or even if I believe in it. If you keep your action quite low, you will get some buzz and harshness that would qualify. I'm sure there is more to this, but it's pretty subjective and I don't know what to say...

By my understanding these terms refer to that special sound giving the guitar its flamenconess so that the guitar just sounds like a flamenco guitar, not in opposite as a classical guitar. The Spaniards call this rancio. It´s not the string buzz of low action, not all flamenco guitars are buzzing.

Saludos
Bernd

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 31 2006 22:26:30

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Oct. 31 2006 22:53:09

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Help in guitar terminology (in reply to Miguel de Maria)

Miguels idea of these terms is pretty good. What I hate are the terms "bark" and "growl". Are we talking guitars here or pitbulls?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2006 1:09:11

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2006 3:58:25

Ricardo

Posts: 14837
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Help in guitar terminology (in reply to DavidT)

quote:

- Raspy
- Overtone
- Seperation
- Gipsy sound
- Balance
- Throaty

I think those are all maketing terms made up by guitar salesmen, to make it sound like some guitars are "different" than others, but not necessarily "better" or "worse". Like when a guitar is not "boomy" but has good bass???? Clear AND "mellow" or "sweet" trebles???? Good for accompanyment or solo??? Ha, why would a guitar be not good for anything?

Anyway, none of those terms matter so long as the guitar is "flamenco".

Ricardo
If I sold my guitar, I would say "this guitar has a wooden box sound with twangy strings. Easy for me to play. Stays in tune good with old strings and tuner. (not included). Very "flamenco" with capo. Looks sexy in the right light. Buy it now 10K.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 1 2006 7:11:52