Psychedelic Rock: The Instruments You Need
If you’re looking to start a psychedelic rock band, you’ll need more than just a great sense of rhythm and some killer guitar licks.
Guitars
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to sound like Jimi Hendrix, let’s start with the basics: the instruments you’ll need to create psychedelic rock. At its core, psychedelic rock is electric guitar-driven rock, so you’ll need a good electric guitar that can create a wide range of sounds. You’ll also need a solid amplifier to create those classic psychedelic rock tones. Let’s take a closer look at each of these essential pieces of equipment.
Electric Guitars
A good guitar is an investment. Whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years, you want an instrument that sounds great and will hold up to gigging and practice. When it comes to electric guitars, there are a lot of options to choose from. Here’s a rundown of some of the best electric guitars for psychedelic rock.
Gibson Les Paul Standard
The Gibson Les Paul is a classic guitar that has been used by some of the biggest names in rock, including Jimmy Page, Slash, and Ace Frehley. The Les Paul Standard is a great choice for psychedelic rock because it has a thick, distorted sound that can fill up a room. It’s also versatile enough to handle other genres like blues and country.
Fender Stratocaster
The Stratocaster is another classic guitar that has been used by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan. It’s a versatile instrument that can be used for any style of music, but it truly shines in psychedelic rock thanks to its ability to create distorted sounds.
Gretsch Electromatic
The Gretsch Electromatic is a newer guitar on the market, but it’s quickly become a favorite amongpsychedelic rockers thanks to its cool retro look and great sound. If you want an electric guitar that stands out from the crowd, the Gretsch Electromatic is definitely worth checking out.
Acoustic Guitars
The acoustic guitar is the original rock and roll machine. While electric guitars get all the attention, the acoustic guitar has been responsible for some of the biggest hits in rock history. If you’re looking to get into psychedelic rock, you’re going to need an acoustic guitar.
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for an acoustic guitar. The first is body size. You’ll want to find a guitar that is comfortable for you to hold and play. The second is action. This refers to how close the strings are to the fretboard. You’ll want to find a guitar with low action so that it’s easy to play.
Once you have your acoustic guitar, you’ll need to learn how to play it. If you’re a beginner, we recommend checking out our beginners guide to playing the acoustic guitar.
Bass
The electric bass guitar is the foundation of the psychedelic sound. This instrument provides the low end frequencies that create the “groove” that allows the listener tospace out and trip out on the music. The best psychedelic bassists use their instruments to create interesting and complex lines that complement the rest of the band’s sound.
Drums
Drums are the backbone of any psychedelic rock band. They set the pace and provide the foundation for the rest of the instruments to build off of. While you can get away with a basic drum set in other genres, you’ll want to make sure you have a good set of drums if you’re going to be playing psychedelic rock. In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of drums you’ll need for a psychedelic rock band.
Drum Kits
Most psychedelic rock bands make use of a drum kit. The most common configuration is a bass drum, snare drum, two tom-toms, and two cymbals: one crash and one ride. Some bands also add a second crash cymbal or a second ride cymbal. More drums can be added, but this is the basic setup.
The bass drum is usually played with a foot pedal, and the other drums are played with sticks. The drummer uses both hands to play the snare and tom-toms, and uses one hand for the cymbals. The drummer keeps time by keeping a steady beat on the bass drum while playing fills and other patterns on the other drums.
Most psychedelic rock bands have only one drummer, but some have two or more. If there are multiple drummers, they often take turns playing different parts of the kit during different sections of a song.
Cymbals
The cymbal is a percussion instrument that has been used for centuries in a variety of musical genres. Today, cymbals are most commonly associated with rock and roll, but they were originally used in military bands and orchestras. Cymbals are made from metal and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and weights.
There are two main types of cymbals: crash cymbals and workalike cymbals. Crash cymbals are also known as crashes or ride cymbals. These cymbals are designed to create a loud, sudden sound when they are struck with a drumstick or mallet. Workalike cymbals include hi-hats, splashes, Chinas, pings, and so on. These types of cymbals are generally thinner than crash cymbals and produce a softer sound when they are struck.
Keyboard
Keyboards usually take the form of traditional pianos, organs, or synth pads, though psychedelic music often uses less conventional intstruments such as the Mellotron or Ondes Martenot. Guitars are a central component of most psychedelic bands, and often heavily effected to produce strange and interesting sounds. Drummers typically use lots of cymbals to create a washing sound, as well as incorporating strange time signatures and polyrhythms.
Percussion
While most music requires some form of percussion, it is especially important in psychedelic rock. This is because the genre is all about creating a hypnotic and trance-like state, which can be achieved through the use of repetitive rhythm. The most common instruments used for this purpose are drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments such as tambourines, maracas, and glockenspiels.
