How to Play Ambient Guitar #4 - Clean Leads and Melodies (Ambient Swells, Volume Swell)

Learn the basics of setting up and playing clean ambient guitar lead lines and melodies using volume pedal swells.
Part 4 of the series: How to Play Ambient Guitar:
• How to Play Ambient Gu...
DOWNLOAD the LATEST Chords of Orion Ambient Guitar music here: chordsoforion.b...
Equipment/software used:
Carvin Holdsworth Fatboy HF2 Guitar
Avid Eleven Rack
Wampler Ego Compressor
Morley Little Alligator volume pedal
Strymon DIG Dual Digitial Delay
Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
Apple Logic Pro X
chords of orion - ambient/post-rock guitar music for the mind and heart.
bill vencil - guitars, vocals, other instruments and sounds.
web: chordsoforion.com
facebook: / chordsoforion
twitter: / chordsoforion
soundcloud: / chordsoforion

[@martinwiltrout9601]

It's nice to slow the guitar down for a change and experience air between the notes and chords.

[@francescolancini6927]

Finally someone who can explain these techniques in a well built manner and with a great sounding result!

[@judeworth938]

Love this series Bill ...thank you for taking the time away from your own melodic creations to enlighten us on many of the "how's"...

[@johnpowell3767]

I rediscovered the guitar after a 10 year absence by watching these videos. All I have is a Boss compressor sustainer and Digitect 300space machine or whatever it's called. Doing this ambian thing is very relaxing and therapeutic. And it gets my PINK FLOYD mojo working.

[@johnpowell3767]

Thanks Bill....you saved me! God Bless!

[@superslayerguy]

I been learning a lot about ambient guitar from your channel. I've been wanting to get more into ambient guitar for a while now but didn't know where to start. Your channel has been a great help so far!

[@DrakeSteve]

You say you can't shred but around 6:12 you hinted that you really can! Nonetheless, I got your point and your playing and creativity is absolutely wonderful!

[@andresvelasco2767]

The ambient solo playing in this video reminds me of the music of guitarist Terje Rypdal. Great video.

[@stuartbrookes7785]

This series is excellent. I'm 'violining' at the moment (not easy on a Les Paul) for lack of a volume pedal, but the theory is brilliant! A whole new dimension to my playing!

[@chordsoforion]

+Stuart Brookes Glad you are liking the series! And speaking of Les Pauls, if you have not seen it, you might want to check a video I did about using the Les Paul's pickup selector to help in creating volume swells (ala Phil Keaggy). kzbin.info/www/bejne/hau8fqeOjZ6dibc

[@stuartbrookes7785]

+Chords Of Orion great, thanks. I'll check it out!! :-)

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

To be honest I had never heard about ambient guitar. Yet after buying my linec6 POS X3 pro with the foot control which has built in way and volume. I started messing with their tons of different delays and reverb I just started playing like that, been doing it for years now. I found your channel as you demonstrated the new reverb in Logic pro x 10.4 thanks I subscribed I graduated be in 1973 a huge Floyd fan so I just love this thanks

[@marcuslanghammer1768]

Great. Thanks. I am usually playing ska music with my guitar but now i am going deeper and deeper in ambient music.

[@MMayer-cw6mf]

Love your videos man, nice shirt too!

[@chordsoforion]

+Mario Mayer Hey thanks! I actually found the Pink Floyd shirt in the bottom of a drawer - hadn't seen it for a while. It will make more appearances here! :-)

[@neilgroves3592]

I was having trouble with muscle memory for a few mins....well quite a few actually lol....but once i'd played long enough to get this smooth, the bottom register sounds great with your chosen notes....now I need to find a drone in the right key to play over.....love your video's by the way...you da man Bill.

[@BarryGrueter]

Really enjoying this thanks for sharing 👍

[@chordsoforion]

Glad it was useful!!

[@neilgroves3592]

You are truly the master of Ambient Bill :-)

[@cartermatthews8585]

YESSS hammock vibes. you saved me, i forgot about tone knob haha

[@isolateddemon9438]

Great as always. Sir would you mind making a video about the origins of ambient guitar?Thanks for such awesome music.

[@markpousseur9441]

Love the Carvin

[@M1ck1970]

Great lesson Bill, at some point please could you cover adding different effects to volume swells such as modulation and octave, how to set them up and where to place them in the chain. Thanks

[@chordsoforion]

+mickey_blue_eyes Thanks for the kind words and the great suggestion. I'll add it to the list of topics!!

[@Pedalnerds]

Your vids are great Bill!

[@chordsoforion]

+Nathan Shafer (EchoEchoGuy) Thanks Nathan. Really appreciate it! Everyone else: Nathan's got some very nice pedal demo videos. You should check his channel out!

[@tubbers20]

Should be getting my Ernie Ball volume pedal soon. Can't wait to try it. :-)

[@chordsoforion]

Nice!!

[@tubbers20]

@@chordsoforion Getting ready to hook up the pedal.

[@dragonAwkward]

really love your videos

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks!

[@justinprince5723]

these videos are awesome, man. This stuff totally reminds me of Tim reynolds stuff he plays with dave matthews live. for example the radio city hall concert ! love the ambient guitar

[@chordsoforion]

Tim Reynolds = excellent! And thanks!!!

[@magnuskiechle1860]

Why am i watching this, i don't even play guitar 😂

[@nicholaspetergagg7769]

Ever heard of The Durutti Column ; especially the first two albums they are sublime .

[@chordsoforion]

Not familiar with them. Will check them out!

[@nicholaspetergagg7769]

you have a treat in store, he is a really novel player, he really uses chords like a pianist might.- the guitar playing is all done with nails rather than pick, bass is the thumb -simultaneously.It dates from 1979 -1980 so therefore he used a space echo 501 roland through fender dual showman reverb amps. Mega huge ambient sound for those days.

[@JorgeLFajardoG]

You are the best !!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks!

[@Massimo898]

Thanks for sharing your art! (thanks for speaking so slow, so I can understand everything! :-D )

[@Alchemist3333]

You are the man Bill! Thank you!

[@ronalho9]

Thank you for share this great skill

[@chordsoforion]

+ronalho9 You are very welcome!!!!

[@PeteHawthorne]

Absolutely haunting! :)

[@marcosherrera382]

great video tnks

[@chordsoforion]

Glad you liked it!!

[@hanzongbaobao]

your lesson is so useful，awesome， and you have beautiful eyes

[@daveselectronicguitarchann9981]

Great video.thanks.

[@denizgursoy5823]

great work

[@chordsoforion]

+Ahmad YürekyemişVEVO Thanks!

[@wosupbro]

5:19 kinda sounds like Moonchild by Iron Maiden

[@crickella]

I love your channel!

[@bongo9595]

i love the guitar!

[@chordsoforion]

So do I! :-) I've had it for something like 14 years now. Still enjoy playing it as much as the day I got it.

[@darrenclark6552]

What would be a good note for the drone to play under this lead line Bill?

[@chordsoforion]

I am using a low E here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2qTq4iKp7-ej6c

[@nano_nito5546]

i wish i had those set up, I need a new guitar too

[@dennisprs9462]

great vid! thnks...

[@chordsoforion]

+Dian Soolany You're welcome. And thanks so much for checking in. Much appreciated!!!!

[@aintnothinbutdablues]

Great tuturial Bill What is your current rig for ambient smooth guitar nowadays?

[@chordsoforion]

Pretty much the same as on this video. All centered around the Avid Eleven Rack. If you are ever curious about the effects for a particular video, check out the description. I try to be good about listing out everything so you can see the variation from vid to vid. But the Eleven Rack is common across almost all of my my vids.

[@sjk254]

Nice shirt!

[@chordsoforion]

Yep. That one is an oldy but goody!!

[@stevesmith3990]

I have a Fender Strat. Does anyone have any views re Single Coil pickups vs Humbuckers for ambient guitar? I'm thinking that Humbuckers would give a fuller sound.

[@chordsoforion]

A Strat can be a great ambient guitar machine. Although I typically end buying guitars with HB pickups, the chime of a Strat pickup works really well with delays and reverbs. All depends on what tone you are trying to achieve.

[@neilgroves181]

Do you have any recommendations for backing tracks that can be used with your lessons?

[@ws6206]

How do you do that groan/growl with the strings?

[@chordsoforion]

Not exactly sure what you mean. Can you give me a time index in the video where you are hearing the sound?

[@ws6206]

@@chordsoforion Thank you for the reply! At 7:43, you call it a drone.

[@craggytowndgc903]

I have a gretch electromatic with a Fender amp with built in reverb and delay effects, as well as a line 6 and POD set up with a nice volume pedal, could I still do ambient with such a rockabilly guitar like mine?

[@chordsoforion]

I would definitely suggest trying out some ambient tones with the gear you have. I'll bet you'll get some good results!

[@neilgroves3592]

Hey Bill....do you have any lessons on reducing string ring?.....when I play lead, I am having issues with strings ringing out when I release them to play the next string?

[@chordsoforion]

I don't have a video, but here is a good article with some string muting techniques: tomhess.net/UnwantedGuitarStringNoise.aspx

[@neilgroves181]

how are you getting that electric violin whine sound, pickups, strings or a pedal somewhere in the mix?.....sounds really nice.

[@chordsoforion]

Just using the guitar and effects described in the video. Nothing else. Perhaps you are hearing my phrasing technique?

[@scarymike51]

Strymon

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

And you're a Floyd man, things are only getting better :) Would you say the compressor is essential?

[@chordsoforion]

It is not essential, however I like having a compressor in front, as it smooths out the dynamic, and you can get more sustain with a little less "fuzz". But it all depends on what kind of distortion pedal you have and what kind of sound you like.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

I've played, or dabbled for years, now in my less dynamic years might I say, I find your approach very interesting and something I'd like to get into. Just bought myself a new 2016 Gibson Flying V pro T. The sustain on the ceramic humbuckers is tremendous, so was thinking I could do without the compression for now. I am consuming your posts with gusto. Please keep up the excellent work.

[@WraithVanglorious]

HIS TONE is freakin amazing. Anyone have song suggestions that have tone like this?

[@chordsoforion]

Allan Holdsworth's clean chordal stuff is great and is certainly an influence on my playing. "Above and Below" is a good example.

[@aeropilot4419]

A ha ... Steve Hackett would approve 🙂

[@chordsoforion]

He was one of my big influences for sure!

[@aeropilot4419]

Hi, and thank you for replying. I have been enjoying your channel for about a week now and have gleaned some great tips, so thank you (again) for sharing your approach so completely. I too love Steve's lead tone ... listened to "The Phoenix Flown" today as my morning lead fix ... astonishing. Cheers :)

[@raipenafiel6770]

hello! i really like your tutorials. they are very helpful. i have a question. i understand what the volume pedal is for (getting rid of the picking sound), but can I achieve a nice swell by using just a reverb+delay pedal? I'm just starting, & I'm planning on just getting the behringer dr400 digital reverb/delay pedal. thank you!

[@chordsoforion]

There are delays and reverbs that can do auto-swells, so it's possible that you might be able to get what you are looking for without a volume pedal.

[@raipenafiel6770]

Chords Of Orion yay! thanks!

[@riskyrecords1403]

2:47 random foot scares the shit out of me

[@simoneseminerio3958]

Same happened to me! ahah

[@neilgroves3592]

hadn't noticed till you brought it to my attention but yeah, just played that bit over and over....very creepy LOL

[@forrest.0569]

Respect to the man wearing a Floyd jumper

[@armankussman2120]

any scales that I could use to practice ambient guitar songs or etc? I am trying the normal pentatonic scale but it doesn't seem to be working out?? any suggestions? thanks!

[@chordsoforion]

I don't normally practice scales in isolation, however, I think any of the modes could be useful in ambient guitar music (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian). I would suggest playing around with different modes and see what strikes you.

[@neilgroves181]

I am using a fender mustang 1 amp with the built in software effects for my delay and compression, is this ok or will I get better sounds/tomes if I buy the hardware peddles with a noise limiter?

[@chordsoforion]

I think that you should work to get the best tone you can from the Fender first, then evaluate what you have. If you think there is room for improvement in the tone, and you can't get it any better on the amp, then look at some outboard gear. That way, you are not throwing "random" things at your tone without having an idea of where you want it to go.

[@neilgroves181]

great idea.....one purposeful step at a time....thankyou.Actually I have just started recording myself in my DAW program so I can play back and evaluate my playing so I can add any after effects in there, I just need to get some phrasing down in my playing, that will be a huge step.

[@drumfrumjax]

Is that a baritone?

[@chordsoforion]

+thegreatredbeard It is a standard tuned guitar - A Carvin HF2 "Fatboy".

[@wamgoc3637]

you should do the Star trek theme...

[@chordsoforion]

:-)

[@MobileDecay]

I wanna see ambient death metal tutorials. 😊

[@alexg2090]

Could be something like Sunn O))) or Boris, right? I'd love to see a series on that!

[@MobileDecay]

@@alexg2090 Ha ha! Yeah!!!

[@gimmenames9039]

You may wanna have a look at the Does it Doom channel :D

[@mike_w_21]

We're not gonna be shredding.

[@MobileDecay]

Yes you will. Relaxing ambient shredding! You just have to practice lightning fast volume swells. Sweeping is easy because you just do one swell for a bunch of notes. Just add some wah with the swells. 😊

[@exohead1]

Anyone else’s playing not lining up with the notes he’s saying?

[@jonathanromero5292]

baritone guitars most likely

[@exohead1]

Jonathan Romero No, it turned out I’m just dumb :P

[@rontakabuda4474]

Unbelievable,What are you trying to play guitar,it’s not a music,there aren’t no one can sing a song along with this chords ,no..never,ever.. it’s so boring after listening a few minutes.haha..Oh man,let’s rock instead of doing so.

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks so much for binge-watching several of my videos. It really helps the channel out!

[@rontakabuda4474]

You are welcome, man..what i say just want to tell the music world of guitar that ..please don't use a lot of effects ,otherwise we might not to hear what the guitar great sound look like..and what the guitarist can do for rock,blues etc. Bcz wht you r doing is the relaxing music ,that's all about.🤘🤘🤘🙏