How to Play Ambient Guitar #1 - Ambient Guitar Swell Basics (Ambient Swells)

[@L3n0xhav0c]

He’s the bob ross of effects tutorials. Just happy and peaceful lessons.

[@keithwahrer2223]

totally

[@kanepour9691]

You are the ambient guitar dad I've never had.

[@03_anggerrangas3]

someone said there are two types of guitarist, the first one is the one who wanna be the fastest in the west, the second one is someone who play with feel, creativity, and sound that makes you comfortable. After see you i definitely choose to be the second one

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks so much!!!

[@stillphil]

Great point. Ray Gomez and Michael Landau are kinda BOTH types.

[@derpderpson8796]

Would sign that! Less IS more!

[@MisterKnobb]

Never limit yourself, learn as much as you can, i love hard/metal guitaring but there's a lot to learn from Ambient style...

[@03_anggerrangas3]

Mister Knobb yes of course it will be great if you have speed and feeling combined. I just didn't like the mindset "the faster you are the more great guitarist you've become", it's not that simple.

[@이현재-w6h]

isn't he probably the most eloquent guitar tutor on youtube? I am like one minute into this video and just amazed by how well-spoken he is and stopped watching to write this comment.

[@jernie9384]

Yeah, usually there are tutorials without the real intention to teach or the typical meme infested poser shit on KZbin. Bill here is a real Exception and I'm a big fan of his work.

[@goryanhavefun]

Thanks!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks very much for the support Ryan!!

[@wjones284]

That pause, sensible chuckle and humble apology for his missed chord, while I'm riding out the goosebumps without a clue he was off

[@metatron6127]

I've been listening to meditation music for a few years already, one day i found your videos, i´ve watched all the episodes and noticed that i had almost everything that´s needed to start playing ambient guitar myself , so i bought a couple of cheap pedals and put new pickups on my cheap guitar and let my mind fly away, Thank you very much for the lessons , i´m starting to explore a new realm of music

[@chordsoforion]

Great to hear you are starting down the path! If you have any suggestions for video topics, let me know.

[@purpleheartscott8553]

Chords Of Orion I have a boss me-80 which is a multi effects pedal. Ever heard of any success with these for ambient guitar? I’m more an acoustic guy but want to start venturing into electric that coincides with style I play on the acoustic (fingerstyle with lots of open strings and extended chords, some melodies.

[@miracles4u]

Used to play but haven't had a electric guitar in years. Used to. Have a boss multi effect pedal. Forget how much fun effects can be and totally forgot how.emotive the guitar can be. Very inspired, thank you.

[@johnkelly4237]

Wow! What a useful, instructive video! Thank you so much. I'm an old school folk/rock songwriter who has decided to get into electric guitar for rhythm and to develop new sounds/colors to record with, and I know a little , but not a lot, about electric guitar, so this video is the perfect starting point for someone like me. Your teaching technique is wonderful. I was pleased to know that in Lesson 18 you cover uses of the baritone guitar, as I just purchased an acoustic and will be purchasing an electric baritone quite soon. Your introduction to the electric baritone is very useful. I am looking forward to studying all of your lessons on ambient guitar in depth. Thank you for making such thoughtful lesson, really.

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks so much John!!

[@EzyoMusic]

"Sorry for that chord" We don't make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.

[@ketju7036]

Besides your magnificent ambient guitar playing skills, what a gentle and clear voice you have. You should be a narrator as well.

[@chordsoforion]

+Karo Koskitanner Sorry I missed this! I actually do have somewhat of a training background in my "day job", so maybe that's what you are hearing from the voice... Thanks for checking out the video and commenting!

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

Volume pedal is easily the most Underrated Pedal. It’s an amazing effect, but also lets you sit in the mix perfectly without affecting your gain.

[@mike1967sam]

Hi Mr "Orion" I've been watching your vids for a while now because of the whole ambient thing...I used to have just an MXR Carbon Copy and a Boss DD7 for a long time mostly playing Blues and rock n roll but then I bought the Boss DD 500 and a few more things and it opened up a whole new world to me...thinking of playing ambient music at gigs instead of just straight up rock and blues...

[@chordsoforion]

Excellent, and welcome aboard to the wonderful world of ambient guitar!

[@MrUnstablepenguin]

Why was this channel missing from my life? I feel more chill just watching...

[@leebrown143]

This is brilliant. I have found it hard to find good tutorials on this topic and style, but have to say these really are incredible and thank you so much for sharing.

[@mr.cheezle5829]

Two years later and still teaching. Thanks Orion!

[@chordsoforion]

You are very welcome!!

[@JK.Fraser]

wow, the Bob Ross of Guitar lessons! I'm subscribing :D

[@chordsoforion]

Yes, but he had better hair than me!! :-)

[@JK.Fraser]

And remember, there are mistakes, only HAPPY AMBIANCE!

[@PJmars100]

Joshua Fraser that’s funny and true... 👍😁

[@twelvepetaledlotus1721]

Joshua Fraser nailed it!

[@KC9UDX]

That compressor is phthalo blue, I'm pretty sure.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

It simply cannot get any better than this...

[@reid1967]

Stumbled across this at work this morning, went out and bought some hardware at lunch, can't wait to get home now.

[@chordsoforion]

Have fun! :-)

[@reid1967]

I so did! thanks for this

[@williamtrew5163]

Love the sound with the overdrive. It's more about texture than drive in this context.

[@worldofmiku]

One word for you Sir 'Fantastic.'

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks!!

[@kend6910]

One of the best beginner videos I have seen on how to start creating ambeint tones. Thank you!

I love this, I play a Fender Bass VI. I have mostly played in post punk-ish bands when playing my bass, in the last 3 years, I have been on a journey of exploring ambient music, mostly threw modular synths, been have been thinking a lot about using my basses, mostly my Bass VI, so I'll be following a long.

[@Odelot-p2j]

Love your videos, your approach, explaining to fine details are beyond measure

[@missourinp1155]

I loved your review of the HOF2 x4.

[@ScottParker235]

just wanna say that i love your vids. you make them so happy, and easy to watch, and theyre really informative :)

[@chordsoforion]

+Scott Parker Thanks!!!!!!!

[@andymcleod8276]

Would have loved this series 5 years ago. So helpful.

[@TimothyBussMusic]

Never thought of adding overdrive. Great idea!

[@boblonghurst5111]

The most interesting SWELL tutorial i've watched. Thank you for showing the four pedal set up and the best configuration to get the nicest sound possible. Cool.. wicked.

[@jasonbradley9456]

Thanks for the video, i'm an acoustic player of about 15 years looking to finally get into electric playing and haven't got a clue when it comes to effect pedals. Thanks very much.

[@chordsoforion]

You are very welcome!!!

[@jasonbradley9456]

Was wondering what your thoughts were on these digital multi effects pedals? I have been looking at individual vs multi effects and can't tell which would be better. I'm sensing the individual pedals would be easier to create more unique and sincere tones?

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

Great series of videos. I've been a "Frippertronics" fan since the early 1980's, and I really like your basic and simple approach. Nice clear instruction and suggestions. And the video itself is very well produced.

[@chordsoforion]

+Dave Lanciani (Dimaension X) Frippertronics is where it's at and just in case you haven't seen it, episode #7 of this series focuses on Frippertronics. Thanks so much for letting me know you liked the video!!

[@Broke.n.string]

So glad I found this video... can't wait to watch all your videos. Love that style of playing. Great teaching

[@AlexanderGartley]

This is an excellent breakdown of each pedal, showing what each does and how it affects the sound. I will be bookmarking this and sharing with others. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks for letting me know you liked the video! Also, let me know if you have suggestion for other "how to play ambient guitar" topics. Always interested in what might be useful for folks!

[@ThrashRebel]

Just found this. Thank you. I am trying to switch my style & start writing ambient music, the likes of David Sylvian. Thank you for this video. You video will be my first step in my transformation.

[@muhammadrezahaghiri]

I think it was the last year, I asked you about the simplest way to record ambient guitar. In that year, I learned a lot about how to record and play ambient guitar. In my opinion, compressor is required, because it helps dial a warm and sustained tone. I don't have a hardware compressor and what I use is "Fruity Compressor" from default FL Studio plugins. I usually put release on 2.5 secs to get a good, warm and sustained tone. Then, it helps me have the best delayed guitar sound I can ever have!

[@chordsoforion]

Excellent!!!

[@timgittar]

This is a good overview. Thank you. I hadn't thought of using the compressor in this capacity, but I like how it works with the transients and sustain.

[@chordsoforion]

timgittar Glad you found the video useful! I am a fairly recent convert to using compressors in creating ambient swells myself. It's really helped me out!

[@HummerPoint]

Sir Davos?

[@phillschneider5232]

xD jajajaja

[@Floydthefuckbag]

Orion. Onion. Coincidence?

[@ClaudiaSegoviano]

Илья Коленковский I DON'T THINK SO

[@rossdalrymple7022]

Floydthefuckbag you've made my shortlist for favourite screen name of all time. I'm sure this will be a huge honour for you.

[@blowuplikeafrog3700]

Grab your guitar and take that spoon of that fermented crab

[@chosenproductions.1]

Thanks from a delay, overdrive, swell guitarist. You've broken the method to put the tones together down, to a much better place for me. I've been looking for pure tone in the ambient style. Keep going bro!

[@chordsoforion]

+Dave Slater Thanks so much for letting me know you got some value out of the video. I've had a lot of fun doing this series, and have more episodes planned!

[@chosenproductions.1]

I'm a new subscriber, have viewed a few more of your lessons, and will come back. Thanks so much! You are appreciated man..

[@jimrogers7425]

This is what I've been looking for. I really enjoy your videos, but your taste in ambient guitar soundscapes is very enjoyable. I'm inspired to create again. Thank you so much!

[@chordsoforion]

Creating is where it's at!

[@Guitarmon8]

Your voice is so soothing! If you don't already, you should make some guided meditation videos!

[@AwakeAsJedi001]

Loving this. Very clear without all of the over-optional stuff that we can add later. Thanks for this one.

[@chordsoforion]

+AwakeAsJedi001 Thanks for letting me know you liked it. Much appreciated!!!!

[@clarkerobertson2764]

Regarding the necessity of a volume pedal, that actually depends on the proximity of the volume knob on your guitar. I can do ambient swells with my Strat by grabbing the knob with my pinky and working it. Phil Keaggy is a master at using the volume knob to that effect.

[@chordsoforion]

Good point - I use volume knob swells a good bit in addition to the volume pedal, and have another video that demonstrates one of the techniques that Keaggy used with Les Paul wiring. I kind of look at them as 2 different beasts though, in that you can position the volume pedal so that it does not affect your gain structure, unlike using a volume knob. Do you have any amp/effects recommendations for doing volume knob swells?

[@clarkerobertson2764]

@@chordsoforion No particular ones, but here's my normal setup: Strat -> Xotic XP Compressor -> Wampler Tunmus -> Wampler Plexi Drive -> vintage Boss DM2 Delay -> Dunlop Echoplex -> Xotic EP Booster -> TC Electronic Chorus+ (the old analog one) -> Strymon Flint -> Vox AC30HW2 with Celestion Greenbacks (GASP!). I assume your reference to the gain structure would be putting the volume pedal after overdrive/distortion devices.

[@sarahhirsch8919]

Hello! I just wanted to thank you for making this series. It has been incredibly helpful! Thanks!

[@creationfounder3589]

Brilliant my brother. You have helped the world to free this war of government and greed politics and poverty from the alien invaders. Orion has awoken.

[@samlevine9639]

Wonderful work! I love what you do. I have some somewhat unrelated questions: 1. how important do you think it is to get good quality patch cables and instrument cables/is it worth dishing out a solid $100 for maybe 5-6 cables? what kinds do you get? 2. What do you do for a living? Are you a professional musician? teacher (private, at a school)? 3. What style did you originally learn on the guitar? Jazz, rock? 4. what are your all-time favorite pedals? most versatile, most unique, most useful, most inspiring, you know. Again, this channel is great!

[@chordsoforion]

Well, $100 / 5 = $20 per cable. That's pricey for a 6 inch patch cable, but pretty moderate for a 15 - 20 foot cable. As far as patch cables go, I use the inexpensive Planet Waves 3-pack. For main cables, I use an old Monster series S from the guitar to the effects, then a Planet Waves cable from effects to amp modeler. For the effects loop, I use a pair of Monster DJ series cables. They are great and you can find them on sale. I know I will sound heretical, however, I don't think that the super expensive cables make such a huge difference for my rig.

[@samlevine9639]

do you mean these something like these? reverb.com/item/865485-planet-waves-pw-cgtp-305-6-classic-series-patch-cables-3-pack

[@Marten_Broadcloak]

I stumbled upon this channel after getting my baritone and it has become one of my absolute favourites.

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks so much for letting me know!

[@Kyle-xk4ke]

Absolute love zur videos man. Can't emphasize that enough

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks very much!

[@vazen33]

this is great! thanks for sharing mate! Definitely adding this to my playing!

[@jamesfrancisco3130]

This is just lovely! So beautiful! Can't wait to try some of this in my music!

[@GREENBELLES]

Oh my gosh, I need a volume petal. I need it all

[@chordsoforion]

Yes - you DO need a volume pedal!

[@floydLmiller]

Looking into volume pedals, myself. I'm stuck in the weeds trying to decide on low impedance (e.g. 25K) vs high impedance (e.g. 250 K to 500K). Also the issue of linear vs log taper pot. I guess it comes down to finding a place to try out the options.

[@modularcuriosity]

Honestly, it's the most important pedal on my board. And not just for ambient music. The ability to always control the volume to the amp, which also controls the drive, is really important.

[@bluepedalsrock9271]

Did you wind up getting a volume pedal?

[@peacetrip5049]

Working exclusively in Logic All I have now is a Roland volume pedal that works with my keyboard controller Since all of my fix will be virtual can I include it?

[@MrDaigoRiki]

Lotta things to learn here. I got the same volume pedal. :)

[@rexturner8208]

Fantastic simplification, making for easy understanding. Thanks!

[@MikeTheEarGuy]

Thanks for the instruction. I will be getting a Fender ToneMaster Pro and a dunlop volume pedal for Christmas. Excited to try making Ambient music!

[@chordsoforion]

Nice and good fortune on your ambient guitar jouirney!

[@motoki1]

Excellent production quality in sound and visuals

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks very much!!

[@georgedavidla]

Thank you. I'm excited to learn ambient guitar. You are my first teacher!

[@hacerclic1020]

Thanks so much for doing this series. I'm a synth player, but your insights are helpful for that too.

[@chordsoforion]

You are welcome!

[@ursbasteck]

I somehow never realized this is an actual thing, "Ambient Guitar" Nice ideas here! I'll add one for the post-production: look up _Paulstretch_. It's a tool to stretch soundfiles to whatever length you desire, creating beautiful textures in the process.

[@chordsoforion]

Whoa! Paulstretch looks really cool. Thanks for tip!

[@ursbasteck]

I believe the initial idea was to develop a new way to change tempo while preserving pitch and tone but then... it got a great life of its own. Here's one of mine, if I may :) 24 seconds turned into 2 minutes 50: soundcloud.com/purf/gitloop080-stretched01 You can get it as a plug-in for Audacity but the standalone offers much more crucial options

[@leadvillejim]

Urs, I like your track, and that is an amazing effect. Thank you for making me aware of this

[@lovaspillando]

Grettings from the rainy and cold region of Spain (Asturias). What I wass looking for! I am guitarrist, composser and producer and wants to make my music that ambient. Even if I love rock music I really enjoy playing that kind of music you tech on this videos. Thanks so much for your contribution to ambient. I am using an Eleven Rack with a FCB1010 as a MIDI feet control, and I can use the FX Loop of my Eleven to connect an pedaboard with an extra delay, acoustic simulator and and Digitech Harmony Man. I hope I can follow your videos with it. Thanks for all!

[@k2000kidd1]

Loved the video, not sure if youve seen Sling blade or contributed music to the film but the part where Carl goes to visit his father had almost exactly that same sequence

[@jacobswaim449]

That overdrive accentuates the overtones and undertones. Makes the notes feel more full.

[@alejandroalcalarodriguez]

If you have distorsion coming from the amp you can use the effects loop. Very informative video!!

[@glennschuld]

Wow! This is going to be super fun!

[@jeffreybabino8161]

Very happy to be able to watch your channel enjoying it very much your music is beautiful

[@XlouietheflyX]

I run my Little Alligator in the effects loop, after my EQ and noise suppressor. I even run a flanger ahead of it. I think with the distortion produced in the preamp this gives a signal compressed enough to not need a compressor. In terms of using the delay, the volume pedal, and the picking I found this video to be very relevant to my setup.

[@MrShark0890]

The Bob Ross of pedals ! Great content thank you

[@kimmy_future4265]

I have been looking for something like this forever! thank you!

[@chordsoforion]

You are welcome!

[@coopermccormick]

Great lessons. My first guitar was a Stratocaster. After about a year of tinkering with it, I decided to learn on an acoustic first. Well, that was a lonnnng time ago and I never really got back to the electric. I would like to start getting into using different effects pedals, and this video really made me want to start that endeavor sooner rather than later. Thank you so much. My wife is in for a real treat lmao.

[@cabbycabby1770]

Bob Ross' brother from another mother is teaching.

[@jbetnar]

Nicholas Cabrera He's playing us some happy little chords.

[@trooper744]

Jim Bob Duggar Now that made be laugh! Until next time, God bless 😀

[@Darren-D.C-Cross]

i like him!

[@TimmyScottnoise]

One of the most accurate statements on the interwebs right now.

[@benearsangma1826]

Ur brain got noob idiot I like him where is ur channel Cabby

[@onsturicheitchaos8124]

Thanks a lot for these very usefull tips. I just bought the TC Electronic Flashback Looper and Arena and they just sound good. With the right settings you can do some sort of sound on sound layers that dissapear very slowly. Very good for ambient soundscapes. I'll check out this setting with a compression pedal and overdrive and see what it does to the sound. PS It also works fine with the arturia minibrute whit the ASDR all up.

[@dylanchen5738]

Masterclass tutorial. Thank you, Ser Davos Seaworth!

[@chordsoforion]

Yep - I am going to get a GOT costume some day and shoot a video while wearing it. :) Thanks for commenting!!

[@arturzaduryan6108]

damn please do!

[@southjersey10]

This was great, what I have been looking for. Now a subscriber. Ambient is such wonderful platform for creativity ...... will experiment with writing musical pieces.

[@tigrederd]

This is so cool! Thank you for this, you are putting content out that I didn't know I wanted

[@chordsoforion]

Glad I was able to "scratch an itch" so to speak. Let me know if you have any suggestions for topics.

[@Roberto-yn9fq]

Excellent video, very well paced with easy and laid back explanations. Thank you for sharing, and long live music!

[@chordsoforion]

So glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know!

[@frankmcgowan3672]

Thankyou,you just opened my ears and eyes.

[@chordsoforion]

You are welcome!

[@ivanbailon7161]

nice demo! And the sounds...its amazing. For intros...progresive...etc...nice work.

[@chordsoforion]

+Ivan Bailon Many thanks!!!

[@StackerOnTube]

so glad i stumbled across this series man! great work. great music.

[@chordsoforion]

+Michael L Maliner Glad you are liking the vids!!!

[@czarpaul01]

Your channel is amazing man. Streamed a bunch of stuff on Spotify, lovely

[@Tubefex]

Started programming the basic setup in the kemper. 40 minutes later, I'm still at 4:02 I think I was meditating just listening to the background reverb echoes :)

[@JesusChrist-tm4se]

I appreciate the videos you do. I have been working on my guitar skills and your videos have helped me a lot. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to put out music and videos

[@rossco-dps5392]

Amen Jesus Christ. Thank you for dying for our sins I think.

[@scatterbain1628]

all the things you apologise for are absolutely unnecessary! loving this channel can't believe I've only just found it

[@davidfrain5715]

Hey cool!I might not be Fripp, Lifeson, Howe, Holdsworth, Gilmour, or even YOU (ha! take it as a compliment), but I'm looking for my signature sound and your vids have been priceless. Man wow, thanks for the inspiration.

[@chordsoforion]

+david frain You are very welcome! And thanks for the compliment!!!! :)

[@JomesG]

Love this! Even his voice is ambient!

[@rafaelmarcosbs9383]

Thank you very much. Homeworks made..remind me Max Richter "On the nature of daylight" that I love. I learn a lot with your videos. Keep it up please.

[@EricBinder7Corners]

Those of you looking for a more frugal option that takes up less real-estate on your pedal board can grab a Line 6 Echo Park pedal and use the swell setting. Very, very similar results. It's an auto-swell so you don't need to use a volume pedal.

[@stratosphere6232]

I think your music folds your shoes into another space dimension...

[@chrisshaw6451]

Very informative and no frills usefulness, thanks! 👍

[@Neil.Swinnerton]

Excellent video lesson. Many thanks!

[@chrisstocks5698]

Thank you so much for this series of videos. Lots of great ideas and information. Your effort is really appreciated.

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks for letting me know you are getting value out of the series! I've got some "how to play..." episodes for 2017 coming soon.

[@dustin6625]

Why did it take me so damn long to find this, thanks so much man!

[@chordsoforion]

+Dustin.P I am really glad you got some value from the video. Thanks for commenting!!!!

[@Aldoborzoni]

Loved it. Thank you. I'm finally getting my guitar out of the closet. I'll follow the whole series.

[@manrique420]

Great video makes me excited to get my first delay pedal

[@JamesMcCutcheon]

Thanks, your videos are incredible.

[@EdoardoMassagliA]

really good tutorial, i'm gonna look for the whole series for sure! Great work!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the rest of the series!

[@Georgie_B_]

So happy to have found your channel, amazing skills and balance man! Learning a lot!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks!!!

[@Misanthropic-King]

Super excellent video! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial!

[@chordsoforion]

Thanks!

[@stormgiant100]

Very well presented and informative. I look forward to the others in the series.

[@chordsoforion]

+stormgiant100 Thanks!!!

[@MrJhoeffner]

This is great. have been wanting to do this for years

[@sjsphotog]

Nice video. Very cool Carvin Alan Holdsworth (RIP) signature axe there. I have a DC135T myself. Looking forward to the lessons.

[@chordsoforion]

Alright - another Carvin owner!! And thanks!!!

[@donwilson2945]

Very nice tutorial, easy to follow and much appreciated.. Thanks

[@chordsoforion]

Glad you got some value from the video!!!

[@Musicology1975]

Brilliant. Demo lesson. I am happy now