Volume Adjustment While Playing by Frank Vignola

[@georgeporto1645]

When I play with one other guitar player at low volume I can usually control the volume with my right hand. I also play in a big band, the solos are 8 or 16 bars often at a high tempo and there are usually some backgrounds being played. I would set the comping level to 4 and I would have to try to to get to a 7 or 8 to do the solo. It was hit or miss and difficult to get in and out of comping. I tried a volume pedal but it didn't have enough range to make a difference. I found a small booster pedal that you can click on and off. For a short solo you just hold the button down and release a the end of the solo. I find the optimal level during rehearsals. This works well for me.

[@carguy3460]

That comping! I’ve been into your stuff since a guitar teacher turned me onto your music in the 90s, one of the greats. I hope to make it to that camp one day!

[@Dtruthseek]

Helps me a lot to hear that a player of your caliber has to work and even struggle with this at times. Thank you.

[@994Lucky]

You are amazing!!

[@lukewilliamsactual3691]

The never ending struggle is right! Here is part of an old blog I wrote on the subject of volume balance within the guitar/bass/drums trio format. I called it the Seven String Orchestra. Most of the time, the melody and harmony of the trio is provided by no more than 7 strings - six on the guitar and one on the bass. Occasionally, the bass might play 10ths or chords but most of the time it is playing a single note: the bass line. For each voice in the orchestra to be able to sing out, each string, along with the 3 or 4 voices of the drums and cymbals, should balance equally with each other. That's my opinion and I think it differs from just balancing 3 monolithic elements: bass, guitar, and drums.

[@FrankVignolaGuitar]

Thanks for the great insight on the seven-string orchestra.

[@elizabethanderson2968]

Brillinat

[@MikeDeNoi]

Nice L-7

[@wesleyc.4937]

I had the same problem with reverb. The more reverb you use, the more power you need. The less reverb you use, the less power you need.

[@cf23figueroa23]

Frank, Me being an amateur Jazz guitar player, (eternal student...), I struggle also, and I usually get lost when going to the knobs... :) I make some time during my practice sessions to practice this. I also play lead guitar at a Christian Worship band, same struggle there... I guess one key is to not have the guitar volume all the way up from the get go, to have some headroom to increase a bit, is that what you do also? Love the Guitar Nights by the way, hopefully can make it to NYC in a few months and see you in person, hopefully with Pasquale. Take care and thanks for taking the time to do this!

[@FrankVignolaGuitar]

Yes, that's right, I try to keep the volume a little lower than I normally would to have some room to increase.

[@Nickster60]

I prefer playing a Gretsch when I can because they have master volume setup. If you get a couple of guitarists playing together, there is a chance the volume will just louder as the gig goes on.

[@arataka57]

Why piano players don't have that problem?

[@FrankVignolaGuitar]

They probably struggle as well with sound.