4 beginner-friendly guitar techniques to write professional scores with a music sheet maker
Hello everyone,
As we started to roll-out our biggest update yet with the Superior audio playback, we are excited to share some tips on how to make the best out of the new features that come with it. We will be focusing on guitarists this time. Buckle up and let us take through some easy guitar techniques that will make all the difference in your sheet music.
Haven't tried the playback yet? Be sure to read our dedicated article for all the details!
Now, let's roll 🎸!
These four techniques will add texture and emotion to your compositions. A music sheet maker like Flat can help bring these ideas to life. While they may seem simple at first, when used thoughtfully, these techniques can transform your guitar scores, giving them a more refined and professional touch. Here they are:
Guitar techniques to write professional scores
Guitar techniques to write professional scores
Harmonics
Guitar harmonics are a great way to add depth and emotion to your music by producing clear, bell-like tones that stand out from regular notes. They’re created by lightly touching the string at specific points, rather than pressing it all the way down, giving you some bright, shimmering sounds. These tones add texture to the music, and you can use them to make certain parts of your piece more reflective or to create beautiful contrast to the a particular section.
There are two main types of harmonics:
- Natural harmonics: These are the easiest to play. You simply touch the string lightly (without pressing it all the way down) at the 12th, 7th, or 5th fret and pluck the string. The result is a bright, high-pitched tone.
🎧 Let's listen to a natural harmonic:
💡 Natural harmonics are great for creating a soft, serene atmosphere or drawing attention to a delicate part of your score.
- Artificial harmonics: These take a little more practice. First, you press down on a note as you normally would, then lightly touch the string 12 frets higher and pluck.
🎧 Let's listen to an artificial harmonic:
💡 Artificial harmonics let you add harmonics anywhere on the guitar neck, so you can add that bright, clear sound wherever you want in your music.
These tones created by harmonics can turn a simple melody into something more powerful, helping you create moments that stand out, whether it’s for a gentle, reflective break or a dramatic, otherworldly touch in your piece.
In a music sheet maker, it's important to notate these correctly so others can follow along. For natural harmonics, a small circle above the note does the trick. For artificial harmonics, you’ll want to indicate both the fretted note and where the harmonic should be played.
Bends
When you're starting out as a composer for guitar, bends are one of the most expressive techniques you can use. The concept is simple: you press down on a note, but instead of just plucking it with your right hand, you pull or push the string up with your left hand, raising the pitch as you go.
Let's listen to how a bend sounds:
Bends allow you to really “speak” through your guitar, letting you control how quickly or slowly the pitch rises. A sharp, quick bend can create excitement or tension, while a slow, smooth bend can bring out a sense of longing or emotion. This makes bends perfect for highlighting key moments in your music, whether you're building up to a powerful chorus or creating a softer, more reflective ending.
There are two main types of bends, each with a distinct feel:
- Full Bends: The most common type of bend is a full bend, where you raise the pitch by a full step, or two frets higher than the original note. For example, if you're full bending an F note on the first string, you pull the string up until it reaches the pitch of a G (two frets higher). Full bends are perfect for creating dramatic, attention-grabbing moments in your music.
- Half Bends: In a half bend, you raise the pitch just one fret, creating a more subtle and delicate shift—perfect for when you want a gentler emotional effect. For example, if you are half bending an F note on the first string, you pull the string up until it reaches the pitch of a F# (one fret higher).
Let's hear the difference between a full bend and a half bend:
In addition to bends, there are two related concepts worth noting:
- Pre-bends: With pre-bends, you bend the string before plucking it, then release it back to the original note. This creates a "sighing" effect, adding tension and release, which can be incredibly powerful when used in the right musical moment.
- Release: A release happens when you decrease the tension on the string, allowing the pitch to drop back down. It can be used to resolve the tension you built up with the bend, making the note feel more complete.
By incorporating these variations, you can add even more emotional depth to your compositions.
💡 Learn how to use bends in our music sheet maker in the guide below:
Palm mute
Palm mute is a simple yet powerful technique that adds rhythm and texture to your guitar playing. To do it, you lightly rest the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge while you play. This softens the sound, making the notes shorter and more controlled, giving you a punchy, percussive feel.
What makes palm mute so useful is how it creates contrast. You can make certain parts of your music feel tight and rhythmic, which is great for rock or metal. But it’s also perfect for quieter moments when you want to keep things subtle without the full ring of each note.
Here’s how you do it:
- Light Touch: Gently place the side of your hand on the strings near the bridge—just enough to mute them slightly, but not completely kill the sound. You’ll need to experiment with the pressure to find the sweet spot for the sound you want.
- Control the Sound: The harder you press, the more muted and percussive the notes become. A lighter touch keeps some of the note’s sustain, while more pressure gives you a tighter, more rhythmic effect.
Let ring
Let ring is one of the easiest techniques to use, but it can add a lot of emotion and depth to your music. The idea is simple: after playing a note, you let it resonate and fade out naturally instead of muting it. This gives your music a more open, spacious feel that can really draw in the listener.
Letting notes ring out works especially well when you want to highlight a particular moment or create a sense of atmosphere. It’s perfect for contrasting with faster, more rhythmic sections, giving your music room to breathe and feel more expansive.
Here’s how to do it:
- Keep It Open: After you strike the note, don’t touch the string again. Just let it ring out naturally. Make sure your fingers don’t accidentally brush against the string, which could cut the sound short.
- Build Layers: When you let multiple notes ring together, like a chord, it creates a rich, full sound. This is great for arpeggios, where the overlapping notes build a beautiful, resonant texture.
Letting notes ring is a simple yet powerful tool for making your guitar scores more expressive.
🎧 Let's listen to how let ring sounds:
💡 Learn how to use Palm mute and let ring in our online music sheet maker in the guide below:
You’re all set to start applying these techniques to your guitar scores! By incorporating these simple yet powerful tools, you’ll see your music transform and reach new heights. So grab your guitar, fire up your music sheet maker, and start composing. You’ve got this!
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