For more information about Guitar Players Center, Guitar Lessons or Guitar Chord Essentials. Feel free to visit our website, ask questions, share it with others, make comments or simply enjoy.
A volume swell is a musical crescendo commonly associated with the electric guitar. Crescendo, in standard musical notation, refers to a passage of music during which the volume gradually increases.
The technique is often executed by the little finger of the guitarist which is wrapped around the volume pot/knob of the guitar. When the note is struck the volume is increased from zero by a rolling motion of the little finger. Alternatively, the effect is achieved with a volume pedal, by moving the pedal forward to increase volume and backwards to reduce vilume. It is sometimes called violinning, because the sound is similar to a bowed violin. Allan Holdsworth pioneered the technique of the pedal swelling along with a delay unit to create a thicker sound that's more associated with chellos.
Guitar players who can do volume swells with the volume knob, often change them to round roller knobs to give your pinkie more traction and accuracy. Personally I use the stock Stratocaster knobs and find them very adequate. That is how I was trained, although it is more popular with younger guitarists to use a volume pedal.
To visualize and actually see an example of how to perform a volume swell, most of the video sites have some great tutorials. Make sure to check them out.
Adding volume swells to your repertoire will take some time in terms of practice and patience. It is considered one of the most beautiful flowing sounds an electric guitar can be manipulated into performing. Take a few minutes out of every practice session to develop your technique. In time, you will become a master and more viable player.
Roy Buchanan was famous for his emotive volume swells, often in combination with note bending and vibrato. Roy really hits my soul, a guitar player worthy of listening to. Jan Akkerman used the technique with Focus and precision.
Another early use of swells is found in the Beatles recording of Eight Days a Week.
To watch a guitarist perform a volume swell is better than a thousand words, again, find a video lesson online for free at most video sites or communities.
Volume swells fall into the same category as pinch harmonics, false harmonics or squealies. As far as the people at Guitar Players Center are concrned, small effective guitar tricks such as the ones described in this article and the article on pinch harmonics are wonderful additions that add distinction and flavor to your guitar vibe. Anybody out there good at volume swells? What technique do you use? Do you have any tricks to share? Comment on them please. Enjoy.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A




Music Downloads: Just Can’t Get Enough!
By: Terro White | 23/11/2009If you are a music junkie, you may have already compiled quite the amazing music downloads collection. You may not, however, be satisfied. A thirst for music is a thirst that is never quenched, so more than likely you are looking for more mp3 downloads to add to your growing library.
Let's Be Friends
By: John Tahan | 23/11/2009John lived in Canada all his life coming to Montreal the greatest city in Canada from Egypt with his family when he was a baby. He started to play guitar when he was about 15 years old. He got more serious about his guitar playing when he was about 20.
Musicians Who Are Entrepreneurs
By: Jeff Bachmeier | 22/11/2009Many musicians aren't just making their millions off of their music. Stretching their name and business savvy into other fields has proven just as profitable as selling their musical talents. Here are just a few of these musicians doing just this.
Professional Wedding Video Standards
By: Dominic Lefever | 21/11/2009The boundaries of what used to be the traditional wedding video have progressed into the art form league. Modern wedding video producers have pushed the envelope to new heights. Maybe it was market forces that dictated this creative rise, increased competition levels or a need to satisfy artistic desires, but whatever the reasoning it all works to the bride and grooms favor. No matter if you live in Hawaii or Northern Ireland the entire wedding video industry has been transformed into a hotbed o
Discover important tips on how to download audio books legally
By: Malinda W Smith | 21/11/2009If you are a book lover but you don’t have spare time to read books then this article will surely help you to discover important tips on how to download audio books legally. There are many websites on the internet that offer this service and you can download a large collection of audio books legally.
The Perfect Home Recording Studio to Create
By: Ty Cohen | 21/11/2009For aspiring recording artists, finding a recording company to sign with can be a daunting task. If you and your band are encountering problems in this area, it can seem that your band will never get a lucky break. Fortunately, there is another solution to the problem... The creation of your own home recording studio.
A Step by Step Approach to Making it in the Music Industry
By: Ty Cohen | 21/11/2009The movie business, the television industry, government espionage…certain industries exude an air of impenetrability. If you want to be a nurse or a bookkeeper or a banker, the path to that career goal is very linear and no great mystery: go to college or a trade school, learn the craft and apply for a job at a hospital, accountant’s office or local thrift and loan.
U2 Tickets Minneapolis
By: ballmdr | 21/11/2009On 27 June, Irish rockers U2 returned to Minneapolis in general, if you can make first concert of the new TCF Bank Stadium. It is rumored that the entries are expected for the price of $ 30 to $ 250 and will be on Saturday 10 clock through Ticketmaster. Only 10,000 pieces of $ 30 tickets for the U2 concert in Minneapolis sold.
Essential: Guitar for Beginners Strategy
By: Daniel Lehrman | 25/08/2008 | MusichWant to know how to choose the right guitar teacher?
Make Volume Swells A Part of Your Guitar Vibe
By: Daniel Lehrman | 16/08/2008 | MusicA thorough description of volume swells and the best techniques.
Basic Guitar Set-Up is Affordable and Unavoidable
By: Daniel Lehrman | 15/08/2008 | MusicWhat is actually involved in a guitar basic set-up? Read more and find out.
The Guitars of Jimi Hendrix
By: Daniel Lehrman | 12/08/2008 | MusicThe truth behind the guitars Jimi Hendrix owned and played
What Methods Do You Use To Relax-Out?
By: Daniel Lehrman | 07/08/2008 | MusicWhen you have a tough day and you are ticked off, how do you relax?
Cool Guitar Update-EMG SPC Active EQ Circuit
By: Daniel Lehrman | 07/08/2008 | MusicAn old upgrade that still tops the list for great tone.
Is Afilliate Marketing Dead?
By: Daniel Lehrman | 04/08/2008 | Affiliate ProgramsDo people really understand how to use affiliate links on websites?
What Kind Of Glue Holds Your Guitar Together?
By: Daniel Lehrman | 18/07/2008 | MusicEver had a thought about the type of glue holding your guitar together? Wonder no more.