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- FAQ: I have a great distortion unit, but everytime I play chords it’s sounds horrible...what can I do?
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- A: This problem is often related to the notes within the chord itself. A chord dripping with 3rds, 7ths, and chord extensions like 9ths will often sound less than musical when you apply distortion to it; the complexity of the harmonic overtones generated being a prime suspect. The easiest way to avoid this is to restrict your chord to tonic, 5ths and octaves: the power chord, as it’s sometimes called. An example of a power chord built on G, let’s call it G5, would be:
string 6, fret 3 (tonic)
string 5, fret 5 (5th)
string 4, fret 5 (octave)
If you tune string 6 to D, it’s even more fun:
string 6, fret 5 (tonic)
string 5, fret 5 (5th)
string 4, fret 5 (octave)
(Use one finger to do the lot!)
These chord shapes are, of course, moveable.
I once solved the grunj chord problem a different way. Using a Roland GR100 synth (the original?!) it seemed possible to distort each string individually, so even a complex chord like A7(b6)(b9) would sound tough, yet unusually sweet......
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