Ethan Shin's Official Guitar Blog

Ebow Review

2011-12-31T23:01:00.001-08:00

I just purchased an ebow a little while ago from Guitar Center. The ebow is a small electronic device that uses an electro-magenetic field to vibrate the strings. The result is an infinite sustain, which produces a sound similar to that of a bowed instrument. There are things about this little gadget that I absolutely love, and some things that I find a bit underwhelming.

I really like the idea of the ebow and the sound it produces. The device truly does make the guitar sound like a different instrument and the infinite sustain offers the player many new possibilities. Another thing I like is the compact size of the ebow. It can easily fit into your guitar case, bag, or even your pocket! You can hold it with just 3 fingers when you are playing. I also love that it works on acoustic guitars. Being a strictly acoustic player myself, I appreciate the fact that the ebow resonates a pure acoustic sound when played on acoustic instruments.

On that note, although the ebow works on acoustic guitars, it doesn't respond quite as well as it does on electric guitars. When using the ebow on an acoustic guitar, you have to hold it on the string for a good second or two (depending on which string), before it starts to vibrate the string. However, on electric guitars, the strings respond so quickly to the magnetic field that you can even wave the ebow over all 6 strings, creating a synthesized melodic arpeggio. You can also "bounce" the ebow over a single string, which produces a sound reminiscent of bowed staccato notes. These techniques will not work on an acoustic guitar. The other thing I don't like is that, when played on an acoustic guitar, you can really hear the frets when sliding from one note to another. This sound is highly audible, especially when recording.

Now, in all honesty, I'm just nit-picking with all these little issues. I really can't complain, especially when the ebow was designed more as a gadget for the electric guitar. Though I do wish it would translate just as well into acoustic playing, I think the ebow is still a really awesome tool for any player looking to discover some new sounds. Even with the pricey retail tag of $135 (most retailers sell it for $99), it's well worth the money if you put it to use.

Below is my arrangement of the song "Tapion's Theme", which demonstrates what the ebow can sound like on an acoustic guitar.

Nail Attack Disaster

2011-07-28T22:45:00.000-07:00

So lately I've been working on a lot of original songs involving nail attack. Because I haven't been strengthening my nails for a while now, my nail just completely gave out.

This is the result of constant abuse on my nail without using hardener.

Nail attack, for those who are not familiar with the term, is a technique where you literally "flick" your nail. The most common finger to use is the middle finger for this technique, though I've seen guitarists use the index finger or m & a together as well. The set up and "attack" motion is pretty much identical to rasgueado techniques, but can require more precision if you are only attacking one or two strings at a time.

It's been a while...

2011-05-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to update my blog in quite a while because I have been preoccupied with a busy schedule and a newborn son.

Baby Jovan is now 5 months old and loves listening to music! He has already started warming up his little fingers by plucking daddy's guitar during practice. Maybe one day he will grow up to be a guitarist as well..

I also haven't been able to update my youtube channel in over a year, but have material ready to be recorded. My search for a decent, affordable recording studio has been less than successful. Unfortunately, not many people seem to have experience in recording and editing fingerstyle guitar music. Time to dust off the old Zoom h4n and see what she can do for me..

Aside from some original compositions, be sure to look out for my arrangement of Hans Zimmer's "Time" from the Inception soundtrack!

Nathaniel Tab pt.1

2010-01-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hi,
I am posting a section of the tabs for "Nathaniel" to help some of you get started on this song. The tune is in standard, but dropped a whole step down on the youtube video.
Please do NOT distribute, share, or post online without my permission.
The full tabs will be released sometime soon...Enjoy!

P.S. If you are interested in taking Skype Guitar lessons, please email me at ethanshin86@gmail.com. Lessons will cover all things from basics to advanced fingerstyle techniques, theory, arranging, composing, etc.

Tunings & Equipment

2010-01-18T23:09:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the tunings I use for my songs. I should also mention that in my youtube videos, I keep my guitar tuned down a whole step down from standard, except for "Despair", which is tuned 1/2 step down.

Nathaniel: EADGBE (Standard)
Say(All I Need): DADGBE (Dropped D)
Despair: CGDGBE
Foreshadow: G#GCD#GD

Guitars: Martin DM,
Little Martin LXM

Mic: Zoom H4n

Camcorder: Kodak Zi8

Welcome!

2010-01-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

Hi. Welcome to my blog! Here you will find updates on my music. I will also post information and short tutorials on fingerstyle guitar. =)