Contents
An old saying is that an instrument sounds better the more it is played over time. This holds for many other instruments in addition to guitars. Why does a guitar sound better the more you play it? Those built primarily of wood, for reasons I’ll go into later. When I was trying to learn the cello a few years ago, I recall reading online that it was advised to leave your cello on a stand in a busy area or near where you frequently listen to music.
Is it you, or is it the guitar?
Why does a guitar sound better the more you play it? First, let’s address the most obvious cause: You are probably the one who is getting better, not the guitar. You see, the tone is in the fingers, and the more you play, the better your style will be, as many players avow. If you spent most of your creative journey with the same instrument over a reasonable time (years), you would believe that the guitar’s sound has improved. If such is the case, you are likely responsible for a large portion of the improvement. Your technique would undoubtedly have improved, and you’d be performing several musical genres more quickly.
Guitar materials that could benefit from being played in
Why does a guitar sound better the more you play it? Now removing the human aspect from the loop, there’s evidence that certain materials making your instrument might help from vibrating away day after day. Even the interaction between distinct pieces could progressively resonate in place. Think of a snug collar pocket or how two pieces cemented together could generate a firmer bond thanks to the rhythmic movement.
Changes in the rest of your setup that boost your sound
Why does a guitar sound better the more you play it? The rest of your design could mislead you into feeling that your guitar has improved over the years. This would only be a tiny matter if the recollection of the sound the electric guitar generated were crafted while playing it acoustically, unplugged.
Conclusion
Why does a guitar sound better the more you play it? Whether it is you, the guitar, or your equipment, playing will only positively impact how you sound. Period. I suggest you don’t overthink it and let it happen; it’s not that a week of intensive play will create a noticeable effect on your overall sound. It takes the water drop years to carve a trail on stone. And on that proverbial note, I consider this discussion closed and published.
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