Iommi Pick 'chirping'

[442w30]

I had always thought Iommi used a metal pick to get his distinctive 'chirping', but I haven't read that to be true. I also have seen plastic Iommi picks on eBay, so how does he get that chirp?

[lerxstcat]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

My guess? Combo of pick attack, right hand placement, palm muting and gain on his amps.
Might also have to do with the plastic pieces he wears on his fingertips that were cut off.

[pro-fusion]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

What do you mean by "chirping"? Pick harmonics?

Iommi's always used a plastic pick, to my knowledge.

[jgcable]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

I would guess its his plastic finger tips.

[442w30]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

I believe it is during the pick attack, It is real evident on Dio era Sabbath - listen to 'country girl' I can get something like it using a thin metal pick with the rounded edge on very new strings and a lot of gain, that's part of why I didn't think it was the finger tips.
I don't hear it when he does 'trills', but I do on what sounds like downstrokes.
It's not like Zakk Wylde type pick harmonics, but maybe slightly related? Doesn't seem to impact the natural ringing of the string like pick harmonics.

Thanks guys!

[ChickenScratch]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

It's all about pick attack dude. The harder you hit hte string with the pick the more of that chirping sound (as you describe it) you hear. Listen to some Paul Gilbert to hear more of it, he's big on that. I actually like the sound of it, because along with the note there's also a bit of percussion (pick hitting string).

[Ace]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

You bet your ass Tony Iommi used brand new strings every night.

[horns666]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

Dude alot of things that Iommi did and does..was and is unintentional due to his mishap of loosing the tips of his fingers on his playing hand..

He down tuned soley of the purpose to make the strings slinkier and easier to play and not to sound "Heavier"..that was an after thought years later...Tony can not feel the strings...and alot of his trademarks are probably due to plain chance...it's amazing that he carried out a full career and invented metal with such a disaster...many people would of just quit right then...

His ""chirps" are not as impressive as his trills...he's has some ammainginly fast trills that he does with two fingers...even if thery're false ones..

Just like Michael Schenker....that dude plays with three fingers exclusively...he rarely touches the fretboard with his pinky....and you would never know the difference because he's flawless in his articulation of his phrasing..

[442w30]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

I didn't think about detuning or increasing attack. Since I don't typically detune and don't attack that hard - I blame that on being a lefty playing right.
To me, the chirping has just added to the 'mechanical' but fluid sound that Iommi has. It just wouldn't be Iommi without it.
I too am always in awe of Iommi - This summer, I saw him with Sabbath and during "Into the Void" was just hypnotized, it was one of the coolest moments of any concerts I've ever experienced.
I wanted to be like Iommi so much, I cut my left thumb off with a table saw, but it grew back! Ok, it didn't come all the way off, but it is ironic (or moronic) that an Iommi fan cuts a digit up with a power tool.
BTW I don't suggest it, it didn't help my chops any, so don't try it.

[Ace]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

I slammed my pinky in a car door and couldn't feel it for months. I was terrified that I would never feel it again. While I don't use my pinky as often as most classicaly trained guitar players, I sure did notice something fishy about not being able to feel the string under my finger.

[pro-fusion]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

I think I now know what you mean by the 'chirping', since you referenced "Country Girl." I call it 'clacking'--it's the sort of additional pick noise you get when you use a very thick pick, which Iommi does. When I was using a 2.0mm Dunlop pick, I got that same clacking sound, which I suppose does sound a bit 'chirp'-like with ultra high distortion.

[ChickenScratch]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

Yeah dude, I saw Sabbath twice this summer and the second time me and my buds did it up to the hilt. We got trashed drunk and high plus we got really great seats. The only thing that could have made it cooler is if they played "Radio (am I going insane)."

[Tooling]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

I love that chirping you are talking about...Megadeth has it too...it's all pick attack and harmonic content from your tubes/amp. I'm lucky because I get it alot naturally...I guess it's my attack. It is the pick striking the string and can be heard unplugged as well...a good amp will amplify that and some particular tubes bring it out even more. For me...the more the better....it basically must be present for me to be happy. Check out Angry Again by Megadeth. I do not tune down.

[Tooling]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

I just went and gave it a listen and Angry Again isn't a good example...I listen to Megadeth alot with some really good headphones which seem to really bring it out...but not so much through standard stereo speakers...oh well.

[Newc]

Re: Iommi Pick \'chirping\'

Turn the pick sideways, not flat against the string like Mel Bay taught us [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Amp shmamp, it's the pick angle. The pick scrapes the string ever so slightly, and the detuned strings are briefly grounding out on either the frets or the pickup covers. These two factors are the main contributors to that particular effect.

You might also want to try scraping the edge of your thumb against the string like a pinch harmonic, but not quite (like when you miss the harmonic, only do it on purpose).