How To: Play distortion effects on an electric guitar

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Getting to grips with guitar effects can be a complicated business and there are so many different types that it can be difficult to know where to start. This Guitar FX video tutorial is a brief introduction to the most common effect.

This video lesson focuses on distortion. Distortion occurs when the gain (the degree of amplification) of the signal is turned up beyond the point where the circuitry is able to handle it, causing the signal to 'distort'. It sounds similar to overdrive, but a distortion pedal typically sounds more dense. See how to play distortion effects on an electric guitar with a Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal.