How to Play Ambient Guitar #18 - Baritone Guitar Basics (Tips and Tricks)

Baritone guitar is a great choice for playing ambient guitar. Learn how to get the most out of your baritone with these basic tips and tricks!

Follow Chords of Orion Music here:

Some of Bill's recent gear (with Amazon and Sweetwater Affiliate links, see disclaimers below):

TC Electronic PolyTune Tuner

PedalTrain Classic PRO pedalboard

Strymon Compadre Compressor

Strymon Riverside Overdrive

Strymon Iridium

Morley Volume Pedal

Gamechanger Audio Plus Pedal

EHX Grand Canyon Delay

Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB

iZotope Ozone 9 Advanced

Video Chapters
0:00 What is a Baritone Guitar?
2:02 Learn how to transpose
4:10 Use wide chord intervals
5:49 Take advantage of the low end!
6:35 Baritones sound great with arpeggios!
7:25 Baritones sound great with distortion and playing leads

Chords of Orion - Ambient guitar is life

Bill Vencil - Guitars

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure:

Sweetwater Affiliate Disclosure:

[joebordash]

This dude is the Bob Ross of ambient guitar playing and I love it

[chordsoforion]

Hey everybody!! I've had several comments on this video about me looking like I am high, baked, toasted, etc. Just want to let everyone know that I actually have a "droopy" eye (the right one). I had some paralysis around it several years ago and some of the muscles never came back. Some days it droops more than others and I guess this was one of the "more" days. I call it my "Thom Yorke" look. Feel free to keep making comments about it - I have found them quite amusing! All the best and thanks so much for watching the video and commenting!!!

[tyepyesenpai]

I love how even though you don't typically play heavy metal yourself you're still respectful of those who do and say "hey yeah, this guitar may be able to do stuff like that, so for those of you who want to go try it. " Many musicians happen to be very opinionative people. Also that barritone guitar plus the pedal your using sounds like an ocarina or something of that nature. It's beautiful.

[cudahemi]

I recently played a baritone Squier Classic Vibe retailing for about $400 and change - tuned from a 5th down or A to A and it was majestic sounding. The baritone shines playing 2nd and 3rd inversions or positions of chords with or without pedal tones mixed in. Very cool.

[jeremiahfernandez]

aaaand i'm sucked into guitar videos again

[JayAyers]

His playing is so clean and beautiful.

[amog]

Your voice is very soothing. Very Bob Ross-esque

[scaryscotsman]

Sir Davos!?!?! Is that you Onion knight?!?!?!

[dexgames]

I was already intrigued by Baritone Guitars...
But now I want one just to play 3:21 lol, Beautiful ! It sets the mood in a quite heavy manner. Thank you Sir !

[michaelenochs]

I have Stephen Carpenters Signature guitar from Deftones and I love it. There's something about it that continues to sound great long after the strings should be changed. I play so much electric 6 strings that I change my strings once a month or even as little as 2 weeks. The baritone just has a really different sound that feels so much more "smooth". Love it.

[terrybuchanan]

By far the most informative tutorial on BARITONE guitar I've ever seen! I've normally just associated these guitars with HEAVY music, which is fine, i love it, but gets boring after a while.

[DevoShreds]

You're a fantastic player and teacher. What a unique take on an obscure guitar-central genre. Keep doing what you're doing!

[nicholasrella]

I love my Agile Baritone. Best bang for the buck out of any guitar I’ve owned. $400 & it looks better, sounds better & is built better than my $1000+ guitars. I have the LP style and would highly recommend it to anyone in the market for a baritone.

[musicismyreligion]

Something about that deeper pitch realm thats just haunting and emotive. Really dig it.

[jeffroberts_tunes]

I searched for "spread things out and get down low in dungeon" and end up at a guitar video? Some really beautiful sounds here--just found your Soundcloud and will listen more.

[bbbernardooo]

started looking into baritone guitars and have stumbled on this wonderful channel, can't get enough of the videos, full of good vibes and ambient energy! Thanks from Hong Kong!

[johnkelly]

Man! You are FANTASTIC! These videos are useful! I am a rhythm player/songwriter. I got into acoustic baritone and then electric. I'm new to electric guitar, so your videos have been very helpful. I am hoping to include electric ambient guitar to my songwriting styles, so this video is just what I was looking for. You have a great teaching manner/presence. Very, very personable. Please keep doing what you're doing. And thanks!

[michaelsnydermusic]

I just got a Squire Baritone Carbonita thanks to your videos. I had a Bass VI but sold it for the baritone and am much happier. Thanks for the guidance!

[geoffreymerrifield]

Your videos are excellent teaching and info. Really can't understand how in the world anyone could give thumbs down. Your videos are excellent and I hope you continue to bless us with your skills and gifts.

[ricktheexplorer]

Thanks for this next level knowledge. I didn't know anything about Baritone guitars, but I do now, and I want one.