The wah pedal is a staple of expressive guitar playing. This simple pedal adds a vocal-like quality to your tone, letting you manipulate your guitar tone in unique and exciting ways.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to use a wah pedal, from setup to more advanced and technical techniques.
Let’s get started and discover how to wah like a pro!
What is a Wah Pedal?
A wah pedal is a filter effect that manipulates your guitar’s EQ, creating a “wah” sound. This effect is achieved through a rocking plate (pedal) you control with your foot.
This rocking pedal (pun intended) lets you sweep between bass-heavy and treble-focused tones. Think of it as a rhythm pedal disguised as a filter. Wah pedals are perfect for solos, riffs, and adding accents to your rhythms.
How to Set Up Your Wah Pedal
Before you can start wah-ing (did I invent a verb there?), you need to set it up properly. Here’s how:
- Connect Your Wah Pedal
Use two instrument cables to place the wah in your signal chain. Plug one cable from your guitar into the pedal’s input (usually on the right side) and another from the pedal’s output to your amplifier. - Power the Pedal
Most wah pedals need a 9V battery or an external power supply. Learn how to power pedals to get your wah-wah pedal powered up correctly. - Check Your Clean Tone
Set your amplifier to a clean tone for the first try before activating the wah. This gives you a nice and clear starting point from which to hear the effect. - Activate Your Wah Pedal
Press the pedal all the way down (forward) to click and engage the wah pedal’s footswitch. This turns the wah effect on. Some modern wah pedals are switchless and engage as soon as you step on them.
How to Use a Wah Pedal
Now that your pedal is set up and working, it’s time to learn how to use a wah pedal effectively:
1. The Basic Technique
Rock the wah pedal back and forth with your foot to create the “wah” sound. The heel-down position highlights bass frequencies, while the toe-down position boosts the treble.
2. Play with Rhythm
Treat the wah as a rhythm tool. Experiment with syncing your foot movements to the beat or subdivisions of the music. For example, you can try moving the pedal on every beat or every other beat to accentuate your playing.
3. Accent Interesting Notes and Riffs
I like to use the wah to highlight specific notes in a solo or riff. To do this, move the pedal with your fretting hand to emphasize any bends, slides, or vibrato.
4. Static Wah
Another more simple way to use wah, is to leave the wah pedal in a fixed position. All the way back (to the heel) will give you the “cocked wah” sound. This creates a nasal tone similar to rolling back your guitar’s tone control.
How to Wah: Some Advanced Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these more advanced wah techniques:
1. Follow Melodic Lines in Solos
Try to match your pedal movement with the shape of your melody. This adds an expressive, vocal sound to your phrasing and music ideas.
2. Combine With Other Effects Pedals
Pair your wah with distortion or fuzz for a soaring, Hendrix-style guitar tone. Be mindful of your signal chain order. Placing the wah before distortion creates a natural sweep while placing it after can lead to exaggerated and experimental sounds.
3. Add Rhythmic Patterns
Experiment with some “chuck-a-wah” funky-style rhythm parts by moving the pedal in quick, rhythmic bursts. This is ideal if you are playing some staccato chord parts in your music.
Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Wah
Here are a few ideas to help you get the most out of your Wah pedal:
1. Try Different Wah Positions
Most players like to put their wah pedal early in the signal chain. Personally, I’m one of those people, too. I like to put mine right at the start of my chain, but some players like to go with after a tuner or compressor to help maintain clarity in their tone.
You can put your wah pedal anywhere. But I recommend you experiment with different placements to see what works best for you.
2. Practice Foot Control
Now, wah might seem like simple technique – and you’re right, it’s not too complex. But it’s a great idea to practice using your wah to make sure you develop a steady foot technique. To do this, start slow and practice syncing your foot movements with your playing.
3. Listen and Learn
Listen to the iconic and legendary wah users like Jimi Hendrix, Kirk Hammett, or Tom Morello. Listen to how they use the pedal to enhance their sound.
Speaking of which, this is a perfect time to post my (and most other guitar players’) favorite Wah song. Here’s Jimi Hendrix playing Voodoo Child live. You can even clearly see how he’s using his wah pedal.
Common Issues With Wah Pedals
Wah pedals are amazing, but they might come with some troubles you need to get used to.
Wah and Fuzz Compatibility
If you’re using a fuzz pedal, wah pedals can sometimes clash with fuzz due to impedance mismatches. If you notice this problem, you can use a buffer pedal between the two to help fix this issue.
Volume Boost
Some wah pedals include a built-in boost to help solos cut through the mix. But many don’t, and you might notice your solo get lost after kicking in your favorite wah pedal. Luckily, there’s a really simple fix for this: just add a boost pedal to your pedalboard to take care of solo volume boosts.
Tough Switches
If you’re struggling to activate your wah pedal, it could just have a bit of a tough or tricky switch. You need to get the pressure just right.
I recommend you practice with your wah pedal to make sure you get the right amount of pressure every time.
Your Wah Journey Starts Now
When you’re learning how to use a wah pedal, you’ll quickly realize it’s not just another pedal.
It allows you to push your creativity, experiment, and explore sounds and ideas that are totally new to conventional playing.
So, what will you do with your wah pedal?
Will it be a soulful cry, a funky groove, or a wild, rapidly changing EQ masterpiece?
When you learn how to wah, there’s no limit… Except maybe avoiding the temptation to use it too often.
