It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:54 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 3:50 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:53 am
Posts: 8
Hi....Let's assume for a minute I cannot change the amount of pressure I apply when making chord or hitting a note....Is there anyone out there with a string suggestion that might work better, when I squeeze a string it seems to change the note


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:12 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:35 pm
Posts: 197
Location: S W Florida
Go with a heavier gauge set of strings

_________________
— did that sound like something?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:18 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:47 am
Posts: 15336
Location: In a galaxy far far away
Just saw StringJunkies post when I pressed submit. Without wanting to offend, heres my opinion.

You're going to stretch the string no matter what gauge you put on it.

In the real world where you can adjust the amount of pressure you use...
All a heavier gauge string will do is encourage you to put more pressure on the string, not sorting the problem out.
Best look at some finger muscle stretching excersizes to aid control.

_________________
No no and no


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:40 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 12:07 pm
Posts: 383
Assuming you cannot change the pressure (as is the case with a fixed tension capo):

Press mid way between the frets rather than right behind the fret.

Also, do not allow your fingers to move the strings sideways as often happens with beginners trying their first chords.

Heavier gauge strings do require additional pressure to "detune" therefore, given your assumption of pressure not changing--heavier gauge strings will help. :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:29 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:03 am
Posts: 9449
Location: NL Canada
Welcome to the forum auinfingers,playing guitar is all about disipline and part of that is training yourself to get rid of bad habits and techniques.Applying too much pressure will not only affect the trueness of the notes but will slow down and fatigue your hands. You have to disipline yourself to use a softer touch,it may take time but if you make a concious effort to change your fretting technique a change wiill come.Guitar playing takes dedication to become good and poor techniques and practices are best nipped in the bud.
Your best bet would to practice your scales first slowly,making a concerted effort to use lighter pressure and over time a lighter touch will become second nature.You could also use the same practice with your chords.Good Luck with it.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:04 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Dec 22, 2010 7:05 am
Posts: 667
Other than practicing until you CAN play with a lighter touch (which will be the best option), the only thing that may bring any relief to your situation will be to play a guitar with really low frets, or have your frets filed way low. This way, your finger flesh will "bottom out" on the fretboard sooner, before you can really pull the string out of tune too bad. You should keep trying to improve your technique. After a few years of playing, I had to really struggle to hold my pick in a more normal fashion, since I played for years using 3 fingers to hold the pick and it started to hold me back.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:08 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:51 pm
Posts: 240
Location: Durham, NC
What guitslinger said...

It really is about discipline and learning the correct method. I'm just a beginner so I can't add much to the discussion but I'll mention the drill that my guitar teacher has me working: fret a note and pick the string steadily, while using less and less pressure on the fretted string. Once you begin to hear the string buzz you've gone too far. You should work to use enough pressure so the note rings clearly but no more.

I'm going to go work on it!

_________________
Custom Shop '59 Stratocaster
AV Hot Rod '52 Telecaster
AV '56 Stratocaster
'65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:18 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:53 am
Posts: 8
THANKS FOR YOUR REPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 6:27 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:35 pm
Posts: 197
Location: S W Florida
Just guessing by the post count, and I try to never assume, that this person has a new strat with 9's and they are choking those little strings to death. But, that is just my assumption and I am probably wrong, in which case disregard all I say, but if you still have 9's go to 10's. O yeah then do all the other stuff that comes with the territory. And never offended by the people here, good folks.

_________________
— did that sound like something?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:30 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:38 pm
Posts: 7
If you apply too much pressure, then learn proper technique. If you can't learn proper technique, you aren't playing enough, and if you're unwilling to play for as long as it takes to learn proper technique, then give up playing guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 5:10 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 3:17 pm
Posts: 32
Totally agree - practice is the way

By reducing the amount of pressure you will "free" your fingers and develop much greater speed. Legato and alternate picking will improve no end.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:36 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 7:34 am
Posts: 298
Location: Columbus, Ohio
I will second everyone's suggestions regarding training yourself to use a lighter touch. I've been playing for 4 1/2 yrs. and I still suffer horribly from choking the life out of the neck. Talk about fatiguing your hands/fingers. I am amazed while watching good guitar players at how little effort it appears they need to fret a note or chord.

_________________
2008 MIA Standard Strat 3-tone Sunburst
2007 Taylor 310 Acoustic
Fender Blues Junior NOS Amp
Digitech Bad Monkey OD pedal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:32 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:47 am
Posts: 2967
Location: Westchester County, NY
I would do what SJ recommended, graduate one string gauge up. If you can still squeeze the sh1t out of those then more power to you.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: I Use Too Much Pressure on My strings
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 1:03 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:38 am
Posts: 31
Makes me wonder how Mr. Malmsteen plays with a scalloped neck. Impressive!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: