string noise when changing barre chords

Neil replies to questions from our members.
rapsidy
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Sun May 01, 2011 1:54 am

Hello Folks

You know the screech of string noise you get when sliding up/down the neck when changing between barre chords, how do you minimize the noise, other than taking all your fingers off while changing the chords or is that what you should do, i thought it was more efficient to leave fingers on strings as an anchor point?? but the noise can be excessive sometimes

what is the trick???


thanks Brad


willem
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Sun May 01, 2011 3:15 am

Hi Brad,,smooth strings i think,,but i really don't know a trick,,i think let the grip a bit off and then land on the new one,,i know there was a thread abaut it in the past,, i think it alway's makes some noise,,it is also on which song ( ''and i love her'')you are sometimes you mute the last beat with losing the grip a bit and then go quick to the next barre,, and sometimes it is nice to hear the slide..


michelew
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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Sun May 01, 2011 4:56 am

Hi Brad,

I squeak a bit too.

I had to play to realise. I guess it's a balance between keeping enough contact to reposition quickly and easing off enough.

M.


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neverfoundthetime
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Sun May 01, 2011 7:43 am

Brad, no squeak, no good! :-)


buddy
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Sun May 01, 2011 10:03 am

Brad, I think with time as you relax your hand a little and use less pressure this will be reduced but a little noise is pretty normal and adds to the effect of an acoustic guitar. I found when I switched to Elixir coated strings I had a lot less noise.

Bud


sbutler
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Sun May 01, 2011 11:47 am

michelew wrote:
Hi Brad,

I squeak a bit too.

I had to play to realise. I guess it's a balance between keeping enough contact to reposition quickly and easing off enough.

M.
Michele, I never thought of you as a squeaker. Hm, I guess you just don't know about some people eh?


sws626
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Sun May 01, 2011 3:58 pm

Hi Brad,

A certain amount of squeaking is to be expected. That's just in the nature of the instrument. Some strings will squeak more than others. When my phosphor/bronze strings are new, the squeaking is particularly strong. I've never liked coated strings, but they do squeak much less. You'll probably eventually find a balance that keeps your fingers positioned with lighter pressure and that will soften the squeaking. But I have to say it is a part of the human voice of the instrument that I quite like and don't try much to hide.

-Stuart


michelew
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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Sun May 01, 2011 4:36 pm

sbutler wrote:
michelew wrote:
Hi Brad,

I squeak a bit too.

I had to play to realise. I guess it's a balance between keeping enough contact to reposition quickly and easing off enough.

M.
Michele, I never thought of you as a squeaker. Hm, I guess you just don't know about some people eh?
I can make all manner of noises. ... I growl too. ... Quack.... Bark.... Bleat... Well .. I can join in a rowdy rendition of 'Ol McDonald Had A Farm'. I don't have a moose though. I'll need to experience the sound first.


tovo
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Sun May 01, 2011 4:43 pm

Very timely topic Brad. When I was out in the scrub playing around the campfire I had one of my mates constantly asking about the noise made as I slid from say, an F chord to an A barre chord. It was driving me a little nuts as he seemed to be implying that it was a weakness in my playing. I remember that I used to really finger the barre chords strongly (probably still could relax the pressure a bit) and that did make for a lot of string noise as I changed. I find it not much of a problem now so I would offer the suggestion to try not to "squeeze the bejesus" out of your chords and make sure you relax the pressure as you change.


Hydroman52
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Sun May 01, 2011 9:51 pm

Hey Brad,

When my strings are new, I get more "squeaking". As they get older, worn, and load up with crud, they squeak less. I also find that since I have used string cleaner, there is less squeaking (maybe due to the lubricant that's in it?). I just accept is as a way of life in guitar playing. In fact, in many recordings were the guitar is playing in a soft part, it isn't uncommon to hear this. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Hydroman52


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