Guitar Tip of the Day!

[The Dali]

Tip:

When fretting chords it is important to position your fingers as close as possible to the fret you are playing.





A general thought that has helped me when I was down:

Think you suck at guitar and have made no progress? Try playing it the other way round (ie, left handed/right handed)- notice how awkward it feels. This will remind you how far you have come since you first picked up a guitar!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

Tip:

When fretting chords it is important to position your fingers as close as possible to the fret you are playing.

not sure what you mean here. if I'm fretting, I shoot for squarely in between 2 frets; I'm supposed to be off center?

 

[The Dali]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

I was taught to fret close to the fret, especially with Barre chords.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

It's basic physics. As the angle between the string and the fret increases, the downward force increases (given the same pressure applied by the fingers). So as you move your finger closer to the fret, the force against the fret increases, and the string stays set in place better.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

???

I have always played centre of the frets.

It's basic physics. The string is always going to pass over the very top of the fret arc, and the greater distance you are from this fulcrum, the more leverage and therefore more downward force you can apply. This distance is greater at the centre than it is close to said fret.

Try opening a door by holding it near to the hinges. Same thing really.

 

[Markk]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

Mattt's tip of the day:

- If each minute you spent on this forum was spent practicing guitar, you'd be better at it than you are right now.

Mattt's not in a happy mood

 

[FrankyBoy]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

I've been told to fret a string the closest possible to the fret too and I think it is logic and basic.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

I was also taught from the beginning to fret just behind the fret. Just saying.

My tip of the day: don't underestimate the power of practicing anything while watching TV, talking on the phone, etc. Absent-mindedly practicing vibrato, fretting patterns or picking can make a surprising difference in the long run.

 

[FrankyBoy]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

Playing with a thighten strap will make you play/sound way better than playing with a loose one...

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

finger placement for chords is kinda different for me. if i want a brighter, twangier sound then i'll fret right in the middle between the frets. when i put my fingers closer to the fretted fret, i start getting a warmer "muted" sound. the way i play, doing that sounds cool for single notes.

 

[jake_xms3_punk]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

have you ever tried putting a capo in the middle of 2 frets? same princable, usually get more fret buzz and an off pitch note

 

[Redmist]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

have you ever tried putting a capo in the middle of 2 frets? same princable, usually get more fret buzz and an off pitch note

A capo in the middle pushes the strings to the board (too much downward force forcing the note sharp), so needs to be nearer the upward fret to stop the string raising its' curve over the fret.
Your example demonstrates how fretting in the middle gives more downward pressure ie;- needs less pressure for the same result.

But yeah, I might be getting more fret buzz from fingering in the middle:naughty:

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

I'd say the problem with aiming anywhere other than in the centre of the frets is that there's more chance you'll hit the fret and hit bum notes.

How does the rule apply when playing between the 23 and 24th frets?

 

[Redmist]

Re: Guitar Tip of the Day!

^ This too

I tend to fret wank chords at a hell of a pace, and need all the help I can get.