Heavy handed and light gauge strings

[Wayne27]

Will playing with less pressure on the strings help avoid lighter gauge strings to go out of tune? I love light gauge strings because they are so comfortable but people keep telling that they go out of tune easily. Is it just people who are heavy handed that have this issue? I play 9-42 strings.

 

[Mincer]

I use 9-42 with a scalloped neck. I have no issues with it going out of tune. Use what strings you like, and if *you yourself notice an issue*, then you can work on your technique. If you sound like you are in tune, and love the way it plays and how it sounds, don't listen to anyone else.

 

[Top-L]

Will playing with less pressure on the strings help avoid lighter gauge strings to go out of tune? I love light gauge strings because they are so comfortable but people keep telling that they go out of tune easily. Is it just people who are heavy handed that have this issue? I play 9-42 strings.

This is one of the reasons that many traditional guitars still use medium frets. Taller frets, if you really press can go out. Its a technique thing, but also shorter frets tend to sound more in tune.

 

[Securb]

I use .009s and jumbo frets on most of my guitars. I am also a very agressive metal player with a heavy right hand on rhythms and lots of bends on leads. I have ZERO tuning issues. If you have decent tuners and a well set up bridge you will have no issues.

 

[beaubrummels]

Regardless of string gauge, any pressure beyond what it takes to just get a clear ringing sound from the fret can result in the notes sounding out of tune and is wasted energy that will erode your dexterity for playing any complicated or rapid phrases at faster tempos.

 

[Mincer]

Regardless of string gauge, any pressure beyond what it takes to just get a clear ringing sound from the fret can result in the notes sounding out of tune and is wasted energy that will erode your dexterity for playing any complicated or rapid phrases at faster tempos.

This is always how I approached it. I don't want to work that hard...and I don't want to work the muscles more than they need to accomplish the task at hand. A little bit of attention while learning can prevent lots of pain and a shorter playing career later.

 

[GuitarStv]

I use .009s and jumbo frets on most of my guitars. I am also a very agressive metal player with a heavy right hand on rhythms and lots of bends on leads. I have ZERO tuning issues. If you have decent tuners and a well set up bridge you will have no issues.

It's not the heavy picking hand that causes tuning problems (provided the guitar you've got has decent components), it's the heavy fretting hand. As long as you fret with appropriate pressure, big frets and light strings shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Securb]

It's not the heavy picking hand that causes tuning problems (provided the guitar you've got has decent components), it's the heavy fretting hand. As long as you fret with appropriate pressure, big frets and light strings shouldn't be a problem.

Like I said lots bends on leads. But sometimes my right hand is so aggressive I am almost punching the guitar. I wouldn't call it "picking" at that point

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Always used 9-42 (10-46 on short scale guitars) & never had a problem w/ them going out of tune even when I played w/ a much heavier hand...

 

[jeremy]

im quite heavy handed, but i also play 11s in standard. if i play with lighter strings i have to be very conscious of how aggressive i am with both hands