Squeaky strings

[Hersham boy]

All my guitar playing life I have been plagued by squeaky strings - when ever I move or jump up the fret board I squeak on the wound strings. I have taken to now playing everything within 5 frets (a good dicipline) but not fun really :eek:

Any hints tips - is there something wrong with my basic technique - I hear other folks squeak from time to time but it seems to be more common in my playing. It is the same on the electric and acoustic.

Please help - my wife refuses to sing along until I get it fixed!

[light487]

It's pretty normal for acoustic guitars to have that sound. You could perhaps try lifting your hands off the strings more before moving up or down the fretboard, so they don't rub against the strings. Other than that.. it's pretty normal, yeh.

May be Lisa will have some ideas..

[equator]

I’m guessing it has nothing to do with the strings but with your technique.
If you slide your fingers over the strings it is normal to hear a little bit of that squeaky sound,
but if it is too much; then it must be your technique.

Just slow down a bit and conscientiously play your guitar making sure that you don’t “rub” the strings with your fingers.

Also, try silencing the strings with a combination of
Fretting hand muting, and picking hand muting. (palm muting)

Bottom line, squeaky noises (in moderation) are not too bad, because it lets the listener hear that it is a human playing the guitar and not a programmed computer. But when overdone, it can be annoying.

Good luck. :)

[elklandercc]

I fullt welcome the squeaks from playnig acoustics. Though, I perfer a nice wet squeak to a dry one of you catch my drift.

[ren]

As equator has said, I think you'll get a lot from muting the strings with your picking hand. A lighter touch will help as well...

[sixpicker]

Everyone has summed it up very well, not much that I can add.

When you pick the left hand up to move it, make sure you mute with the palm of the right hand. This would probably be the way to go, as it's very hard to block strings while your hand is in motion.

There will still be some noise, especially on an electric guitar. It may help to figure out when it's happening, and then work on ways to fix it. Slow down what you're doing, and see which of these options gives you the least string noise.

If your hands get really sweaty when you play, this can limit your ability to move up and down the neck smoothly. You may have to change strings more often, or use olive oil to make it easier to move your hand on the strings. I have used that trick to get another night out of old strings I didn't have time to change before a gig. You can get things like fast fret, finger ease, etc. I quit using these because of the toxins found in them. The fast fret isn't bad, and will last a long time, just make sure you take care of the container to store it in.

I guess I did have something to add after all, hope you figure it out. Let us know how it goes, and have a good weekend.

JD

[Hersham boy]

Thanks for all the comments and encourgement. I'm trying to figure out the causes and I'm slowing down a bit. Trying to re-learn stuff your fingers already know is tough but a good dicipline.

Bit of a delay in getting back to you all as I've been on holiday. Now I'm back I'll re-string my acoustic with some nice new ones.

I now know that olive oil is not only for salads!

[Billy Layne]

To the person who had a squweeky sound when he was playing! There is another approach Flat wound strings! "Problem Solved"! sometimes you have to go to this method,and it takes care of the problem.Glad to help Billy Layne BILLYLAYNE1@MSN.COM My Kind Regards,Billy Layne of Butte,Montana!!
Avnother approach