Unintentional Noise

I have been playing off and on for quite a while now. I just recently started to get serious about becoming a better guitarist. I find that when I'm playing at higher volumes, I get noise from my fingers brushing along the strings when I change from one position to another. Mind you, I'm not fretting at all, just barely touching the surface of the strings. Does anyone know how to keep this from happening?
# 1

Other than the obvious "take your fingers off the strings when shifting" advice, you can't really stop it completely. Sound is going to be made when there is friction. Muting strings is something you need to learn, but even a dead/muted string will make noise from running your fingers back and forth.
As long as it is a dead/muted sound, it's kind of normal. If the strings are ringing out then you need to mute better.
As long as it is a dead/muted sound, it's kind of normal. If the strings are ringing out then you need to mute better.
# 2

Even the pros do it...
Just resently on one of the country awards shows a musician did that the string noise.. I thought an accident, but he did it again.. So it happens..
Gordon
Just resently on one of the country awards shows a musician did that the string noise.. I thought an accident, but he did it again.. So it happens..
Gordon
# 3
Originally Posted by: mlalvarezI find that when I'm playing at higher volumes, I get noise from my fingers brushing along the strings when I change from one position to another. Mind you, I'm not fretting at all, just barely touching the surface of the strings. Does anyone know how to keep this from happening?
In general, this is a muting issue. It is unavoidable in some cases when using high volumes, and you have to shift so quickly you don't have time to mute.
But, you can slide your fingers lightly from position to position, while muting with your right hand, and this can help you avoid a lot of unwanted string noise (if not all the string noise in some cases). In other cases, when you have time, stop making contact with the strings, mute with the right hand while getting your left hadn into position.
You can also dial down the gain or treble on the amp just enough & that can help get rid of string noise.
But playing at high volumes is a technique in its own right. Even if you are used to the subtle muting required to play at low or regular volumes, it requires lots of practice to gets used to how your instrument responds at high volumes.
Best of success!
# 4

The best way to mute unintentional string noise is to learn what's called "Thumb Muting"
It will take a few weeks of consistent practice to really get down, but if you play on a regular basis (which it doesn't seem like you do), it will be totally worth it.
Let's just say that when you NEVER play with excess string noise, it will make you sound TOTALLY PRO (like Joe Satriani). Perhaps that will be enough incentive for you to a) start playing more and b) practice thumb muting!
Now, I could explain how to do this... OR I could link you to some very valuable resources that will explain it for me. I think I'll do the latter.
Here are 3 articles you should read.
1. How to Improve Your Guitar Technique and Play Clean Part 1
http://tomhess.net/ImproveGuitarTechnique.aspx
2. How to Improve Your Guitar Technique and Play Clean Part 2 (Stop Unwanted Guitar String Noise and Sloppy Guitar Playing)
http://tomhess.net/UnwantedGuitarStringNoise.aspx
3. Picking Hand Discipline
http://tomhess.net/Articles/PickingHandDiscipline.aspx
It will take a few weeks of consistent practice to really get down, but if you play on a regular basis (which it doesn't seem like you do), it will be totally worth it.
Let's just say that when you NEVER play with excess string noise, it will make you sound TOTALLY PRO (like Joe Satriani). Perhaps that will be enough incentive for you to a) start playing more and b) practice thumb muting!
Now, I could explain how to do this... OR I could link you to some very valuable resources that will explain it for me. I think I'll do the latter.
Here are 3 articles you should read.
1. How to Improve Your Guitar Technique and Play Clean Part 1
http://tomhess.net/ImproveGuitarTechnique.aspx
2. How to Improve Your Guitar Technique and Play Clean Part 2 (Stop Unwanted Guitar String Noise and Sloppy Guitar Playing)
http://tomhess.net/UnwantedGuitarStringNoise.aspx
3. Picking Hand Discipline
http://tomhess.net/Articles/PickingHandDiscipline.aspx
Matteo Miller-Nicolato
Free Progressive Metal-Jazz-Punk Fusion Music
www.matteomillernicolato.com/Music.html
San Diego School of Guitar
Free Guitar Playing Instructional Resources
www.guitarlessonsinsandiego.com/Resources.html
Free Progressive Metal-Jazz-Punk Fusion Music
www.matteomillernicolato.com/Music.html
San Diego School of Guitar
Free Guitar Playing Instructional Resources
www.guitarlessonsinsandiego.com/Resources.html
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