I’m wondering if anyone else has had the same issue that I’m having and solved the problem. I’ve been through Justin’s Grade 5-Acoustic-Folk Fingerstyle Module a few times, but I don’t see this addressed specifically.
The index finger almost exclusively picks the G string when playing fingerstyle. I’ve tried changing the angle of my hand slightly, digging a little deeper and trying to strike a little more quickly. Regardless of what I’ve tried, I can still hear a little rubbing, or squeak, from the winding on the G string. It’s not nearly as noticeable when recorded, but I can hear it while playing and it drives me a little crazy.
I may be off-target here, I am certainly not up to G5 and I play electric, so quite often with a pick.
the only way I can get a string squeak like I think you describe is to not pick straight. Pay attention to your finger as you pick and see if your attack is pretty much 90-degrees to the string length. If you are sliding along the length as you pick through, that would cause what I think you describe.
You certainly have a valid point. The problem is that to do what you say, you have to hold your hand in an unnatural position. Justin, and other instructors, say to hold your hand at the same angle as your arm that is resting on the bout of the guitar. That equates to a 25-30 degree angle to the strings. I don’t know if anyone 8-10 ft. in front of me can hear it and it’s not really noticeable when I record myself. But I can hear it and I would prefer not to.
Thanks for your input.
Greg any specific song you have in mind, or a picking pattern? When I play fingerstyle my index usually jumps between G and B with rare appearance on D string, so usually G string hit is something I want to do. Again a specific example might help me and others understand how we would approach the song and could suggest some guidance.
As I look down, it seems that I am at a higher angle than reality. I looked at a video and I am picking around 45-50 degrees on strings 3 and 4. I am nowhere near 25 degrees, however. Maybe the shape of our guitars and how we need to hold them makes a big difference?
I cannot get string squeak no matter what I have tried - I am testing on string 4 since that is my first wound string. I do have some hardness on my fingertips, but I expect you would too. I don’t have a lot of nail but there is a little that strikes the string.
I think a video of your picking hand would help a lot instead of guessing. Also as mentioned, what picking position/string you are coming from may help too.
Hi Greg. My fingers do this too. I think it’s related to hand geometry, and how your hand rests in a relaxed position for fingerpicking. Mainly when doing a Travis picking type pattern.
Like @sequences says it happens for me because I pick the G string with my index at an angle.
I’ve noticed in videos other people’s fingers are more vertical. For me, doing that is only possible with a hand stretch, which for obvious reasons doesn’t work when fingerpicking.
The way I’ve dealt with it is by keeping my fingernails short and picking with fingertips rather than nails. It seems to lessen the effect.
A non-wound g string like @rorystrat suggests would probably work too, although I haven’t tried that as my favourite strings so far all have wound Gs.
The OP said the noise was from the winding so this would be the easiest fix. You can buy single strings to give it a try; well you can in my local stores.
I’m about 5 hours into trying to learn “These Days” by Jackson Brown. In this video, I’m playing a OO acoustic. The lower bout on this guitar is about 1.75” smaller than a dreadnought which reduces the angle of my arm a little bit. The strings are D’Addario light gauge phosphor bronze XS (coated). I nearly always use my thumb on the 4th, 5th and 6th strings. I nearly always use my index finger on the 3rd string, middle finger on the 2nd string and ring finger on the 1st string.
I may be making a bigger deal out of it than it really is. I’m not heading out to a recording studio or a concert tour.
Other than nylon, I’ve not heard of a non-wound G string. Regardless, I don’t think that’s a viable solution.
Thanks for your input.
I don’t hear anything distracting from a listener’s point of view. You did mention is it not showing up in the recording very well.
I think I hear two things:
mild sliding along the length of the string
fingernail just brushing the string
For the first, I do not have much more than I offered before. Only things that make sense are slight position changes in guitar and hand angle, but those things don’t make a lot of sense since you have probably honed those to a preferred location already.
For the second, make sure this is what I hear. I can control finger 1 nail contact on strings 3 and 4, but I have a terrible time on string 2 and 1 - I always get some nail and it can make for a louder and brighter sound which I may not want. I can control this by shaping my nail a bit differently. I do this already on my thumb to control how much contact the nail makes and to remove nail to the point I can manage no nail contact at all for a softer sound. For finger 1, maybe a little point can help? Might be worse? I can pick more from the bottom and not brush the nail across to soften the sound on strings 3,4, but that may not be ideal if you want the brighter sound.
It helps to lessen string noise, conditions the fretboard, is inexpensive & easy~peasy to apply… before you change strings, buy a can & try it!
Good luck!!!
