Screeching sound while sliding

Discussion in 'Beginner's Q&A Forum' started by Abhinav_dce, Feb 29, 2012.

  1. Abhinav_dce

    Abhinav_dce New Member

    Hi All,

    I started learning guitar few weeks back and I am having problem in sliding.

    I am practicing sliding and it creates screeching sound while my fingers slide down. This problem is almost negligible on 1st string (the thinnest) and effects increase as I moves up. I discussed it with my friends and they said its okay and one also mentioned that he loves that screeching sound. But the problem is that this screeching sounds dominates the sound due to sliding.

    Any suggestion on how to reduce the screeching sound.

    Thanks in Advance,
    Abhinav Tyagi
     
  2. bjr

    bjr Lady of the Evening

    I don't think the screeching sound should be that loud (especially while sliding)...can you record something and post it to show what the problem is?
     
  3. horsesmouth

    horsesmouth Active Member

    I guess its the same sound when you're shifting through chords (placed slightly farther) too. In that case its not a problem. Infact I love that sound too, gives a playing feel. Upon recording, it sounds like some really tough shifting... :D
     
  4. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    It happens man... and nothing bad about it as it sounds pretty good to me (gives acoustic feel).... happens more with new strings on.. Keep playing without worrying !
     
  5. Abhinav_dce

    Abhinav_dce New Member

    I'll upload it soon.

    May be I have used the wrong terminology here. I am not shifting between the chords, I am practicing a song in which I have to slide from 2nd fret to 4th fret on 3rd string ( 2\4), and the screeching sounds dominates the sound due to sliding.

    Mine is new guitar just 5 weeks old and I am not practicing that much ( only 1 hr/day). So that may be one of the reason. I'll soon upload the trouble sound and will surely wait for feedback of you all.

    Thanks a ton for Advice guys.
     
  6. horsesmouth

    horsesmouth Active Member

    No. What I meant is that the same kinda sound comes while shifting chords too, but not quite that dominant (if it is what it is).
    For eg., if you're playing G major(355433) and suddenly shift to A major (x02220), some of your fingers slide at the beginning of the shift (for infinitesimal amount of time), producing that sound.

    It might also be that you are a beginner and may be applying lesser pressure (?) than usual, or plucking lighter than usual, resulting in lesser sound of the notes but more of the slide; but that sound isn't exactly called screeching.
    It'll also be most dominant on the thickest string.
     
  7. rickkkyrich

    rickkkyrich Guest

    I think he has not yet started playing barre chords
     
  8. aryasridhar

    aryasridhar New Member

    I used to face this issue, and still do to an extent, however I have been able to overcome this issue and this is how i did it...

    When sliding, roll your fingers ---- Say you are using your index finger to slide from the 2nd fret of the Low E string to the 4th Fret.....Once you are done playing the 2nd fret and ready to slide to the 4th fret.....roll your finger....and anti clockwise roll....if you are a right hand guitar player and a clockwise roll if left handed.
    Once you roll the finger and then start the slide, it would help reduce the screeching noise a bit, not a lot though....however the difference can be heard.......
    In general the noise happens due to a lot of friction......so if your fretting hands are sweaty or moist.....the screeching would increase further...
    Dry/Hard (calloused) finger tips help a little in reducing the friction too, however also consider lifting your finger a little (not for slide ofcourse) when changing chords...to reduce the noise....
    Hope this helps..
     
  9. Sumanovo razor

    Sumanovo razor New Member

    thats a cool sound ...maybe you are pressing your fingers lightly... place your fingers near the frets
     
  10. Abhinav_dce

    Abhinav_dce New Member

    Apologies for late reply as I was Out of town due to office.

    If everyone loves that sound, then why should I hate it ( Though I'll try to reduce the sound by tips told by you guys.)

    Thanks a ton everyone,

    Abhinav
     
  11. alpha1

    alpha1 I BLUES!

    Get flat wound strings.
     
  12. bjr

    bjr Lady of the Evening

    In my opinion, the sound can be avoided by being less sloppy when you play.
     
  13. wylder

    wylder Member

    +1 to above post.

    I guess the problem arises because you are in a hurry to move your hand over to the next chord, and you shift your hand before your fingers have let go of the chord. Its a matter of timing your 'release' and 'shift'. Also, muting the strings with your picking hand helps a bit. Rest your fingers on the string once you finished picking/plucking the string.

    A little bit of that noise on an acoustic is nice as it can add to the 'presence' of you sound, making it sound a little more hi-fi and condenser mic-ed. But if your picking/plucking is faint and the slide noise is too loud, it can get annoying.

    As your fluency with the chords build, the noise will reduce - especially for very familiar chords. When I play bossa-nova and the like where complex outstretched chords are the norm, I still get that noise as I am not too used to it.
     

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