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Darin
Lokahi
USA
294 Posts |
 Posted - 02/13/2004 : 12:01:02 PM
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Can someone recommend a set of strings that squeeks the least? I've gone through D'Addario Phosphor Bronze, D'Addario EXP's, John Pearse, Elixir Nanowebs, and Elixir Polywebs. I tend to like the sound of D'Addario's better, but the Elixirs seem to squeek a little less when sliding around the guitar. Any suggestions?
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Darin
http://www.hawaiiguitar.com/ |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2004 : 1:33:13 PM
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| You might want to try a product called Fast Fret from GHS...it's a lubricant that you wipe on the strings before playing that not only reduces squeaks but also protects the strings and helps extend their life. As far as naked strings are concerned, I've found the Elixirs to be the least squeaky. |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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Darin
Lokahi
USA
294 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2004 : 4:47:54 PM
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Thanks Craig,
I don't really care for the Fast Fret. Makes my fingers feel slippery and oily. |
Darin
http://www.hawaiiguitar.com/ |
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trlau
Aloha
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2004 : 8:51:00 PM
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I frankly don't tend to be to terribly concerned about such matters. Aside from a concern that it is possible that you are bearing down too hard while changing positions (please - no 'double entendre here), a certain amount of noise from the wound strings usually found on steel string acoustics is quite common and perhaps could be regarded as part of the music.
After all, is it not too unusual on classical solo recordings to hear things like the performer breathing or for a harpsichord to hear the sound of the pedals being pressed. I am a purist in the sense that I do enjoy hearing music as one would when performed live. I would submit that with today's technology we have all become a bit too oriented toward hearing the 'ultra-clean' sound.
If you do feel that perhaps your noise level is excessive, you may wish to try drilling yourself by playing doing an over-emphasized 'pick up and slide / put it down' thing on a)two string harmonies, b) a slide on the bass strings, or c) a bar on the second fret to a bar on the 7th fret.
But really, really, the main thing (i.e. 'da main ting') is to feel that the music has a fun element. So playing clean is cool, but after all, this is folk music so the fun element must be the emphasis. Frankly folks, at times I feel that the virtuosity (sp?) aspect of ki ho'alu causes the underlying nature of the music to be put into second place.
Aloha, |
Ted Lau
(poina 'ole he Hawai'i 'oe)
mailto:trlau @ earthlink.net |
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cmdrpiffle
`Olu`olu
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2004 : 03:52:06 AM
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trlau:, Hey Ted, well said indeed! You are right.
I would suggest 2 things. In no particular order. 1. Technique. Now that I've said it, understand that with the best
technique in the world, squeaks are gonna happen. You can practice a piece until you play it well, without squeaks, but squeaks are caused by position changes. So practice away, and it is still going to have some squeaks. (unless you are playing everything in the first position, or the first 3 frets.)
Anyway don't sweat too much about them. Some constants are that the older and dirtier the strings...the less squeaks. Sad but true.
Number 2. As trlau said, don't worry too much about it. In the real world, it is a position change on tightly strung, round round, phosphor bronze strings....they're gonna make some noise. If you think the pros don't do it, then listen to em in concert live...they do.
The more you play a particular piece of music, the more comfortable you become with it. In time you may be able to use alternate fingerings for a certain passage, or just polish what you do now.
Either way, understand that what is not perfect, and 'squeaks' now, will only get smoother the more you do it.
Lots of guitarists use certain fingerings for certain chords and fingerings on particular songs. As you become more comfortable with a piece of music, you may find that as yet untried or unfamiliar fingerings may work faster, and better. Almost a form of improv on the fingerboard. Also known as what works.
I've learned many pieces in a certain way, that faded when I was able to know them faster as I became more familiar with the song.
In other words, how you are playing a piece now, may not be how you are playing the same notes a year from now. You become familiar with a piece or even a passage, and make happen that which works to make it sound right. It's called technique. Your own.
I hope this makes even a little sense, if not, well....ask for your money back from Andy!
Play hard and often,
Nice to see new faces on TaroPatch
Aloha to you dl584 |
my Poodle is smarter than your honor student |
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cpatch
Ahonui
USA
2187 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2004 : 1:13:29 PM
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| I don't have a problem with the squeaks so much as I do with the friction that causes them. I find it much easier to do clean slides with Elixirs or Fast Fret than I do with regular strings, |
Craig
My goal is to be able to play as well as people think I can. |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2004 : 1:35:53 PM
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I have found that regular Elixirs squeak less than the Nanowebs and most all other strings. Flat-wound strings are popular with Bass Guitars for bass players who slide a lot, and are probably the least squeaky of all wound strings. I have never seen a flat-wound acoustic guitar set. I would imagine that a flat-wound Elixir would be the ultimate in squeak reduction. Maybe they will appear sometime.
Technique is indeed important and I have had several lessons from some pros in ways to move while minimizing squeak.
A method that I use, and some other famous guitarists have used, is to replace the wound third string with a solid one. I use a 0.022 to .026 diameter solid string for the third and this eliminates squeaking on the first thru third strings, where I do most of my slurs. I find that my slides on the lowest two strings are less prone to squeaking so I just need to concentrate on not squeaking on the occaisional 4th slide too much.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 02/15/2004 1:44:42 PM |
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