Searching for a Clear Sound? Ready for Clean Chords?
Are you ever dissatisfied with the sound from one or more strings in your chords? We often think that it’s only beginners who have trouble getting every note in a chord to ring out clearly, but it’s a common problem among seasoned players, as well.
Maybe you have trouble with complicated chords that call for a large stretch. Or maybe you never really mastered the first position F chord or certain barre chords. If you’ve been overlooking or postponing addressing those chords, it’s time to solve the problem. You probably won’t solve it in one or two practice sessions, but you can solve it, and you’ll be a happier guitarist for it!
What to Do First
The first thing to do is to make sure your guitar to be sure your guitar is as playable as possible. New guitar players may assume their guitar is set up well from the factory, but that’s not always the case. If your guitar has high action, it will be hard to press down enough to get a clean sound. High action can also cause or contribute to a guitar related injury, so don’t ignore it. If you suspect that your string height is excessive, take your guitar to a guitar tech for an adjustment.
Unless your hands are very large, this will require you to drop your hand to the point that your left thumb contacts the back of the neck on or close to the apex of the curve. Make sure your wrist is low enough to have space between the palm of your hand and the guitar neck. When you drop your wrist to create space, be careful not to jut out and cause strain. A good rule is to look for a straight, or only slightly curved line from the elbow to the knuckles.
Next—Hand Position
If your guitar is set up well and you still have dull notes, the problem lies with your technique. In building good technique, there are a number of aspects to consider, including the size of the guitar and the way you hold it. The most common culprits, though, are hand position, stretch, and strength. The one to start with is left hand (or fretting hand) position.
To analyze your hand position, look at your left hand when you’re holding a C chord. Your fingers should curve over the fretboard. It’s important to press with the fingertips as opposed to the pads of your fingers. This will help you avoid stopping the vibration of adjacent strings.
Unless your hands are very large, this will require you to drop your hand to the point that your left thumb contacts the back of the neck on or close to the apex
of the curve. Make sure your wrist is low enough to have space between the palm of your hand and the guitar neck. When you drop your wrist to create space, be careful not to jut out and cause strain. A good rule is to look for a straight, or only slightly curved line from the elbow to the knuckles.
Choose the Optimal Finger Angle
I often see people struggling because they’ve been told the correct position calls for fingers perfectly perpendicular to the strings. Although on some chords this position may work, on others it can cause a strain on your wrist. It will also dull your sound and seriously limit lateral movement on both chords and single notes. (Keep this in mind when you move up the neck of the guitar to play melodies and leads!) Try using a mirror or camera to get an accurate view of your hand in relation to the strings. (For help with achieving the optimal finger angle, check out this video in the Virtual Studio.)
Use the Right Amount of Pressure
Guard against using too much pressure in your attempt to get a clear sound. Although you might actually need to apply more pressure, it’s usually not the case and it can cause problems. The more you press, the more you flatten out the flesh on your fretting finger, which can cause it to touch an adjacent string. Excessive pressure can also create or increase hand and arm tension, resulting in discomfort and even injury.
Don’t trust your skill in adjusting your hand position or determining optimal pressure? Set up a session with me and we’ll get it done. After you’re aware of what needs to change, be patient and disciplined every time you pick up your guitar. It won’t take long until your new habit becomes ingrained. When proper technique becomes habitual, playing your guitar will get easier and you’ll sound a lot better!
Find the Sweet Spot
A common problem that keeps players from getting a clean tone is improper finger placement. The ideal spot to press is just behind the fret. Any further back and you risk compromising the tone and it may be harder to press down.
You may not be able to achieve this on every note of your guitar chords (think “A,” for example), but do your best. If you’re experiencing a dull sound on a chord, the best way to diagnose it is to listen to your strings individually. You can then adjust your fingers to get a clear note on each one.
A Helpful Exercise
If you (or we) determine your hand position is not causing you problems, explore your hand strength, stretch, and finger independence. I’ve used and taught this exercise for many years, and it’s the best thing I’ve found to develop all three of those qualities. It also gives you the perfect way to warm up with proper hand position and finger placement. Keep in mind, though, that you have to do it correctly and with attention to detail. Simply going through the motions won’t accomplish much.
What Not to Do
The first thing to not do is feel bad (and consequently stay in denial) about your “thunky” sounds. There is nothing wrong with you or your potential as a guitarist. Everybody has to deal with those sounds until they discover the adjustment that works for them.
The next thing to avoid is becoming obsessed with perfection. When you start working on details in your playing, it’s easy to lose the forest for the trees. While it’s important to break down problematic areas and work to resolve them, when it’s time to play, let go and play! Keep forward, fluid movement as your goal. Musicality doesn’t hinge on the clarity of every single note, it rides on your authentic immersion in the experience. Enjoy it!
