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Stupid G string
Hi Folks. I have an issue that has plagued me for a while. I find, that no matter which guitar I play, ( I have four) my G string seems to ring out louder than all of the other strings. Especially when I am finger picking. But strumming either with my fingers or a pick as well. I posted a video in the Play for us Forum but I will post it here as well. I wasn’t sure which place it should go. If you could give me any ideas, I would really appreciate it.
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8 Replies
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Hi, I tried to view you video but you have it listed private. For us to view you have to designate is as unlisted.
Even without looking at the video…if it happens across 4 different guitars, it is you. You can focus of striking that individual string softer. If this is a new concept to you it will be odd and seemingly impossible at first but I assure you (B string is my stick out like a sore thumb string) it is possible to tone it down individually. For me it was a function of focus, plus hours in the saddle so focused. I still have to be mindful or it takes over.
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@lollyt I agree with @jumpinjeff that if it’s happening on every one of your guitars, chances are good that it’s related to player technique…. So assuming you have 6 good fresh strings and there’s nothing wrong with your setup or structural elements of your headstock etc… it may be time to work on your technique.
After paying some attention to your posture and picking hand attack, (make sure all your fingernails are same length if you pick bare handed), you might want to do some arpeggio picking exercises similar to the ones the classical players do. This will help get all 4 of your picking fingers in relatively the same shape.
One of the most common picking hand dynamics drill involves stressing a different string as played louder than all the rest. Assuming for the drills, the thumb (p) is always picking the 4th, 5th and 6th strings (D, A, low E), the index (i) always picks the 3rd string (G), the middle (m) always picks the 2nd string (B), and the ring finger (a) always picks the first string (high e)
Start the drill by just doing an equal dynamic pima pick pattern. You can hold down a chord with your fretting hand or just do it with all open strings. Then do the same pima pattern but let the first string be louder than all the rest. (pimA) Next do the pattern with the second string emphasized. (piMa). Then do it with the third string loudest (pIma), then again with the fourth string in the spotlight (Pima). You can use the fourth string for your thumb in all of these to keep it simple…
This drill will help each one of your picking fingers become “more aware” of how strongly they each need to attack the strings for the desired dynamic. Most of us have differences in the innate strength of each of our individual fingers (no comments here about the middle finger, hehe) Anyway hope this made sense and hope it helps!!!
Best wishes, Carol
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@Carol-3M-Stillhand Elegantly stated. This is why I am grateful to have you as a mentor. Like Tony, you have a way of making the complicated, plain to understand!
@lollyt : what Stillhand said 😊
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Sorry about the video folks. Thank you so much @Carol-3M-Stillhand. I have had this issue since I first started playing again last year, and you are the first person to give me any practical advice that may actually make a difference.
I was pretty sure it was my technique, but I just couldn’t figure out why.
Do you think it could somehow affect my strumming as well? Because I do think that whenever that string is open I hear it droning out above all of the others. It could just be that my ear is listening for it now, because I am focused on it. But it is driving me crazy.
I was thinking of getting a G string that is a larger gauge than the rest of my string set just to see if that might help.
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@jumpinjeff do you find that your b string is a problem with strumming as well as finger picking? Because I feel like my G string is a problem when I am strumming too.
I sure appreciate the feedback!
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That is a great question. The only time I finger pick is for TAC challenges. I will pay attention and see. Otherwise I always have a flatpick in my hand. I is in my strumming as well as my improv. I always blamed the gauge and tension of the B string. Then I tried the parabolic strings and …same problem. It was/is my technique. I actually have to spend some time doing tone drills with only the B string to keep it sounding sweet. That is nothing fancy just striking the B string in time with different rhythmic patterns.
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@jumpinjeff Thanks for the reply. I will work on the drills.
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You look to be doing great! I am week 2 and just getting started. Lol!
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