acoustic guitar question

[snarfmaster C]

so i'm working on learning another joni tune - this one involves sliding your fingers down two frets and back up again really quickly.... i can't help but make a really loud [color:"yellow"] squeaky-running-your-fingers-along-the-strings sound whenever i play it ---- any pointesr on how to minimize the squeak and maximize the notes?

[Esau]

Sounds like you have new strings.

If so, that will go away eventually.

The only time it happens to me is when I put new strings on my 12 or 6.

Or switch to a lighter gauge string,maybe.

[PhishyK]

hey Caramel - this is going to sound ridiculous but rub your fingers on your nose. The natural oils will lubricate your fingers and cut down on the squeaking sound. I rub my fingers on my nose every time I play bass! Wacky eh?

nub,

keb

[Northern Wish]

I love when she plays stuff like that. I agree about the lubed fingers too, whatever floats your boat

Check out Coyote for a great example of her just flashing through the chords with those fluttering fingers.

Sean

[dave-O]

rub your fingers on your nose.

True dat. An old bluegrass trick is for banjo players to rub their finger picks on their nose for extra lube.

[snarfmaster C]

aaaaallllllrighty then - here i go a-nose-rubbin

thanks

[PhishyK]

Don't forget to pick it too:

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-3-2004_pg9_5

[jon.]

think about how much energy you are using to fret the notes. Let your fingers just lie on the strings, and then little by little apply pressure until the note sounds. You only need to use that much force. Less pressure less string noise...

[Velvet]

Two suggestions:

a) get coated strings. They're more expensive but they last longer, and maybe have a wee bit less squeak in 'em, and, a much better suggestion:

learn to love the squeak. It's a beautiful part of the innate sound of the guitar. Part of it's timbral signature, if you'd like.

A third and likely more correct suggestion, though it's certainly no quick fix:

learn to lift your fingers farther off the neck when you slide.

[snarfmaster C]

.... like everything else in this life, it is getting better with practise. thanks for your suggestions - they're all good things to work on.