BAD? Percussive sounds from pinkie hitting guitar while strumming

[LiveMusic]

I've been doing this my whole life, so, if it's bad, it'll be hard to change. But maybe I should.

 

I noticed on some recordings that on fast strumming songs, I strike the guitar with my pinkie, maybe my ring finger, too, while strumming. On ballads, I more or less anchor my pinkie to the top and pick with my thumb and other three fingers. My pinkie isn't rigidly stuck there, it's just kinda there for some support. But on fast strums, it's moving back and forth with the hand and when it hits the top, it does come through on a recording.

 

Anyone know if this is a common flaw? Or not a flaw at all or what?

 

Problem is, I can't see how I'd fix this. I can't imagine strumming "in space" but I guess people do it. Help me out here.

 

EDIT: 8-second audio sample is in post #4 below.

[zookie]

It's difficult to picture from your description, but it almost sounds like you're keeping your wrist rigid during the entire strum.

 

When I play, my wrist is loose, and tends to flick away from the soundboard while strumming. That's lifts my pinkie away from the board.

[LiveMusic]

I went back and listened to some songs. This only occurs on aggressive strumming songs. BUT, realize that my strumming technique is built around my playing solo. And when I play, I not only strum, but I am also playing much of the bass line as I strum. Thus, needing to be precise in striking these notes. SO... it seems it would be double hard to do this without being somewhat "anchored" with the pinkie.

 

I am having computer trouble or I'd post a file. Maybe I can get it done sometime.

 

P.S. No, my wrist isn't rigid when I strum. This sound occurs or occasional beats when the pinkie is lifted off of the soundboard due to just pure phyics. I can't see planting it rigidly to the soundboard. That would not allow enough agressive strumming. I wouldn't get enough volume or be able to maintain the tempo.

 

I wish I could watch a video of someone playing aggressively or something. I'll have to pay more attention when I see a good solo guy playing live.

[LiveMusic]

I got it done. This is an 8-second clip, very small download. From the intro to a song where I noticed some of this slapping sound to the soundboard. You'll hear two or three places where my pinkie hits the soundboard.

 

So, do you think this is distracting?

 

8 second clip

[JasmineTea]

The clip would'nt play for me, but I'll offer $0.02 anyway.

 

Although it's an old habit, and you'd be reluctant to re-learn strumming, I think it would be worth it to re-learn. Or mabey now that you're conscious of it, you can make some minor adjustments, and continue practicing those things till they're second nature. Think of it like learning a new song.

 

Anchoring the pinky when fingerpicking means you can't use the pinky for anything els. I use all my fingers when fingerpicking, and rest my wrist on the bridge, just above the lowE. I don't know if that's proper technique, but it works for me and frees all my fingers. I guess it's also a way of anchoring.

[LiveMusic]

Link works fine for me. I hope it works for others.

 

As for re-learning fingerstyle, that's a whole nuther animal. But I don't see any reason to do that, I'm very comfortable using four fingers. And many people use three just fine.

 

But my question is about the agressive strumming, hitting the soundboard... and IF it is distracting.

[JasmineTea]

Ok, it worked this time. No, I don't think it's distracting. It's just part of your natural movement. IMO, don't worry about it.

 

Nice playing too. I'd like to hear the rest of that recording.

[Cldplytkmn]

i get a fairly similar 'artifact' sometimes... mine is my pinky scraping the strings a bit when i strum hard. i think the pivot of your strum should be your wrist. i'm having a hard time visualizing how your pinky would hit the soundboard that hard... but i'm not convinced you're doing anything wrong... could you just tuck your fingers in more?

[LiveMusic]

Well, yes, I tried that. I think the problem is solved if I tuck my fingers. Some people strum that way. I never have. It makes me feel very awkward. I hold the pick and get after it and my other three fingers are relaxed.

 

I just played this song and watched my hand. My pinkie... it's like it's kinda bouncing up and down off of the soundboard. On some downstrokes that are obviously a bit more agressive, it creates that drumming artifact.

 

If it doesn't distract, I won't worry about. Else, I might need a teacher to watch and advise. I've never had a lesson and don't really want one. Unless I gotta have it.

[Cldplytkmn]

is it possilble you're strumming slightly off axis to the strings? if you strum parallel you shouldn't be able to hit the soundboard with your pinky

[335clone]

Originally posted by LiveMusic I've been doing this my whole life, so, if it's bad, it'll be hard to change. But maybe I should. I noticed on some recordings that on fast strumming songs, I strike the guitar with my pinkie, maybe my ring finger, too, while strumming. On ballads, I more or less anchor my pinkie to the top and pick with my thumb and other three fingers. My pinkie isn't rigidly stuck there, it's just kinda there for some support. But on fast strums, it's moving back and forth with the hand and when it hits the top, it does come through on a recording. Anyone know if this is a common flaw? Or not a flaw at all or what? Problem is, I can't see how I'd fix this. I can't imagine strumming "in space" but I guess people do it. Help me out here. EDIT: 8-second audio sample is in post #4 below.

 

It's only a problem if it bothers you.

 

Bob Brozman has made a nice living beating on his Nationals, essentialy being his own rhythm section. Obviously, he considers it part of his music, not a problem.

 

If you are not familiar with Bob and his style, check him out.

 

www.bobbrozman.com

[JasmineTea]

Not to mention some guys are always changing the angle when they strum in order to pronounce the low, mid or high strings louder. After I've owned a guitar for some years the finish gets worn off in various places around the sound hole and pickguard.

[jackwr]

Originally posted by LiveMusic I wish I could watch a video of someone playing aggressively or something. I'll have to pay more attention when I see a good solo guy playing live.

Here's something pretty aggressive. http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/video/guitar.php

[LiveMusic]

 

Originally posted by JasmineTea Nice playing too. I'd like to hear the rest of that recording.

 

 

Okay -- link here

 

This is a work demo of this original tune. Me on Carvin Cobalt 780, track 1 and vocal, track 2.

[Hudman]

Originally posted by 335clone It's only a problem if it bothers you. Bob Brozman has made a nice living beating on his Nationals, essentialy being his own rhythm section. Obviously, he considers it part of his music, not a problem. If you are not familiar with Bob and his style, check him out. www.bobbrozman.com

 

That's cool but LiveMusic isn't doing it as a rhythm section.

 

I close my hand (loosely) when I use a pick. There is no way my pinky can hit the soundboard. Sounds like he is playing with his hand open.

[Stophe88]

yeah, i've got a bit of a habit myself

 

i tend to rest my pinky on the bottom string when i'm pickin, then i'll end up somehow hitting it on the edge of the soundhole... bugs the hell outa me but i guess we've both got something to work on

[Marlin in Minn]

 

Originally posted by LiveMusic I've been doing this my whole life, so, if it's bad, it'll be hard to change. But maybe I should. I noticed on some recordings that on fast strumming songs, I strike the guitar with my pinkie, maybe my ring finger, too, while strumming. On ballads, I more or less anchor my pinkie to the top and pick with my thumb and other three fingers. My pinkie isn't rigidly stuck there, it's just kinda there for some support. But on fast strums, it's moving back and forth with the hand and when it hits the top, it does come through on a recording. Anyone know if this is a common flaw? Or not a flaw at all or what? Problem is, I can't see how I'd fix this. I can't imagine strumming "in space" but I guess people do it. Help me out here. EDIT: 8-second audio sample is in post #4 below.

 

 

I catch myself doing that same thing sometimes, most often when I'm strumming and picking individual notes with both a pick and my second and third fingers. It seems that I let my pinky kind of slap just below the the sound hole, and when I notice it I just make sure to curl my pink up and out of the way.

 

I guess the important thing is that you notice it, and if it bothers you, you can make a small change to avoid it.

[JasmineTea]

 

Originally posted by LiveMusic Okay -- link here This is a work demo of this original tune. Me on Carvin Cobalt 780, track 1 and vocal, track 2.

Sounds like you've got a lot of energy. I would'nt worry about the pinky thing. With that type of a rhythm it's bound to happen.

 

I like the feel of that rhythm. I was playing along, and I can kinda get the feel of it, but not quite. I guess after playing nothing but 2/4 meters for the last six months, I'm just not used to moving that way. Thanks for posting it.

[LiveMusic]

Just gonna report back that I am amending my style, as I don't think this is a good thing. Since the initial post, I've watched a lot of guitar players and some pick with a closed fist and some have their fingers kinda open. I have made the decision that if I am playing a hard and fast, agressive strumming style while accenting the bass notes, it will be better to strum with closed fist. So as not to strike the sound board.

 

On recordings, you just don't hear a good guitarist do this. Unless he means to. At first, I thought man, this is gonna be really hard but as usual, just keep at it and then it becomes easier. Eventually, it'll be natural.