Changing Barre Chords

[slimshaky]

I'm working on learning barre chords right now. I've got a lot of buzzing here at the beginning, which it sounds like is expected. However, i wanted to ask about changing between two barre chords of the same shape, such as going from an F to a C. I have been sliding down the fretboard, maintaining my finger position. When I do this, though, i get a slight whistling noise. For folks who are more accomplished in barre chords, do you pick up your hand off the strings to avoid a noise like that?

[DianeB]

Slimshaky, a principle that my tutors have consistently impressed on me is: economy of movement. If you’re shifting up or down the fretboard with the same voicing, relax your fingers only as much as necessary to prevent string noise. It’s not always necessary to lift them off the strings. Noise from sliding is more likely to be a problem on wrapped strings. Sometimes I struggle with this issue, too, especially on fast changes.

[colder]

Yeah, it's hard to avoid all that string rattling at first. Eventually you develop the muscle memory to where your hand can find a barre chord shape without you even looking, and when you have that, you can move your hand from barre chord to barre chord without needing to keep your fingers attached to the strings. 

Then the economy of movement thing comes in, you can do the chord change by lifting your fingers just barely off the strings as you move your hand to the next position, so there's no noise, but also to minimize movement. 

I hate this answer to questions, but it just takes a lot of practice  

Then again, even on some famous recordings you can hear a lot of string noise. Some people think it sounds cool or just don't care!

 

[Randy120]

 

[CapM]

Also, it depends on whether you're playing an acoustic or electric.  I actually have to be more cognizant of it when playing acoustics, especially when recording!  You can also somewhat use your picking hand to mute the strings, but it's a tricky situation.

[NeilES335]

Switching to light guage "coated " strings can help reduce string noise for round wound acoustic or electric strings. If it really bothers you you could  try flat wound strings which virtually eliminate string noise however there is some sacrifice of treble Tone and sustain. on acoustic I noticed phosphor/ bronze strings (mellow)have less noise than 80-20(bright) bronze strings. As others have said technique is a major factor so as you progress you should notice a reduction in noise.

[Wim VD]

Calluses on my fingertips are a cause of unwanted string noise when changing chords. Any advise on dealing with these?

Wim.

Edited June 1, 2018 by Wim VD

[Texaspackerfan]

1 hour ago, Wim VD said:

Calluses on my fingertips are a cause of unwanted string noise when changing chords. Any advise on dealing with these?

Wim.

Hey @Wim VD 

What i do for calluses is, when practicing new material they will build up very fast. I like to buff my fingertips and after that i use an alcohol free lotion, and when playing i make sure and use fret ease.  This seems to work for me.

Danny