Notes fret sharp on electric - LH technique?

[Blueser100]

So I'm learning some jazz chords/tunes with a teacher using my acoustic but it's hard on my wrist and shoulder after a while practicing. So I decided to try out the tune ("Satin Doll") on my strat at home because of the lighter strings and lower tension and overall greater comfort of the electric. I was quickly reminded at how easy it is to make strings go sharp with too much LH pressure. All my guitars have had recent setups and the action is perfect. Any suggestions? Maybe I need to lighten up on my touch or find that sweet spot that is not too much pressure but enough to make a clean chord...

[ChrisN]

Whenever I've heard that complaint before, it's been because the nut string height was too high, but you say you had it set up properly, so who knows. That's where I'd focus, though.

[muscmp]

a wise man once told me not to strangle the guitar and to practice just the right amount of pressure on each string of the chord.

play music!

[JeffreyAK]

If you do deliberately lighten your finger pressure, do the notes stop going sharp? If so, there's your solution. If not, and the open strings are in tune, then you may have either a saddle problem (intonation is off) or a nut problem (probably, nut grooves are too shallow).

[roylor4]

So, I have had this same problem. I play with too much L hand pressure and i tear up frets on acoustics. Could be a nut height issue, saddle issue (intonation, as stated) or L hand technique (perhaps all the above).

For me, I have to remind myself to ease up, especially when in first (Cowboy) chord area. My Bluesboy is set up very well and all my barre chords sound great, but stuff gets wonky in 1st position, notes pulled sharp.

For me, the other half of the answer was change the intonation at the saddle. Maybe it's a jack-leg way of dealing with it, but I'm willing to sacrifice a couple of cents at the 12th fret to make my 1st position E, Em, G, etc sound right.

It could be that I'm the only one that does this though.

[mr. beaumont]

One of many reasons jazz players like heavier strings...

Definitely lighten up...guitar strangling is a big impediment to fluidity.

But put some .012''s with a wound G on that start if you wanna play jazz...those heavier strings will allow you to lower the action too...it'll play like butter. In tune butter.

[Bob Womack]

Bob

[Big Band Guitar]

Originally Posted by muscmp

a wise man once told me not to strangle the guitar and to practice just the right amount of pressure on each string of the chord.

play music!

That sounds right.

[Blueser100]

Thanks everyone! I brought my Strat to my guitar lesson yesterday and asked my teacher about it. While he watched me fretting some chords, he noticed that my middle finger was pulling down on the G string, making it go out of tune a little bit. I didn't even realize I was doing it. We also talked about hand pressure, particularly since I am mostly used to playing acoustics.

I found this exercise and article on a classical guitar website that might come in helpful for a heavy handed player like me.

https://www.classicalguitarcorner.co...e-and-buzzing/

[jwguitar]

Originally Posted by ChrisN

Whenever I've heard that complaint before, it's been because the nut string height was too high, but you say you had it set up properly, so who knows. That's where I'd focus, though.

I've heard that as well. I think it happens more often on a 25.5 in scale guitar than it does on a 24.75 in scale. Using heavier guage strings and making sure the nut height is correct will give you better intonation. Also, if you have tall frets thicker strings wont sag between two frets.

[Scotso]

Intonation issues can be caused by these factors mainly.

1. Stangling...like you mentioned
2. String height off nut- I have always found that if the string is higher than 0.012 above the 1st fret on the feeler I start having intonation probs on frets 1-3.
3. Check intonation at 12th. May not be great despite set up.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

One of many reasons jazz players like heavier strings...

Definitely lighten up...guitar strangling is a big impediment to fluidity.

But put some .012''s with a wound G on that start if you wanna play jazz...those heavier strings will allow you to lower the action too...it'll play like butter. In tune butter.

Blueser: I'd listen to Jeff (mr. beaumont) - he knows his jazz playing.