Fretting Mechanics
The secret to a clean note is placement, not strength. Press the string just behind the fret (on the side toward the body), not on top of it.
Purple: right behind the fret wire (clean). Dashed: middle of the fret space (needs more force, buzzes).
- Use your fingertips, not the flat pads. Keep your nails short.
- Curl your knuckles so you don't touch neighbouring strings — think "spider legs".
- Press gradually until the note rings clearly. The least pressure that sounds clean is the right pressure.
- The thumb behind the neck gives counter-pressure; instead of squeezing, let your arm's weight pull back slightly.
Diagnosing buzz
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Metallic buzz | Pressing too far from the fret | Move the finger toward the fret wire |
| Dull "thud" | Finger right on top of the fret | Pull back slightly |
| Next string is dead | Finger is lying flat | Curl the knuckles more, bring the wrist forward |
| Everything buzzes | Guitar setup (string height) may be off | Get a "setup" from a guitar tech |
Picking Mechanics
Hold the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger, with only 2–3 mm of the tip showing. Grip it firmly but loosely — like holding a small bird.
- Downstroke (↓,
⊓): the pick hits the string moving toward the floor. Stronger, accented; lands on the beats. - Upstroke (↑,
V): moving toward the ceiling. A little lighter; lands on the "ands" (&). - Alternate picking: down-up-down-up. The foundation of speed. The motion comes from the wrist, not the elbow.
Exercise: open string 6 and 3rd fret with alternate picking.
e|-----------------| B|-----------------| G|-----------------| D|-----------------| A|-----------------| E|-0-0-0-0-3-3-3-3-| ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↑
Hand Fatigue & Callus Care
Your fingertips will hurt during week 1 — that's normal and temporary. Tough skin called calluses forms and the pain fades, usually in 2–4 weeks.
| Symptom | Normal? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sore fingertips, grooves | Yes | Short, frequent sessions: 3 × 10 min a day beats 1 × 30 min. |
| Blisters on fingertips | Overdoing it | Rest 1–2 days; don't pop them. Practise rhythm or theory meanwhile. |
| Hand / forearm fatigue | Yes, early on | Squeeze less. Open-and-close stretches between songs. |
| Sharp wrist pain, numbness, tingling | No | Stop immediately. Check your posture; see a doctor if it persists. |
| Callus peeling | Yes | Don't pick at it; after washing, smooth it gently with a fine file. |
Don't soak your hands right before playing — softened skin gets sore faster. Choosing a lighter string gauge (e.g. 0.011 on acoustic) helps a lot at the start, too.