How to Use Flatwound Strings for Jazz Guitar

Guitar strings are rarely made from a single material. Instead, the core is made from one material and a winding of a different alloy is wound around the core. The choice of the strings' material and manufacturing technique has a profound effect on a guitar's sound. The following steps will show how to use flatwound strings for jazz guitar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look at the manufacture of roundwound strings. The windings are completely round and plainly visible to the eye.

2. Observe flatwound strings. The windings on flatwound strings have a more flat surface profile and appear to be a single round wire to the unaided eye.

3. Identify the difference in acoustic qualities of these two types of strings. Roundwound strings have more sustain and a brighter sound, but the windings make a squeaking noise when the fingers are slid across them.

4. Study the use of these strings on non-jazz guitars. Most genres of guitar music use roundwound for the lower three strings and flatwound for the upper three. This allows bass lines to be played with the lower three strings while the upper three strings play melody.

5. Examine the use of flatwound strings in jazz guitar. In contrast to other styles, jazz guitar favors a more dull sound without any squeaking and almost always uses six flatwound strings.

6. Use flatwound strings for smooth, subdued walking bass lines on a jazz guitar. This is where the distinctive sound of a jazz guitar is most noticeable and helps define the jazz sound.