How to Keep Guitar Strings So the Fingers Slide

You can play quicker and easier if your fingers slide easily across the strings.

Playing the guitar creates friction between your fingers and the strings of the instrument. This friction can irritate your fingers, and it can cause you to make errors, especially if you are playing a fast song or tricky lead parts. Reducing the friction on your strings will help your fingers slide from note to note quicker and easier. Keeping your strings so that your fingers slide on them will cause you to hear and feel a positive difference when you play.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Guitar strings
• Guitar string lubricant
• Cloth

1. Replace your strings. Old strings can acquire dirt and grime that add friction to your playing and dullness to the sound of the guitar.

2. Install light gauge strings on your guitar. Light gauge strings are easier on the fingers in terms of girth and tension.

3. Wipe down your strings with a soft, clean cloth after you finish playing your guitar. This will reduce the amount of dirt and oil that builds up on your strings. Storing your guitar in a sturdy case also will help to keep the strings in good shape for a longer period of time.

4. Spray the fretboard of your guitar with a guitar string lubrication spray. Once you apply this spray, your fingers will glide much easier.

5. Reapply the spray as needed. If you play for a long period of time, you may notice the effects of the spray wearing off.

References

• Articles of Note: Guitar Strings Care

Resources

• Amazon: Finger Ease String Lubricant