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Physics of Guitar frets and sound
What can be done about a buzzy sitar-like fret?How can one minimise the percussive strumming sound on acoustic guitar and maximise the notes?scales on the guitarOne finger per fret and stretchingMethodology to Master Guitar as an adultBeginnging Music Theory - What are scales and why should I learn them?Why do these chords use the first fret if there is a capo on the second fret?Why do these two guitar notes create a warble sound?Cause of G string on Ibanez JEM sounding dead?When the human voice changes pitch are certain interval changes physically easier?
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I understand how Guitar works. Pitch/Frequency of sound produced depends on length of vibrating string. So we have different frets to product different notes. Fine.
However I am curious to understand how the fret itself is designed. When finger moved to new fret we hear new sound. But within the same fret, even if finger is in different position (so here length of vibrating string changes) we hear the same note. Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete. Please advise. Thank you :)
guitar sound acoustics fretboard pitch
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
add a comment |
I understand how Guitar works. Pitch/Frequency of sound produced depends on length of vibrating string. So we have different frets to product different notes. Fine.
However I am curious to understand how the fret itself is designed. When finger moved to new fret we hear new sound. But within the same fret, even if finger is in different position (so here length of vibrating string changes) we hear the same note. Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete. Please advise. Thank you :)
guitar sound acoustics fretboard pitch
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
1
To raise the pitch of a string, you must shorten it. So look at the fret. Press down on the string inside a fret and see how the fret bar shortens the part of the string you play. Then move your finger around inside the fret. There is no mystery here. You can see what's happening quite clearly.
– only_pro
Aug 9 at 20:17
1
@only_pro - and what is happening so clearly?
– Tim
Aug 10 at 4:06
@Tim OP is supposed to try it and see. That's why I didn't say it. But, obviously, and as I'm sure you already know, the fret bar keeps the string the same length.
– only_pro
Aug 12 at 16:26
@only_pro - true, the string will always be the same length from the same fret. What I tried to explain in my 'slightly misaligned' answer is that due to the amount of pressure applied on that particular fret, the note itself can and will change in pitch, which is not what OP thinks.
– Tim
Aug 12 at 16:41
add a comment |
I understand how Guitar works. Pitch/Frequency of sound produced depends on length of vibrating string. So we have different frets to product different notes. Fine.
However I am curious to understand how the fret itself is designed. When finger moved to new fret we hear new sound. But within the same fret, even if finger is in different position (so here length of vibrating string changes) we hear the same note. Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete. Please advise. Thank you :)
guitar sound acoustics fretboard pitch
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
I understand how Guitar works. Pitch/Frequency of sound produced depends on length of vibrating string. So we have different frets to product different notes. Fine.
However I am curious to understand how the fret itself is designed. When finger moved to new fret we hear new sound. But within the same fret, even if finger is in different position (so here length of vibrating string changes) we hear the same note. Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete. Please advise. Thank you :)
guitar sound acoustics fretboard pitch
guitar sound acoustics fretboard pitch
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
asked Aug 9 at 8:44
ThuviThuvi
132 bronze badges
132 bronze badges
1
To raise the pitch of a string, you must shorten it. So look at the fret. Press down on the string inside a fret and see how the fret bar shortens the part of the string you play. Then move your finger around inside the fret. There is no mystery here. You can see what's happening quite clearly.
– only_pro
Aug 9 at 20:17
1
@only_pro - and what is happening so clearly?
– Tim
Aug 10 at 4:06
@Tim OP is supposed to try it and see. That's why I didn't say it. But, obviously, and as I'm sure you already know, the fret bar keeps the string the same length.
– only_pro
Aug 12 at 16:26
@only_pro - true, the string will always be the same length from the same fret. What I tried to explain in my 'slightly misaligned' answer is that due to the amount of pressure applied on that particular fret, the note itself can and will change in pitch, which is not what OP thinks.
– Tim
Aug 12 at 16:41
add a comment |
1
To raise the pitch of a string, you must shorten it. So look at the fret. Press down on the string inside a fret and see how the fret bar shortens the part of the string you play. Then move your finger around inside the fret. There is no mystery here. You can see what's happening quite clearly.
– only_pro
Aug 9 at 20:17
1
@only_pro - and what is happening so clearly?
– Tim
Aug 10 at 4:06
@Tim OP is supposed to try it and see. That's why I didn't say it. But, obviously, and as I'm sure you already know, the fret bar keeps the string the same length.
– only_pro
Aug 12 at 16:26
@only_pro - true, the string will always be the same length from the same fret. What I tried to explain in my 'slightly misaligned' answer is that due to the amount of pressure applied on that particular fret, the note itself can and will change in pitch, which is not what OP thinks.
– Tim
Aug 12 at 16:41
1
1
To raise the pitch of a string, you must shorten it. So look at the fret. Press down on the string inside a fret and see how the fret bar shortens the part of the string you play. Then move your finger around inside the fret. There is no mystery here. You can see what's happening quite clearly.
– only_pro
Aug 9 at 20:17
To raise the pitch of a string, you must shorten it. So look at the fret. Press down on the string inside a fret and see how the fret bar shortens the part of the string you play. Then move your finger around inside the fret. There is no mystery here. You can see what's happening quite clearly.
– only_pro
Aug 9 at 20:17
1
1
@only_pro - and what is happening so clearly?
– Tim
Aug 10 at 4:06
@only_pro - and what is happening so clearly?
– Tim
Aug 10 at 4:06
@Tim OP is supposed to try it and see. That's why I didn't say it. But, obviously, and as I'm sure you already know, the fret bar keeps the string the same length.
– only_pro
Aug 12 at 16:26
@Tim OP is supposed to try it and see. That's why I didn't say it. But, obviously, and as I'm sure you already know, the fret bar keeps the string the same length.
– only_pro
Aug 12 at 16:26
@only_pro - true, the string will always be the same length from the same fret. What I tried to explain in my 'slightly misaligned' answer is that due to the amount of pressure applied on that particular fret, the note itself can and will change in pitch, which is not what OP thinks.
– Tim
Aug 12 at 16:41
@only_pro - true, the string will always be the same length from the same fret. What I tried to explain in my 'slightly misaligned' answer is that due to the amount of pressure applied on that particular fret, the note itself can and will change in pitch, which is not what OP thinks.
– Tim
Aug 12 at 16:41
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Actually, this is asked using inaccurate facts.
The position of the fingertip within the space of two fretwires does produce a note - but the pitch of that note does vary considering where in that space the finger is. That's how we get vibrato - classical style. By rolling the fingertip towards and away from the bridge, within one fret space, the note changes, albeit slightly.
That aside, the premise is that wherever the string is pressed on a particular fret space, the note is the same. That's because the string will sound from bridge (or saddle) to that fretwire. It's always the same distance, so will always be the same note. Essentially.
There's also the fact that within a fret space, extra pressure can be applied. This will sharpen a fretted note. It's how one student of mine makes vibrato.
The essence of frets is that it splits the fingerboard into discrete diatonic parts, and well made fretboards will (basically) mean the same note gets played on the same fret on the same string every time - assuming the guitar's tuned properly!
There are fretless guitars - just like there are fretless bass guitars - but while they are far less easy to play in tune, due to inaccuracy of fingering as the fretwires aren't there to help - they behave more like the violin family, consequently are more able to play some note with more accuracy than those compromised by being fretted.
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
1
Going by the response, you haven't. I am not saying that for eample, if a finger is half-way behind a fretwire that the note is halfway between that and the lower semitone!
– Tim
Aug 9 at 9:10
2
What? The second paragraph is not how any of my guitars work.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 12:40
10
When I make vibrato on a nylon string guitar, it’s by stretching and contracting the string. When my finger moves away from the bridge, the string is pulled tighter, raising the pitch. When my finger moves towards the bridge, the string is loosened, lowering the pitch. My vibrato technique on steel strings is not unusual: I wiggle my finger(s) up and down. This can only raise the pitch and return it to the fretted pitch, but again it’s very common. The reason why I and most others don’t try the nylon technique on steel string is there is less friction to pull and push and it would be painful.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:33
2
Without the friction and stretching/contracting of the string, any finger position between the frets should produce the same note (barring pressing down harder towards the fretboard). This can be tested by simply lifting and replacing the finger at different places between the frets with a tuner running.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:35
4
The tension in classical vibrato is not raised by the position of the finger. It’s raised by pulling the string tighter. For me, rubbing my finger back and forth on a .010” diameter steel string would just cause the string to cut into my finger. Hence pain.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 14:11
|
show 9 more comments
Actually music notes are not discrete. The guitar, like the piano, is designed to have equal tempered tuning rather than just tuning. In that tuning system notes are discrete, half step = 12th root of 2. Even in just tuning we only have 7 notes in the diatonic scale but we are free to make slight deviations and some cultures do use quarter steps (a half of a half step) in their scales.
As for where you place the finger, there is a "correct" way to do this. The finger should be placed just behind the fret. This is to avoid letting the string slide or slap against the fret as it vibrates. If you fret the note with your finger somewhere in the middle of the space between frets you are not really creating a boundary condition between the bridge and the fret. The string is not truly "fixed" at the fret. If you don't overdrive the string mechanically it wont matter but if you play with too much force the string will not stay fixed at the fret but slide along it, even lifting slightly and slapping down on the fret. This will cause buzzing and a sitar like sound. This is a bigger issue on the classical. When you have complex chords forms we sometimes have no choice and simply need to get a finger somewhere in the space but if we can, we should get them pinched right behind the fret. Along the same lines a common misconception is that the string needs to be pressed down to the wood of the finger board. This is also not true. Only enough pressure is required to stop buzzing against the fret and get a good tone. In theory one should be able to slide a piece of paper under the string even when fretted. This is as true for the electric as it is for the acoustic or classical but not as necessary. In my experience the electric is a little more forgiving (if set up well). If you do press the string down to the wood you will bend it our of tune. If you experiment, playing just one note varying all these different parameters you will hear it.
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
I have a Telecaster with Large frets and have to be careful when fretting not to pull the strings all the way down to the wood. Doing so will pull the string out of tune, but I like it for string bending when I'm playing. I think it's about the same as having a scalloped fretboard, I just need to pay close attention when I'm playing it.
– skinny peacock
Aug 9 at 18:27
Yep, not need to damage the wood with high frets.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:29
add a comment |
Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work. The fret is raised above the fingerboard, so if you place your finger behind a fret, the string will become 'stopped' at that fret such that the 'speaking length' of the string is the length between the bridge and the fret. Here's a simplified diagram showing a guitar with one fret:
From your deleted answer:
I got to know now how it works. So Frets do have a divider between them. So whenever fingers press against a fret, whatever finger's position within the same fret, it is this divider which gets in contact with string so length of vibrating string doesn't change, except when fingers moved to new fret new divider will come into play.
You got the idea ok, but 'fret' is the name for the 'divider'.
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete.
That's quite a complicated question! In most contexts in western music, notes are assumed to have a single particular pitch, but it's also understood that they can be bent, or that effects like vibrato or glissando can be used to change the pitch. A fretted guitar can't easily do a glissando, but it can do bends and vibrato through the mechanisms described in other answers.
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
"If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work." I was wondering the same when reading the question.
– Džuris
Aug 10 at 15:43
add a comment |
The pitch of the note (frequency of vibration) is set by (at least) 3 factors;
the length of the vibrating portion of the string,
the mass of the vibrating portion of the string, and
the tension of the string.
So:
The vibrating length of the string between fret and saddle remains the same, regardless of where you fret. The frets are intended to make the notes discrete.
I don't know of any way to change the mass of the strings on the fly.
Varying the tension, like by bending or pulling the string or bending the neck, will change the note.
Hmm, would the stiffness of the string material affect frequency as well?
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
- no. It would affect the amount of effort needed to change the pitch, that's all.
– Tim
Aug 9 at 17:33
2
Your comment for (1) is not completely true. The effective length does change because the boundary is not at the fret if you finger it too far behind the fret. This is a pretty well known fact.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:26
1
Sorry, not sure what you mean. On my guitars, no matter where I put my finger (even just after the previous fret) the fret is still the boundary. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...
– Kermit Brown
Aug 9 at 19:54
No it isn't, it definitely is not just based on physics.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 21:10
Stop fighting kids, everyone is right. ;) It will depend on how "high" or "outwards" is the fret. If it's "lower" (closer to the board) then putting your finger far will make a difference, but if it's "high" (a more prominent bump in the fretboard) then it's possible that even if the finger is almost at the next fret the string will still be stopped at the previous fret. ;)
– msb
Aug 10 at 17:18
|
show 1 more comment
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4 Answers
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4 Answers
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Actually, this is asked using inaccurate facts.
The position of the fingertip within the space of two fretwires does produce a note - but the pitch of that note does vary considering where in that space the finger is. That's how we get vibrato - classical style. By rolling the fingertip towards and away from the bridge, within one fret space, the note changes, albeit slightly.
That aside, the premise is that wherever the string is pressed on a particular fret space, the note is the same. That's because the string will sound from bridge (or saddle) to that fretwire. It's always the same distance, so will always be the same note. Essentially.
There's also the fact that within a fret space, extra pressure can be applied. This will sharpen a fretted note. It's how one student of mine makes vibrato.
The essence of frets is that it splits the fingerboard into discrete diatonic parts, and well made fretboards will (basically) mean the same note gets played on the same fret on the same string every time - assuming the guitar's tuned properly!
There are fretless guitars - just like there are fretless bass guitars - but while they are far less easy to play in tune, due to inaccuracy of fingering as the fretwires aren't there to help - they behave more like the violin family, consequently are more able to play some note with more accuracy than those compromised by being fretted.
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
1
Going by the response, you haven't. I am not saying that for eample, if a finger is half-way behind a fretwire that the note is halfway between that and the lower semitone!
– Tim
Aug 9 at 9:10
2
What? The second paragraph is not how any of my guitars work.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 12:40
10
When I make vibrato on a nylon string guitar, it’s by stretching and contracting the string. When my finger moves away from the bridge, the string is pulled tighter, raising the pitch. When my finger moves towards the bridge, the string is loosened, lowering the pitch. My vibrato technique on steel strings is not unusual: I wiggle my finger(s) up and down. This can only raise the pitch and return it to the fretted pitch, but again it’s very common. The reason why I and most others don’t try the nylon technique on steel string is there is less friction to pull and push and it would be painful.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:33
2
Without the friction and stretching/contracting of the string, any finger position between the frets should produce the same note (barring pressing down harder towards the fretboard). This can be tested by simply lifting and replacing the finger at different places between the frets with a tuner running.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:35
4
The tension in classical vibrato is not raised by the position of the finger. It’s raised by pulling the string tighter. For me, rubbing my finger back and forth on a .010” diameter steel string would just cause the string to cut into my finger. Hence pain.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 14:11
|
show 9 more comments
Actually, this is asked using inaccurate facts.
The position of the fingertip within the space of two fretwires does produce a note - but the pitch of that note does vary considering where in that space the finger is. That's how we get vibrato - classical style. By rolling the fingertip towards and away from the bridge, within one fret space, the note changes, albeit slightly.
That aside, the premise is that wherever the string is pressed on a particular fret space, the note is the same. That's because the string will sound from bridge (or saddle) to that fretwire. It's always the same distance, so will always be the same note. Essentially.
There's also the fact that within a fret space, extra pressure can be applied. This will sharpen a fretted note. It's how one student of mine makes vibrato.
The essence of frets is that it splits the fingerboard into discrete diatonic parts, and well made fretboards will (basically) mean the same note gets played on the same fret on the same string every time - assuming the guitar's tuned properly!
There are fretless guitars - just like there are fretless bass guitars - but while they are far less easy to play in tune, due to inaccuracy of fingering as the fretwires aren't there to help - they behave more like the violin family, consequently are more able to play some note with more accuracy than those compromised by being fretted.
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
1
Going by the response, you haven't. I am not saying that for eample, if a finger is half-way behind a fretwire that the note is halfway between that and the lower semitone!
– Tim
Aug 9 at 9:10
2
What? The second paragraph is not how any of my guitars work.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 12:40
10
When I make vibrato on a nylon string guitar, it’s by stretching and contracting the string. When my finger moves away from the bridge, the string is pulled tighter, raising the pitch. When my finger moves towards the bridge, the string is loosened, lowering the pitch. My vibrato technique on steel strings is not unusual: I wiggle my finger(s) up and down. This can only raise the pitch and return it to the fretted pitch, but again it’s very common. The reason why I and most others don’t try the nylon technique on steel string is there is less friction to pull and push and it would be painful.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:33
2
Without the friction and stretching/contracting of the string, any finger position between the frets should produce the same note (barring pressing down harder towards the fretboard). This can be tested by simply lifting and replacing the finger at different places between the frets with a tuner running.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:35
4
The tension in classical vibrato is not raised by the position of the finger. It’s raised by pulling the string tighter. For me, rubbing my finger back and forth on a .010” diameter steel string would just cause the string to cut into my finger. Hence pain.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 14:11
|
show 9 more comments
Actually, this is asked using inaccurate facts.
The position of the fingertip within the space of two fretwires does produce a note - but the pitch of that note does vary considering where in that space the finger is. That's how we get vibrato - classical style. By rolling the fingertip towards and away from the bridge, within one fret space, the note changes, albeit slightly.
That aside, the premise is that wherever the string is pressed on a particular fret space, the note is the same. That's because the string will sound from bridge (or saddle) to that fretwire. It's always the same distance, so will always be the same note. Essentially.
There's also the fact that within a fret space, extra pressure can be applied. This will sharpen a fretted note. It's how one student of mine makes vibrato.
The essence of frets is that it splits the fingerboard into discrete diatonic parts, and well made fretboards will (basically) mean the same note gets played on the same fret on the same string every time - assuming the guitar's tuned properly!
There are fretless guitars - just like there are fretless bass guitars - but while they are far less easy to play in tune, due to inaccuracy of fingering as the fretwires aren't there to help - they behave more like the violin family, consequently are more able to play some note with more accuracy than those compromised by being fretted.
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
Actually, this is asked using inaccurate facts.
The position of the fingertip within the space of two fretwires does produce a note - but the pitch of that note does vary considering where in that space the finger is. That's how we get vibrato - classical style. By rolling the fingertip towards and away from the bridge, within one fret space, the note changes, albeit slightly.
That aside, the premise is that wherever the string is pressed on a particular fret space, the note is the same. That's because the string will sound from bridge (or saddle) to that fretwire. It's always the same distance, so will always be the same note. Essentially.
There's also the fact that within a fret space, extra pressure can be applied. This will sharpen a fretted note. It's how one student of mine makes vibrato.
The essence of frets is that it splits the fingerboard into discrete diatonic parts, and well made fretboards will (basically) mean the same note gets played on the same fret on the same string every time - assuming the guitar's tuned properly!
There are fretless guitars - just like there are fretless bass guitars - but while they are far less easy to play in tune, due to inaccuracy of fingering as the fretwires aren't there to help - they behave more like the violin family, consequently are more able to play some note with more accuracy than those compromised by being fretted.
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 9:00
TimTim
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
112k11 gold badges110 silver badges283 bronze badges
1
Going by the response, you haven't. I am not saying that for eample, if a finger is half-way behind a fretwire that the note is halfway between that and the lower semitone!
– Tim
Aug 9 at 9:10
2
What? The second paragraph is not how any of my guitars work.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 12:40
10
When I make vibrato on a nylon string guitar, it’s by stretching and contracting the string. When my finger moves away from the bridge, the string is pulled tighter, raising the pitch. When my finger moves towards the bridge, the string is loosened, lowering the pitch. My vibrato technique on steel strings is not unusual: I wiggle my finger(s) up and down. This can only raise the pitch and return it to the fretted pitch, but again it’s very common. The reason why I and most others don’t try the nylon technique on steel string is there is less friction to pull and push and it would be painful.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:33
2
Without the friction and stretching/contracting of the string, any finger position between the frets should produce the same note (barring pressing down harder towards the fretboard). This can be tested by simply lifting and replacing the finger at different places between the frets with a tuner running.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:35
4
The tension in classical vibrato is not raised by the position of the finger. It’s raised by pulling the string tighter. For me, rubbing my finger back and forth on a .010” diameter steel string would just cause the string to cut into my finger. Hence pain.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 14:11
|
show 9 more comments
1
Going by the response, you haven't. I am not saying that for eample, if a finger is half-way behind a fretwire that the note is halfway between that and the lower semitone!
– Tim
Aug 9 at 9:10
2
What? The second paragraph is not how any of my guitars work.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 12:40
10
When I make vibrato on a nylon string guitar, it’s by stretching and contracting the string. When my finger moves away from the bridge, the string is pulled tighter, raising the pitch. When my finger moves towards the bridge, the string is loosened, lowering the pitch. My vibrato technique on steel strings is not unusual: I wiggle my finger(s) up and down. This can only raise the pitch and return it to the fretted pitch, but again it’s very common. The reason why I and most others don’t try the nylon technique on steel string is there is less friction to pull and push and it would be painful.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:33
2
Without the friction and stretching/contracting of the string, any finger position between the frets should produce the same note (barring pressing down harder towards the fretboard). This can be tested by simply lifting and replacing the finger at different places between the frets with a tuner running.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:35
4
The tension in classical vibrato is not raised by the position of the finger. It’s raised by pulling the string tighter. For me, rubbing my finger back and forth on a .010” diameter steel string would just cause the string to cut into my finger. Hence pain.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 14:11
1
1
Going by the response, you haven't. I am not saying that for eample, if a finger is half-way behind a fretwire that the note is halfway between that and the lower semitone!
– Tim
Aug 9 at 9:10
Going by the response, you haven't. I am not saying that for eample, if a finger is half-way behind a fretwire that the note is halfway between that and the lower semitone!
– Tim
Aug 9 at 9:10
2
2
What? The second paragraph is not how any of my guitars work.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 12:40
What? The second paragraph is not how any of my guitars work.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 12:40
10
10
When I make vibrato on a nylon string guitar, it’s by stretching and contracting the string. When my finger moves away from the bridge, the string is pulled tighter, raising the pitch. When my finger moves towards the bridge, the string is loosened, lowering the pitch. My vibrato technique on steel strings is not unusual: I wiggle my finger(s) up and down. This can only raise the pitch and return it to the fretted pitch, but again it’s very common. The reason why I and most others don’t try the nylon technique on steel string is there is less friction to pull and push and it would be painful.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:33
When I make vibrato on a nylon string guitar, it’s by stretching and contracting the string. When my finger moves away from the bridge, the string is pulled tighter, raising the pitch. When my finger moves towards the bridge, the string is loosened, lowering the pitch. My vibrato technique on steel strings is not unusual: I wiggle my finger(s) up and down. This can only raise the pitch and return it to the fretted pitch, but again it’s very common. The reason why I and most others don’t try the nylon technique on steel string is there is less friction to pull and push and it would be painful.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:33
2
2
Without the friction and stretching/contracting of the string, any finger position between the frets should produce the same note (barring pressing down harder towards the fretboard). This can be tested by simply lifting and replacing the finger at different places between the frets with a tuner running.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:35
Without the friction and stretching/contracting of the string, any finger position between the frets should produce the same note (barring pressing down harder towards the fretboard). This can be tested by simply lifting and replacing the finger at different places between the frets with a tuner running.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 13:35
4
4
The tension in classical vibrato is not raised by the position of the finger. It’s raised by pulling the string tighter. For me, rubbing my finger back and forth on a .010” diameter steel string would just cause the string to cut into my finger. Hence pain.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 14:11
The tension in classical vibrato is not raised by the position of the finger. It’s raised by pulling the string tighter. For me, rubbing my finger back and forth on a .010” diameter steel string would just cause the string to cut into my finger. Hence pain.
– Todd Wilcox
Aug 9 at 14:11
|
show 9 more comments
Actually music notes are not discrete. The guitar, like the piano, is designed to have equal tempered tuning rather than just tuning. In that tuning system notes are discrete, half step = 12th root of 2. Even in just tuning we only have 7 notes in the diatonic scale but we are free to make slight deviations and some cultures do use quarter steps (a half of a half step) in their scales.
As for where you place the finger, there is a "correct" way to do this. The finger should be placed just behind the fret. This is to avoid letting the string slide or slap against the fret as it vibrates. If you fret the note with your finger somewhere in the middle of the space between frets you are not really creating a boundary condition between the bridge and the fret. The string is not truly "fixed" at the fret. If you don't overdrive the string mechanically it wont matter but if you play with too much force the string will not stay fixed at the fret but slide along it, even lifting slightly and slapping down on the fret. This will cause buzzing and a sitar like sound. This is a bigger issue on the classical. When you have complex chords forms we sometimes have no choice and simply need to get a finger somewhere in the space but if we can, we should get them pinched right behind the fret. Along the same lines a common misconception is that the string needs to be pressed down to the wood of the finger board. This is also not true. Only enough pressure is required to stop buzzing against the fret and get a good tone. In theory one should be able to slide a piece of paper under the string even when fretted. This is as true for the electric as it is for the acoustic or classical but not as necessary. In my experience the electric is a little more forgiving (if set up well). If you do press the string down to the wood you will bend it our of tune. If you experiment, playing just one note varying all these different parameters you will hear it.
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
I have a Telecaster with Large frets and have to be careful when fretting not to pull the strings all the way down to the wood. Doing so will pull the string out of tune, but I like it for string bending when I'm playing. I think it's about the same as having a scalloped fretboard, I just need to pay close attention when I'm playing it.
– skinny peacock
Aug 9 at 18:27
Yep, not need to damage the wood with high frets.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:29
add a comment |
Actually music notes are not discrete. The guitar, like the piano, is designed to have equal tempered tuning rather than just tuning. In that tuning system notes are discrete, half step = 12th root of 2. Even in just tuning we only have 7 notes in the diatonic scale but we are free to make slight deviations and some cultures do use quarter steps (a half of a half step) in their scales.
As for where you place the finger, there is a "correct" way to do this. The finger should be placed just behind the fret. This is to avoid letting the string slide or slap against the fret as it vibrates. If you fret the note with your finger somewhere in the middle of the space between frets you are not really creating a boundary condition between the bridge and the fret. The string is not truly "fixed" at the fret. If you don't overdrive the string mechanically it wont matter but if you play with too much force the string will not stay fixed at the fret but slide along it, even lifting slightly and slapping down on the fret. This will cause buzzing and a sitar like sound. This is a bigger issue on the classical. When you have complex chords forms we sometimes have no choice and simply need to get a finger somewhere in the space but if we can, we should get them pinched right behind the fret. Along the same lines a common misconception is that the string needs to be pressed down to the wood of the finger board. This is also not true. Only enough pressure is required to stop buzzing against the fret and get a good tone. In theory one should be able to slide a piece of paper under the string even when fretted. This is as true for the electric as it is for the acoustic or classical but not as necessary. In my experience the electric is a little more forgiving (if set up well). If you do press the string down to the wood you will bend it our of tune. If you experiment, playing just one note varying all these different parameters you will hear it.
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
I have a Telecaster with Large frets and have to be careful when fretting not to pull the strings all the way down to the wood. Doing so will pull the string out of tune, but I like it for string bending when I'm playing. I think it's about the same as having a scalloped fretboard, I just need to pay close attention when I'm playing it.
– skinny peacock
Aug 9 at 18:27
Yep, not need to damage the wood with high frets.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:29
add a comment |
Actually music notes are not discrete. The guitar, like the piano, is designed to have equal tempered tuning rather than just tuning. In that tuning system notes are discrete, half step = 12th root of 2. Even in just tuning we only have 7 notes in the diatonic scale but we are free to make slight deviations and some cultures do use quarter steps (a half of a half step) in their scales.
As for where you place the finger, there is a "correct" way to do this. The finger should be placed just behind the fret. This is to avoid letting the string slide or slap against the fret as it vibrates. If you fret the note with your finger somewhere in the middle of the space between frets you are not really creating a boundary condition between the bridge and the fret. The string is not truly "fixed" at the fret. If you don't overdrive the string mechanically it wont matter but if you play with too much force the string will not stay fixed at the fret but slide along it, even lifting slightly and slapping down on the fret. This will cause buzzing and a sitar like sound. This is a bigger issue on the classical. When you have complex chords forms we sometimes have no choice and simply need to get a finger somewhere in the space but if we can, we should get them pinched right behind the fret. Along the same lines a common misconception is that the string needs to be pressed down to the wood of the finger board. This is also not true. Only enough pressure is required to stop buzzing against the fret and get a good tone. In theory one should be able to slide a piece of paper under the string even when fretted. This is as true for the electric as it is for the acoustic or classical but not as necessary. In my experience the electric is a little more forgiving (if set up well). If you do press the string down to the wood you will bend it our of tune. If you experiment, playing just one note varying all these different parameters you will hear it.
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
Actually music notes are not discrete. The guitar, like the piano, is designed to have equal tempered tuning rather than just tuning. In that tuning system notes are discrete, half step = 12th root of 2. Even in just tuning we only have 7 notes in the diatonic scale but we are free to make slight deviations and some cultures do use quarter steps (a half of a half step) in their scales.
As for where you place the finger, there is a "correct" way to do this. The finger should be placed just behind the fret. This is to avoid letting the string slide or slap against the fret as it vibrates. If you fret the note with your finger somewhere in the middle of the space between frets you are not really creating a boundary condition between the bridge and the fret. The string is not truly "fixed" at the fret. If you don't overdrive the string mechanically it wont matter but if you play with too much force the string will not stay fixed at the fret but slide along it, even lifting slightly and slapping down on the fret. This will cause buzzing and a sitar like sound. This is a bigger issue on the classical. When you have complex chords forms we sometimes have no choice and simply need to get a finger somewhere in the space but if we can, we should get them pinched right behind the fret. Along the same lines a common misconception is that the string needs to be pressed down to the wood of the finger board. This is also not true. Only enough pressure is required to stop buzzing against the fret and get a good tone. In theory one should be able to slide a piece of paper under the string even when fretted. This is as true for the electric as it is for the acoustic or classical but not as necessary. In my experience the electric is a little more forgiving (if set up well). If you do press the string down to the wood you will bend it our of tune. If you experiment, playing just one note varying all these different parameters you will hear it.
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
edited Aug 9 at 18:24
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 11:27
ggcgggcg
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
6,8176 silver badges26 bronze badges
1
I have a Telecaster with Large frets and have to be careful when fretting not to pull the strings all the way down to the wood. Doing so will pull the string out of tune, but I like it for string bending when I'm playing. I think it's about the same as having a scalloped fretboard, I just need to pay close attention when I'm playing it.
– skinny peacock
Aug 9 at 18:27
Yep, not need to damage the wood with high frets.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:29
add a comment |
1
I have a Telecaster with Large frets and have to be careful when fretting not to pull the strings all the way down to the wood. Doing so will pull the string out of tune, but I like it for string bending when I'm playing. I think it's about the same as having a scalloped fretboard, I just need to pay close attention when I'm playing it.
– skinny peacock
Aug 9 at 18:27
Yep, not need to damage the wood with high frets.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:29
1
1
I have a Telecaster with Large frets and have to be careful when fretting not to pull the strings all the way down to the wood. Doing so will pull the string out of tune, but I like it for string bending when I'm playing. I think it's about the same as having a scalloped fretboard, I just need to pay close attention when I'm playing it.
– skinny peacock
Aug 9 at 18:27
I have a Telecaster with Large frets and have to be careful when fretting not to pull the strings all the way down to the wood. Doing so will pull the string out of tune, but I like it for string bending when I'm playing. I think it's about the same as having a scalloped fretboard, I just need to pay close attention when I'm playing it.
– skinny peacock
Aug 9 at 18:27
Yep, not need to damage the wood with high frets.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:29
Yep, not need to damage the wood with high frets.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:29
add a comment |
Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work. The fret is raised above the fingerboard, so if you place your finger behind a fret, the string will become 'stopped' at that fret such that the 'speaking length' of the string is the length between the bridge and the fret. Here's a simplified diagram showing a guitar with one fret:
From your deleted answer:
I got to know now how it works. So Frets do have a divider between them. So whenever fingers press against a fret, whatever finger's position within the same fret, it is this divider which gets in contact with string so length of vibrating string doesn't change, except when fingers moved to new fret new divider will come into play.
You got the idea ok, but 'fret' is the name for the 'divider'.
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete.
That's quite a complicated question! In most contexts in western music, notes are assumed to have a single particular pitch, but it's also understood that they can be bent, or that effects like vibrato or glissando can be used to change the pitch. A fretted guitar can't easily do a glissando, but it can do bends and vibrato through the mechanisms described in other answers.
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
"If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work." I was wondering the same when reading the question.
– Džuris
Aug 10 at 15:43
add a comment |
Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work. The fret is raised above the fingerboard, so if you place your finger behind a fret, the string will become 'stopped' at that fret such that the 'speaking length' of the string is the length between the bridge and the fret. Here's a simplified diagram showing a guitar with one fret:
From your deleted answer:
I got to know now how it works. So Frets do have a divider between them. So whenever fingers press against a fret, whatever finger's position within the same fret, it is this divider which gets in contact with string so length of vibrating string doesn't change, except when fingers moved to new fret new divider will come into play.
You got the idea ok, but 'fret' is the name for the 'divider'.
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete.
That's quite a complicated question! In most contexts in western music, notes are assumed to have a single particular pitch, but it's also understood that they can be bent, or that effects like vibrato or glissando can be used to change the pitch. A fretted guitar can't easily do a glissando, but it can do bends and vibrato through the mechanisms described in other answers.
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
"If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work." I was wondering the same when reading the question.
– Džuris
Aug 10 at 15:43
add a comment |
Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work. The fret is raised above the fingerboard, so if you place your finger behind a fret, the string will become 'stopped' at that fret such that the 'speaking length' of the string is the length between the bridge and the fret. Here's a simplified diagram showing a guitar with one fret:
From your deleted answer:
I got to know now how it works. So Frets do have a divider between them. So whenever fingers press against a fret, whatever finger's position within the same fret, it is this divider which gets in contact with string so length of vibrating string doesn't change, except when fingers moved to new fret new divider will come into play.
You got the idea ok, but 'fret' is the name for the 'divider'.
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete.
That's quite a complicated question! In most contexts in western music, notes are assumed to have a single particular pitch, but it's also understood that they can be bent, or that effects like vibrato or glissando can be used to change the pitch. A fretted guitar can't easily do a glissando, but it can do bends and vibrato through the mechanisms described in other answers.
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
Why and how? How Frets are designed in such a way?
If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work. The fret is raised above the fingerboard, so if you place your finger behind a fret, the string will become 'stopped' at that fret such that the 'speaking length' of the string is the length between the bridge and the fret. Here's a simplified diagram showing a guitar with one fret:
From your deleted answer:
I got to know now how it works. So Frets do have a divider between them. So whenever fingers press against a fret, whatever finger's position within the same fret, it is this divider which gets in contact with string so length of vibrating string doesn't change, except when fingers moved to new fret new divider will come into play.
You got the idea ok, but 'fret' is the name for the 'divider'.
If it is just natural, then are music notes discrete? I believe classical musical like Indian Carnatic music assumes music notes are continuous. So I don't think music notes are discrete, instead Guitar frets are designed in such a way to make it sound discrete.
That's quite a complicated question! In most contexts in western music, notes are assumed to have a single particular pitch, but it's also understood that they can be bent, or that effects like vibrato or glissando can be used to change the pitch. A fretted guitar can't easily do a glissando, but it can do bends and vibrato through the mechanisms described in other answers.
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
edited Aug 9 at 21:20
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 19:05
topo mortotopo morto
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
33.6k2 gold badges53 silver badges127 bronze badges
"If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work." I was wondering the same when reading the question.
– Džuris
Aug 10 at 15:43
add a comment |
"If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work." I was wondering the same when reading the question.
– Džuris
Aug 10 at 15:43
"If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work." I was wondering the same when reading the question.
– Džuris
Aug 10 at 15:43
"If you actually have a guitar in your hands, it's very obvious how frets work." I was wondering the same when reading the question.
– Džuris
Aug 10 at 15:43
add a comment |
The pitch of the note (frequency of vibration) is set by (at least) 3 factors;
the length of the vibrating portion of the string,
the mass of the vibrating portion of the string, and
the tension of the string.
So:
The vibrating length of the string between fret and saddle remains the same, regardless of where you fret. The frets are intended to make the notes discrete.
I don't know of any way to change the mass of the strings on the fly.
Varying the tension, like by bending or pulling the string or bending the neck, will change the note.
Hmm, would the stiffness of the string material affect frequency as well?
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
- no. It would affect the amount of effort needed to change the pitch, that's all.
– Tim
Aug 9 at 17:33
2
Your comment for (1) is not completely true. The effective length does change because the boundary is not at the fret if you finger it too far behind the fret. This is a pretty well known fact.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:26
1
Sorry, not sure what you mean. On my guitars, no matter where I put my finger (even just after the previous fret) the fret is still the boundary. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...
– Kermit Brown
Aug 9 at 19:54
No it isn't, it definitely is not just based on physics.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 21:10
Stop fighting kids, everyone is right. ;) It will depend on how "high" or "outwards" is the fret. If it's "lower" (closer to the board) then putting your finger far will make a difference, but if it's "high" (a more prominent bump in the fretboard) then it's possible that even if the finger is almost at the next fret the string will still be stopped at the previous fret. ;)
– msb
Aug 10 at 17:18
|
show 1 more comment
The pitch of the note (frequency of vibration) is set by (at least) 3 factors;
the length of the vibrating portion of the string,
the mass of the vibrating portion of the string, and
the tension of the string.
So:
The vibrating length of the string between fret and saddle remains the same, regardless of where you fret. The frets are intended to make the notes discrete.
I don't know of any way to change the mass of the strings on the fly.
Varying the tension, like by bending or pulling the string or bending the neck, will change the note.
Hmm, would the stiffness of the string material affect frequency as well?
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
- no. It would affect the amount of effort needed to change the pitch, that's all.
– Tim
Aug 9 at 17:33
2
Your comment for (1) is not completely true. The effective length does change because the boundary is not at the fret if you finger it too far behind the fret. This is a pretty well known fact.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:26
1
Sorry, not sure what you mean. On my guitars, no matter where I put my finger (even just after the previous fret) the fret is still the boundary. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...
– Kermit Brown
Aug 9 at 19:54
No it isn't, it definitely is not just based on physics.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 21:10
Stop fighting kids, everyone is right. ;) It will depend on how "high" or "outwards" is the fret. If it's "lower" (closer to the board) then putting your finger far will make a difference, but if it's "high" (a more prominent bump in the fretboard) then it's possible that even if the finger is almost at the next fret the string will still be stopped at the previous fret. ;)
– msb
Aug 10 at 17:18
|
show 1 more comment
The pitch of the note (frequency of vibration) is set by (at least) 3 factors;
the length of the vibrating portion of the string,
the mass of the vibrating portion of the string, and
the tension of the string.
So:
The vibrating length of the string between fret and saddle remains the same, regardless of where you fret. The frets are intended to make the notes discrete.
I don't know of any way to change the mass of the strings on the fly.
Varying the tension, like by bending or pulling the string or bending the neck, will change the note.
Hmm, would the stiffness of the string material affect frequency as well?
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
The pitch of the note (frequency of vibration) is set by (at least) 3 factors;
the length of the vibrating portion of the string,
the mass of the vibrating portion of the string, and
the tension of the string.
So:
The vibrating length of the string between fret and saddle remains the same, regardless of where you fret. The frets are intended to make the notes discrete.
I don't know of any way to change the mass of the strings on the fly.
Varying the tension, like by bending or pulling the string or bending the neck, will change the note.
Hmm, would the stiffness of the string material affect frequency as well?
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
edited Aug 11 at 5:39
JYelton
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
2333 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
answered Aug 9 at 17:21
Kermit BrownKermit Brown
647 bronze badges
647 bronze badges
- no. It would affect the amount of effort needed to change the pitch, that's all.
– Tim
Aug 9 at 17:33
2
Your comment for (1) is not completely true. The effective length does change because the boundary is not at the fret if you finger it too far behind the fret. This is a pretty well known fact.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:26
1
Sorry, not sure what you mean. On my guitars, no matter where I put my finger (even just after the previous fret) the fret is still the boundary. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...
– Kermit Brown
Aug 9 at 19:54
No it isn't, it definitely is not just based on physics.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 21:10
Stop fighting kids, everyone is right. ;) It will depend on how "high" or "outwards" is the fret. If it's "lower" (closer to the board) then putting your finger far will make a difference, but if it's "high" (a more prominent bump in the fretboard) then it's possible that even if the finger is almost at the next fret the string will still be stopped at the previous fret. ;)
– msb
Aug 10 at 17:18
|
show 1 more comment
- no. It would affect the amount of effort needed to change the pitch, that's all.
– Tim
Aug 9 at 17:33
2
Your comment for (1) is not completely true. The effective length does change because the boundary is not at the fret if you finger it too far behind the fret. This is a pretty well known fact.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:26
1
Sorry, not sure what you mean. On my guitars, no matter where I put my finger (even just after the previous fret) the fret is still the boundary. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...
– Kermit Brown
Aug 9 at 19:54
No it isn't, it definitely is not just based on physics.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 21:10
Stop fighting kids, everyone is right. ;) It will depend on how "high" or "outwards" is the fret. If it's "lower" (closer to the board) then putting your finger far will make a difference, but if it's "high" (a more prominent bump in the fretboard) then it's possible that even if the finger is almost at the next fret the string will still be stopped at the previous fret. ;)
– msb
Aug 10 at 17:18
- no. It would affect the amount of effort needed to change the pitch, that's all.
– Tim
Aug 9 at 17:33
- no. It would affect the amount of effort needed to change the pitch, that's all.
– Tim
Aug 9 at 17:33
2
2
Your comment for (1) is not completely true. The effective length does change because the boundary is not at the fret if you finger it too far behind the fret. This is a pretty well known fact.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:26
Your comment for (1) is not completely true. The effective length does change because the boundary is not at the fret if you finger it too far behind the fret. This is a pretty well known fact.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 18:26
1
1
Sorry, not sure what you mean. On my guitars, no matter where I put my finger (even just after the previous fret) the fret is still the boundary. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...
– Kermit Brown
Aug 9 at 19:54
Sorry, not sure what you mean. On my guitars, no matter where I put my finger (even just after the previous fret) the fret is still the boundary. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...
– Kermit Brown
Aug 9 at 19:54
No it isn't, it definitely is not just based on physics.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 21:10
No it isn't, it definitely is not just based on physics.
– ggcg
Aug 9 at 21:10
Stop fighting kids, everyone is right. ;) It will depend on how "high" or "outwards" is the fret. If it's "lower" (closer to the board) then putting your finger far will make a difference, but if it's "high" (a more prominent bump in the fretboard) then it's possible that even if the finger is almost at the next fret the string will still be stopped at the previous fret. ;)
– msb
Aug 10 at 17:18
Stop fighting kids, everyone is right. ;) It will depend on how "high" or "outwards" is the fret. If it's "lower" (closer to the board) then putting your finger far will make a difference, but if it's "high" (a more prominent bump in the fretboard) then it's possible that even if the finger is almost at the next fret the string will still be stopped at the previous fret. ;)
– msb
Aug 10 at 17:18
|
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1
To raise the pitch of a string, you must shorten it. So look at the fret. Press down on the string inside a fret and see how the fret bar shortens the part of the string you play. Then move your finger around inside the fret. There is no mystery here. You can see what's happening quite clearly.
– only_pro
Aug 9 at 20:17
1
@only_pro - and what is happening so clearly?
– Tim
Aug 10 at 4:06
@Tim OP is supposed to try it and see. That's why I didn't say it. But, obviously, and as I'm sure you already know, the fret bar keeps the string the same length.
– only_pro
Aug 12 at 16:26
@only_pro - true, the string will always be the same length from the same fret. What I tried to explain in my 'slightly misaligned' answer is that due to the amount of pressure applied on that particular fret, the note itself can and will change in pitch, which is not what OP thinks.
– Tim
Aug 12 at 16:41