What is this scratchy sound on the acoustic guitar called?












3















This is surely a basic question, but I have no idea about guitars.



Take the following song as an example:






At the 7 second mark, but more prominently between 8 and 9 seconds (and many other times) you can hear some kind of "transitioning" screechy sounds.



Does this have a name? Is it intentional and part of the music or an undesirable byproduct? It seems to give some "texture" to the sound, but I have no idea. I do hear it often in many songs though.






acoustic-guitar







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isarandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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    3















    This is surely a basic question, but I have no idea about guitars.



    Take the following song as an example:






    At the 7 second mark, but more prominently between 8 and 9 seconds (and many other times) you can hear some kind of "transitioning" screechy sounds.



    Does this have a name? Is it intentional and part of the music or an undesirable byproduct? It seems to give some "texture" to the sound, but I have no idea. I do hear it often in many songs though.






    acoustic-guitar







    share|improve this question







    New contributor




    isarandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      3












      3








      3








      This is surely a basic question, but I have no idea about guitars.



      Take the following song as an example:






      At the 7 second mark, but more prominently between 8 and 9 seconds (and many other times) you can hear some kind of "transitioning" screechy sounds.



      Does this have a name? Is it intentional and part of the music or an undesirable byproduct? It seems to give some "texture" to the sound, but I have no idea. I do hear it often in many songs though.






      acoustic-guitar







      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      isarandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      This is surely a basic question, but I have no idea about guitars.



      Take the following song as an example:






      At the 7 second mark, but more prominently between 8 and 9 seconds (and many other times) you can hear some kind of "transitioning" screechy sounds.



      Does this have a name? Is it intentional and part of the music or an undesirable byproduct? It seems to give some "texture" to the sound, but I have no idea. I do hear it often in many songs though.














      acoustic-guitar




      acoustic-guitar






      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      isarandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      isarandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question






      New contributor




      isarandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      asked 10 hours ago









      isarandiisarandi

      1161




      1161




      New contributor




      isarandi is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      New contributor





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      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          5














          It's caused by sliding the fingers along the wound (usually bottom three or four) strings. It often can't be helped, and is just part of guitar playing. There are strings available that are smoother, so don't produce anywhere near that sort of string noise, and some modern players use a plectrum to make those sounds on purpose.



          It's never actually prescribed for most performances on guitar, and more discerning (?) players will try to avoid making those sounds.



          String noise or string scratch is about as technical a term as it gets.






          share|improve this answer
























          • Another descriptive phrase I hear a lot is "string squeak."

            – David Bowling
            9 hours ago






          • 1





            "Fret noise" is the term I've heard and read most often.

            – Todd Wilcox
            9 hours ago






          • 1





            @ToddWilcox - could be. Another misnomer, as it really has nothing to do with frets themselves. I suppose it follows tremolo and vibrato - it wasn't coined by a Mr. Fender, was it..?

            – Tim
            8 hours ago











          • I think "fret noise" is a shortened version of a phrase like, "the noise made when changing frets or when fretting notes". Also, it seems to be more recording engineers who use the term "fret noise" than musicians, so perhaps that's not the most helpful term.

            – Todd Wilcox
            7 hours ago











          • Probably helped along by the fact that one of the 128 General MIDI instrument numbers (#121) is "Guitar Fret Noise".

            – hobbs
            1 hour ago



















          2














          I have always called it string squeak. It is particularly noticeable on acoustic guitars. It seems that others use the term.



          How to get rid of guitar string squeak









          share|improve this answer































            0














            I don't think it has a name.



            It's an unintentional byproduct but for many it's strangely comforting element of music as it adds a bit of grit and "natural" feel to the performance.



            In classical guitar world modern players rather strive to minimize those sounds and a fluid and quiet transitions are a mark of modern virtuosos. As an example check out Marcin Dylla performances.






            share|improve this answer



















            • 2





              There are some rock songs that use this sound purposefully.

              – cmaster
              4 hours ago












            Your Answer








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            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes








            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            5














            It's caused by sliding the fingers along the wound (usually bottom three or four) strings. It often can't be helped, and is just part of guitar playing. There are strings available that are smoother, so don't produce anywhere near that sort of string noise, and some modern players use a plectrum to make those sounds on purpose.



            It's never actually prescribed for most performances on guitar, and more discerning (?) players will try to avoid making those sounds.



            String noise or string scratch is about as technical a term as it gets.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Another descriptive phrase I hear a lot is "string squeak."

              – David Bowling
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              "Fret noise" is the term I've heard and read most often.

              – Todd Wilcox
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              @ToddWilcox - could be. Another misnomer, as it really has nothing to do with frets themselves. I suppose it follows tremolo and vibrato - it wasn't coined by a Mr. Fender, was it..?

              – Tim
              8 hours ago











            • I think "fret noise" is a shortened version of a phrase like, "the noise made when changing frets or when fretting notes". Also, it seems to be more recording engineers who use the term "fret noise" than musicians, so perhaps that's not the most helpful term.

              – Todd Wilcox
              7 hours ago











            • Probably helped along by the fact that one of the 128 General MIDI instrument numbers (#121) is "Guitar Fret Noise".

              – hobbs
              1 hour ago
















            5














            It's caused by sliding the fingers along the wound (usually bottom three or four) strings. It often can't be helped, and is just part of guitar playing. There are strings available that are smoother, so don't produce anywhere near that sort of string noise, and some modern players use a plectrum to make those sounds on purpose.



            It's never actually prescribed for most performances on guitar, and more discerning (?) players will try to avoid making those sounds.



            String noise or string scratch is about as technical a term as it gets.






            share|improve this answer
























            • Another descriptive phrase I hear a lot is "string squeak."

              – David Bowling
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              "Fret noise" is the term I've heard and read most often.

              – Todd Wilcox
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              @ToddWilcox - could be. Another misnomer, as it really has nothing to do with frets themselves. I suppose it follows tremolo and vibrato - it wasn't coined by a Mr. Fender, was it..?

              – Tim
              8 hours ago











            • I think "fret noise" is a shortened version of a phrase like, "the noise made when changing frets or when fretting notes". Also, it seems to be more recording engineers who use the term "fret noise" than musicians, so perhaps that's not the most helpful term.

              – Todd Wilcox
              7 hours ago











            • Probably helped along by the fact that one of the 128 General MIDI instrument numbers (#121) is "Guitar Fret Noise".

              – hobbs
              1 hour ago














            5












            5








            5







            It's caused by sliding the fingers along the wound (usually bottom three or four) strings. It often can't be helped, and is just part of guitar playing. There are strings available that are smoother, so don't produce anywhere near that sort of string noise, and some modern players use a plectrum to make those sounds on purpose.



            It's never actually prescribed for most performances on guitar, and more discerning (?) players will try to avoid making those sounds.



            String noise or string scratch is about as technical a term as it gets.






            share|improve this answer













            It's caused by sliding the fingers along the wound (usually bottom three or four) strings. It often can't be helped, and is just part of guitar playing. There are strings available that are smoother, so don't produce anywhere near that sort of string noise, and some modern players use a plectrum to make those sounds on purpose.



            It's never actually prescribed for most performances on guitar, and more discerning (?) players will try to avoid making those sounds.



            String noise or string scratch is about as technical a term as it gets.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 9 hours ago









            TimTim

            104k10107261




            104k10107261













            • Another descriptive phrase I hear a lot is "string squeak."

              – David Bowling
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              "Fret noise" is the term I've heard and read most often.

              – Todd Wilcox
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              @ToddWilcox - could be. Another misnomer, as it really has nothing to do with frets themselves. I suppose it follows tremolo and vibrato - it wasn't coined by a Mr. Fender, was it..?

              – Tim
              8 hours ago











            • I think "fret noise" is a shortened version of a phrase like, "the noise made when changing frets or when fretting notes". Also, it seems to be more recording engineers who use the term "fret noise" than musicians, so perhaps that's not the most helpful term.

              – Todd Wilcox
              7 hours ago











            • Probably helped along by the fact that one of the 128 General MIDI instrument numbers (#121) is "Guitar Fret Noise".

              – hobbs
              1 hour ago



















            • Another descriptive phrase I hear a lot is "string squeak."

              – David Bowling
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              "Fret noise" is the term I've heard and read most often.

              – Todd Wilcox
              9 hours ago






            • 1





              @ToddWilcox - could be. Another misnomer, as it really has nothing to do with frets themselves. I suppose it follows tremolo and vibrato - it wasn't coined by a Mr. Fender, was it..?

              – Tim
              8 hours ago











            • I think "fret noise" is a shortened version of a phrase like, "the noise made when changing frets or when fretting notes". Also, it seems to be more recording engineers who use the term "fret noise" than musicians, so perhaps that's not the most helpful term.

              – Todd Wilcox
              7 hours ago











            • Probably helped along by the fact that one of the 128 General MIDI instrument numbers (#121) is "Guitar Fret Noise".

              – hobbs
              1 hour ago

















            Another descriptive phrase I hear a lot is "string squeak."

            – David Bowling
            9 hours ago





            Another descriptive phrase I hear a lot is "string squeak."

            – David Bowling
            9 hours ago




            1




            1





            "Fret noise" is the term I've heard and read most often.

            – Todd Wilcox
            9 hours ago





            "Fret noise" is the term I've heard and read most often.

            – Todd Wilcox
            9 hours ago




            1




            1





            @ToddWilcox - could be. Another misnomer, as it really has nothing to do with frets themselves. I suppose it follows tremolo and vibrato - it wasn't coined by a Mr. Fender, was it..?

            – Tim
            8 hours ago





            @ToddWilcox - could be. Another misnomer, as it really has nothing to do with frets themselves. I suppose it follows tremolo and vibrato - it wasn't coined by a Mr. Fender, was it..?

            – Tim
            8 hours ago













            I think "fret noise" is a shortened version of a phrase like, "the noise made when changing frets or when fretting notes". Also, it seems to be more recording engineers who use the term "fret noise" than musicians, so perhaps that's not the most helpful term.

            – Todd Wilcox
            7 hours ago





            I think "fret noise" is a shortened version of a phrase like, "the noise made when changing frets or when fretting notes". Also, it seems to be more recording engineers who use the term "fret noise" than musicians, so perhaps that's not the most helpful term.

            – Todd Wilcox
            7 hours ago













            Probably helped along by the fact that one of the 128 General MIDI instrument numbers (#121) is "Guitar Fret Noise".

            – hobbs
            1 hour ago





            Probably helped along by the fact that one of the 128 General MIDI instrument numbers (#121) is "Guitar Fret Noise".

            – hobbs
            1 hour ago











            2














            I have always called it string squeak. It is particularly noticeable on acoustic guitars. It seems that others use the term.



            How to get rid of guitar string squeak









            share|improve this answer




























              2














              I have always called it string squeak. It is particularly noticeable on acoustic guitars. It seems that others use the term.



              How to get rid of guitar string squeak









              share|improve this answer


























                2












                2








                2







                I have always called it string squeak. It is particularly noticeable on acoustic guitars. It seems that others use the term.



                How to get rid of guitar string squeak









                share|improve this answer













                I have always called it string squeak. It is particularly noticeable on acoustic guitars. It seems that others use the term.



                How to get rid of guitar string squeak


















                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 9 hours ago









                chasly from UKchasly from UK

                50027




                50027























                    0














                    I don't think it has a name.



                    It's an unintentional byproduct but for many it's strangely comforting element of music as it adds a bit of grit and "natural" feel to the performance.



                    In classical guitar world modern players rather strive to minimize those sounds and a fluid and quiet transitions are a mark of modern virtuosos. As an example check out Marcin Dylla performances.






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 2





                      There are some rock songs that use this sound purposefully.

                      – cmaster
                      4 hours ago
















                    0














                    I don't think it has a name.



                    It's an unintentional byproduct but for many it's strangely comforting element of music as it adds a bit of grit and "natural" feel to the performance.



                    In classical guitar world modern players rather strive to minimize those sounds and a fluid and quiet transitions are a mark of modern virtuosos. As an example check out Marcin Dylla performances.






                    share|improve this answer



















                    • 2





                      There are some rock songs that use this sound purposefully.

                      – cmaster
                      4 hours ago














                    0












                    0








                    0







                    I don't think it has a name.



                    It's an unintentional byproduct but for many it's strangely comforting element of music as it adds a bit of grit and "natural" feel to the performance.



                    In classical guitar world modern players rather strive to minimize those sounds and a fluid and quiet transitions are a mark of modern virtuosos. As an example check out Marcin Dylla performances.






                    share|improve this answer













                    I don't think it has a name.



                    It's an unintentional byproduct but for many it's strangely comforting element of music as it adds a bit of grit and "natural" feel to the performance.



                    In classical guitar world modern players rather strive to minimize those sounds and a fluid and quiet transitions are a mark of modern virtuosos. As an example check out Marcin Dylla performances.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 10 hours ago









                    Jarek.DJarek.D

                    8587




                    8587








                    • 2





                      There are some rock songs that use this sound purposefully.

                      – cmaster
                      4 hours ago














                    • 2





                      There are some rock songs that use this sound purposefully.

                      – cmaster
                      4 hours ago








                    2




                    2





                    There are some rock songs that use this sound purposefully.

                    – cmaster
                    4 hours ago





                    There are some rock songs that use this sound purposefully.

                    – cmaster
                    4 hours ago










                    isarandi is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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