First post here; Got a couple question on playing the guitar.

[eljoshyo]

Well howdy there, like i said in the title it's my first post here. I came here to see other guitarists and see how the real world of playing the guitar is.

Now onto my questions:

1.) When I bend a note, my fingers always grab the string below then and creates a pull-off-to-open sound that i can't stand. I've tries to practice bending and not yanking on them, but its just a random thing for me. Is there any tips you guys could give on that?

2.) My guitar strings give feedback whenver i hit a note (for example, i hit a note on the high e, and the low E starts to hum).

3.) I started playing guitar without using the tips of my fingers (on the fret board), but below the tips. I've recently heard that its better if you use the highest tip of your fingers, but i'd like your guys opinions on that.

4.) Last of all, i am very confused on how to hold my hand on the neck of the guitar. I don't know if i should bend my wrist as far out as possible, or if I should pull it back and wrap my thumb around the neck. i've seen may different guitarist do this either way, but I can't decide on what's right for me.

Now, these may seem like questions coming from a begginer, but I've been playing for 4 years, and i just havent gotten serious about these things untill now. I'm finaly trying to go more for perfection than easy sloppy. Thanks for answering any of my questions, and I hope I'm able to help someone else in the future.

[guitaral]

1.) bend using your wrist. rule of thumb is to bend towards the middle of the neck (i.e. the high E,B,and G towards your face, the D,A,and low E away from it).

2.) try muting the low e string with either the blade side of your right hand or the left thumb by wrapping.

3.)not exactly sure what you mean, but you should pick with the "top" of your fingers (the point, in other words). also, you should consider using a pick.

4.)which do you feel more comfortable doing? if you enjoy playing with your wrist arched like that, then you should do that (this is suited for classical guitarists). if you like playing with the thumb wrapped around (like I do), then you should do that. it's all feel; when you get to the level where the guitar feels like it's totally with you, then you'll know. just keep at it, man.

[eljoshyo]

thanks alot man, and when i said the tops of my fingers, i mean on my fret hand, but thats my fault cause i worded it wrong.

[VHF]

1.)
I used to have this same problem....try to angle your fingers more so that it traps the open strings under your fingers and pins them against the fret board.

2.)

Mute with palm any open strings that you are not hitting.

3.)
Personal preference....I use tips most of the time.

4.)
Depends on what chords/notes you are playing at the time....I do what come naturally (sometimes thumb around neck/sometimes on back of neck pointing toward headstock) and that may not be technically correct.

[sinistermidget]

Originally Posted by eljoshyo

2.) My guitar strings give feedback whenver i hit a note (for example, i hit a note on the high e, and the low E starts to hum).

That happens because the high E string is activating the 5th fret harmonic on the low E string, causing it to ring sympathetically. This will happen any time you are playing a pitch that has a corresponding harmonic on another string. As others have said, muting is the best strategy.

3.) I started playing guitar without using the tips of my fingers (on the fret board), but below the tips. I've recently heard that its better if you use the highest tip of your fingers, but i'd like your guys opinions on that.

I would suggest not using the very tips, but the part of the finger between the tip and pad.

[Rythameen]

Agreed, you have to practice muting of all kinds, I end up using palm muting with my right hand, and even various right hand fingers when playing slide, and always with my left hand fingers and thumb. It just sort of comes naturally now, so practice, practice, practice.

[T.A.Z]

I agree with whats been said, but I'd like to point out that the whole playing with the tips of your fretting hand, from what I understand thats a classical technique thing.

[blinddogR]

good advice for you here so far. but lets see....questions 1 &3 answer eachother. you dont neccessarily have to use the highest point (tip) of your fingers, but if you are fretting with your fingers too flat, you will inadvertantly be grabbing the string below. be sure to arch your fingers and play with the tips, even though most do not play with the very tip, about 1/8 in. below is as far from it as you can go without catching the lowr string in a bend. train yourself on this, 'cause that problem will never go away, and your fretwork will never be accurate, if you dont arch your fingers. muting comes with time and practicing with an amp. you will eventually get used to stopping those unwanted harmonics. usually with the bridge of your pick hand,and first or 3rd finger fret hand.
#4 whatever you are comfortable with. if you've been playing 4 years, dont change whats comfy in that area. i've had countless people try to tell me to place my thumb on the back of the neck, and i still wrap that sombitch hehe. enjoy the guitar. i've said it before, music is not suposed to be work, rather the truest expression of the soul