Greetings!
It’s been a crash course in recording solo guitar to be in the studio working on the new Michael Jackson fingerstyle guitar album. The studio has officially kicked my butt, but I am a fighter. Next week are rounds 4 & 5.
Recording solo guitar (or solo anything) is an entirely different challenge from recording a multi instrument track. There’s just nowhere to hide.
Imagine a dish like a stew with 30 ingredients vs a gourmet dish with 3 ingredients. The dish with 3 demands much more care and precision. Any aspect of it being off can throw the whole thing off.
I have practiced and performed this music for a while now – played it on tour, etc. The biggest issue I have dealt with in the studio so far is tuning and intonation.
Coated Strings…Fool Me Once…um…never get Fooled Again!
My bad. I had the information and tools needed to do it right, yet I didn’t. Randy Hughes – master guitar repair, setup and fret guy warned me – coated strings do not intonate well.
Even if your open strings are spot on pitch, notes get weird as you creep up the neck. Ouch. Boy did that G string go flat as I went up the neck. I didn’t realize the cause until after the session.
I like Elixir Nanoweb coated strings, basically. They never sound as good as Martin SP phosphor bronze strings, but they last longer. If I am not on the road, I’ll use Elixirs.
I also have noticed slightly less “left hand squeak” from Elixirs so I figured, what the heck – how bad can it be. So I recorded.
Additionally…I had with me a Peterson Strobostomp tuner…but used my little Korg tuner instead.
My bad…on 2 counts on string & tuner choice…
Long story short…the lessons we learn are often ones that are expensive and exasperating. I need to re-record a bunch of tunes – and I had the information and tools to avoid this, but just got a little lazy.
I repeat, fool me once…um…never get fooled again…
Other Aspects of Guitar Tuning – Your Fingerings
Tuning a guitar really well is not so simple. Some tuning problems can be avoided by changing the arrangement! That’s right – even on a totally in-tune guitar, one fingering can sound more in tune than another. This requires an insanely high degree of listening.
On my version of “Rock With You” I do melodies across the top 3 strings. Now when I play D on the 3rd string 7th fret and open B together and really listen – OUCH!!! It just sounds terrible. Yes, it’s the right notes, but listening deeper, there’s a problem. New fingerings will come to the rescue.
The same applies for squeaks. Listen for them as you practice, and you may find that there are other fingerings which don’t squeak.
So often we’re just happy to get through a piece and we don’t listen to ourselves on this level until we are in the studio and it’s too late!
In Conclusion
When you record, try using fresh uncoated strings. Stretch them well.
Before you record – listen for tuning and squeaks at home. Adjust the arrangements to minimize tuning issues and squeaks, and then go record.
Before recording a take, play different spots in the song and listen. Each song may require a different adjustment in tuning. Oh – and remember to have the patience to tune with a tuner before every take. Check out the Peterson Strobostomp!
JUST ADDED: Peterson has their strobe tuner technology in clip on tuners and even has a strobe tuner iPhone app: https://www.petersontuners.com/
Gang, my first 2 solo efforts were “commando” style – at home, with mics, background noise; music with warts and all. This time I want to give you and all my listeners the most excellent, sublime recording I can.
Ok, coffee cup is empty and post is written…time to practice.
Yes, you certainly notice these things when you record yourself.
Having bought and practised your (brilliant) Michael Jackson DVD, I recorded “I want you Back” and “I’ll be There” with the intention of emailing them to a friend – eek how badly does my intonation and tuning suffer when I use a capo!!! Very frustrating.
Great!
I am having a very hard time recording ABC also due to the capo. I’d suggest tuning WITH the capo on. Don’t tune open, and then put the capo on.
That’s jumping from a plane with no parachute.
Regarding I WANT YOU BACK – you are less likely to hear tuning problems since there is so much movement. That’s what happened in my CD sessions.
For I’lL be there – try to just make sure that the beautiful first verse is in tune. That’s the most important part!
Also – I am about to add to the blog post that PETERSON STROBE tuners are available as a $10 I phone app!!!
Good luck, email me anytime!
– Adam
I have your Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder DVD and the one thing that I was disappointed in was the size and clarity of the included tabs…they are too small (especially for senior folks). I tried to scan and blow it up, but the clarity is just not there. If you could increase the size to normal on your new DVD, it would really make a much better product. I know that would increase cost, both product and shipping, but I don’t think most of us out here would mind, for a usable product. I, for one, would certainly be willing to pay more.
Just found this web page on tuning with a capo: https://www.petersontuners.com/index.cfm?category=85
Great, thanks for the link Adam.
Emma, I realize you posted a couple of years ago, but I thought I’d replay in case you’re still struggling, or someone else is. Have you tried a Thalia capo? They’re designed by a real Mechanical Engineer, not a tinkerer like most of the others. He spent a couple of years designing a capo that does not affect tuning, and two major refinements since. They “guarantee” i, and if any customer has one that isn’t perfect, they’ll put their best minds on to solving it, I’ve tried it, It works. They’re super expensive, but I just got one of their seconds (due to flaws in the finish, not the mechanism) for $60. I love it, even if it’s not 24k gold plated.
-David
once again wise words.. wondered id you’d heard of this lady.. I just spent 3 hours procrastinating instead of practicing my changes, to get them tight. Have a read
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” by Marianne Williamson
All the best from the T-bag side of the pond
S –
I am a huge fan of Marianne. I used to listen to her mp3s all the time. She is awesome, thank you for reminding me.
AR
Wow man. Quite an experience! Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed account of the problems and solutions.
Who would think…ya figure, throw on some new strings, tune it to pitch with a tuner, and you’re golden. But, to quote Steve MArtin ” nnnnooooooo!!!!’
There is an interesting book written by Gerald Glickstein, aclassical guitarist and (I believe) head of the NC School of the Arts classical guitar program called something like Tuning Your Guitar.
Basic method is after tuning A to a fork, you then tune the other stings in a specific order where you do NOT make the pulses that occur when strings are out of tune disappear. Instead you not only allow for the pulses, but are very specific about how many pulses are occurring, the rate that is. Between some strings the rate is quick, and between some strings the rate is slower….he has you at first use a metronome to get a feel for 60 bpm…..and you go from there. There is then a whole series of checks and balances using harmonics and fretted octaves to make sure not that each string is perfectly in tune, but instead so each string is out of tune just slightly to allow the guitar to sound in tune!
sshhheeesshhh…huh?
Pretty interesting book….cannot say I have learned the method! Out of laziness, as it is not too tough. Just a new thing.
Wow, sounds insane and obsessively cool.
By the way I am about to add to the blog post that PETERSON STROBE tuners are available as a $10 I phone app!!!
Not a bad gizmo.
Talk soon Rob!
AR
I don’t use iPhone, but i found that book 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786620846
Adam, thanks a lot for the useful lesson!
Robster, thanks for the interesting book!
Alan, thanks for sharing your ‘pro’ experiences. As a guitar amateur and keen youtuber I always value your posts full of insights and interesting things. Maybe after this studio experience you can share some of the other tips to make even our homemade recordings sound as edible as they can be! Might be a stretch but still…
Gianni
The name’s ADAM not Alan 🙂 No problem, amigo…
Well – for starters, a lot of the sound happens in your fingers. Practice and listen hard- rather than bash through.
Second, make sure your environment is quiet.
Third – a DI (direct line out) helps keep things smooth – if you like the sound of your pickup.
Great idea, I will do a post on this for sure!!!
Adam
Sorry for the name slip… it is Adam indeed, wonder where Alan came in from?! Anyway thanks for all the tips you can share, always follow your blog.
Ciao
Hey Adam,
I play a Breedlove N25 nylon and am classically trained. I’ve found that nylons are even more difficult to tune and that the differences produced when using a capo are even more exaggerated. Your post helped tremendously. Thank you. I also use a ribbon transducer (under saddle) which picks up string noise brilliantly. Though I only use the on-board pickup when playing live, I have had to rearrange fingerings to avoid sending my audience to the back of the room. The under bridge plate type pickups don’t work well with nylon since the strings don’t seem to produce enough energy to drive them well and, of course, magnetics don’t work with nylon at all, so I’m stuck being extra sensitive to string noise. Thanks again.
Bob PS. I’ve asked for your Stevie Wonder DVD for Christmas.
Bob
Thanks for posting. I have found the breedloves pretty bright in general. Muriel Anderson was raving about the Yamahas with the mic / piezo combo saying plugged in, its a winner.
I think Rodrigo & Gabriela use that.
Often times the best amped guitar and the best playing / tone guitar are in different universes!
Happy Holidays, I hope Santa delivers the mail on time!
– AR
I thought there was a post here earlier about providing a bigger printed booklet, but can’t see it now?
Anyway, what I was going to ask was if it would be possible on future DVDs to include a pdf file of a larger page version of the booklet on the DVD (as Martin Taylor does). I print this out and use it instead of the mini one as there are 50% less page turns for one thing! In the meantime I’ve scanned your pages in and printed them out two to a page of A4.
Emma
I am aware thab the tabs are small. On my Jazz dvd I include a PDF.
The problem is that the publisher absolutely won’t allow PDFS.
As far as a bigger book, it becomes extremely expensive
If I do that I need:
I need a professional printer (books will cost 5 times as much)
Pay the publisher MORE for a bigger book – my rate is based on the size as well
Pay more postage – heavier
So, PDF would solve the problem – but back to part 1, they don’t allow it.
Then it becomes more expensive for customer – so I agree with you totally and I am not sure how to make the situation better.
Please send me an email – adam at adam rafferty dot com – let’s see what I can do to help you out.
All the best
Adam
It is not an easy solution – simply because I don’t
Hi Adam, thanks for the reply. I sent you an email to the address you mentioned – hope it reached you!
All the best,
Emma
Great, I just came back having bought some packs of Elixir’s, then I read this.:) Anyways, not recording yet. Thanks for the timely advice Adam. Have you tried Martin Life Span strings? I think they’re not coated but are supposed to last longer. I ruin strings in a matter of mintes-hours if they’re not coated. Just they way my hands are.. Thanks anyways.
nice article Adam,
Im recording solo guitar this week, too. Another hint that I find very helpful: tune to the key of the song…most people tune the open strings, & then cross check with an open chord, but if your tune is in F, D, or any ‘piano’ key (Bb, Ab, Eb) then you’ll have slight tuning problems. Its the nature of the beast. RE capo, yes tune with capo on after giving the strings a slight stretch. Check the capo tension; I like the shubb style capo with adjustable screw so that the capo is never over-tight (which pulls the strings sharp.) And buy a capo which matches the curvature of the fingerboard – it makes a huge difference.
Now, its back to recording….
Dude, I bought my electric godin guitar in 2009 and have NEVER changed the strings. Im a beginner and very rarely play infront of an audience. I know of a few other people from internet comments who also have never broken strings. I thought I was the only one until now. I have been playing a lot since then but have never broken a string and am lothe to change my strings. I cringe at the thought, cause they are like my friends now ;D
If I ever take a video of one of your arrangements I’ll send you the link so you can see how good or bad it sounds. I like the feel of my strings, they’re soft and I like that and could never change them. Just had to put in my two cents about that.
Jerry
Adam,
Sorry, but your post includes a little bit of misinformation. There is a balancing act between string stretch sharping, string stiffness sharping (shorter the string length, the stiffer the string) and compensation. When you compensate the saddle, you adversely affect the intonation of the first few frets, so that has to be compensated and then the saddle needs tweeking (yet again) for a specific string
Any string that you buy needs to be specifically intonated for the guitar that they are used on. The coated strings are not inherently worse, they just require a different adjustment. I’ve been a guitar builder and repair tech since 1998 and though I don’t believe Elixirs are as consistent as D’addario, IME they are at least as well made (probably better than) as Martin strings. If you really want to get obsessive about intonation, you need to buy strings that have not been coiled for packaging (which is about the single worst thing you can do to a wound string).
Jason, ask Randy Hughes. He told me to watch out, and all I can tell you is Elixirs vs Non Coated lost. The junk on the strings affects the intonation – to my ears. Tag, you’re it 🙂
Here is an article that outlines the Klickstein tuning method: https://www.guitar9.com/columnist177.html. Note that Klickstein is a classical guitarist and, as someone noted above, nylon-stringed guitars are more finicky; it is easier to fret a note sharp.
Also, I contend that it is not the coated strings per se that screw up the intonation, but any strings that are not the same as the ones on the guitar when it was set up. For instance, any different gauged strings may intonate differently up the neck, and coated strings or even different brands of strings may have a slightly different gauges than another brand even though the packaging gives the same numbers.
The other possibility is that it is easier to push the coated string sharp because of less friction between the string and the fingerboard/fret.
Jim, trust me & try it. The whole guitar just always sounded a little out of tune with coated strngs. Randy Hughes – an AWESOME guitar tech told me this would happen. Particularly with Elixirs, teh G string intonates horribly & inconsistently. Try an A/B test on a guitar with a recorder – and listen back. That’s what I did, only I payed $75/hr to do it 🙂
Hi Adam, I also noticed tuning issues using Elixier strings (PB). For example, if E6 is in tune, G on the same string is a very little bit too high. Same problem on the other strings. I cannot imagine that a faulty fretting is the reason for this behavior because it exists on all my guitars, regardless of whether it is a Taylor, Rozawood or Froggy. If I use Martin SP strings the problem disappears. Furthermore I feel that Elixier strings reduce the squeak as well as a little bit the richness of sound.
Norbert
Norbert yes and yes. Elixir = less squeak, but not so good tuning 🙂
Hello Adam,hers an interesting fact: Great violinist can’t stand the sound of any guitarist because violinist are so aware of intonation and guitar frets do not allow us to roll are fingers into that perfect sweet spot. Seriously,violinist ,cellos players and probably even trombonist cringe because of the inherent limitations of frets.They hear intonation on a different level and are a good resource for a guitarist if you want know just how in or out of tune ,or where in a piece it begins to be an unacceptable take and should be re recorded.Thank you so much Adam,you are literally changing my life in the way all great teachers do!
Hey Jack, you’ve got me wondering if there’s a school of fretless guitar that takes all of these tuning and intonations issues into account. Man! this is complicated. I just want to play some country blues. 🙂
Thanks for the tip on coated strings! I use the elixers at home and at school all the time mainly for long life. When tuning my guitars before tuners became cheaply available (I’m that old!) my guitar teacher taught me to tune by fifths, like piano tuners do. His mother was a cellist and I think his father was a violinist, so anyway I gave it a go and with a little training of the ear, It was like a giant hole that the fifth fell into!!!! Low E to B then open A to E fourth string etcetera. Still works great when the battery goes flat. Cheers from Australia.
Adam, you are a wonderful man! 🙂
Your thoughts are always interesting to read.
Once upon a time, I came to the conclusion that the process of setting up the guitar strings depends on my own inner state.
If a bad mood – guitar stubbornly does not want to be tuned.
If a good mood – guitar also feels it!
I.e. before to tune the guitar – you need to set yourself.
To do this, there is no scientific explanation, but it always happens.
Thank you for being there! 🙂 Success in creative work!
Hi Adam, Yes i found the article on the Elixir strings very valuable Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. I don’t generally record in a studio but some years ago I did an album of gospel stuff for a national convention in India with the Theme song for the convention. I would like to send some of the songs to you to get some correction, guidance and ideas as i intend to rerecord some songs from the album and also add a few new ones. How do i do this… send the songs to you i mean…
Charles
If I have time I will listen. I am pretty bust reviewing stuff for online students of studywithadam.com but if you like – post your stuff on a service like soundcloud.com and send a link, I will try to take a listen. Please do not email me mp3’s! AR
Just to add a helpful (one hopes) comment: my Peterson clip-on has both a menu of tuning choices–a perhaps simplified version of the tempering/sweetening adjustments cited from the classical guitar authorities–and also a setting with which one adjusts the tuning WITH the capo ON (sorry for shouting, prefer underscore or italics!), depending on the fret placement. This combination plus a fresh Shubb gives me very good results. As far as Peterson…superb; I’ll never go back to Korg etc. The cool thing is that 20 years ago Peterson was very expensive…their equipment was marketed at piano tuners, mostly. Now normal consumer prices!!
Adam,
Have you played on a fan fret guitar using Elixers and still found the same intonation problems? I just got a Skytop fanfret, (astoundingly amazing guitar, btw) and I’m using Elixer mediums. I’m not hearing the intonation problems you’re describing.
David