lifereinspired
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Hi!
I'm trying to understand a little bit more about string tension.
From what I understand, the longer fretboards (ie concert, & tenor or a long neck soprano, etc) will have higher string tension. I'd this correct? Is it simply the increased length of the neck/strings that causes the higher tension or something more? Are the strings "thicker" or "heavier gauge" than soprano strings or simply longer (it wouldn't make sense to me that the gauge was different but I'd like to know for sure)? Can this issue be alleviated at all? Do different strings (whether various manufacturers or styles within a particular manufacturer) have more or less tension at all? What happens if you put, say, concert or tenor strings on a soprano? Would the string tension increase for any reason? Would the sound change?
Higher string tension will make it harder to press to chord & bar chord, correct? What else would it effect? Tone? Volume? Any difference for picking/strumming? Just trying to better understand the differences and learn since I'm starting out.
Part of why I'm asking is because I'm trying to figure out the best size instrument for me to start with. I have had the chance to play a fair bit on both a soprano and tenor from the same manufacturer to compare them. I mostly like the fret spacing on the tenor and really like the sound. However, I have a rare genetic condition that causes defects in my connective tissue and I have a lot of problems with joint laxity/dislocations/weakness in my fingers, as a result. I have fairly small hands with moderately small finger width. I've noticed that I still can manage the soprano fret spacing fairly well but I can bar chord much easier on the soprano right now. The tenor has caused some frustration because it takes all the finger strength I have to fight to bar chord (even doubled up with my middle finger) and I can only rarely get a "clean" sound on the strings - even if that's the only thing I'm trying to do (not even putting it together with other chords in a song, just doing isolated bar chord practice). Although I love the warmer/deeper tenor tone & fretboard spacing, due to the above experience, I'm leaning towards getting a soprano to begin with. I'm thinking that I'll get less frustrated at my current inability to "tame" the higher tension strings and have less pain, too. My rationale was also that once I've built up some strength from regular chording & barring on the soprano for a time, I could add a tenor and build upon the technique, ability, and strength that I will have gained by that time (even if it's just a few months or a year down the road). I'm hoping that would alleviate the pain and frustration that's happening now when trying to bar the tenor without at all giving up on it. Does this seem like a reasonable assumption that I'd be able to build up to the tenor's increased string tension once I've built more strength and skill on the soprano? It's maybe feeling like a slightly more reasonable learning curve for my body now, given the connective tissue issues I have to deal with, though it isn't at all what I was initially thinking since I do love the sound and size of the tenor.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, advice, and experience. Thanks so very much!!
I'm trying to understand a little bit more about string tension.
From what I understand, the longer fretboards (ie concert, & tenor or a long neck soprano, etc) will have higher string tension. I'd this correct? Is it simply the increased length of the neck/strings that causes the higher tension or something more? Are the strings "thicker" or "heavier gauge" than soprano strings or simply longer (it wouldn't make sense to me that the gauge was different but I'd like to know for sure)? Can this issue be alleviated at all? Do different strings (whether various manufacturers or styles within a particular manufacturer) have more or less tension at all? What happens if you put, say, concert or tenor strings on a soprano? Would the string tension increase for any reason? Would the sound change?
Higher string tension will make it harder to press to chord & bar chord, correct? What else would it effect? Tone? Volume? Any difference for picking/strumming? Just trying to better understand the differences and learn since I'm starting out.
Part of why I'm asking is because I'm trying to figure out the best size instrument for me to start with. I have had the chance to play a fair bit on both a soprano and tenor from the same manufacturer to compare them. I mostly like the fret spacing on the tenor and really like the sound. However, I have a rare genetic condition that causes defects in my connective tissue and I have a lot of problems with joint laxity/dislocations/weakness in my fingers, as a result. I have fairly small hands with moderately small finger width. I've noticed that I still can manage the soprano fret spacing fairly well but I can bar chord much easier on the soprano right now. The tenor has caused some frustration because it takes all the finger strength I have to fight to bar chord (even doubled up with my middle finger) and I can only rarely get a "clean" sound on the strings - even if that's the only thing I'm trying to do (not even putting it together with other chords in a song, just doing isolated bar chord practice). Although I love the warmer/deeper tenor tone & fretboard spacing, due to the above experience, I'm leaning towards getting a soprano to begin with. I'm thinking that I'll get less frustrated at my current inability to "tame" the higher tension strings and have less pain, too. My rationale was also that once I've built up some strength from regular chording & barring on the soprano for a time, I could add a tenor and build upon the technique, ability, and strength that I will have gained by that time (even if it's just a few months or a year down the road). I'm hoping that would alleviate the pain and frustration that's happening now when trying to bar the tenor without at all giving up on it. Does this seem like a reasonable assumption that I'd be able to build up to the tenor's increased string tension once I've built more strength and skill on the soprano? It's maybe feeling like a slightly more reasonable learning curve for my body now, given the connective tissue issues I have to deal with, though it isn't at all what I was initially thinking since I do love the sound and size of the tenor.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, advice, and experience. Thanks so very much!!
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