What is the annoying noise caused by sliding your finger across a guitar string called?

Question

What is the annoying noise caused by sliding your finger across a guitar string called?

Answer 1

I don't find it annoying at all, in fact I like hearing it in songs, when the guitarist switches chords up and down the neck.  

Are you reffering to a 'Pick Scrape' kind of effect..??  Where the player 'scrapes' his pick or nail up the string to produce the ascending or descending tone..??

Tom Morello of Audioslave uses string scratching, along with his toggle switch to create dj scratching sound, which sounds so cool.  He runs his fingers over the strings with his right hand, and switches the toggle switch with his left hand.  You gotta see it :)

Answer 2

"a riff"... *snarf*! That was awesome!  =)

Yeah, string noise. To some extent it's unavoidable, but as mentioned some types of strings will cut down on it. Coated and flatwound strings do it less than others, but even though I'm using Elixirs, I've had string noise, too. It didn't bother me.. I was more concerned about my fingers getting caught up and whatnot.

My solution was to get some string lubricant (for lack of a better term). My favorite product is GHS Fast Fret, but others are out there too... I've heard that Guitar Honey is pretty good, for instance. The idea is that with your fingers a little slicker, the noise is reduced.

Nothing will make the noise go completely away, but good technique is going to be the biggest factor in this. Gear, strings, and string lube can all help if this is something that really bugs you.

I could swear that using this stuff on your strings (and I use a smidge more on my fingertips as well) helps prolong your string life. Haven't really tested it, but it sure seems that way... I put a little on my strings after I'm done, too.

Saul

Answer 3

A riff.

Answer 4

It's normally called a squeak.  If used in the right places, it's not annoying, but enhances the tune.  It sounds very "organic" to me -- a reminder that there's a person behind the music.  It's caused because roundwound strings have ridges -- when your fingers move along these ridges, you'll create a squeaking nose.  Similar to what happens when you rub your fingernail across the grooves on a vinyl record -- oh, forgot, no one knows what a vinyl record is anymore!

Flatwound strings (not so easy to find anymore) can reduce the squeaking tendency since the ridges are sanded off.  You can also be very careful about lifting your fingers completely off the strings before repositioning them -- not worth the trouble, in my opinion ... unless your playing is very sloppy.

You  can work these ridges to get other sounds.  Someone already mentioned you can rub the edge of your pick along the string to get a buzzing type tone.  Move the pick slowly or quickly to change the pitch of the tone.

Answer 5

It's called string squeaking. Most Phosphor-bronze strings have this attribute, but there are higher-priced strings, such as Elixir, that are manufactured to control the squeaking as the left hand changes positions on the fretboard.