Is it normal for a string to buzz unless my finger that is fretting is almost against the fret?
I just got a stratocaster. I've never played the guitar before this week. When I try to play the D major chord, I get buzzing on the first and third strings.
When my first finger on the third string isn't pressed almost against the fret, it makes a buzzing noise, but it's extremely uncomfortable to have both my first and second finger that close to the fret. I want to move my first finger away a little, but it makes a buzzing noise if I do.
I'm trying to learn from JustinGuitar, but when I see his picture for fretting, his fingers aren't that close to the fret.
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The closer a finger is to a fretwire, the easier it gets to eliminate buzz, as there's no need to press as hard. Just try that on one string on the lower frets. Move your finger towards the nut, and you'll realise that you need to press harder to produce a clear sound.
However - with that particular D chord, there are twelve different ways your fingers can go. There will be two or three which suit you better, probably, than the version you are playing now. Bear in mind, as a beginner, that lots of chord shapes can and are played in different ways. I'm talking about the exact same strings and frets, not other chord shapes. Experiment !
Buzzing usually comes from low pressure or if your fingers are not close enough to a fret.
A good rule of thumb is to try to get your fingers as close to the frets as possible when playing, This becomes pretty difficult later one when you have more complicated chords with complex fingerings.
When I learn new chords I check to make sure that all my fingers are pressed down and close to the frets and play it multiple times with all the strings sounding as clear as I can get them. It may seem challenging at first, but with practice, it will eventually be second nature.
My first recommendation would be to have the action on the guitar checked. a properly adjusted action will assure that frets are leveled and the neck isn't out of adjustment. The nut and bridge will be adjusted so that the strings are most easily played. Very few new guitars have had the action set for optimal playing ease. If there is still a problem when you fret a note or chords, then
the problem may be the placement of your fingers in relation to the frets.
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