Might be a silly question about strings...

[nubeplayer]

Hey guys, apologies if this question has been asked before, but I couldn't find anything when I searched.

I'm a beginner guitar player, started about a month ago. I bought a really cheap electric guitar, but it doesn't sound that bad. But I'm not very familiar with the equipments and have not played around with different models to know what sounds good.

But my problem is, whenever I pluck a string, it makes my other string vibrate and created notes just as loud as the one I plucked. For example if I pluck the e string, the G and D string also make a sound. It's annoying because the other strings are so loud that it interferes with what I think the song I'm trying to play is suppose to sound like.

Is it normal for electric guitars to do this? Because I have not noticed this problem on my friend's acoustic guitar. Do I have a crappy guitar? Is there anything I should adjust at the bridge to prevent this? Or should I somehow learn to play the guitar so that I mute the other strings?

[elcid]

Practice more and learn how to mute.

[Pursuit]

Sounds like a problem that lots of people have when they start on guitar. Sometimes, when you're beginning, you might actually slightly hit some other strings while trying to get just one (happend to me often when I started). You mentioned your friend's acoustic hasn't got this problem. That's probably because generally acoustic strings are spaced wider apart than electric strings. When I started, I used an acoustic, and didn't have a problem. When my first electric came along, I had to be very careful to not hit the other strings (because they were so much closer). Just be really careful and eventually you'll get more accurate. Of course, this is just my opinon, it might be something else.

[kotornut]

Yup, practicing and learning proper string muting techniques as you go along is the fix for it. Welcome to the never ending road of guitar learning. It's worth it and fun, but at times it's not easy and it gets annoying.

[nubeplayer]

Thanks for your help dudes, I guess I just have to practice more.

[GuitarBizarre]

muting will certainly help, it comes with time.

I will say however, it doesnt sound like you're hitting the wrong strings or extra strings, as Pursuit was indicating. I think he may have overlooked the fact the strings that are vibrating are a string away from either of the e strings.

If nothing else, your guitar may simply be resonating a bit. Muting and learning to control unplayed strings is the key in any case.

[S-man]

It will come in time.... At least you are aware of the "problem".

[Ryan350DX]

I used to have the same problem when I first started, I used to ask Al McKenna (which goes to this forum now and then) how to mute and stuff because whenever he played it would sound so clean. Heres the tricks..

When playing the guitar you should always have the side of your hand on the strings. I go halfway on the bridge and half on the strings. And when plucking a string you let off it so it doesn't totally mute the string, but it keeps the other strings muted. I am a BIG Raker, pretty much every time I start a solo I rake, it adds alot of depth and feeling into the note. If you have any questions just ask.