Is there a reason why Dave strums away from the soundhole?

[gtoformula400]

How come Dave doesn't strum over the sound hole? or at least it doesn't look like it anyway... ive noticed that on all the dvd's i have. Is there a reason why he strums so close to the bridge? I'm new to guitar so if this is a rediculuos question just say so... I can take it lol

Thanks,
Joe

[Taylor614]

DMBTabs, welcome to it. (Those have been my last like 5 posts). Anyway, I'm not 100% sure, but my guess is this. When you strum down by the bridge, you get more of a punch to the chords and notes. That is probably what Dave wants. Usually strumming over the soundhole gives you a much fuller and thicker tone. Hope that helps.

[RunsWithBuffalo]

Absolutely right. Dave's style is very percussive and hitting the strings closer to the bridge gives you a brigher note with less sustain. If he played over the soundhole, it would sound muddier.

[Easy E]

plus its easier to palm mute and half palm mute from that position. It's an uncomfortable position for me when i have to play an F, I don't know why im so uncomfortable when my hands are that far apart

[Grachi]

i like it. it is much more of a twangy sound then with other artists that are acoustically based.

sort of like something different, since a lot of guitarists dont play down there.
I find myself when playing a lot of Dave songs I am down there by the bridge.

[natedawg]

Damn, you can learn something new everyday. I have been playing guitar for years with my action really low since I finger pick a lot and never knew you could do this. After switching to a position closer to the bridge right now, I got a lot less fret buzz on grey street and it sounds much more like the recordings. Good stuff.

[DrumsFoDaSoul]

I think it makes the strings sound better. Ive had mine on for a while and need to replace them, after playing down there, they sound good.

[Grachi]

in general, without the dave songs, i like to play on the edge of the bottom of the soundhole. I like that spot.

[daylight_2004]

I see the majority of professional players playing away from the soundhole...Besides the reasons already given, the sound itself has an unobstructed path to come out of when your hand isn't over the hole, letting the sound project and resonate much more...

[RunsWithBuffalo]

I see the majority of professional players playing away from the soundhole...Besides the reasons already given, the sound itself has an unobstructed path to come out of when your hand isn't over the hole, letting the sound project and resonate much more...

I disagree, I have always gotten a fuller sound strumming right over the sound hole. The name "sound hole" i think is somewhat of a misnomer. The sounds doesnt really come out of the hole, instead, sound is created by the top of the guitar moving in and out creating sound waves. if you strum over the hole, the strings vibrate more causing the top to vibrate more and create more sound.

[dmbgorge609]

ive seen dave actually move his strumming hand over the soundhole and then closer to the bridge, for example dancing nancies at the beginning when theres that little hammer-on fill, its actually pretty interesting to try and gives song like that a fuller sound, other song: LIOG R & R and little things like the ring aroun d the rosie part to gravedigger

[gtoformula400]

Great insight everyone.. Thanks!!!

[Popeye2003]

Very nice thread.

[checkii]

plus its easier to palm mute and half palm mute from that position. It's an uncomfortable position for me when i have to play an F, I don't know why im so uncomfortable when my hands are that far apart

i think this has as much to do with it as anythgin else. you get a better souns when you palm mute there vs palm muting further up. your palm muting doesnt sound dead, it gives it a little twang still/.