Searching out all the accessories and equipment you need to play the guitar is fun, but there are so many styles of strings. Do you need heavy strings, or are light strings easier to play? What’s the difference? Should you have all the string types on hand? Don’t ‘fret’ over it. The heaviness of your string can affect tone or make it easier to play. A heavier string will offer a fuller sound with more sustain, but you don’t need it to learn the guitar. Choosing a lighter string will help you get used to playing with less wear on your fingers. Some musicians never play with a heavier gauge at all. In fact, if your guitar came with medium strings, you may want to restring with a smaller gauge. I will share what I’ve learned about string-gauge, so you know what you’re looking at.
Are light guitar strings easier to play? Light guitar strings are easier to play. Both new and experienced players choose light strings because they are less harsh on the fingertips. Especially if you’re a fingerstyle player, this string style will give you the best tone and feel as you practice. Even strum-heavy styles benefit because fretting is easier with a lighter string.
What Are The Easiest Guitar Strings To Play
Nylon guitar strings on a classical guitar may be the easiest to play. That said, any set of light or extra light strings is easier to play than heavy strings. The difference in gauge makes a world of difference.
A heavy string is literally thicker. The diameter puts more string in contact with your finger, which can hurt and callus faster. Additionally, the heavy strings are tighter. Thus, you have to push harder to manipulate them.
The harder it is to move a string, the harder it is to play. Moreover, it’s harder on your pegs, guitar neck, and fretboard as well.
A lightweight classic nylon guitar string doesn’t need as much tension as most guitars require. Plus, with no wire, it is a little softer on your fingertips. Similarly, nickel, phosphor bronze, steel, and titanium strings have varying hardness. A tougher string means it’s harder on your hands.
The easiest guitar strings to play are super light, like Elixir Strings 16550 from Amazon. Not only do these strings have an excellent tone, but the thinner diameter is easy on your fingers. Plus, Elixers come with Optiweb coating, which makes them durable and smoother. Learn all about the 16550’s on Amazon by clicking here.
Ease Sore Fingers
Taking care of your hands is part of the package deal with playing an instrument. Trimming your nails, using lotion, and even occasional soaking or other treatments will provide a better playing experience.
Luckily, there are also several things you can do to make any string easier to play. First, opt for a coated string to avoid any extra abrasion on still-learning fingers. Secondly, get finger guards that help buffer the tips of your fingers.
Some musicians love finger protectors, while others find a finger cover makes it harder to play. Finally, you can always switch from a finger style to a pick style for a little finger relief. Doing this will change the sound of your music.
Do Extra Light Strings Break Easier
Numerous contributors can cause string breakage. While lighter strings are easy to play, they aren’t as beefy and thick as heavy gauges. Although this could cause breakage, usually it’s a different issue.
If you’re buying cheaply made, brittle strings, then it’s the strings. Otherwise, take a look at the tuning pegs, nut, and bridge instead. Especially if you keep breaking strings in the same spot, it’s likely an adjustment problem.
Your play style or fretboard can also cause breakage. A fretboard with particularly sharp or rough edges will wear on strings. Small strings break faster than thick ones only because there’s less string to wear through. Lighter strings aren’t the problem.
Overwound strings snap easily. Placing too much tension on the string will change the way your notes sound and make them break sooner. Even when they don’t break, they’ll stretch and wear out faster regardless of size.
A properly set up guitar string on a good quality guitar with excellent parts shouldn’t break. All other factors notwithstanding, a light string breaks more easily. However, strings should not break at all.
Every musician snaps a few strings over time. It is always a result of bad setup, user error, rough technique, or bad strings. Don’t blame the string. Fix the problem.
Known for their excellent sound and durability, D’Addario EXP16-3D Coated Phosphor Bronze Light Guitar Strings are ideal for new players. The NY High Carbon Steel is outstanding and doesn’t break easily under pressure. Better still, these strings are made in the USA so you can feel good about supporting local jobs. Have Amazon deliver to your door when you click here.
What’s The Difference Between Light And Heavy Guitar Strings
The most basic way to explain the difference between light and heavy guitar strings is the diameter. Lighter guitar strings are easier to play because they are smaller, less tension, and lighter weight. This means less contact with your fingers, easier manipulation, and easier tuning.
A lighter string in a smaller gauge isn’t just weight and size. Smaller strings play a slightly airier or lighter note. Heavy strings are ideal for songs full of deep throbbing bass—sad and angry music benefits from the richer resonance of heavy strings. Meanwhile, lighter strings are ideal for beginners.
Luckily, the differences between the strings aren’t extreme. You can play rock hard with light or medium strings. Likewise, you can play happy pop music on heavy strings. Most musicians opt for a middle-of-the-road string. A medium gauge is standard for most out-of-box guitars.
When your hands and fingertips wear out too quickly, try a lighter string. Then, to rock harder or play the blues, trade up to a larger string. You’ll find the music gains an extra dimension. It’s not a deeper note per se, but rather a fuller sound.
Notably, heavy strings need more tension as well. To get a larger gauge to play the same note, it has to be tighter. This is hard on the hands, but it also puts more pressure on the neck of your guitar. Plus, a few pounds can make a big difference in how tight strings feel under your fingers.
It’s crucial to check your relief and adjust your truss rod regularly with heavier strings. Of course, you should be performing routine maintenance anyhow. Avoiding problems like a warped neck is much easier when you inspect, clean, and maintain your guitar weekly.
Check out these Elixir 11052 Light Acoustic Strings from Amazon. The Nanoweb acting makes them extra smooth on your fingers and helps prevent damage and corrosion. You’ll appreciate the extra-long working life of Elixir strings. To get yours, click here.
Do Lighter Guitar Strings Buzz More
Lighter guitar strings are easier to play, but they have their quirks. A lighter string tends to be a little twangier, though they don’t necessarily cause buzzing. The way you handle your strings may cause additional buzzing.
Heavy-handed play styles aren’t suited to the lighter, smaller diameter strings. Pressing too hard will cause some buzzing. Another common problem that creates this issue is improper setup.
Raise the action slightly on adjustable bridges when you go down in string size. Doing this will usually clear up new buzzing. Truss rod adjustment helps with buzzing. As you can see, it’s not the strings so much as how they’re used and applied to the instrument that creates this issue.
Make sure you have the right tension and placement on your strings. Regardless of the gauge, this will help prevent buzzing. Furthermore, some equipment tends to cause buzzing. Upgrade your amp and cords if you have persistent issues that aren’t caused by play style or strings.
For perfect lack of buzz, you will probably need professional assistance. Find a technician to help you learn the ropes and make initial adjustments. Machine precision is hard to accomplish, but a proper setup will minimize any buzz.
A high-quality set of Ernie Ball Paradigm Light Guitar Strings won’t cause more buzzing. With plasma enhanced wrap and everlast nano-treatment, you get easy-to-play strings with excellent fatigue resistance. Best of all, when you get two, a third pack comes free with your order, so you always have the strings you need. To read the excellent Amazon ratings, click here.
Final Thoughts
Although string size can change your tone and help with longer sustain, a higher gauge isn’t necessary for most music. Lighter strings are just easier to play. The difference, while noticeable, isn’t so big that you have to change strings. It’s more important to have a high-quality, well-made string than a big one.
Adjust our string size according to what makes your music sound best and how your hands feel. Older learners and those with small or easily injured hands will find extra-light strings can be a significant boon. That said, if you want to play, for example, heavy metal, you may want to work your way down to larger gauge heavy strings.
Lighter strings don’t need as much tension. For a fuller tone and a more taut string, heavy is fine, but you should start light for learning.