Anyone using chalk?

[jmattbassplaya]

Just curious. I had a video shoot outside last night with my band, and for the first time ever my plucking fingers began slipping on fast runs and it was as if I wasn't able to grip the string while playing. I was wondering if anyone was using chalk to remedy this kind of problem.

 

[Kamael83]

Never had that kind of problem...
And never used chalk before...
I wonder...Chalk will probably get into your strings damaging them (simply you will have to change them more often)...
You were shooting outside....was it cold? Fingertips seem "harder" (more slippery) when it`s cold... I would warm up longer before playing..that should help

 

[elgecko]

I use chalk...while rock climbing. If your fingertips were moist from sweat or ambient moisture, I suppose chalk would absorb that moisture, thus giving you more "grip".

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Actually it was really hot a humid The sweat on my fingers was causing them to slip a lot of faster runs.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I use chalk...while rock climbing. If your fingertips were moist from sweat or ambient moisture, I suppose chalk would absorb that moisture, thus giving you more "grip".

That's what I was hoping. I know Steve Harris uses (or used to use) chalk, and I'm assuming this was why.

 

[Kamael83]

I live in Ireland..we have like 3 days in a year that are hot...so I don`t have that problem haha

In case I will move to ....more sunny part of the world...How does chalk affects the strings?

 

[snyderz]

I use baby powder on my fretting hand. I play flats, so there is no accumulation on the strings.

 

[Jay2U]

Chalk gets between the windings, making the strings heavier (more dense). They will certainly lose sustain and will probably develop bad intonation.

 

[Kamael83]

Chalk gets between the windings, making the strings heavier (more dense). They will certainly lose sustain and will probably develop bad intonation.

That`s what I was thinking...

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I'd consider rosin before I considered chalk. I had a shredder guitar buddy who was trying it out on his picks, he said he liked it.

 

[Picktastic]

The shredder guitarist in my blues band uses chalk on his left (not plucking) hand. But he also changes strings probably a few times a week.