Help-LH middle finger buzz problem

[DWPC]

My teacher has started me on thumb rest strokes with chords and I just can't seem to find the proper LH middle finger placement to prevent A & D strings from buzzing against it or being deadened. I've tried shifting the MF finger tip, dropping my L thumb on the neck to change the angle, and increasing the finger arch. Anything I try seems to cause other problems. My teacher isn't very technique-oriented and offers no suggestions. Its driving me nuts. I'd appreciate tips from any who may have experience with this problem.

[floyder]

how close is your fingertip to the fret? try to play as close to the fret as possible, not right in the middle, without killing the sound.

[DWPC]

how close is your fingertip to the fret? try to play as close to the fret as possible, not right in the middle, without killing the sound.
The problem the string buzzing against the middle finger; not fret buzzing.

[tap116]

I have the same problem. In my case it's fat fingers and not playing on the tips of my fingers. When I consciously force myself to play using the tips of the fingers on my left hand, the problem goes away. Also pressing too hard can exaggerate the problem. Make sure you are not using too much force to depress the string. I hope these suggestions are helpful.

[daniel711]

DWPC
You say your teacher isn't "technique oriented"!!?? I have news for you....classical guitar IS technique oriented. That's not good - I'd consider that VERY seriously...

[Libre]

I don't really get the picture. Why would just the middle finger cause a buzz, and not any other finger that was adjacent to the bass string you are rest stroking on? And only with a thumb rest stroke? Not loud free stroke too?
Perhaps try playing the bass note just a bit easier. You are overmodulating, to borrow a term from recording and broadcasting. When you overmodulate, basically you are putting more energy into the system than it can dissipate quietly (without noise). Throttle back on the force you are using with the thumb.
You don't need a technique oriented teacher, if your technique is developed to the point that you are happy with it and if you want to work on non-technique issues, such as sight reading and music theory. Otherwise, it is difficult to grasp what a teacher of classical guitar might be getting at, if he is not technique oriented and you are not near concert level. Technique is the physical action of the fingers on the guitar. That's where it all starts.

[Oktober]

You should get a real teacher :wink:

[nylonpumper]

I have the same problem particularly when I play Ave Maria (Bach version) on the second measure. The back pad of my third finger always wants to buzz against the the open D string .Ive tried every positoin I can think of and there is a way to avoid it however I have to tuck my left elbow closer to my body and it requires retarding the previous measure in order to make the transition smooth. This is not a place in the piece that I like to retard. It just dosen't sound natrual.
I am open to suggestions as well.

[Ken23]

It may be that your nail is too long; it may be preventing a full depression of your middle finger tip. Try filing the nail down as far as you can.

[nylonpumper]

It's funny that you suggest that because I have tried that and it is helping.
Thanks for the advice

[Ken23]

The reason why a shorter nail helps is that the finger tip needs to come straight down, perpendicula to the fret board. A too-long nail causes you to lean the finger into the next string. So it's not necessarily a problem of overly fat fingers!