lighter guage strings= lighter touch?

[capnkid]

I have gotten use to a blues tone combined with 10-52 guage strings, so I really grab the chords hard. (I believe that to be one thing that gives a person his unique sound)

Now I want to get more slippery and try to get some speed, and I have 9-42's (floyd rose). And for the sound I want there is more gain and effects and distortion, and with my Kung fu grip it just doesn't jive.

What is a good exercise to develope a lighter touch, and speed?

 

[Sal4001]

Just getting used to playing with 9's IS the exercise. They're so light that playing with them on a perfectly set-up guitar is effortless. But some people don't think they get enough bite with a light gauge string.(turn the amp up) Some people think they have to have big strings and high action to really dig in and grab the note. Stevie Ray Vaughan used 13's. THIRTEENS!! That's
13-65 with a WOUND B string. Try that and see how big your sound can be.
Whatever feels good under your fingers is the way to go (9's for me). Call me crazy but I even string my acoustics with electric 9's and let the mics and their pres get the fullness for me. It has more to do with your technique and talent than your string gauge. Go for what feels good to you........sal

 

[elenore19]

I've gone with 10's for a while. I'm thinking that going with 9's sounds like it could be fun...hmm....

 

[Gorty]

9's are great!!!

 

[Dani Pace]

You might try a "hybred" set, heavy bottom. Like you I tend to grab chords pretty hard and often find that i bend notes out of tune. I've been using 9-46 guage strings and find the heavier low strings help a lot, I'd really like to find something in a 9-52 but haven't found that set yet. I like the lighter strings on the high end for speed and ease of playing, and heavy bottom so I can dig in to chords.

 

[ggunn]

FWIW, when I changed from 10's to 11's on my Strat, it thickened up the sound of it significantly, and just turning up the amp didn't do the same thing.