Guitar Lessons: Muting

Here’s a technique that can make the difference between what you play sounding like a song, and it sounding like a guitar falling down the stairs. What is it? Muting.

There are two ways to mute the strings when you play guitar, and both are equally as useful at preventing unwanted strings from ringing. I explain and demonstrate the technique in this video:

Click here if you can’t see the video

As you can see in the video, you can either use your left or right hand to mute with. The best strategy is to use a combination of both (unless you’re aiming for a specific sound).

Left Hand Muting

First, I want to talk about your left hand (fretting hand). To mute with this hand you should put your finger on the string (as if you were about to play a note), but you don’t press the string down. This results in a muted note (try it- instead of a “ding”, you get a “dnk” sound). Now, on it’s own this kind of muting is used for rhythmic styles such as Funk, or Reggae.

The main riff to Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved?” is a good example of Left Hand Muting. Listen to the guitar part:

Click here if you can’t see the video

Right Hand Muting

In contrast, right hand muting (also known as “Palm Muting”) tends to be used in Rock and Metal styles of music. It produces a tight, crunchy tone (when used with distortion). When you mute with your right hand, you place the side of your hand against the strings, right next to the bridge- but, again, don’t push down. You’re left hand plays normally.

Here is an example of Palm Muting; listen to the opening riff- the first 5 notes of each sequence are very rhythmic:

Click here if you can’t see the video

Both Hands

Especially when playing through loud amps, you need to control the strings that are allowed to ring all the time. This is achieved by using a combination of the above two methods. The side of your fingers on your left hand should mute the strings higher (in pitch!) than the one you’re playing, and the palm of your right hand should mute the lower strings. This method prevents unwanted strings from ringing out and creating horrible feedback and noise!

Of course, you’ll want/need to master all three methods eventually. I hope this article has given you a head start

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Rob.

February 22, 2010 at 3:52 pm | Guitar Technique and Exercises | No comments