GUITAR
ADDING PALM MUTING TO YOUR PALETTE | David Harsh
What is palm muting , when it comes to guitar ?
Well , first of all , don ’ t let the term “ muting ” confuse you – it ’ s not like the mute button on your TV remote . We aren ’ t silencing our strings . We ’ re just making them ring for a shorter amount of time . Plus , if we ’ re playing the acoustic guitar , we ’ re adding a low “ thump ” that adds a fun additional percussive sound . Palm muting is actually one of the coolest articulations we can add to our strumming .
As we get into this , I invite you to choose a simple chord for your fretting hand , like E minor . We ’ ll really only be focusing on the 3 lowest strings for this quick exercise , so once you ’ ve formed an E minor chord , just leave your fretting hand in position , and focus on your strumming hand . We ’ re basically going to make contact with the palm of our hand at the same moment that our pick makes contact with the strings . simple quarter notes .
Next , try some 8 th notes strummed down and up . Palm muting is possible with up strums , but if this is your first time trying this , maybe save that for later . Then , try some 8 th notes strummed down only . This makes me think a little bit of 80s rock .
STRUMMING LEGEND
Down Muted
The next level is to apply palm muting to a strumming pattern , like the one I like to call the “ 3 + 3 + 2 Strum .” The rhythm is 1 & a 2 e & 3 e & a 4 & a . I recommend trying it with and without palm muting , so you can accentuate the palm muting accents on beats 1 , the “&” of beat 2 , and beat 4 . These accents really add character , especially when the higher strings ring out .
How did you do ? How does it sound to you ? This is an articulation that can take place very quickly , but as you can imagine , it takes time to develop to a precise level . You can do it ! Keep playing , and please stay in touch !
David Harsh David Harsh is a nationally touring worship leader , songwriter , and performing artist . He is passionate about equipping guitarists to take their playing to the next level . Learn more and join at www . GuitarSuccess4U . com .
Quarter notes ( all down )
If you want to see exactly where like to have my palm land , please check out the limited time video that accompanies this lesson by visiting www . GuitarSuccess4U . com / palmmuting . In that video , I literally have a painter ’ s palette that has some purple paint on it , which I apply to my strings with a foam brush . This is so that when my strumming hand attacks the strings , the paint gets on my hand and shows you which part of my hand is making contact with the strings .
Up
Silent
* A ball on the end of an arrow means it is accented .
8th notes ( down and up ) 8th notes ( all down )
As we continue , please have a look at my strumming legend and try playing the following articulations ( which are all demonstrated in the video ). I encourage you to start with some
The " 3 + 3 + 2 " Strum
1 & a 2 e & 3 e & a 4 & a
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