Muted Strumming is a percussive effect on the
guitar. Iit is usually something that will happen naturally
when you learn how to play. There is a couple of ways you
can do this style.
Fretting Hand Muted Strum
(this is the left hand for
right handed players)
Description :
This is when you strum normally but lift the tension
from the fretting (left hand). When you strum, the guitar
will produce a "thud" or a muted sound from
the strings. Be careful not to release your fingers all
the way off the strings and produce an open string sounding.
Good Points :
This style of muted strumming can be done on both the
down and up strum.
Bad Points :
It doesn't work well for open
chords because you either have an open string sounding
out or have to reshape your hand for a muted sound, then
place it back to the chord shape again. This style of
muted strumming is best kept for bar
chords.
Picking Hand Muted Strum
(this is the right hand for
right handed players)
Description :
This style of muted strum takes a little more practice
than the other, and you can only use this style on a down
strum. As you strum the strings the bottom of the palm
of your hand hits the strings first. I usually describe
it to my students as karate chopping the strings on a
bit of an angle and allowing the pick to follow through.
To understand this style better you should view the video
example.
Good Points :
You don't have to move the fretting hand out of the
chord shape to produce a muted sound on either bar
chords or open
chords.
Bad Points :
It is slightly more difficult to learn and you can't
use it on an up strum.
