Muted Strums
| 23 April 2009
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.
Photo :
Video :
Audio Example: 
Picking Hand Muted Strum
(this is the right hand for right handed players)
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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.
Photo :
Video :
Audio Example:
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