Intermediate Intermediate Rhythm

Muted Strums

Muted Strumming is a percussive effect on the guitar, it 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
(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" 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 open string sounding out or have to reshape your hand for a muted sound, then place it back to the chord shape again.
Photo :
Look :	Left Handed Muted Strum - Using Bar Chords (mpeg file size 925kb) Left Handed Muted Strum - Using Open Chords (mpeg file size 925kb)

Picking Hand Muted Strum
(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, it is advisable to 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 open or bar chords.
Bad Points :	It is slightly more difficult to learn and you can't use it on an up strum.
Photo :
Look :	Right Handed Muted Strum (mpeg file size 925kb)