Muting the strings on a guitar. How to learn guitar strumming Regular guitar strumming

Greetings, dear guitarist, most likely, if you are interested in today’s topic, namely, the question of how to properly mute the strings on an electric guitar or, regular guitar, - acoustic guitar, then most likely you are a beginner guitarist. This topic is very popular among beginning guitarists, because jamming gives the sound of chords and songs brighter shades and adds variety to them.

What is jamming? Jamming is a special technique of playing the guitar that imitates percussion instruments. With the help of muting, the guitarist, as a rule, creates a rhythmic pattern of the guitar composition by hitting the strings or the soundboard of the guitar.

Of course, it is quite difficult to describe the jamming process in the text, but I will still try to cope with this task. Also, below in the text you can watch a video lesson on this topic, perhaps you will better perceive the information from the video.

Also, jamming is very often used by guitarists performing “heavy” music.. Almost all known guitar riffs are performed using muting. So, if you are going to play heavy guitar riffs on your electric guitar, then the information in today's lesson is a must-learn.

Technique

First, let's clench the fist of our right hand (the hand that performs the jamming) so that so that it is ideal for performing muting:

• Bend your fingers (all except the thumb) so that the pads of the third phalanx of the fingers are tightly pressed against the pads of the first phalanx. At the same time, we do not bend the joints located at the base of the fingers, they remain straight;
• We bend the thumb in the area of ​​the second phalanx and press it tightly to inside palms;
• As a result, you should end up with a kind of “half fist”, which is what you will use to perform the jamming technique.

So, right hand ready for jamming, now we proceed directly to its execution, this is done in the following way :

• We pass our “half fist” along the strings from top to bottom, muting the strings. Try to mute while playing some chords, this will allow you to understand the whole performance technique, so to speak, in action.

If it is difficult for you to understand the above text description of how to perform this technique, then below you can watch the video lesson, after reading which, I am sure, the questions that arise will disappear by themselves.

Exercises

In order to learn how to do jamming efficiently and correctly, I recommend that you regularly do the following exercise:

• Take any chord on the guitar (whichever one is more convenient for you, it doesn’t matter when performing the exercise);
• Run your fingers along the strings from top to bottom twice (i.e. just play the chord twice);
• After playing a chord on the guitar twice, mute it;
• Repeat the above action cyclically (i.e. in a circle). Play slowly at first (until your playing is smooth), then increase the tempo until you can perform this exercise at maximum speed.

Video lesson

Below you can watch a video tutorial in which the author tells and shows how to properly perform jamming. If you have questions after reading the material above, then after watching the lesson presented, I have no doubt that they will disappear.

That's all for today, I hope you have learned how to mute your electric or acoustic guitar well. If you have any comments, thoughts or questions about the material presented, feel free to voice them in the comments to this entry (located below). I will try to answer them as quickly as possible.

Even in the Middle Ages, brave, desperate young people marked by Cupid sang serenades to their loved ones under the windows. As time passed, musical instruments were added to the compositions, the leading position among which was occupied by the guitar. Oh, this six-string mistress of the hearts of millions! Its sounds heal spiritual wounds. It brings people together age groups, cities, countries and even continents. It is thanks to the guitar that we have amazing rock bands (it’s somehow hard to imagine a musician playing frantic rhythms on... a harp).

How to study? Where to begin?

The first "fight" is the easiest one

It is believed that the simplest strumming on the guitar is the one that the student will learn the fastest. In general, there are several fairly easy options. One of the simplest is the following: we hit the strings downwards with our finger, a short pause (just to take our finger away from the strings), then up again, but with a plug, and the last one is the “downward strike” element. It can be shown schematically like this:

Down _ Down _ Cap _ Up_ again Down _ Down _ Cap _ Up, etc.

Fight "eight"

The second easy strumming on the guitar for beginners on the list is performed as follows: with the index finger of the leading hand, we draw down the strings in order twice, followed by two similar movements from bottom to top without breaking away from the strings or stopping. This is followed by a down-up combination.

This one for beginners looks schematically like this:

Down _ Down _ Up _ Up _ Down _ Up and again from the beginning.

Sometimes a seventh move can be added for rhythm - striking the strings downwards. At the same time, initially (during the study process) there may be absolutely no jamming. Then, gradually, they can be added.

Then the diagram will change slightly:

Down _ Down _ Cap _ Up _ Up _ Down _ Cap _ Up.

This guitar strum for beginners is also called “universal” or “figure eight”. The last name appeared as a result of calculating the number of movements that must be performed for one combat cycle.

In order to “hone” the technique, you must follow the rules:

• do not rush;
• count;
• train.

With practice comes skill. Combining with techniques works out quite well for those who have trained for a long time and become proficient in the art of playing this magical six-string instrument. The stub when playing in combat can be performed either thumb, or with the edge of the hand - it all depends on the method of performing a particular composition.

In order to learn how to play the guitar: strumming, picking, or a combination, you can turn to the same resources for help: a tutorial or friends who have perfectly mastered this art.

Not everyone knows how to mute the strings when playing the guitar. Some have heard a little about it, and some only jam it in one way they know.

In general, string muting is used quite often, especially in the genres: Reggae (reggae), blues, Russian rock, and so on. This is a rather interesting technique that gives variety to the usual game of combat or brute force.

There are several basic ways to mute the strings when playing the guitar. They are used all over the world by both beginners and professionals. Now let's take a closer look at each type:

Thumb jamming. This is the easiest way to mute strings. To do this, you need to make a downward strike with your index finger and immediately, almost instantly, make a downward movement with your thumb, pressing the strings. Try muting the strings with your thumb now. Initially, you may not succeed, but by practicing often you will gain experience.

Palm jamming. This is about the same thing, only you should make the downward movement not with your thumb, but with your palm. Sometimes you need not just one-time jamming, but constant jamming in order to create a unique effect. To do this, you simply need to place the edge of your palm on the strings near the nut.

Muting the strings with a barre chord. This is perhaps the most difficult way to mute strings. Initially, you must learn how to play barre chords. In order to perform jamming, there are several options: so to speak, “permanent” jamming and “non-permanent” jamming. What is the difference? Constant is when you don't pluck the barre chord, but just hold it unplucked and play (used in the song Smells Like Teen Spirit). Not constant - when you just play strumming and in order to mute at the right time, simply loosen the chord clamp.

You should practice all these tips regularly in order to gain the necessary experience and skill in playing the guitar using muting.

Instructions

Study the technique in theory. “Six” comes in two types. The first method of performance is performed without muting the strings. The second type of “strike” involves muting the strings. You will need to learn how to play both types, since depending on the song you will need to choose a certain way of accompanying. Some songs can be performed in one way or another.

Get to practice. Learn to play with a six without a plug. This technique consists of six elements: down, down, up, up, down, up. So you strike the strings first down, then down again, and then in a pattern. You can strike the strings with either your thumb or several fingers. Traditionally, only the index finger is used for “army combat”. During practice, it is difficult to realize the transition from the fourth element to the fifth. Therefore, focus your attention on this part of the reception. Once you have mastered this way of playing, start choosing a rhythm. Then move on to studying the second type of “six”.

Learn to play “string” with muted strings. This technique differs from the previous one only in the presence of two stubs. The pattern for this fight is as follows: down, jam, up, up, jam, up. That is, instead of two “downs,” we play muting the strings with the edge of our palm. Here you should pay attention to the transition between the fifth element and the sixth. It is also difficult for beginners to make a smooth and rhythmic transition between the sixth and first element (when repeating the technique).

Start practicing using two chords. Play each chord in its entirety. When changing to another chord, start all over again. The moment between chord transitions must be precisely worked out. It is important not to lose the rhythm and not get confused in the elements of the fight.

Video on the topic

note

Before you start strumming, you should learn how to set the chords on the guitar neck and play them at a slow tempo so that there are no stops in time. You should try humming one of your favorite songs while strumming your guitar lightly. If you succeed, then you can begin to master “battles”.

Helpful advice

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Sources:

• how to learn to strum the guitar

It’s not difficult to learn army songs in order to show off your talent among your colleagues and remember the past. The music in such songs has a similar motive, and therefore a similar playing technique. Therefore, you can learn to play all the army melodies from one or two songs.

Instructions

The most convenient instrument for performing army songs is a six-string guitar. Firstly, mastering the guitar at a basic level is not as difficult as other instruments, and, secondly, the guitar is very convenient to take on hikes, since, for example, it is much lighter in weight than, and in tuning - easier than a violin. In addition, you can play absolutely any army song on the guitar.

Learn to play army battle. This skill will make it much easier for you to learn army songs. This playing technique is also called the “six” fight, since one cycle contains six movements. It is played like this: down the strings twice, then up twice, and once down and up.

Another variation of this battle is a game with jamming the strings. To do this, replace the second and fifth blow with a “plug” - hitting the strings and simultaneously pressing the hand against them so that the sound does not drag on, but breaks off. Fighting game is suitable

It's hard to enjoy playing guitar when it's all just basics, scales and exercises. With learning proper strumming on the guitar, you'll be playing songs in no time, adding a little joy to your practice. By learning some basic patterns and becoming familiar with the guitar, you'll be able to play any song you want. See Step 1 for more instructions.

Steps

Part 1

Hold your guitar correctly. Keep the guitar balanced on your hip, close to your body. To learn how to strum the guitar properly, you must keep the elbow of your striking hand toward the string at the base of the guitar so that you can use your wrist to strum. Let the neck of the guitar rest on the crook of your string pressing hand in a "V" shape created by your thumb and index finger.

• If you have to use your hands to hold the guitar, it's very difficult to strike properly. Let the weight of the guitar rest on your lap, anchor it with your elbow, and make sure you can move your striking hand without moving the guitar.

Hold the pick correctly. With your palm facing your body, bend all your fingers toward your palm. Place the pick on the first knuckle of your index finger so that it points directly toward your chest. Grab the pick securely with your thumb, leaving only a few inches protruding from your fingers. Play around a bit to get a good, comfortable grip on the pick.

• Additionally, you can play the fight without a pick using thumb. Johnny Cash never used a pick. This choice depends on whether you can get a clear enough sound with your fingers. Practice using a pick and discard it if you find it too troublesome and find the sound of your fingers on the strings better.
• Not using a pick can be somewhat painful for your striking fingers. Growing calluses is always a good thing though.