How to Palm Mute

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Everything you need to know about the palm mute technique
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Palm muting is a commonly used guitar-playing technique in which you use the side of your strumming hand to mute the notes being played. The purpose is to cut out extra string noise when you're playing or to stop the sound completely. [1] You can also use the technique to dampen the sound rather than mute it, depending on where you place your hand. [2]

How to Palm Mute a Guitar

To palm mute, press the outside part of your palm against the strings to dampen the sound. Then, strum normally. Move your hand's position to change the strength of the muted effect.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Your Strumming Hand to Dampen the Sound

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  1. Pretend you're karate-chopping the strings. Don't actually hit them, but that shows you what part of your hand should be hitting the strings. It should be the outside of your palm. [3]
    • When you first put your hand down, it should be perpendicular to the strings, not laying flat against them.
    • Slide the hand back as close to the bridge as you can-- this makes it easier to learn.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Palm Mute
    Use your fingers and light wrist movement to strum while still keeping everything muted. You want to work on keeping the same weight on the strings as you strum, moving only up and down, not against the strings, as you pick.
    • It is often easiest to start by just picking one string. As you get used to keeping it palm muted, play a two-string chord, then a three, and onward.
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  3. A lot of palm muting is about the feel on the strings, since the actual skill is not very hard. The harder you press, the less you'll hear the note of the string and more you'll hear a dampened, percussive sound. If you are too light you'll just hear buzzing as the strings struggle to move. The perfect sound is a deadened, but still melodic, note that ends quickly after you strum it. [4]
    • With dampening, you should be able to hear the pitch when you pick the string. Try picking the strings one at time to make sure you can hear all the proper pitches rather than a dead plucking sound. [5]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Palm Mute
    You can change how much your hand dampens the sound by moving it back and forth on the strings. Moving closer to the fretboard dampens the sound more. [6]
    • However, as noted, you should keep your hand as close to the bridge as possible if you still want to hear pitch.
  5. If you want the first string to sound, lift off that part of your hand. You can test to make sure it's sounding correctly by strumming it. Practice lifting off each string in order. Once you've mastered the technique, you can control which strings are dampened and which strings are not. [7]
    • You'll be lifting from your wrist, rather than from your fingers. You can curl your wrist up and down to open up or mute certain strings with some practice.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Improving Your Sound

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  1. Since you're picking and muting near the bridge, these pickups will get the best, thickest sound for you.
    • For a more distorted, buzzy sound, use the neck pickups.
  2. These pickups will grab a lot of that deep, chunky tone that you want when palm muting.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Palm Mute
    Listen to old Green Day tracks, for example. They are simple chords and structures, but the ability to go quickly from palm muted to open strings allows him to texture and layer the guitar part uniquely.
    • Learn to start palm muting, then slowly raising your palm off. Become your guitars volume knob, switching fluidly.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Where can I buy instructional DVDs?
    Community Answer
    You could try an online retailer like Amazon or just a local music store in your area.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 2
  • Question
    How do you only mute one string?
    Community Answer
    Use a finger from your left hand. Doing it with your right hand is ineffective.
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  • Question
    How do I mute only one string with my palm, as in sweep-picking?
    Justjaythings
    Community Answer
    That's a very difficult technique. Try to be smooth with your strumming hand. Just make a small palm mute, then release your hand. You may have to practice quite a bit, but it's possible.
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      • Try use damping when you are accompanying a singer, as it allows the singer to be heard better.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.guitarprinciples.com/bluesrock/string-muting-damping#
      2. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-add-guitar-effects-with-muting.html
      3. ↑ http://www.guitarprinciples.com/bluesrock/string-muting-damping#
      4. ↑ http://www.guitarprinciples.com/bluesrock/string-muting-damping#
      5. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-add-guitar-effects-with-muting.html
      6. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-add-guitar-effects-with-muting.html
      7. ↑ http://www.guitarprinciples.com/bluesrock/string-muting-damping#
      8. Videos from GuitarLessons.com

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To palm mute, start by placing the fleshy side of your palm lightly on the strings close the bridge of the guitar, so that your palm is perpendicular to the instrument. Then, keep your hand on the strings as you strum the notes with your fingers or a pick. As you play, keep the weight on each string even and avoid moving against the strings. Once your hand is in position, press harder to hear a more dampened, percussive sound. You can also move your hand closer to the fretboard to dampen the sound even more. For tips on how to palm mute on an electric guitar, read on!

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