• From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Topic: Muffling All Strings, But......

.........instead of them sounding like dead maracas what I'd like to do is play the main part of the song in G (this is one of those "talking blues" tunes and then when it's time for the break go to D7. The trouble I'm having is in separating the voice from the guitar.

I'm not making myself clear am I?

Allow me to try again: The chords aren't important, but the action within the song IS. I want to keep the words pretty much monotonic and let the guitar do the music and rhythm - but with a muffled G and D7. An example would be James Taylor's "Traffic Jam".

Anyway, that's what I'm working on at the moment.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

Bill

PS: Hope everything's going great for you all and we both send our love.

Bill and Dondra

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Hi Bill ...

I'm not sure what the problem is as you're describing it, so I'm having trouble proposing a solution. Are you saying that you're unintentionally muting strings while picking within the chords?

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,368

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

If you mean you want to muffle the strings when you're singing - the best way to do this is with barre chords; I tend to keep my left hand slightly above the strings on the right hand strike (or plectrum strike) then push down when the strike has finished to kinda make the sound of the chord ... not sure if that's the sound you're after?

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic
  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,368

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

This guy uses right hand palm muting (which I've never been a fan of): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ZOPqcjK8c

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic

5 Reply by Strummerboy Bill (edited by Strummerboy Bill 2018-05-07 16:50:10)

  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

You're ALL correct, Sirs, and I came up with the solution last night after posting. I sat there makingt G's and D7's the normal way, then barred the G and it clicked. For the D7, all I need to do is slide to the fifth and lift all fingers except the one on the A string, right? I want there to be just enough musicality to tell there's a chord change. I was gonna get one of the kids to play maracas to give me some additional rhythm as well. Sound Ok, or would you make the traditional D7 up there near the nut just for a change-up? I'll try it both ways and see.

Sorry about the confusion, my friends.

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

neophytte wrote:

This guy uses right hand palm muting (which I've never been a fan of): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ZOPqcjK8c

Cheers

Richard

It looks too hard to control down there, Richard. Just tried it again and the barres seem to be the way to go. Thanks, my friend!

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,368

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Strummerboy Bill wrote:
neophytte wrote:

This guy uses right hand palm muting (which I've never been a fan of): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ZOPqcjK8c

It looks too hard to control down there, Richard. Just tried it again and the barres seem to be the way to go. Thanks, my friend!

I should have quantified my comment by adding - I don't use a pick, so it's hard for me to do too!! smile

But, glad you got it sorted ...

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2016-02-07
  • Posts: 923

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Interesting. Everyone uses a different technique. Shows something new to me. With classical I would not use it but steel sting players might if needed for a certain sound or pick.

Music is what feelings sound like.
Music is life, that why our hearts have beats.
  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,368

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Classical Guitar wrote:

Interesting. Everyone uses a different technique. Shows something new to me. With classical I would not use it but steel sting players might if needed for a certain sound or pick.

That's correct - which is why it's near on impossible for one guitarist to sound like all other guitarists; certain nuances in playing are hard to capture unless you re-learn some techniques; another one is the 'thumb over' technique which mutes the lower (E and A) strings, when I was learning I kept my thumb at the back of the neck always, but now I've got slack and have my thumb over for open chords ...

Anyway, YMMV ...

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic

10 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-05-08 10:16:23)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

I'll give another endorsement for the thumb-over Neo describes. I use it a lot on the bass guitar, to create staccatos on the E-string.

  • Zurf
  • Zurf
  • Blunt but well meaning moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2007-06-27
  • Posts: 7,522

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Wear a sweatband or loose sweatshirt and let the cuff on your strumming hand muffle the strings.

Granted B chord amnesty by King of the Mutants (Long live the king).
If it comes from the heart and you add a few beers... it'll be awesome! - Mekidsmom
When in doubt ... hats. - B.G. Dude
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Zurf. thanks, buddy, I needed that smile. Not that I thought it was comical, but because like most of you here, you seem to be a pragmatist. You probably use Occam's Razor to shave, dontcha? smile

To everyone else, I appreciate your patience as I try to describe what I'm picturing in my addled brain. Please, if it doesn't make sense, just punch me in the head (ask) until I do and it does.

Remember the words of those three great philosophers, Larry, Moe and Curly: "If at first you don't succeed , keep on sucking till ya do succeed." I love the Three Stooges. I believe I've shared their tune "Swinging The Alphabet" with you before, but if not, look it up. It's also a great way to practice harmonies. My voice teacher had me use it all the time, and danged if it doesn't work. Way I did it, was to play it off the cd (or YouTube) and run a cassette player and then play it back. Laugh if you will (and I'll join you) but it's fun and it does work.

Oh yeah, Z? Going for the dreaded B chord this weekend. There's a song called Spiders and Snakes and it's A,E,A,E all the way through until it gets to the bridge and there it is: B. My plan is to master it until my fingers turn to shreds. Oh, yeah. I transposed it from the original.

Thanks

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com

13 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-05-09 10:08:53)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Strummerboy Bill wrote:

Going for the dreaded B chord this weekend. There's a song called Spiders and Snakes and it's A,E,A,E all the way through until it gets to the bridge and there it is: B. My plan is to master it until my fingers turn to shreds. Oh, yeah. I transposed it from the original.

Thanks

Bill

Hi Bill ... here's how I have to play a B. My long thick fingers will not fit three-aside on the strings, except on a classical with a 2" nut. So I simply barre the D, G, and B strings in the 4th fret with the ring finger, and the rest with the index. My one variation of this picture is that I turn the knuckle on my ring finger backwards a bit, so that the barred E-string still sounds the F#. It's dead simple, and really fast for transitioning to and from other chords ... give it a whirl.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yOabv4Sfzvc/maxresdefault.jpg

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,368

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Tenement Funster wrote:
Strummerboy Bill wrote:

Going for the dreaded B chord this weekend. There's a song called Spiders and Snakes and it's A,E,A,E all the way through until it gets to the bridge and there it is: B. My plan is to master it until my fingers turn to shreds. Oh, yeah. I transposed it from the original.

Thanks

Bill

Hi Bill ... here's how I have to play a B. My long thick fingers will not fit three-aside on the strings, except on a classical with a 2" nut. So I simply barre the D, G, and B strings in the 4th fret with the ring finger, and the rest with the index. My one variation of this picture is that I turn the knuckle on my ring finger backwards a bit, so that the barred E-string still sounds the F#. It's dead simple, and really fast for transitioning to and from other chords ... give it a whirl.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yOabv4Sfzvc/maxresdefault.jpg

Yep, that's how I do a 'B' too!!

Cheers

Richard

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic
  • From: Virginia, USA
  • Registered: 2016-02-07
  • Posts: 923

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

I play a B with four fingers however I am used to stretching to reach notes, and for my size I have long slender hands and fingers. Those things help so after this long playing I normally use normal music rather than chords.

Music is what feelings sound like.
Music is life, that why our hearts have beats.
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Oh, shut up, CG! smile You and those "long, slender hands and fingers"!!  wink

My friend, the above was a joke, okay? Yeah, I'm "jealous" that you are as accomplished a guitarist as you are, but at the same time, I am proud to have a friend who's a virtuoso and thought enough of me to compose that little minuet and send me some of his other work.

I'm now on my way to a dairy to hook my fingers up to those things they use to automatically milk cows with. I want some long slender fingers too! LOL!

Your Friend

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Muffling All Strings, But......

Oh, and thanks neo and TF, for the help with the dreaded "B". I'm hoping that with your help, Chordify's and the Chord Wheel, I can finally do some good pickin'. smile

Classical Guitar, I don't know if I've mentioned it, but our city is a University Town and we're always hosting artists with all kinds of talent. If you want, I can put you or your agent in touch and you can do a performance or two for us. Just let me know if and when, and maybe you can get me backstage!

Thanks

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com