Guitar Techniques - Palm Muting (beginner class)

Summary

In this instructional video, Vinicius Gias introduces the technique of palm muting (also known as Paul Muting), commonly used by guitarists to create dynamic sound effects in solos and chords. He explains the concept behind the technique, its execution, and how to read and write it in tablature. The video also features practical exercises and real-world examples, such as the intros of 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police and 'Fade to Black' by Metallica. Vinicius encourages viewers to practice palm muting, offering guidance to help incorporate the technique into their own music.

Takeaways

• 😀 Palm muting, also known as Paul Muting, is a technique that shortens the sustain of a note by using the palm of the hand to muffle the strings.
• 😀 The technique creates a percussive, well-defined sound ideal for bass lines, fast solos, and adding dynamics to music.
• 😀 Palm muting is done by placing the side of your palm on the strings near the bridge to limit the sustain of the note.
• 😀 When performing palm muting, the note should sound short, not sustained, creating a rhythmic, staccato effect.
• 😀 The technique can be applied to both lower and higher strings, though it's easier on the lower strings due to their thickness.
• 😀 A common mistake is confusing palm muting with 'dead notes,' where the hand is placed too far forward and produces a percussive sound instead of a note.
• 😀 Palm muting is represented in tablature by the letters 'P' and 'M' above the note being muted, with a dot on subsequent notes to indicate continuing the technique.
• 😀 The technique can be applied when playing melodies (single strings) or chords (multiple strings), and each requires slightly different control and hand positioning.
• 😀 A useful exercise to practice palm muting is to alternate between muted and unmuted notes using all strings in a controlled sequence.
• 😀 The song 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police is an excellent example for practicing palm muting with arpeggios, where each note in a chord is muted individually.
• 😀 The riff from 'Fade to Black' by Metallica is another great exercise, as it alternates between palm muted and normal notes, helping to build control over the technique.

Q & A

What is the Paul Muting technique?

Paul Muting, also known as muffled playing, is a guitar technique used to shorten the sustain of a note, making it sound for a shorter duration. It is achieved by lightly touching the strings with the palm of the hand, near the bridge, to muffle the sound.

How does Paul Muting affect the sound of a note?

Paul Muting cuts the sustain of a note, meaning the note will not ring out for a long time. It makes the sound more percussive and defined, creating a dynamic and tight rhythm.

Where should the palm be placed to execute the Paul Muting technique?

The palm of the hand should be placed on the strings near where they come out of the bridge of the guitar. This allows the hand to mute the lower strings and shorten the sustain of the notes.

How is Paul Muting different from playing a dead note?

Paul Muting involves muting the string while still allowing a musical note to be heard, though with a reduced sustain. A dead note, on the other hand, results in a percussive sound with no pitch, caused by improper palm placement further along the string.

How is the Paul Muting technique represented in tablature?

In tablature, Paul Muting is marked with the letters 'PM' above the note that is to be muted. The fret number is written normally, and a dot above subsequent notes indicates the use of the Paul Muting technique for those notes.

What should be considered when applying Paul Muting to melodies and chords?

When playing a melody, which involves one note at a time, the palm muting should be carefully controlled to achieve a clean sound. For chords, the palm muting technique should be applied to multiple strings while maintaining the clarity of the chord structure.

What is the first exercise for practicing Paul Muting?

The first exercise involves practicing palm muting on all strings, either with open strings or in a sequence. The goal is to develop consistency with muting and alternating picking directions.

Why is the intro riff of 'Every Breath You Take' recommended for practicing Paul Muting?

The intro riff of 'Every Breath You Take' is a good practice because it features muffled notes played in an arpeggio style. This helps guitarists practice palm muting while maintaining a smooth, controlled rhythm.

How does the riff from Metallica's 'Fade to Black' help with Paul Muting practice?

The riff from 'Fade to Black' is useful because it alternates between muted and non-muted notes, allowing the guitarist to practice switching between muted and regular notes in a musical context.

What advice is given to beginners who are learning Paul Muting?

Beginners are encouraged to practice the technique regularly and to focus on the moments where palm muting is used in songs. They are also advised to start with simple exercises, gradually incorporating more complex riffs as they become comfortable with the technique.