How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

['59]

I'm learning how to do boom chucks rhythm for some Johnny Cash songs I want to learn on acoustic. The trouble is, there just seems to be too many strings ringing out, but when I palm mute it just sounds wrong.

Any tips or tricks to get me to sound better?

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Palm mute more lightly. That’s how it’s done. Plus don’t mute all the strings.


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[VinceT]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Mute with fretting hand also.


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[JB_From_Hell]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

I like a thinner pick for stuff like that, too. Maybe a .73mm.

[Adieu]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Add some bow-chicka-wow-wow

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Mute with fretting hand also.


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That's how it's done. This is also the key to playing Chuck Berry style. You need to play rhythm with your fretting hand as well. NO PALM MUTING.

[Gtrjunior]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

You also don’t necessarily need to hit ALL of the strings for the chucka-chuckas.
Some economy of motion will help clean it up.

[Chickenwings]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Yep left hand as stated above. Also, if you really want to get tight yet loose with that sryle of rhythm, check out some videos on gypsy jazz or manouche style rhythm guitar.
Watching my students i reckon one of the most common technical mistakes is rotating the wrist while strumming also combined and compounded with how the pick is held. Holding the pick correctly allows you to hold it loosely and relaxed and still have the benefit of it not rotating out of position while you strum.
Two benefits will flow from correctly holding the pick and not pronating your wrist: 1 you will strike all the strings with equal velocity giving a bright snappy and even sound to all the notes in your chord. 2 you can boomchuka all night long without fatigue and get deep in the pocket and have people dancing.

[Scott Grove]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Here's the real way. In the early days, John would put a playing card between his acoustic guitar strings and that would provide the "Chucka" part. He would just strum the strings as you stated, to make the BOOM-CHUCKA sound. That is the part that people always forget. The rest of it was up to Luther on guitar. Here is a lesson of mine that will get you there the best way to get what you are looking for if you are just doing a one guitar thing. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qn3brNur8o

[ehdwuld]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Good to see you , Scott
Welcome to the forum

[DavidRavenMoon]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Mute with fretting hand also.

An often neglected technique. I was going to say that but didn’t feel like explaining it. Lol

I do it all the time on bass when I play with a pick.


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[Chistopher]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

Here's the real way. In the early days, John would put a playing card between his acoustic guitar strings and that would provide the "Chucka" part. He would just strum the strings as you stated, to make the BOOM-CHUCKA sound. That is the part that people always forget. The rest of it was up to Luther on guitar. Here is a lesson of mine that will get you there the best way to get what you are looking for if you are just doing a one guitar thing. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qn3brNur8o

Not to derail this thread, but it's nice to see someone on my side of the tonewood debate.

As for your video, I have never considered using hammer-ons in my Johnny Cash type playing, but I will start now. It's these small things that take the pros a level higher than the rest of us.

[Chickenwings]

Re: How To Improve "Boom-Chucka" Rythmn?

cool video.