What's the deal with palm mutes?

[iylesia]

O.k., I know what they are, and how to execute them, but how come I can only play them at the first fret? I've used stock, SD, and EMG humbuckers and it's always the same thing, I can only play palm mutes by muting at the first position. Any where else, even at the second fret, it get this bell like sound. I've played through my Randall RG75 and Marshall MG100DFX with an MXR 10 band EQ and it's the same story. I tried the Digitech Metal Master and I can only play those palm mutes at the first position. I've tried EMG 81s through a Peavy 5150 and it's the same reaction. I've seen all my favorite guitar heroes play palm mutes and gallops at least up to the fith position. So, what am I missing here? I've played for a few years now but this is just stumping me to no end.
Bob

 

[Guitarist]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

Don't know about the bell noise, but what I do know is that your palm mute starts at the bridge and you can totally control the dynamics of the palm mute by moving your palm alongside the strings further and further away from the bridge.

Maybe that's why. It's really such a simple trick that once you get it, it'll hit you hard and make you think, "Duh!". It's pretty awkward how you can do it at only the first fret...but then that backs up my only probable answer/problem here. Give it a shot or tell me if I'm missing the target on this one.

 

[moog1000]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

Hmm not sure what's happening here. The 'bell' like sound appears to be a harmonic, when you say muting at the first position, do you mean with your fretting hand? If so, this is where the problem is.

Take your picking hand and rest it on your bridge. Next, move it so the fleshy under side of your hand is now on the strings, you are now in palm muting mode. Next pick just the E string whilst muting, try some different rhythms and stuff. Now hold down at fret 1. Do the same thing. Then fret 2 etc. Hopefully by doing this, you will hear no difference between the muted notes except the pitch. When you are satisfied that this sounds ok, move on to some power chords etc.

 

[Marcel]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

yeah palmutes are done with the pickin hand. No matter in which fret you're playing
If you mute with the left hand it's called "dead note" or smthng i think

 

[bryvincent]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

you can palm mute anywhere in the fretboard. as long as you mute the strings with your picking hand of course

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

It sounds like you're trying to mute with your fretting hand, not your picking hand, and that's why you're getting open harmonics.

 

[benji657]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

It sounds like you're trying to mute with your fretting hand, not your picking hand, and that's why you're getting open harmonics.

ditto.
(if you're a righty)
you're supposed to fret the strings with your LEFT hand as you would normally pick, but you mute the strings with your RIGHT hand, at the bridge. too far away, and you won't get that THUMP THUMP, too close and there will be an increase in pitch. so, somewhere in the middle.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

Ditto to all.

It's great to see everyone react so kindly to a technique most learn at the early stages, all other forums I've been to would bash until the point of no return.

 

[some_dude]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

Ditto to all.

It's great to see everyone react so kindly to a technique most learn at the early stages, all other forums I've been to would bash until the point of no return.

We've all been there at one point.

 

[Davey]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

we were all newbies at one point. noone was born a shredder. i remember when i had an insanely dificult time of playing a G chord

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

Yes, I remember those days too, but most other forums would just be really rude...this is what makes SD great.

 

[Davey]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

Yes, I remember those days too, but most other forums would just be really rude...this is what makes SD great.

dont even dare to post something like this on the maiden forum... the only good people i knew there just pertty much stopped posting there because of the immaturity of it.

 

[Jeff5]

Re: What's the deal with palm mutes?

I think folks also underestimate the skill and subtely there can be in palm muting. Sure when you just start out you mute the string with your picking hand. But there are a lot of subtle things you can do, move you picking further, lighten the pressure, etc., that can get you an array of different sounds, especially on a good amp. Really, if you have good touch, you can palm mute on any string anywhere on the guitar. Its all just feel and practice. What others said is a good start though, using your picking hand with the fleshy part and start jamming.