Hi, I just started to play guitar.
What’s the most recommended way to mute string when playing chords? By muting them with the thumb or simply by not picking them with the plectrum?
Many people told me that is better not picking them with the plectrum but I was wondering, how can you avoid picking some chords when, for example, you strum down and up?
I apologize for my ignorance, thanks in advance!
It really depends on what you are playing and the tempo. If it’s slow enough or if you are using arpeggio style picking then you will just “not play” the unwanted strings.
Once things gets faster and for general strumming then this can get close to impossible so we just use muting.
Most people use their thumb over the neck to mute the thicker strings. You can also use the tip of your finger to slightly touch the string above, depending on the chord fingering, or use any other finger that isn’t being used for the chord. There’s no standard or proper way of muting but it’s nearly always done with the fretting hand fingers or thumb.
