This technique works on the bass frequencies and involves placing your palm on the strings near the bridge. Some bands have evolved muted playing into a style where the guitar riff sets the tone and dynamics for the whole band. Experimenting with variations in right-hand pressure will soon show you how to find that optimum sound.

Be careful not to push on the bridge as this will raise the pitch of your playing. Your palm can also be used to stop the strings from ringing which defines the length of a chord.

Palm muting can be applied to any combination of single strings and chords. Although distortion is usually applied to muted playing, it can also be used with a clean sound and even on acoustic guitars.

Example 9a

(All strings have been detuned a whole tone making DGCFAD)

Example 9b

(All strings have been detuned a whole tone making DGCFAD)

Example 9c

(All strings have been detuned a whole tone making DGCFAD)