Muting the strings

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

Muting the strings

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Romanza

Posts: 296
Joined: Oct. 24 2005

Muting the strings

I keep reading about this technique used in Flamenco of muting the strings. Can anyone tell me more about this - examples of recordings where this technique is used?

In Paco de Lucia's A la perla de Cadiz (Almoraima) there is this strange guitar noise that sounds like strings being played but without much tone - producing an almost percussive noise. I wonder if that's the kind of thing?

Perhaps this is the technique Ryan002 was talking about in his 'What is it called?'.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2005 9:25:32

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

I'm almost 100% sure that Ryan was referring to 'tambor' which isn't a flamenco technique.

Muting (done either by left hand fingers or your right palm) is something common, in electric, acoustic and flamenco guitar, not classical though.

In Almoraima, he mutes with his left hand and strums with the right. It really depends on which hand is free to mute the strings, and which is more effective. Put simply, if you want your chords or notes to sounnd abrupt, just mute with either hand.

As with many techniques, the decision on when and how to use it, is purely up to the players discretion.

Cheers,
Cheston

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2005 15:44:44

frhout

Posts: 453
Joined: Apr. 28 2005
From: France

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

Sabicas' Salero y Garbo (Farruca). He uses his little finger to mute the strings.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2005 18:05:44

sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

I think U have to see a video....probably u already heared it , but U dont know it.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2005 20:42:23

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

Romanza,
A few months ago I uploaded a "joke" video where I do a bit of the technique I think you are talking about.
It's in the uploads section called "OK A Video".
It's just really playing rasgueado, but with your left hand held loosely across the strings.
It's a kind of modern thing I suppose..
Anyway...I've never heard Sabicas or Niño Ricardo use it.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 11 2005 21:04:16

sorin popovici

Posts: 427
Joined: Jan. 7 2005
From: Iasi, Romania

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

hmm ....the quique paredes video,cool one.I remember that I was intrigued by the rhytm
u did there. Can u explain exactly the rasgueados u did there(I know that when
u posted the clip I asked u the same thing)...cause i've seen smth
like it watching Tomatito only that I cant get right the exact rasgueado he uses and the exact
rhytm.Please ..if u have the time

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2005 2:00:35

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

That video you did was GREAT Ron! I'm now trying to get hold of the full version of the song simply because I think it's a smashing bulerias, really really good rhythm flow.

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2005 13:53:43

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Skai)

Thanks Skai...but that's just a "hack" version..wait till you hear Quique Paredes do it!
Sorin...if you mean the "scratching" bit (strings muted)...it's nothing special.
Just hold your hand as if you were holding a pick and use your thumb for the upstrokes and the three fingers together for the downstrokes.
Then just make up any rhythmic pattern you like.
(Practising rumba rhythms is good for getting used to using the thumb upwards.)
The rasgueado at the end is just p (up) a (down) i (down) p (up) a (down) i (down)...etc.
Keep your hand really loose and you get more volume, since the power is coming from the wrist rotating back and forth.

cheers

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2005 14:12:26

Ryan002

Posts: 173
Joined: Oct. 18 2005
From: Singapore

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

I would like to ask how to mute if I am using an open chord? With the barre chords it's fine since the sound stops almost immediately when I "lift" my left hand but if it's an open chord it will still keep going.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2005 14:20:49

Ron.M

Posts: 7051
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Scotland

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Ryan002)

Ryan,
Normally with the side or palm of the right hand.
But you gotta be quick!

Ron

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2005 15:30:43

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

Yup the right hand. And also sometimes, the left hand pinkie is used too.

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 12 2005 15:34:39

Ryan002

Posts: 173
Joined: Oct. 18 2005
From: Singapore

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

Nope. I just can't mute with the right. Looks like I'm going to have to make everything a barre chord if I ever need to mute. Sigh.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2005 14:15:11

Skai

Posts: 317
Joined: Sep. 12 2004

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

No excuse for not being able to mute with your right hand! It's the most basic and important, probably the easiest too.

_____________________________

Try some Enrique Iglesias for some great cante.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 13 2005 14:51:38

Patrick

Posts: 1189
Joined: Jul. 7 2003
From: Portland, Oregon

RE: Muting the strings (in reply to Romanza)

quote:

Nope. I just can't mute with the right. Looks like I'm going to have to make everything a barre chord if I ever need to mute. Sigh.

It's actually very easy. Just reach out with your little finger of the left hand and mute the strings. Just lay it across the strings without pushing down. The little finger should be placed between the frets to reduce getting harmonics.

Muting and scratching are to different things. Muting is done with the little finger of the left hand and right hand palm (or side). Scratching is done by laying your left hand over all the strings to keep them from sounding and then playing the rhythm with the right hand.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 14 2005 17:48:45