Grateful Dead Music Forum

Ok learning some chords and I'm wondering what your opinion is on this topic. I've heard some say it's mandatory. Others say it's better to be accurate. What is your opinion?

For me it's very difficult to reach my thumb around to mute and I'm thinking even if I get to that point. Will I ever be able to switch chords quickly. So I'm thinking the accurate route is the way to go for me. Also I play acoustic guitar. I've read where it's more important to mute with electric and actually thought not to be a good idea for acoustic. Is that correct?

Thanks in advance

OB

my 2 cents - just do what is comfortable for you. just remember if you don't mute some of the top strings you have to be carefull not to hit them when strumming.

OhioBuckeye wrote:
Will I ever be able to switch chords quickly.

OB

Yes. Devote some time time to just fingering chords - build up muscle memory / strength /dexterity

OhioBuckeye wrote: I've read where it's more important to mute with electric and actually thought not to be a good idea for acoustic. Is that correct?

An electric is amplified and unwanted strings ringing will stand out more this way. Two different disciplines - electric and acoustic.

OhioBuckeye wrote:Ok learning some chords and I'm wondering what your opinion is on this topic. I've heard some say it's mandatory. Others say it's better to be accurate. What is your opinion?

Not sure what you are asking. The chord should always be accurate. In my experience it is better to sound partial notes of the chords and not be playing all the notes. Open chords being a bit different ..... but esp. chords up the neck I prefer to only sound parts of the chord by muting the other notes. I play rock in a band situation. Maybe you are playing solo so a fuller sound will work for you.
Good luck and keep jamming

Do what you are comfortable with but keep the chords as accurate as possible. The key is to keep practicing. I haven't been playing very long and I thought the same thing about chord switching. It takes time and a lot of practice but if you keep doing it you will get better. I take it each day at a time. There are days of the week I still think I suck and I may take a day off. The next time I pick it up I feel much more comfortable.

I would also suggest if possible to play in front of a computer or some type of chord chart etc to show the different variations of chords. Some chords are really tough for me to finger but I find a different variation (voicing) of the same chord works better for me. Experiment and see what you like. Like my first teacher told me there are no rules, keep it fun and adapt yourself to the situation.

For most standard, first position chords, I don't mute. With a little practice, it's not too hard to avoid hitting the base strings. And since my main guitar is classical, the neck is so wide, it's virtually impossible to use my thumb. However, frequently in the orchestra, the score will call for strange chords that must be played with 6th string, 1st string, but with some strings in between muted. Depending on the chord, if I have a spare finger, I'll use that to mute; if not, I try use a finger from an adjacent string to lightly touch the muted string.

I find that with minimal practice, muting the high strings with my pick hand and avoiding strumming the low strings is pretty easy. Muting an individual string that is not on the end (strings 2-5) is a lot harder, but I find playing basic acoustic, I don't get a lot of call for that sort of thing.