playing open chords cleanly

[DocRoop]

when i switch from open E to A the low E will slightly ring. when i switch from open A to D the A string slightly rings. i was b.s.ing with the guy at the local guitar shop about this and he said "don't worry about it, the chords still sound okay since E is a part of an A chord and and A is a part of the D chord.

i see his point, but i disagree. i think in most situations having those ring out sounds sloppy. anyone got any suggestions how to stop the unwanted string from ringing when switching with these chords?

i think i remember someone saying that they use there thumb when playing open chords to mute unwanted upper strings. this doesn't work to well for me because of my small hands. any other ideas?

[StoneDragon]

I use my thumb... so I probably won't be of much help.

[Fragbait]

I just don't strum the string. It's pretty easy if you practice it for about 5 minutes. The only time this doesn't work if the unwanted string is between two wanted strings, but in that case you just mute it with a finger.

Think about it.. when you play an A you don't play the top string.. so don't strum it. You could use your thumb.. but then what do you do when you play a D? Your thumb can't cover those 2 strings very well.

--Fragbait

[DocRoop]

i know not to strum strings i don't want to ring, i was talking about how to stop a lower string from ringing when switching chords. like when switching from e to a, or a to d, the lower string after the chord change continues to ring. i was wondering about how to stop it from ringing right at the change besides using the thumb.

[Josh]

Did you try muting all the strings with your picking hand right before strumming the new chord? takes practice to do it fast enough but it's another method for ya

[StoneDragon]

Using a combination of left and right hand works pretty well on certain things, but if youare doing any sort of acoustic guitar open chord strummery type stuff, it would be pretty hard to get a smooth sounding chord change if you use your right hand to mute the strings.

that's a tough one doc.... http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/think.gif

[DocRoop]

well, i figure these are my options

1. forget about chords and stick to lead type playing were muting unwanted strings is a breeze

2. Leave out any open chord that has an open string for the lowest note unless used at the beginning of a progression (after all who uses A D or E http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/tongue.gif )

3. whine about my slight muting predicament (sp?)

4. accept the fact that rhythm muting will probably come to me the same way lead muting did... struggling and getting extremely frustrated with it, give it up, and a week later having a near heart-attack realizing i was muting unwanted strings with both hands naturally.

think i'll do a little of 3

waaaaaaa waaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaa waaaaaa

that's outta my system

thanx for any and all advice, i realize it's hard to describe a technique that has come naturally for many of you for years.

thanx josh, i'll give your idea a try.

fragbait, thanx for the attempt, you did your best with my poorly worded first question.

thanx stone, for using one of my now favorite guitar terminology (strummery; has a nice ring, don't ya thing. http://www.zentao.com/ubb/smilies/cool.gif )

[StoneDragon]

heh heh... I got a new crying smilie to add... just haven't had the time... you'll love it.

[ghodaddyyo]

I may be jumping in a little late, but to add in my two cents- I incorporate tons of unwanted sloppy noises in my playing. That is part of the dynamic beauty of playing guitar. All of the greats did it. Ever hear those harmonics ringing out between chords when people play? When those sounds come from an advanced player, people think it's a flashy guitar trick, but when it comes from a beginner, it's a mistake! I say just go with it and make it a part of your "sound".