The Basic Spanish Rhythm with Palm Muting

Previously, we covered Rhythms 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 which are the basic forms of the Spanish Rhythm. We will now add a palm muting step in between the two upward strokes. Palm muting is when you touch the strings of the guitar all at once with your palm to mute them. This gives your rhythm a nice twist and is used widely in Arabic songs. The technique is illustrated below:

1. Downward stroke with the thumb (T) on the Bass note only.

2. Downward stroke of all the chord’s strings with the index finger (I)

3. Upward stroke with the index finger (I)

4. Mute all the strings by spreading your fingers and resting your palm on the strings

5. Another upward stroke with the index finger (I)

6. Final upward stroke with the index finger (I)

Another variation to the above is to use the thumb for the third stroke (the first upward one). You might prefer this one over the previous ones as it lets you play the rhythm faster. This is due to the fact that the thumb is easier to move by the twist of the wrist (where the fingers’ movement originates). In any case you should try both and see which one you are more comfortable with. The steps for this alternative form are:

1. Downward stroke with the thumb (T) on the Bass note only.

2. Downward stroke on all strings with the index finger (I)

3. Upward stroke with the thumb

4. Mute all the strings by spreading your fingers and resting your palm on the strings

4. Upward stroke with the index finger

5. Final upward stroke with the index finger

This wraps it up for the palm muting technique. We are now ready to combine both the Rasgueado (covered in rhythms 1.4, 1.5, 1.6) and the palm muting to the original basic rhythms in order to get the full sound of the Spanish Rhythm. This is covered in the next lesson