Hi:

I am now 72 years old and live in Pennsylvania. I got my first guitar a little over 2 years ago and although I joined GuitarTricks then, I never really tried to lear how to play it until this January. Health problems kept getting in the way, I have been fighting cancer for the last eight years. The only thing I ever palyed in the past was a radio and I was good at that.

Right now I am in the beginner lessons, just learning how to move between the 5 power chords. I have some questions on muting and am not sure if this is the place to address this. When playing melodies and moving from string 1 towards string 6, my ring finger if kept close to the pick and a little low mutes just fine, almost automatic. The problem I have is when moving from string 6 towards string 1, I have no idea how to mute.

Second question is on chords. When and how do you mute on chords? Do you just let the chord ring as long as you play it? Do you mute when changing chords? What is the easiest way to mute chords?

Thanks ahead of time for any and all answers. I really am enjoying the playing of this instrument and LIsa is a great teacher.

Ed Freed