Speed palm muting

I have a problem. I cant seem to figure out how to play speed palm muting. I play hardcore punk, and as many of you have noticed, they play a lot of those. An example would be alot of H2O songs. Is there a certain technique or exercise that I can use to help me with my problem. This is an original song, but I cant really play it right, I have it in my head but it wont come out my fingers.


E-----------------------------------------------------------
B-----------------------------------------------------------
G-----------------------------------------------------------
D4-222-4-777-4-222-4----4-222-4-777-4-222-2-----------------
A2-000-2-555-2-000-2-44-2-000-2-555-2-000-4-5-5-555-4-4-----
E--------------------22---------------------3-3-333-2-2-----
pm pm pm pm pm [....pm...]

Help anyone?

Practice Practice practice!!!

All you really have to do is practice palm muting powerchords like that for a month or two and be done with it, work slowly and build strength in your picking hand and wrist. Make sure to correct any mistakes in tone that you don't like or don't care about along the way. Otherwise just practice slowly and work up to playing at full speed. Determination and perservernce are the key.

Hey Lucy,

Hejiro is right, if your just beginning its gonna take practice. I've played guitar in a couple of punk bands myself. Your problem may be your technique, so check yourself to see if your making any of these mistakes.

1. The most common error which cuts down your speed is the point at which you strum your arm with. Especially when palm muting, you strum with your wrist NOT your elbow. You'll see why when the check the next thing. When strumming to a regular rhythm, you can use your elbow. By listening to the music, you can tell when this is done. Faster parts, use your wrist.

2. Make sure when your palm muting that the side palm (opposite of thumb) of your hand that you pick with is laid just slightly off the edge of the bridge. This will give you the right palm mute sound. Keep your palm on the strings while playing the entire palm muted part. Only when you play a chord, that is not PM'd, do you lift it slightly off.

If you are doing both correctly, you may just need to build up to that speed. H2O , pennywise, strung out, those bands are rather fast. Some tips I can give you, when playing fast keep your pick close to the strings. This will cut down the range of motion, making your playing alot faster. Also "play tight but loose", this means relax your hand when your playing, don't stress it. Play with ease, but pay attention to how your playing.

I know punk guitarists jump and move around alot, but they are still in control of what they're playing. The good one's anyways.

I hope this helps you out.

P.s. Just go as fast as you can! ;)

[Edited by noticingthemistake on 12-19-2002 at 07:35 PM]