Acoustic Lesson 10 - Right Hand Techniques

For some people right hand techniques come easy but for others it takes time to develop their rhythm and coordination.  While most guitar lessons focus on the left hand in this lesson we want to discuss some right hand techniques and forms. The guitar strings can be played in a number of ways. The key is that we cause the strings to vibrate. The intensity and attack that we use to make the strings vibrate will give us different sounds and tones. Let’s try a few common techniques. To strum, brush your fingers or pick across the top of the strings. This technique is used for playing chords and is the most common playing style. You can strum all of the strings at once or strum only desired strings. Strumming with a pick will give you a more bright and aggressive tone. Strumming with your pointer fingers nail (with out a pick but in the same position- thumb and pointer clasped together) is also acceptable but is less versatile. Strumming with your thumb (pad of thumb) will give you a lighter, quieter tone. These three styles are shown below.

 

Another right handed technique is finger picking. Finger picking is employed in various styles but can be found predominantly in bluegrass and Appalachian mountain music. Finger picking is simply using your fingers of you right hand to pluck the desired strings individually creating a pattern.  It may look complicated but it is actually quiet simple.

 

A few other techniques that can be employed by our right hand are also available. Palm Muting is a commonly used technique that allows your right hand more control over the vibrations of the string. Another technique, that is one of my favorites is a Reggae technique called skanking. Skanking gives you a good percussive down beat by striking the guiat strings with your hand.. You can also use any variety of percussive sounds on your guitars body to add some color and texture to your playing style. Be creative but remember that a great guitarist can play any style with ease.