Palm mute on Sweep Picking

Playing Technique
#1

When playing sweep picking do you use mute?

I’m watching the Gambale interview and I can feel there is a bit of muting when he does the sweep.

Am I right?

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#2

Palm muting isn’t required in sweep picking as the muting primarily comes from the left hand as the fingers lift in transition between each note. The sequence goes: fret - pick - lift/mute… repeat as necessary. You can, however; use a little bit of right-hand muting on the lower strings to give it a slightly different sound. But again, typically the muting comes from the left hand.

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#3

I use palm muting when going up, especially while sweeping across more/bass strings. IIMHO it is next to mandatory while doing 6-or more string passages, at least with more gain.
I came up with that one sweeping passage trying to make guitar version of Rachmaninov’s Prelude in G minor, it starts on the 8th string and if you don’t palm mute it it all gets terribly muddy.

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#4

So, it can be done with or without muting. And since the idea is to arpeggiate notes, lifting up fingers does the work just well.

Here I’m trying 3 string arpegios and I alternate between muting with the right hand and not muting

Thanks!

#5

Alright. This is an excellent point of view.

I have felt the same, that it is necessary to mute with the right hand sometimes, it even helps to keep rhythmic consistency. Am I right?

And hey, when you’re ready don’t forget to share your rendition of this awesome piece.

#6

It will take so much time to learn it, the passage is crazy difficult on guitar.

In any case, the muting is really a way to ensure clarity. It’s easy to do and from my experience left hand muting can often not be enough. As you approach top strings you just open up a little.

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