Muffle the string you are picking by holding the heel of your picking hand against the string at the bridge. - This works best with your amp and/or effects set for distortion. This also sounds best on the thicker strings -- it gives the notes a "chunky" sound. It eliminates buzzing, and strings ringing out at times when you don't want them to.
When to do Palm Mute
Palm mute is effective at controlling the sound when playing 2-note power chords, especially chords that contain open strings like the open E power chord.
Palm mute can be varied considerably with the amount of pressure put on the strings with the picking hand.(the hand that is doing the actual muting). Depending on the situation, the amount of mute being applied can range from a very light and barely discernable muting, -- all the way to a very heavy mute action caused by a large amount of pressure being applied to the string at the bridge.
Palm Mute On Some Beats
A common practice is to apply palm muting to certain beats of the measure of the song your playing, and then to release the mute for other beats so the strings ring out. The method of playing adds a nice variety to the song, and to the rhythm playing on the guitar.
The effect of palm muting is more pronounced and more noticeable when playing guitar at higher volume levels and with a lot of distortion.
