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Posted by: Nighthawk1 Apr 23 2011, 01:34 PM

Hey GMC,
I wonder if somebody can help me out with a question of mine.
I am just playing some high gain distorted riffs which make use of to eights of xx scratch sound with the snare drum.
My problem that I don't really get that punchy percussive scratch out of my guitar. I know the theory behind it to lightly touch the strings and so on but when I do it there are too many overtones ringing from the strings.
I also find it quite difficult to change quickly between for example an open G Powerchord and immediately putting your hands flat on the strings again.
So how do I get rid of the overtones and produce really punchy percussive scratch even with high gain distortion?
Thanks for your help

Posted by: Ben Higgins Apr 23 2011, 02:15 PM

Hey Nighthawk.. by 'scratching' do you mean muting the strings with the fretting hand and playing the strings ? Like at the beginning of Train Of Consequences by Megadeth ?

If so, then to do that I mute the strings with my hand around the 2nd fret but you generally only play the bottom 3 strings (the thicker ones) to get that chuggy scratch sound

Posted by: Azzaboi Apr 23 2011, 03:28 PM

I wouldn't suggest putting your entire hand flat over the strings instead palm mute with the picking hand and pad with the fretboard hand at the same time. Padding I'm refering to as keeping the chord shape but releasing it lightly so it's not actually making contact to the frets (resulting in a scratch). Depending on the power chord or note(s) played if available you can lightly place down the pinkie and/or third finger over the strings (still keeping shape with the other fingers) or lay your hand so the index finger is flat lightly over the strings while over fingers are lightly hovering still in position. Practice placing and taking this off in a heavy rhythm (like if doing two hand palm muting), but loosen the touch from both hands so it sounds scratchy. Alternating picking this is the hard part.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 23 2011, 06:21 PM

Are you referring to palm muting?

Posted by: Nighthawk1 Apr 23 2011, 07:29 PM

QUOTE (Ivan Milenkovic @ Apr 23 2011, 06:21 PM)

Are you referring to palm muting?

Hey Ivan,
no, not Palm Muting. I mean really those percussive scratches when you lightly touch the strings like it is often used in funk. But due to the fact that I use a pretty distorted high gain sound, it doesn't not sound very punchy because of all the overtones which ring.
Here is a lesson where it is being used right at the beginning.
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/rhythm-guitar/pumping-rock/

QUOTE (Azzaboi @ Apr 23 2011, 03:28 PM)

I wouldn't suggest putting your entire hand flat over the strings instead palm mute with the picking hand and pad with the fretboard hand at the same time. Padding I'm refering to as keeping the chord shape but releasing it lightly so it's not actually making contact to the frets (resulting in a scratch). Depending on the power chord or note(s) played if available you can lightly place down the pinkie and/or third finger over the strings (still keeping shape with the other fingers) or lay your hand so the index finger is flat lightly over the strings while over fingers are lightly hovering still in position. Practice placing and taking this off in a heavy rhythm (like if doing two hand palm muting), but loosen the touch from both hands so it sounds scratchy. Alternating picking this is the hard part.

Thanks for that detailed desciption. So you also use al little bit of your right hand,hm? That is interesting. I really struggle using the xxx notes when altering between it and open powerchords for example.

QUOTE (Ben Higgins @ Apr 23 2011, 02:15 PM)

Hey Nighthawk.. by 'scratching' do you mean muting the strings with the fretting hand and playing the strings ? Like at the beginning of Train Of Consequences by Megadeth ?

If so, then to do that I mute the strings with my hand around the 2nd fret but you generally only play the bottom 3 strings (the thicker ones) to get that chuggy scratch sound

Ok, that is a good tip using only the first 3 thicker strings. And it also really depends on where you strumm it. Near the frets you produce too many unwanted harmonics, I guess

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Apr 24 2011, 07:49 PM

Just make sure that you don't hit any harmonics with your fretting hand, and it will turn out OK. Give it some time. Also, make sure that you have a punchy preset going on.

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