How to Play Guitar Without Strumming

Who says you need to strum to play guitar? For those of us drawn to the heavy and intricate sounds of metal and its many subgenres, strumming is just one of many techniques in our toolkit. Let’s explore other ways to coax out incredible sounds from your guitar without relying on strumming.

Palm Muting: The Secret Weapon

Palm muting is the bread and butter of rhythm guitar in metal. It gives you that tight, percussive sound that can make your riffs sound powerful and precise. To get started, gently rest the side of your picking hand near the bridge of your guitar. The key is to lightly dampen the strings, not pressing too hard or too soft. You’ll know you’ve got it when you hear that chunky sound instead of an open ring.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the pressure and position of your hand. Different placements can yield varied textures, from a light chug to a heavier, more muted sound. And if you’re looking to refine your palm muting technique, you might want to check out lessons on Riffhard, where some of the best metal guitarists teach you how to nail this technique.

Tapping into Tapping

Tapping is a technique that involves using your fingers to ‘tap’ the strings on the fretboard, producing a note. This method allows for rapid note sequences that are difficult to achieve with traditional picking. Here’s a simple way to start: use the index finger of your picking hand to tap a note on the fretboard while your fretting hand holds down another note. The result? A flurry of notes that can add complexity and flair to your playing.

Try alternating between fingers on your picking hand to increase speed and fluidity. You can create impressive solos using this method, especially when combined with slides and hammer-ons from your fretting hand. If you’re keen to explore more advanced tapping techniques, Riffhard offers in-depth lessons on incorporating tapping into your metal playing.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs: The Dynamic Duo

Hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential skills for any guitarist looking to play fast, fluid passages. A hammer-on involves ‘hammering’ a finger onto the fretboard to sound a note without picking it. Conversely, a pull-off is when you ‘pull’ your finger off the string to let another note ring out, again without picking.

Practicing these techniques on a single string can help you build speed and dexterity. Start with a simple exercise: pick the first note, hammer on to the second, and then pull off back to the first. This creates a seamless, flowing sound. With time, you can integrate these into scales and solos to add speed and fluidity without relying on strumming.

Slide into Action

Sliding involves moving your finger up or down the fretboard while maintaining pressure on the string, creating a smooth transition between notes. This technique is perfect for adding expression and movement to your playing. Start by choosing two notes on the same string. Play the first note, then slide your finger to the second note. The sound should glide naturally between the two pitches.

Slides can be subtle or dramatic, depending on the length and speed of the slide. Use them sparingly to add flavor to your riffs or solos. For a more dramatic effect, try incorporating slides into power chords for a heavier, more aggressive sound.

Natural and Artificial Harmonics

Harmonics produce bell-like, ethereal tones that can add texture to your playing. Natural harmonics are created by lightly touching a string at certain points (like the 5th, 7th, or 12th frets) and plucking it. The trick is to barely touch the string, not pressing it down to the fretboard.

Artificial harmonics, on the other hand, involve using your picking hand to create the harmonic while your fretting hand holds down a note. This is a bit more advanced but can create stunning effects. By lightly touching the string with your thumb or finger just after picking, you can produce these harmonics anywhere on the neck.

Fingerpicking: Go Beyond the Pick

Fingerpicking isn’t just for acoustic or classical guitarists; it’s a versatile technique that can add a new dimension to your metal playing. Using your fingers allows for more complex patterns and the ability to play multiple strings simultaneously.

Start with simple patterns, like alternating between your thumb and fingers on different strings. As you become comfortable, experiment with more complex arrangements and rhythms. This can be particularly effective in quieter sections of songs, providing a contrast to heavier, full-band parts.

Using a Whammy Bar for Expression

If your guitar is equipped with a whammy bar, it can be a powerful tool for adding expression to your playing without strumming. By altering the tension of the strings, you can create pitch bends, dive bombs, and vibrato effects.

Start by experimenting with subtle pitch shifts, gently pushing or pulling the bar. As you gain confidence, you can try more dramatic effects, like dive bombs, where you press the bar all the way down and release it quickly. This can add a wild, unpredictable element to your solos or even rhythm parts.

Percussive Techniques: Drumming on Your Guitar

Percussive techniques involve using your hands to create rhythm on the body of the guitar itself. This can include tapping, slapping, or even striking the strings with your fingers to produce a drum-like sound. It’s a fantastic way to add rhythm and texture, especially during solo acoustic performances or quieter sections of a song.

Begin by tapping the guitar body with your fingertips or palm to create different percussive sounds. Experiment with various parts of the guitar, like the bridge or the side of the body, to see what sounds you can produce. These techniques are popular in modern acoustic guitar styles but can also provide unique effects in metal when used creatively.

Final Thoughts

Exploring these techniques can add a lot of depth to your guitar playing without ever having to strum. Whether it’s the aggressive punch of palm muting or the fluidity of hammer-ons and pull-offs, there’s a world of sounds at your fingertips. If you’re looking to dive deeper into these methods, Riffhard is an excellent resource with lessons from top-tier metal guitarists to guide you on your journey. Embrace the possibilities and see where your creativity takes you!