There are many 5 string chords such as A, C, D and Am where you should avoid strumming the 6th (the thick low E) string. If you play the unwanted 6th string these chords can sound very muddy and not clear. Here are a few tricks you can use to make 5 string chord strumming easier and clearer.
Watch this video for 5 string chord strumming tips.
Angle The Guitar Body Back
The first is to angle the top of the guitar body back slightly so when you strum down you miss the 6th string due to the angle of the guitar in relation to the strumming angle. For the up strum the pick will also hit the 5 strings and miss the 6th.
You can also practice this technique aiming for just 4 strings as it’s often better to miss the 5th string then accidentally hit the 6th string. The unwanted 6th string can muddy the sound of chords like C and D. So while it may be hard at first avoiding the 6th string while strumming keep working on this technique as it will make your 5 string chords sound much clearer.
6th String Thumb Muting
You can also try muting the 6th string with the edge of your thumb over the top of the guitar neck.
Don’t press down on the string with your thumb. You only need to lightly touch the 6th string to stop it ringing out. Be careful when you do this to not mess up the chord shape though. Note that this will be difficult to do on a nylon string guitar due to the wider shape of the neck.
This is a small sample from the book Learning To Play The Guitar – An Absolute Beginners Guide now available at Amazon.com