Guitar Techniques

Due to the necessity of muting strings in the bass register there are extended
techniques specific to the altgitarr. Despite being very similar in many other respects,
the lute hasn’t got this problem to the same extent due to its limited sustain. Without
continuous muting, the altgitarr sound would the blurred due to over-rigging
somewhat similar to the piano being played with excessive use of the sustain of
pedal. Moreover, it’s not exclusively when having played a bass note that it muting,
often can a higher pitched note or cord trigger harmonics of the lower strings that
may cause unwanted dissonances. Deciding when and how to mute is generally
done considering musical context, and this shall always take priority. However, there
are a number of rudimentary techniques that are used for increased clairty.

When muting several bass strings at once there are two options: the outer side of the
right - hand thumb is placed across the strings, or the index or middle finger of the
left - hand stretches up to cover the bass strings. These techniques will typically but
not exclusively be used at the end of phrase or piece. This technique is indicated with
a vertical bracket below the stave with the letter L or R respectively.

Normally when playing a descending scale in the bass register this is done with the
thumb playing that strokes(apoyando). By doing so the finger pad of the thumb (the
thumb pad) will automatically mute the previous note. When it's necessary to mute a
single string with the thumb pad it’s indicated with a circle with two crossed
lines( )together with a circled number displaying which string to be muted.

When playing ascending lines in the bass register the thumb typically plays free
strokes (tirando). The thumb mutes the previous note with its upper side (near the
cuticle) whilst preparing the next, as indicated with the dashed circle in the illustration
above. when additional clarity is needed this way of muting a bass string is indicated
with a circle with a vertical line through it ( ) together with a circled number displaying
which string to be muted.

When a single rest stroke is needed (often within a passage of free strokes) for the
porpouse of muting the higher - lying string, a solid upward - pointing triangle(▲) is
used.