dave matthews' muting technique

[dmplayer]

Hello...I am a somewhat beginner guitarist and have been playing DM stuff for about a year. I am finally getting used to his stretches and strumming style, but I am still finding it troublesome to achieve the muted sounds that Dave gets from his guitar. He seems to be able to control his muted sounds to a great degree. Does anyone have any suggestions or tips as to how I can achieve this signature sound of Dave's. I really think it is instrumental in his playing and I would love to hear any advice that you all may have (songs to practice or even certain riffs). Thanks a lot.....I love the site, its a really great source for Dave Matthews enthusiasts!! Keep up the great work!!!

[fraggle]

It comes from his percussive style of playing. Instead of "strumming" try to "attack" the strings...thats the best way I can describe it.

[Corona5k1635]

Yes, i need help here too! I can play trippin billies, warehouse, jimi thing, the whole nine yards and I sound like dave, but *something* is missing. i find i really really hear it when listening to the live@LC and storytellers too. you see dave and tim playin and you just hear something...extra. other than the notes and the rhythm. i've tried hitting a hard mute and even slapping..but Dave seems to be able to get a slap sound without stopping. like , you know when you slap it stops the tune of a sec, but dave seems to be able to play through it!!! like, wtf?? can someone really good at this explain the "attacking" in detail??? (note: if you have dave solo in that music store in 1993, it is soooo evident in Dancing Nancies. his hand and wrist are like a slinky, instead of back and forth strums it goes up and out and oh my god!) someone must know how...

thanks
rock on

corona5k