A left hand damp is achieved by slightly releasing the pressure in the left hand while holding a bar chord and strumming the strings with the right hand. therefore producing a dead or muted sound. Listen to the recording to hear this effect in the next example. A root 5 D minor bar chord is used. An X is used to indicate exactly when a left hand damp is used.
Rhythm Pattern
Rhythm Pattern
This example uses the left hand damp on the fourth beat. Root 6 and root 5 bar chords are used.