The Chetboard

I was taught by a guitar teacher in Lawndale CA. how to play Chet's basic thumbpick style and showed me some chords to use in that kind of playing and I took it from there. He had me play a base note and then strike two palm muted rhythm notes and then an alternate base note followed by two palm muted rhythm notes etc.

I have noticed over the years that many of the good players of this style only hit one rhythm note rather than two like I play. Have I gotten it wrong all these years?

Hi,
Your teacher taught you well. Chet did it both ways in his playing - 1 rhythm and/or 2 rhythm notes. It's a nice sound. Personally I have never felt comfortable doing 2 rhythm notes and just do 1. My thumb refuses to cooperate. But Chet's tunes sound fine with 1 rhythm note for me.
Gary

You have to be aware of not hitting that D string too hard. Al