In chord playing, rests are achieved by deadening the strings with the right hand. Hold an open A chord and strum all 6 strings, then, without releasing left hand pressure, deaden all the strings with the side of your right hand palm, as illustrated in the following photographs. This deadening should be done on the next beat.
Rhythm Pattern
Apply this rhythm pattern to the following progression using a basic A chord. Play it very slowly at first. Play it twice through.
Open Chords
Strum chords on the first and fourth beats; deaden chords (with the right hand) on the second beat (which is also held for the third beat).
This right hand deadening technique should also be applied to bar chord progressions. Try the new rhythm with the following turnaround in the key of C (using bar chords).
Make sure that you deaden the strings with the right hand and not with the left hand (by releasing pressure on the chord shape).
Now try the following rhythm variation, playing it through twice:
Rhythm Pattern