I seem to leave a lot of open strings while playing. I play mainly finger style which I am novice as I only recently switched from a pick. As a result, I get a lot of open strings ringing as I play. Sometimes I just can't mute everything with my left hand depending on what I am playing. Ancient Chinese secrets please? It is annoying me. Thanks.

take a hair tie and stretch it out til it goes around the headstock and put it right below the nut, that will mute any ringing strings

Scrunci (pronounced scrunchy?)

Try using floating thumb?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU

Floating Thumb?

H

Use your right hand thumb to mute any of the lower strings that you're not playing, and then use either your right hand pinky, or the meat of your left hand to mute any higher strings that you're not playing. You'll have to work at finding some kind of combination of those that make it all work. Eventually, muting will become a natural part of your playing and you won't have to think about it anymore. :bassist:

Thanks guys, new food for thought to be sure. I will give it a go.

How do you attack the strings? Do you pluck them or do you place the tip of your finger(s) on the top of the string and then press in, causing your finger to lightly hit/mute the next lower (in pitch) string above the one you're playing? If you use the latter technique, it will help eliminate the need for muting in many cases.

I use the floating thumb on the B and the E strings. Palm mute others as needed.

Are you talking about keeping open strings from ringing out while playing others, or muting the open string that you're playing on? The posts seem to be talking about both (which are totally different issues) if I'm not mistaken...

See if this doesn't help you out. This guy's in Atlanta, and I'm taking lessons from him. Super guy!

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/bass/5/5-muting.html

Mostly open strings ringing out and I use mostly the latter you described Xylem

I'd like to reawaken this thread. I just switched to 5 string and I'm having trouble too. I had developed a floating thumb-like technique for 4 string. I suppose I have to utilize my pinky on my right hand. For me it's the open strings that ring out when you hit other sympathetic notes.

look at Todd Johnson's video - www.youtube.com/user/toddjohnsonmusic

You may have to adjust the length of your strap to fit your arm & body.

John Patitucci Video explained a technique I use to this day. On the right hand (plucking hand) the pinky and 4th finger should mute the strings that are open. For example if your playing on the E and A string your pinky should mute the G string. Your 3rd finger should mute the D string. If the open strings are above the notes your playing then use your thumb to mute. Your thumb can mute more than one string by laying it across the strings. For example your playing on the D string lay your thumb across the B, E A string ect. The only hang up I have with John's Technique is when I keep my pinky and 3rd finger on the G and D string it slows the speed of my 1st and 2nd finger plucking.