Is this even a "real" muting technique?

[gaffster787]

while learning "good time bad times" first little bass solo...

G|---243-2--------|
D|---------04021--|
A|2-------------20|
E|----------------|

I was having trouble with the lift-off of the first note playing (ringing) the open A. I decided to sorta curl my finger to fret the second note with the part of my finger near the hand, while keeping the pad on the A string to mute it. Is this a technique, or could it become just another bad habit?

I know I can use the back of the thumb on my plucking hand to mute as well, but it seems sloppy and slower.... Thanks

[ZH_Driver]

Is it real? Well if it mutes the strings it must be.

As for the technique word, don't be fazed if it is different to other methods, assess it on some of the following:
1) Can it lead to injury/does it hurt (does it position your finger in an awkward position that is just not natural)
2) Does it effect the accuracy, intonation, speed etc of your playing (you may have to practice it a lot to know, as long as it does not fail on point 1)
3) Is it effective in muting the noise you don't want without introducing other finger/fret board or string noise?

Don't be conformed to the ways of the world... just take a step back and assess it from an un-bias viewpoint.

[David1234]

I use that technique a lot.

With one finger covering four strings I can choose to fret any of the four while muting the other three.

[tomas_almeida]

It does work but I would advise against it, since it's much more ergonomic to just use floating thumb and mute the strings with your right hand. I think you would benefit a lot from learning it.

[jgroh]

We play this song in my cover band and its a fun little solo that I practiced the hell out of so I can do it in my sleep now, but, Im not exactly sure I follow you.

So you are saying that after you fret the B on the A string and go to G string to continue, the A string is still ringing, and you are using a part of your hand to mute that? Maybe I dont have it right.

I play it slightly different (by one note) and Im not sure if its correct, but instead of the A on the G string (2nd fret) for the second note, I have been playing the F# (4th fret) on the D string as the second note. This makes it easy for me to do and still sounds "right" and I dont have to use my index finger to jump two strings.