Fingernoise: how/should I get rid of it?

[bullshark]

Hi,

I'm really only starting out on bass, getting there slowly. What bother me some is the finger noise I get when playing live (when i record I usually can EQ it out).

Here's 8 bars I recorded off my amp to show what I mean: http://www.s94641883.onlinehome.us/b...nger-noise.mp3

Can I get rid of it? If so, how? Or is it normal?

Thank's.

[DougD]

Here are some things to look at to help get rid of finger noise. 1-Higher action 2-proper fretting technique 3-Time 4- less trebble 5- different string brands.
Or you could slap some flat wound strings on youre bass
Nice sounding clip, keep up the good work

[DougD]

What i mean by time is simply working out your tecnique by woodshedding Hope this helps

[Eublet]

Do you mean that hissing sound from sliding fingers? If so, too much treble.

If you mean clackety sounds, then it's probably technique issues or having your strings too low.

[bullshark]

Thank's DougD. This is my ESP fitted with DR, my Fender P is fitted with semi-flat (ground) and yes, I noticed much less finger noise. But sometime the sound of the ESP is a better "fit".

What does "woodshedding" means?
You think taking lessons would help?

[bullshark]

Originally Posted by Eublet

Do you mean that hissing sound from sliding fingers? If so, too much treble.

Yes, that noise. But if I lower the treble button the sound changes... I can pinpoint the exact frequency using something like GlisseEQ on computer, not so easy on amp alone.

If you mean clackety sounds, then it's probably technique issues or having your strings too low.

That one is because I just had the bass adjusted by a luthier (including fret leveling, the whole nine yard), and the action is paper thin low and I'm not used to that yet. I'll probably raise it if I can't get used to it, but not if I can because it's supper easy to play this way.

[spindizzy]

It's interesting to me how much time and attention folks give the issue of instrument noise. After listening to your cut I had to say "what noise?" Certainly I hear sounds that are characteristic of amplified instruments (that is make little sounds louder). After over thirty years of playing I have never found a way to be completely quiet on an instrument!


This is true of electric but it is also true of acoustic instruments as well. They all by their very nature make noise. In the case of an electric these noises are amplified and made louder. There are a number of ways to control the noise (floating thumb technique is a way of muting that attempts to control excess noise) but no way to eliminate it short of making the whole instrument silent. If you like the sound of round-wounds you will learn to appreciate the bit of string noise you get if you slide. The only nearly noiseless string is a flat-wound yet a lot of folks who like flats also like Piezo pickups which (and you'll have to take my word for it) tends to amplify ever little hit and finger noise your plucking hand produces...still not noiseless.

I would continue to concentrate on your practice and technique and overcome as much of the noise as you can but continue to accept, and perhaps even learn to appreciate, the character the extra noises bring to your instrument sound. Not saying that all noise is good but only suggesting that there is much to gain by learning to use (or at least control and/or understand) all the noises your instrument produces.

With practice, over time, it all gets better. By the way you sound like you are making good progress if this is an example of only a short time playing.

Spin

[DougD]

Originally Posted by bullshark

Thank's DougD. This is my ESP fitted with DR, my Fender P is fitted with semi-flat (ground) and yes, I noticed much less finger noise. But sometime the sound of the ESP is a better "fit".

What does "woodshedding" means?

woodshedding is a different way to say pratice certain things. like learning songs or lines you cant seem to play yet. when you work on things like that, you are woodshedding get it?

You think taking lessons would help?

yes that ALWAYS helps.

[bullshark]

Thank's spindizzy. My biggest worry is that I might be doing something very bad that I might have a harder time correcting later on as opposed to now. Guess it would be simpler with a proper teacher to give advice and correct if needed, but those are hard to find. Your comment help very much in the meantime.

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by bullshark

Yes, that noise. But if I lower the treble button the sound changes... I can pinpoint the exact frequency using something like GlisseEQ on computer, not so easy on amp alone.

Well, you probably don't need the amount of treble that you are applying in a live setting. If you really do, you could go to all the trouble of de-essing the string hiss, but that just seems way more than most anyone would do. Sometimes you have to learn to retrain your ears, meaning that you learn to appreciate a more flat EQ rather than that sizzly treble sound.

[owensea777]

I would try cutting the treble just a litte, improving technique like others have said, and if you are still not satisfied, try some flatwounds without Piezo's. It seems like a lot of roundwound users who convert to flatwounds like Thomastik-Infeld strings.
You could also look in to noiseless pickups, I couldn't tell you about brands and whatnot but others could.

[Scot]

I think spindizzy nails it. Over the years you will learn to shift up and down the neck making less string noise AND you will learn to be less bothered by the noise you do produce. You might even start thinking of making a position shift as similar to a horn player or singer taking a breath with the string noise being the sound of the inhaling, which is perfectly natural and gives music part of it's human-element. In any event, much of the fingers-on-roundwound-string-while-shifting noise will not be audible unless playing solo or soloing the bass track. I wouldn't fuss over trying to use any devices, EQ or string changes to eliminate it if you're already getting the fundamental tone you're hearing in your head. If you want to use flat wounds it should be because you're hearing the sound of them in your head, which is quite different than the roundwound sound.

If you're using a compressor/limiter it could be making the string noise unnaturally louder - not to say that's a bad thing but something to consider.

[CJK84]

I can relate to bullshark's worries

After playing the bass in rock bands for quite a while, I quit to take up drums.

Two years later, I returned to the bass (strung with rounds). First gig was an acoustic guitar/bass duo for a Catholic Mass. For prep, I practiced alone most of the time and was really bothered by the unwanted finger and string noise I felt I was producing - even with the treble on the bass and amp turned down.

I thought the squeaks and squawks were going to stand out and be annoying to listeners.

Thus, I dumbed down many of the lines I had hoped to play, simply so that I'd do less shifting/sliding and could thus minimize the unwanted noise - I was playing a bunch of whole notes, for crying out loud, trying to imitate a studio-perfect sound.

Turns out I had been too concerned about this. Although the only other instrument was a strummed acoustic guitar (and vocals), the noise generated by the bass was mostly lost in the mix.

[spindizzy]

As someone said earlier it's a human instrument which needs to be taken with all its worts and imperfections.

Striving to control the noise is desireable but striving to eliminate it completely (from live play) is just unrealistic.

This is of course IMO.

Spin

[jsbass]

I think some noise is a good thing. Adds some flavor and creativity to the song. I like it the way it sounds.

[bullshark]

Strangely enough, I sometime find attractive the "other" noise that some bassist have when they play, I just don't like mine. Maybe because they control it, while with me it just happens?

In any case, I followed advice and just enrolled for some lessons, my first lesson is this Saturday; The teacher is a DB/electric bass player and study music at university level, so should be good.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by bullshark

Strangely enough, I sometime find attractive the "other" noise that some bassist have when they play, I just don't like mine. Maybe because they control it, while with me it just happens?

In any case, I followed advice and just enrolled for some lessons, my first lesson is this Saturday; The teacher is a DB/electric bass player and study music at university level, so should be good.

Grasshopper I see that you are on the right path

[afinalfantasy]

I put my finger as close to the fret as possible

I took that idea from Jaco and it helps reduce the noise

[JeffSki]

To paraphrase Jaco, the hardest thing to do is to get the bass to only play the sounds you want.

It sounds to me like the fret noise is happening on the release of your notes where you might be changing strings. To eliminate this, you could try adding some right hand muting before you lift your left hand off the fret. Maybe use your ring and pinky to touch the string before releasing or whatever feels comfortable.

BTW that's a groovy line you posted

[bullshark]

Originally Posted by JeffSki

To paraphrase Jaco, the hardest thing to do is to get the bass to only play the sounds you want.

It sounds to me like the fret noise is happening on the release of your notes where you might be changing strings. To eliminate this, you could try adding some right hand muting before you lift your left hand off the fret. Maybe use your ring and pinky to touch the string before releasing or whatever feels comfortable.

BTW that's a groovy line you posted

Thank's; The line's not totally mine thought, I made this line because I wanted to play Bernadette by the Four Tops but the string skipping was giving me problems and I couldn't, so I made this line that was somewhat close in fingering and that I could play to practice instead, and slowly up the tempo on it. Now I can almost play Bernadette (almost because I still can't follow tempo of the original).