Having trouble muting while slapping....

[Damani311]

On a five string...supposed I'm thumping away on the D, I cannot seem to find a position that effectively will mute the roar of the low B causes by the simple physics of the strings next to it causing it to vibrate.......help!

[elpelotero]

It's a hard thing to do if you're beginning. I learned to slap over the summer on my 5 string Warwick and it has really narrow string spacing, so getting my thumb to hit only the string I wanted cleanly was difficult at first. Practice things in slow motion. Physically see the path your thumb must travel through and rotate it through that space back and forth in slooow motion.

It also helps to use your left hand fingers to mute some strings as well as your wrist, forearm, or palm of your right hand.

[YCBass]

Originally Posted by elpelotero

It also helps to use your left hand fingers to mute some strings as well as your wrist, forearm, or palm of your right hand.

+1. I have fairly big hands so it's easier for my right hand to stretch across the strings and mute what I'm not using... But I do believe your left hand has a lot do with it also... I mean barring some out-of-this-world complicated slap line, I would think that you should have a finger or 2 to spare and mute with. For me, I usually stretch my left hand fingers across the strings when I slap anyway... Also to have percussive muted pops right there for you when you want it.

But only to focus on the right hand, I would suggest using your entire hand (the karate chop part - sorry I don't know what that's called - side of your palm?) including some of your pinky even if you need to.

Those have worked for me so hopefully that helps.

[Damani311]

Awesome responses guys, just what I was looking for, thanks.