How to minimze clank when defretting a note?

[Chrisk-K]

The only time I get an annoying clank is when I defret a note. You know, as a fretted note is being defretted, the vibrating string hits the fret and makes a clank. This is pronounced when I play a slow passage with a mid-scooped tone. I know this is the nature of a fretted bass but wonder if any of you has developed a technique to minimize it.

BTW, my right hand technique is OK. If I play a single fretted note over and over again, I don't make a clank.

[Mayers]

Well ... when you play one single note over and over again do you defret it you said ? If yes I would check what I do that is different than when you play different notes.

I don't what you really do when you play but maybe is just that you don't mute correctly or you fretting hand's fingers lift up to much from the finger board or your fretting hand's fingers when moving the whole hand it still fret a note so it make some noise when moving.

I don't know if it all makes sense

[Chrisk-K]

Well ... when you play one single note over and over again do you defret it you said ?

What I meant was playing one single note over and over again without defretting it.

It's not the noise of moving fingers. Pluck a fretted note and lift the fretting finger. As you lift the finger, you'll hear a clank.

[Erick Lam]

Mute with your plucking hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md8FCeqNrcM

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by Erick Lam

Mute with your plucking hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md8FCeqNrcM

I haven't seen that video before. Thanks for posting it!

[Chrisk-K]

Thanks for the video. Back then, Gary played fretted basses?

[Erick Lam]

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

Thanks for the video. Back then, Gary played fretted basses?

I think it's just for the purpose of the video. This is just part 3. Parts 2, 3 and 4 are great for plucking technique.

[mozarwasagenius]

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

The only time I get an annoying clank is when I defret a note. You know, as a fretted note is being defretted, the vibrating string hits the fret and makes a clank. This is pronounced when I play a slow passage with a mid-scooped tone. I know this is the nature of a fretted bass but wonder if any of you has developed a technique to minimize it.

BTW, my right hand technique is OK. If I play a single fretted note over and over again, I don't make a clank.

If I understand what the issue is, try fretting directly over the fret as opposed to behind it.