lh muting vs. releasing the note

[VinceS]

Hi all,

i have a question about my left hand technique.

i can left hand mute fine when i'm playing an open string, but i can't seem to do the same on any fretted note w/o hammering on whatever frets my middle-pinky fingers touch.

so instead, i end notes by releasing pressure from the string so that it's no longer touching the fretboard and then reapply pressure when i play the note again.

it works great, but is this poor technique?

(sorry if i'm using the wrong terminology and making this sound really confusing.)

thanks.

[MarkTAW]

left hand muting is an odd thing, either you play *everything* with your index finger, limiting your ability to move from note to note, or you don't do it for all notes.

Better to right-hand mute and play either with a pick or with your thumb, though playing with your thumb will severely limit your speed as well.

[megadan]

I generally do most of my muting with the right hand; left hand muting I use more for unused strings, where right hand is for notes.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by megadan

I generally do most of my muting with the right hand; left hand muting I use more for unused strings, where right hand is for notes.

Ditto.

[jsingles]

I release the pressure as you describe sometimes, it sounds different simply ending the note quickly and reapply pressure, as opposed to muting the note more conventionally. I think it sounds cool for certain situations, and I don't think it would be correct to say that it is WRONG TECHNIQUE. whatever floats your boat.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by jsingles

I release the pressure as you describe sometimes, it sounds different simply ending the note quickly and reapply pressure, as opposed to muting the note more conventionally. I think it sounds cool for certain situations, and I don't think it would be correct to say that it is WRONG TECHNIQUE. whatever floats your boat.

I could totally get behind that, but since this is the technique forum, I tend to answer questions like these on the basis of what's the most educationally-approved method of doing something. And that method is right hand for muting note length, left hand for keeping unused strings from ringing.

[MarkTAW]

RH Palm muting is tough for me, the darned ashtray always gets in the way.

[Erick Lam]

Yes, releasing the neck finger to mute is "poor technique". It creates a buzz.

But it's perfectly OK to play half-pressed notes. Figure that out.

[Scot]

I have to agree with Erick on this.

I believe rests (when a note is not played) should be attacked in the same way notes are and this, for me, is most easily and effectively accomplished with right hand (or plucking hand) muting. My left hand does tend to slightly release the note at almost the same time but the note is first muted cleanly with the right hand and this is about my left hand relaxing, being in position and ready to play the next note.

I think the best way to address right hand muting is to play exersices with open strings and put your left hand (or fingering hand) down by your side. When you can play exersices accross all the open strings without any help from your left hand you'll have it down.

Being in complete control of the duration of notes makes good bassists stand out from the rest, IMO. The rests are very important to the feel.

The left hand is great for other types of muting.