muting

kristijan_og · #1 06-10-2008, 01:49 AM

Hi all, I just recently found this forum so I'm new here

Here is the question. When I'm trying to mute my strings, while slapping or fingerpicking theres's a unwanted efect - a harmonic. Is there maybe a proper technique to avoid that effect, and can you recommend me some bassist that are using ths technique a lot.

Thx, and greetings from Croatia

whoatherechunk · #2 06-10-2008, 02:18 AM

from what i know... when muting you should apply pressure when using your fretting hand and on your plucking hand. if you don't apply force on the neck then obviously you are going to be picking up harmonics. hopefully this makes sense and hopefully i'm gearing you in the right direction.

tswd · #3 06-10-2008, 09:15 AM

Pretty much all bassists use that technique a lot. Muting with your left hand is something you can't live without on bass.

To avoid the harmonics, you need to get in the habit of always muting with more than one finger. Watch this video, about 2:25 into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR6t47pV8Qc

Notice how his left hand always has all four fingers close to the strings. When he mutes, it isn't just with his index finger. It's with his index finger plus one or more of the other fingers.

kristijan_og · #4 06-10-2008, 01:04 PM

Thanks for help both, I think I mastered in some way that technique - the harm's are gone

Can u suggest me some songs to play along and practise my muting technique?

lexxmexx · #5 06-12-2008, 02:57 AM

How did he manage to play such high notes so low down on the neck? I noticed that he did turn the tuners but was that just for intonation or to really raise the pitches?

tswd · #6 06-12-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexxmexx

How did he manage to play such high notes so low down on the neck? I noticed that he did turn the tuners but was that just for intonation or to really raise the pitches?

The really high notes are harmonics. He also has the bass strung high. It's A-D-G-C instead of E-A-D-G. I believe he turns the tuners to get the right harmonic notes to sound.

kdash · #7 06-16-2008, 09:56 PM

another method is to mute your strings at the frets without audible harmonics. using multiple fingers helps too, as mentioned.