Muting unwanted harmonics

[dbillow]

Does anyone have any good techniques for muting unwanted harmonics and open string tones? I seem to be plagued with them, especially when playing in first postition and with open strings. Here's an example: Going from a Bb first fret on the A string to an F on the E string when I rollover my first finger really produces an unwanted tone from the A string. I know some of it comes down to left hand fingering. I would be grateful for any tips or leads on instruction in this area. Seems like all the instruction books I have used use notation and tab, but I need fingering and muting technique help.

Thanks

[Erick Lam]

Right hand muting.

[SubGuitar]

What sort of left hand technique are you playing with? are your fingers curled or are they more straight? I play with my left hand fingers almost flat against the strings, which makes it easy to keep everything muted. Playing with rest strokes and using a floating thumb helps alot too.

A right hand solution to that specific problem: I'd pick the Bb, and carry on through using the same finger to pick the F, and mute of the Bb with my second finger. (this is the easiest way for me)

A left hand solution: If you're only using your first finger and rolling from the Bb to the F. you should be able to bring in another finger (I'd use my pinky) to mute with.

[floridadave]

I generalyy mute the higher strings with my fretting hand and the lower string with my fingering hand.

I just bought a five string and I had to learn the floating thumb technique on my fingering hand (I used to just anchor my thumb on a pickguard or pick-up).

You'll get it, keep your middle finger back a bit to mute the A string when you move to the E string with your pointer (on your fingering hand).

[dbillow]

Thanks for the tips guys, keep 'em coming. Any video or graphic instruction aids?

[steveb98]

Same as everyone you have to learn to mute with both hands especially in open postion for keys like F and Bb. Many of those open string I mute with left hand, depending on where next note is. Sometime I can use left hand finger muting ala Gary Willis. Going up to D and G string then right hand thumb muting sometimes works.

I one of those areas that there is no one answer. You have to be able to use all the methods of muting and practice enough to get subconscienously get the job done with little thought.

[Skeletomania]

I understand your frustration, but every one is gonna tell you the same thing. Approach that excercise slow and repeat that part as much as you need. It gets repetitive and boring, but that's the only way that works.

[Erick Lam]

http://www.garywillis.com/pages/less...ringcross.html