Noob Muting Fingering Help Plz

[pretaanluxis]

Hello,

I play with 3 fingers going R-M-I using raking as this come very naturally to me. I've tried muting notes by just lifting off with the left hand but it makes a little buzz noise, so then I started using the next finger on the right hand to mute strings. But it becomes almost impossible to do this when playing certain things...the muting and raking become extremely awkward, sometimes even playing simple riffs over multiple strings.

1. Is raking a good habit when using 3 fingers? or should I force strict alteration even though it seems harder?

2. Is muting with the right plucking hand fingers something that I should work at or just forget?

I appreciate any tips!

[Andy3825]

I don't know about quiestion one since I don't use a R-M-I technique.

However, I can help you with number two. Personally, I only use the right hand to mute the strings by slapping at the strings and letting my hand rest there, it sounds like a muted slap, which i use for a percussion-esque sound when I want it. Other than that, I use my left hand. When you lift the string a little bit, make sure you dont just lift it enough so that the string rattles on the fret. Lift the string clear of the fret, and touch your other fingers on the string to stop the vibration.

Hope that helps.

[BrandonBass]

im also nto very sure about which hand should i use to mute. Usually I use the left hand mute but when i play open strings i have a tendency to use my right hand to mute. Its hard ot coordinate on which to use....is there a rule thats better for e long run?

and to the original poster, raking is fine as long as the sound is consistent

[pretaanluxis]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

raking is fine as long as the sound is consistent

thanks, alternating really confuses my fingers for some reason.

[Alec W. Conway]

I'm familiar with four different 3 finger techniques, though I'm not using any myself. I'm sticking to 2 finger until I top my speed.

Before explaining the techniques I know, I'll say that this "raking" you're using is most of the time used only for "trash picking", or a faster version of maiden's gallops. If you listen to any metal, you'll know what I'm talking about. Its that "fourth-fourth-half-fourth-fourth-half" beat.

Your raking will become very hard to put on a 4 notes beat since you're using 3 hits with your fingers before staring a new rake. Lemme show this to you visually:

--actual beat--1--2--3--4--1--2--3--4
--finger # -----1--2--3--1--2--3--1--2

See what I mean? Like if you were playing your measures in 3/4 or 6/8 instead of 4/4. Pretty awkward timing.

So now, for the 3 finger techniques.

1- The "wave", this is the most used one in heavy metal. This is Index-Middle-Ring-Middle-Index-Middle-Ring-Middle etc etc. The point here is to master the technique so that it wont matter which finger you start on.

2- Based on the index: Index-Middle-Index-Ring-Index-Middle-Index-Ring etc.

3- Based on index again, but little instead of ring. You have to to straighten your forearm so that your wrist will be straight => flatten your hand against your string, your Index on the E, and both your Middle and Little on the D, thats the angle you need. Leave your hand, wrist and forearm in that position, raise both your Middle and Little to the E string and thats the position. (thats the one I'm personnally most at ease with, speed-wise and muscle coordination-wise)

4- Thw crazy ass Wooten technique: that guy uses his Thumb. A fast run on the E would be: Thumb pluck down, Thumb pluck up (pull your thumb right back up after plucking down) and then to give your thumb a rest, go with the Index, and then with the Middle if you want/need.

All those techniques, once mastered, can have you reach crazy speeds. No need to hop along half speed next to the guitarist doing some pick-melting-tremolo-picking anymore.