prevent other strings from vibrating

[tony82]

Hi everyone!

I'm a self-teaching player and i'm doing alright so far except for one thing : how do one keep the strings you're not playing from vibrating (when accidentally touching them). It usually happens with the strings lower than the one I'm playing on. Should I:
1- stop touching them accidentally!
2- use my available fingers on either hand to block them
3- give up bass and take up triangle instead

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

[Billnc]

1. That helps.
2. Yes. You can also use floating thumb technique which is explained in other threads.
3. If percussion instruments were so easy, most people wouldn't play them so badly. Stick with bass.

[Infidelity]

Hmm.. The answer is putting mutes on your bass or floating thumb technique..

[oniman7]

Just take some practice to stop touching the other strings. If you're playing a whole song, and you mess up a riff (accidentally hit an open string or something), take that one riff, play it until you stop hitting that unwanted note, and speed it up until you can fit it back in with the song.

Also, some of this may be due to (what I believe) is called sympathetic vibration. When you play a note, the other strings of that note buzz. For example, if I play the 5th fret on my E string (an A note) my A string also buzzes, even after the E string is muted. Just something to keep in mind.

[Asher S]

Yes, floating thumb technique works wonders:

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

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by Asher S

Yes, floating thumb technique works wonders:

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

My thumb stays attached to my hand at all times so I cannot get the floating technique at all.

I use the cuff of my right hand (or the meaty part of my palm) to actually ride the strings to keep them from ringing.

Another thing I have done is to use my fretting fingers to quiet a they're not needed at the moment for other string fretting duties.

[tobie]

Originally Posted by oniman7

if I play the 5th fret on my E string (an A note) my A string also buzzes

If your fretting finger lightly touches the A string whilst fretting the E string, the A will not buzz.

If you're not fretting the 4^th (E) string with your index finger, it (the index) can be used to mute strings 1 to 3.

Re. the original post: floating thumb is your best bet but with a bit of practice the index finger of the fretting hand can be used to mute all unused strings simultaneously (unless it's doing the fretting, in which case your picking hand's thumb enters the picture yet again).

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

My thumb stays attached to my hand at all times

That's weird !! I'd have that looked at if I were you.


OP : The floating is a great technique. Not only are you able to mute the strings, but you also prevent possible carpel tunnel etc., problems at a later time, as your wrist is straight.

[Azzi]

I had this problem and found something that helps alot. Recently I got a new charger for my laptop and the cords were held together with a little velcro strap. Wondering if it would work without muting the strings too much I cut it in half width wise so its about half an inch and put it inbetween my strings and fretboard right snug against the nut.

[hrodbert696]

I'm fairly new and not too good at muting either. Still, there are a variety of things I'm learning to do to prevent string vibration:

1) square your fretting fingers when you play. If the fingertip comes down on a right angle to the fretboard it's easier to avoid brushing those other strings. (I know I have a lazy habit of tending to fret with my fingers at an angle).

2) you can use the floating thumb, also your right-hand ring finger to mute strings (assuming you're not playing with a pick).

3) Depending on what exactly your fretting hand is doing, sometimes it works to mute with unused fingers of your left hand.

[Mr wiggl3s]

When you say lower, do you mean on the bass, or pitch wise (the right way)?

You should take lessons man. It's pretty much required for bass.

[Nerotic]

Originally Posted by Mr wiggl3s

You should take lessons man. It's pretty much required for bass.

Wrong. There is no requirement for lessons on any given instrument. It can be helpful, but is not essential for playing music of any kind on any instrument.

Back to topic, I use my right hand ring and pinky to mute the strings that are lower than the one I'm playing and use my left hand index to mute the ones higher.

The floating thumb is the best way to go, but it takes time to master after playing with an anchored thumb for years. Learned this the hard way after recently buying a 6-string.

[Mr wiggl3s]

Originally Posted by Nerotic

Wrong. There is no requirement for lessons on any given instrument. It can be helpful, but is not essential for playing music of any kind on any instrument.

Back to topic, I use my right hand ring and pinky to mute the strings that are lower than the one I'm playing and use my left hand index to mute the ones higher.

The floating thumb is the best way to go, but it takes time to master after playing with an anchored thumb for years. Learned this the hard way after recently buying a 6-string.

Pretty much doesn't mean mandatory.

Unless i missed something. Did i miss something?

[Stumbo]

Put an elastic hair band next to the nut. Adjust as required.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by Nerotic

Wrong. There is no requirement for lessons on any given instrument. It can be helpful, but is not essential for playing music of any kind on any instrument.

Bagpipes come to mind - if you can call anything they produce music.

But wait! Maybe there's no qualified bagpipe teachers and they are all played by angry Scots who cannot afford won't pay for the lessons or cannot find a teacher.

I think it's really an imperative that bagpipes not be played by untrained neophytes.

[somegeezer]

I never really think about it, but i use my picking hand to mute string lower than what I fret and my fretting hand to fret and mute the strings higher than I'm playing. I just developed it as I played. I'm also, mostly, self-taught... So I'm not sure how it became part of my playing style.

[somegeezer]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Bagpipes come to mind - if you can call anything they produce music.

But wait! Maybe there's no qualified bagpipe teachers and they are all played by angry Scots who cannot afford won't pay for the lessons or cannot find a teacher.

I think it's really an imperative that bagpipes not be played by untrained neophytes.

Eluveitie - Tell me them bagpipes aint amazing. ;]

[tony82]

Wow, so many responses in so little time! You guys are awesome

Although how the **** did you end up talking about bagpipes?!!

Anyways, all the testimonies gave me a good idea of what's available. It's crazy how differently people play, and we're pretty far from the theory books... I mean maybe following theory's good, but frankly I just want to play and enjoy it, no professional ambitions..!

I think i'll give the floating thumb technique a go, although I must admit that I find using the pinky easier (was already more or less doing it).

Correcting the angle on my fretting hand seems like a long shot though, i like to keep the neck pretty low...

I wonder if what Azzi and Stumbo suggested is efficient, muting the strings is good, but I want the one I'm playing to sound properly...

PS: Mr wiggl3s, I meant pitch-wise

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by Asher S

Yes, floating thumb technique works wonders:

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

Saw this vid and never looked back....still doin' it to this day. A long term thank you to Todd who made it so obviously the way to go.

[Already In Use]

I'm also new at this..going on 7 months. I use the thumb resting on the e string unless I'm plucking it. I use fingers on both hands to mute the other strings. I just sort of fell into a pattern I dont even think about. After playing any string that finger used comes top rest on the the string below(note) it. Open strings just get the next finger mute. I'm playing with fingers 1 & 2. After fretting a note the release mutes that string. I'm no expert by any means...but so far so good. Practice brought it all together.