Problems with Dead/Ghost notes

[Stock R]

Hi,

I've been trying to play dead/ghost notes for a while but am not having much success with it.

From what I've read, I place my fretting finger over the string but do not press the string down onto the fret so it "deadens" the sound when I pluck with my otherhand.

I've tried it a lot of times, but instead of getting a dead note, I just get harmonics. While the harmonics is really cool, it's not exactly what I'm trying to acheive.

Can someone give me some step-by-step instructions on how to play ghost notes or explain why I'm getting harmonics instead?

TIA!

[Dbassmon]

Practice getting ghosted or muted notes by laying your left hand across the the strings and plucking with the right hand. This will give you the feel.

The same thing is accomplished by fretting the note half way and then plucking. If you are getting harmonics, it's because the note is being ghosted is over a node. That's a point at which harmonics occur on the string. If you do not desire harmonics, you must choose a note that is not a harmonic node. Ghosted notes are a rythmic "bap" so moving to a non node position works perfectly to get the percussive sound without the note.

As always, a teacher can cut your learning curve by a ton. It's worth getting professional instruction.

[Scourge441]

Originally Posted by Stock R

Hi,

I've been trying to play dead/ghost notes for a while but am not having much success with it.

From what I've read, I place my fretting finger over the string but do not press the string down onto the fret so it "deadens" the sound when I pluck with my otherhand.

I've tried it a lot of times, but instead of getting a dead note, I just get harmonics. While the harmonics is really cool, it's not exactly what I'm trying to acheive.

Can someone give me some step-by-step instructions on how to play ghost notes or explain why I'm getting harmonics instead?

TIA!

Try not holding your finger directly above the fet, but rather above the space in between the frets.

[remo]

if you are getting harmonics you are not "deadening" the string enough with your fret hand fingers, your fret finger needs to sit a bit firmer on the string you are "ghosting".. that will get rid the harmonics... try and depress the string halfway between a fully fretted note (pressed all the way down) and a "just touching the string" harmonic.

and in reverse, to get harmonics you must rest your finger very lightly on the string..

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by Scourge441

Try not holding your finger directly above the fet, but rather above the space in between the frets.

great piece of advice

[Pooly]

put more finger on your strings, I mean on the left hand-side. With one finger you're likely to produce an harmonic (even between frets... try 3.5 or 3.2 lovely harmonics down there), 2 fingers will mute any harmonics or any notes produced, make sure as well to get a bit percusive with your right hand.

[Stock R]

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll give it a try when I get home.

[Cristo]

Mute the string by touching it at more than one location to stop harmonics, even if you are near a node.