Pull off question for a self-taught noob

[Neel]

Hey guys, I am new to bass, and I am trying to teach myself, if only for a while.

I think I'm doing alright. I am learning songs, often by ear, and I am increasing my hand strength and speed in both hands pretty quickly. Unfortunately, there are certain things that the internet lessons don't really help with, so I was hoping you guys might be able to help.

I am doing pretty well with hammer-ons, practicing by doing all four fingers on one pluck, etc. I don't get pull-offs though. Am I supposed to actually pluck the string with my fretting finger to give it some extra juice, or am I supposed to just lift it and expect the sound to keep going.

Thanks in advance for the tips.

[Introvox]

yup...down and off, not quite a pluck though

just "pull off" of the string to give it some juice

[PrimusNut]

Pull off, and down. When you pull down, use a bit of pluck-action, but don't exactly pluck the string. Hope this helps.

[905]

I think the point is to pluck the string with your fretting hand, from a fretted note.

eg 3p2 = fret both 2 and 3, then pluck on 3 and pull the finger on the 3rd fret down in a plucking motion.

[ryco]

Although you certainly can add a little pluck with the finger coming off the fretboard, you don't have to. You can just lift the finger off and keep the note going by continuing to press down firmly with the finger left on the fretboard. The note should continue to ring/sustain.

It depends on the sound you want - attack or smooth.

[PrimusNut]

I believe that is called a lift-off ryco. At least that is what I have been told. A pull off is when you pull, giving it that plucking motion, and a lift-off is when you simply just lift your finger off.