Simulate palm muting with fingerstyle

[MetalDisciple12]

I am wondering, does anyone out there know how a fingerstyle player can achieve a palm-muted sound without having to use a pick? I know for a few notes here and there I can use a left hand mute after the note is struck, but I am talking about a sustained sound (ex. the open E drone after the initial accented notes on Megadeth's Symphony of Destruction).

I recently attended a bass clinic held by Dave Ellefson (Megadeth) and asked him using the example provided above and we told that he didn't know. *laughs* I'm j/w because I am not anywhere near as skilled with a pick as I am with my fingers although I have been playing several years. Thanks.

[TBAR Shane]

In the song you provided, he is using a pick.
You can palm mute, and play with your thumb, and index, or middle as well. However the only way you'll get a picked sound, is with a pick.

[MetalDisciple12]

I'm not talking about pick sound/tone. I'm talking about how the after the first three (accented) notes, he plays several eighth notes on the open E, palm muting them. I'm asking if there is a way to produce a palm muted sound for a sustained period using fingerstyle technique.

In essence, is there a way to palm mute when playing fingerstyle?

[dhsierra1]

yes, borrowed from classical guitar technique. As one of the previous posters replied, you can then use thumb, index, and middle finger to your heart's content.

[MetalDisciple12]

AH ok gotcha. sorry, I'm a little spacey today.

[grendle]

You can always use the same anchored palm position as you would with a pick , and just play as you would with a pick, but instead of using a pick hit the string with the edge of your thumb (all down strokes usually). It will let you get some of that attack that you get from a pick. Works well if you drop your pick too lol

[Geroi Asfalta]

For a palm mute sounds. I have two ways depending on how fast I'm playing

For slower stuff I put the fingers of my left hand directly over the fret, slightly muting it...or I'll let another finger rest slightly ahead of it.

For faster stuff I lock my pinky around the end of whichever string I play....works better but sometimes a bit uncomfortable....

[makkE]

I use the flat side of the nail of my index finger while supporting and holding it down a bit with my thumb on the first knuckle. My other fingers are straight so they are out of the way. Palm is muting just as if I had a pick. Feels exactly the same as with a pick.

[chaosMK]

I don't worry about "palm muting" with fingerstyle. I'd slap that part.

[MNAirHead]

mute with your pinky.... then use the other four to pick with... it's better posture than palm muting and more controllable.

[Double E]

Depending on the complexity of the part, you can mute with your left hand just hold your free fingers lightly on the string just up from the fretted/open note. This is easy for single note stuff but for runs it can be less so.

[oniman7]

If you want a muted sound, try the bridge pickup, use a really fatty part of your finger (or thumb) and experiment with different hand positions.

Or try one of the above. Never worked for me though.

[MetalDisciple12]

These are great suggestions. Thanks guys. I wish I could just learn to play with a pick too, but it's hard between a job and a little girl to find time to sufficiently practice one style let along learn another to any great effect lol

[oldcatfish]

I use the edge of my right hand thumb to mute, while I pluck with my fingers. It works well, but be careful about the placement, to avoid unwanted harmonics.

[Jay2U]

If I were to do so (palm muting whilst fingering) I'd use my middle finger to strike the string(s).
I wanted to go to this clinic at Feedback, but couldn't make it due to another, more urgent commitment.

[JetBlackJazz]

i doubt i invented this tech but i put my pinky on the string im playing whilst using my other 3 fingers....to play :I