sliding and muting afterwards

[ToshitomoriOh]

I guess I'm still trying to cover the bass part of "Master of Puppets" by metallica. Now, I've got a (or two) problem with the end section of a third row on the following tab,

http://www.bigbasstabs.com/metallica...f_puppets.html

....which is "s3/2—0—s3/2—0—s3/2—0"

My questions are :
(1) which fretting finger should I use to first slide from the 3rd fret to the 2nd fret on the E string?

(2) After that, how am I supposed to mute the A, D and G strings when plucking the open E string?

....thanks for your attention and any advises are appreciated.

[AaronMB]

1) Whatever feels comfortable for you. If you use the first finger it could make the transition to the fourth line of the tab slightly easier/quicker; either way, the open E gives you a brief moment.

2) While there may be some sympathetic vibration from the A,D,G strings, they really should be pretty quiet already. If you're using a pick, better accuracy and maybe some palm muting with the picking hand, or laying an unused finger from the fretting hand lightly on the strings will work; likewise, if you're transitioning from the A to the E and you want to mute the A, lifting the fretting finger on the A just slightly will help to mute it as well. If you're using fingers and not a pick, the third or fourth could lightly touch the A/D strings to keep them quiet. Practice!

[ToshitomoriOh]

Hi Aaron

Thank you so much for providing me with that much info, I really appreciate it. I wonder if it would be possible for you to help me with the following issues (or questions) regarding muting.

(1) For example, When I'm actually fretting my pinky of my fretting hand on the 7th fret of the A string with my thumb of my plucking hand resting on the E string, are the D and G strings naturally muted at that moment? (by the way, I'm a finger style player)

(2) When playing the open E string, do I have to mute other three strings by putting my fretting finger(s) on all of them? Or just muting, let's say, the A string is enough?

[AaronMB]

1) Saying the D/G strings are naturally muted wouldn't be accurate, not would it be to say that they're going to inherently produce noise (that we can detect). Unless you're sloppy with your fretting or your fingering, you shouldn't get much vibrations from other strings unless you're using them, then moving away. (From what I understand, a double bass is a different story but I can't speak from experience there.) Listen carefully, watch yourself - if you hear other strings sounding that shouldn't be, you're probably touching them somehow and sometimes it doesn't take much: practice slowly--to acquire accuracy--if that's the case.

2) It depends on you and your accuracy. If you're hitting the A (or others) on accident and you don't want that, you'll need to mute whatever needs to be muted. If you're on the E and you're hearing the A, one/some of your fretting fingers resting lightly on the other strings can help; this should be physically effortless, mostly: no need to apply much pressure, just enough to keep the string from vibrating if you accidentally hit it while fingering.

Don't get too caught up with this. Practice slowly and pay attention to what's going on with your hands and the sounds you want/don't want - you'll get it.

On a side note, the first riff I ever learned was the intro to Metallica's My Friend of Misery. I didn't find it difficult but it was a cool--for me--introduction into accuracy across strings and using three fingers (I don't use a pick much). This may be a horrible example--or bad advice?--especially considering there are some great tutorials out there. But you might try it for having a little fun while practicing across strings (not much muting going on as discussed above, however).