tapping noise

Fontaine · #1 10-24-2007, 05:44 PM

hello folks,

well ive been playing about a year and a half now, and i really love bass, but i recently picked up on some nasty habits while listening to some playbacks on my pc.

ive noticed that theres a tapping noise from when i press the string down with my left hand down onto the fret, its it is very noticeable and i must say i really want to get rid of it. could it be the srings on the bass? or the neck of the bass?

if your wondering im using a Standard 2007 Fender MIM Jazz.

please try and help me out a bit

thanks in advance!

Lalabadie · #2 10-24-2007, 06:07 PM

One part of it is technique, the clacking sound can mean you're already pushing too hard for your needs, while you've not even touched the fret yet. Practicing a smoother touch can't be bad.

Second, control your tone! Experiment with different settings from your bass. You might solve a major part of your problem by simply rolling off the treble a little.

Fontaine · #3 10-24-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalabadie

One part of it is technique, the clacking sound can mean you're already pushing too hard for your needs, while you've not even touched the fret yet. Practicing a smoother touch can't be bad.

Second, control your tone! Experiment with different settings from your bass. You might solve a major part of your problem by simply rolling off the treble a little.

i play with no treble

Fontaine · #4 10-26-2007, 06:57 PM

johncg · #5 10-26-2007, 07:23 PM

I always LH mute the strings I'm RH tapping.

I've found that if I don't do that I hear not only the pitch I'm tapping but a weird out of tune pitch as well.

Some guys place a scrunchie at the bottom of the neck for this purpose.

As a side note, listening back to a recording of one's own playing is often times a rude awakening. Many musicians thus record and listen back to their playing regularly.

I find it also helpful to practice listening to myself while I'm playing though. It is interesting that this very noticeable unwanted sound has been coming from your instrument all this time unbeknowsnt to you.

You will always hear your playing more objectively on a recording. But the art of listening while performing can also be refined and is perhaps more valuable.

Hope this helps.

Fontaine · #6 10-27-2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johncg

I always LH mute the strings I'm RH tapping.

can u explain this a little further please?

and it seems that this sound, or started hearing it loudly since i got my fender. but im thinking it could possible be the stings? but i might try the scrunchie thing aswell.

Ayliffe · #7 10-27-2007, 02:43 PM

use the scrunchy, it helps so much.

johncg · #8 10-29-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fontaine

can u explain this a little further please?

and it seems that this sound, or started hearing it loudly since i got my fender. but im thinking it could possible be the stings? but i might try the scrunchie thing aswell.

Different bass/strings combinations will definitely bring out different tonal qualities, and it is worth experimenting with. Generally for tapping to work, however, a very bright sound is neccessary, letting every nuance of your playing shine (or ruin your performance!).

Anyway, what I mean by LH muting is just the same thing you would do to pluck a muted note. Just rest your hand lightly on the string so that if it were plucked you would hear a percussive sound. I do this more or less with every note I tap, on the string I'm tapping on. If you're also tapping notes with your LH, you should still be able to do this (more with your palm, as your fingers sound notes on the lower strings).

Good luck!

chaosMK · #9 10-29-2007, 02:11 PM

I dont LH mute or use a hair thing, but I am very conscious of the duration that I hold notes down with either hand. I probably spend about half my time when I practice these days working out tapping ideas (and cleaning up my tapping), so maybe time will help too. It's possible this noise you speak of wont be audible in the mix in a band setting. I also find my tapping sounds way better on my Cirrus than my old Ibanez SR-885.

Here is some of my tapping (it's a few secs before I get into the flow) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWjRnphpmEM

chasfr · #10 10-29-2007, 02:35 PM

Sounds to me like Fontaine's talking about the instrument noise of string touching fret being picked up in the recording, similar to the opening and closing of valves on a sax, not the playing technique called right-hand tapping. I notice it too when I record my practice, but I've always figured it's not especially important--it'll get covered up by other instruments. I've also noticed that recordings of solo instruments often have some of this kind of instrument noise as well.

What's the consensus? Ignore minor mechanical noises from the instrument, or "soften up/clean up" your technique enough that they're not generated?

Chas

Fontaine · #11 10-29-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasfr

Sounds to me like Fontaine's talking about the instrument noise of string touching fret being picked up in the recording, similar to the opening and closing of valves on a sax, not the playing technique called right-hand tapping. I notice it too when I record my practice, but I've always figured it's not especially important--it'll get covered up by other instruments. I've also noticed that recordings of solo instruments often have some of this kind of instrument noise as well.

i believe ur explaining it well there, its just really really annoying, and i want it gone

chasfr · #12 10-30-2007, 08:15 AM

The thing that has most reduced instrument noise for me has been switching to flat strings. I know I got lots of noise from my fingers sliding up and down on the windings of rounds--not a problem with flats.

Chas