Whats the most economic way to mute open strings?

[BrandonBass]

So far I know 2 methods, to gently touch the string with fretting hand or to use the next plucking finger to mute it. I havent practised either extensively,,,so i would like to know which 1 is better?

[Chase_The_Bass]

Check out this thread that was posted not too long ago.

Vic Wooten does not use a Scrunchie!

[SnakeAnthony]

Foam or a spounge (sp?) under and pressed against the string, right at the bridge (Jamerson's method) or a wrist band tight enough to be snug, around the neck, just past the nut (Wooten's method)

[Chase_The_Bass]

I prefer Wootens method b/c it more of a muting method, as compared to Jamerson's which kinda give u a different sound. Lol, yesterday there was a post on Jamersons sponge and today we had one on Wootens hair tie.

[BrandonBass]

I know about that method too, but wouldnt it dampen my sounds on the open strings? I want it to sound and muted quickly at my control....not using a hairtie to mute it passively

[lhoward]

BrandonBass, check out this thread:

floating thumb techniqe

I've developed a preference for this method which allows me to be able to keep my thumb in an "at the ready" position besides just using it for muting. It also allows me to 1) easily switch, in varying degrees, between using the index, middle and ring fingers for plucking and snapping, and 2) allow moving anywhere along the string from neck to very near the bridge to modify the sound with more flexibility rather than being restricted by anchoring the thumb on a pickup or other rest support. Hope this helps.

Lloyd Howard

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by lhoward

BrandonBass, check out this thread:

floating thumb techniqe

I've developed a preference for this method which allows me to be able to keep my thumb in an "at the ready" position besides just using it for muting. It also allows me to 1) easily switch, in varying degrees, between using the index, middle and ring fingers for plucking and snapping, and 2) allow moving anywhere along the string from neck to very near the bridge to modify the sound with more flexibility rather than being restricted by anchoring the thumb on a pickup or other rest support. Hope this helps.

Lloyd Howard

I use the floating thumb technique extensively, it works when im
playin lower strings to higher. But when playing open strings its a different story :-/

[Alec W. Conway]

Floating Thumb + fret hand

Cheers.

[Poop-Loops]

Get a 5 string and never play open strings again.

[slackerdefined]

I find muting with the fretting hand much easier, especially if your next note is a fretted one, because you can fret the note and mute any strings by laying your finger across them at the same time if it's higher, and my plucking fingers automatically go to the next lower string to mute them if needed, and I almost always have my thumb on the E string or the pickup, so I use my thumb(duhr) to mute that. If I'm only using one string, however, I'll just used my plucking fingers.