E string resonating - Help

[ToddC]

I am not sure if this is me, the bass, or both.

If I play certain disonate intervals(for example b to c on the g string), my e string starts to resonate.

Q1: Is this normal?
Q2: If normal; How do I stop it?
Q3: If not normal what are the possible causes?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Fender MIM Jazz bass.

tia,
Todd

[Dogbertday]

If you're playing fingerstyle then you might be inadvertantly strumming the E string after you play the C... if you play with a pick it might just be resonating because the whole instrument resonates when you play... either way I'd suggest muting it somehow... either with your right or left hands

[ToddC]

Originally Posted by Dogbertday

If you're playing fingerstyle then you might be inadvertantly strumming the E string after you play the C... if you play with a pick it might just be resonating because the whole instrument resonates when you play... either way I'd suggest muting it somehow... either with your right or left hands

I'm playing fingers.
There is no contact with the E string.

You seem to be saying this is normal and there are playing techniques to avoid it.

What are those techniques?

tia,
Todd

[kayakbass]

Totally normal! Remember, our instrument is a resonant instrument! It is supposed to sustain. When strings are not muted they sometimes ring through sympathetic vibration. Basically, the two notes you're playing are causing your E string to ring because they are all part of the same entity, your bass! If you're a finger player, lay the thumb of your picking hand on the E string while playing those higher notes. This is a trick used by many 5 and 6 string players. If you're a pick player use the palm of your picking hand to mute the E string by laying it on the string. Takes a little practice but can be done. Heck, if I can do it ANYBODY can! Hope this helps!

[ToddC]

Originally Posted by kayakbass

Totally normal! Remember, our instrument is a resonant instrument! It is supposed to sustain. When strings are not muted they sometimes ring through sympathetic vibration. Basically, the two notes you're playing are causing your E string to ring because they are all part of the same entity, your bass! If you're a finger player, lay the thumb of your picking hand on the E string while playing those higher notes. This is a trick used by many 5 and 6 string players. If you're a pick player use the palm of your picking hand to mute the E string by laying it on the string. Takes a little practice but can be done. Heck, if I can do it ANYBODY can! Hope this helps!

OK... so I know its me and not my bass. That's good.

On the same subject: When tapping (working on Prelude in C Major) when my finger leaves the string ( particularly the E string) it causes it to sound. (Argh) How do I avoid this? I wash my hands. I promise!

tia,
Todd

[kayakbass]

Are you tapping ON the E string when this happens? If so, you MAY be pulling off with your tapping hand or fingering hand in such a manner that causes the string to sound. If not, it's part of the same problem discussed above. I actually changed my wrist angle on my tapping hand ( same position as picking ) so that I could apply the same technique of thumb muting.

[Dogbertday]

Same solution different problem... there needs to bee muting going on.

getting a palm to hit the string or even wrapping a bandana around the neck at the head stock will cut down on this. wooten's brother wraps a bandana around his guitar's neck for what i assume to be the same reason... I've never tried it but i figure it'd be worth a shot..

[vippran]

I had the same problem, thanks for awnsering, it was frustrating to not know

[JEDI BASS]

Hi ToddC,
I'm a self-taught player for almost 20 years, and I sorta stumbled onto a remedy for your problem in my early days. And, I came to find out that Billy Sheehan uses a variant of the same technique. The thing is, any movement or sound: drums, guitars, vocals WILL start strings vibrating. So, if you're moving around on stage playing at full volume, you NEED to have flesh on all your strings at all times. And, since you should have your thumb of your fretting hand on the back of your neck, most muting has to come from your picking hand. I play fingerstyle and slap.

For fingerstyle, I place my thumb on the string above (closer to my head) the string that I'm gonna strike, the rest of my thumb mutes any other strings above the one it's resting on. So, if I'm playing a note on the G of my 5 string, the B, E, A, and D are all muted. I can't use a bandana or fuzzy hairband near the nut, 'cause I use open strings too. I played only 6 string basses from '92 'til '07 and never had unwanted noise, while using this technique. The other technique, which I can't use w/ 5, 6, or 7 string basses (there's just too many strings) is to anchor your thumb on a pickup end or B or E string and strike thru the string and let your picking fingers land on the string above, muting it, while resting your other picking hand fingers on any other unused strings. I, of course, prefer my thumb-muting method for many reasons: 1) my attack angle/tone is the same for all strings. 2) I can strum chords in a downward motion w/ my fingernails w/ no adjacent string noise, just by extending/straightening my picking fingers. 3) It works for tapping too. 4) And, it makes it easier to thumb-pick notes (a VERY useful technique) if you're already used to having your thumb on strings.

Slap technique is not my strongest, it involves a different muting method... If you're intersted in slapping, there's several styles that I'll let others explain, I'm not that good at it.

Good luck.
JJ