Not sure how to title this, new bassist question?

Jiff · #1 12-27-2007, 08:29 AM

I just started playing bass... quite literally yesterday.

My first problem arose very quickly, I'm learning notes and all fairly well, but I can't seem to put them onto the bass quite right. See, I'm sure this is something easily fixed I just need it pointed out to me. My strings vibrate too much? They keep going far too long. I know if I touch my finger to the string it will stop, or if my finger was down on the fret and I lift it, the vibrating also stops. What I need to know is the easiest way to get it to stop without losing track of what I'm doing. Is it easiest to simply touch down on the string?

Also, when I play one string, the strings on either side of it also start to vibrate. Is this suppose to happen? How do I fix it?

Sorry if this is all explained in the stickys, I forgot to check and already had this typed out before I thought to look.

mattofash · #2 12-27-2007, 08:38 AM

I had that when I first started, I think what it was with me was I was a bit confused about exactly how I should be placing my fingers and I think that was what it was. I never noticed that I stopped doing it until I actually thought about it and was like "**** how did I stop that?"
Basically practice your fingering with your left hand in slightly different positions until you can get it, it is just practicing though

locolobo85 · #3 12-27-2007, 08:39 AM

It all just sounds like a matter of technique. Just keep on working on getting the notes to ring clearly and evenly. Be sure to keep in mind that you should be fretting right behind the actual fret to eliminate any unwanted noise.

As for muting, there are several ways to accomplish it. Lifting the fret fingers, laying the pick fingers on the strings or laying the palm of your pick hand lightly on the strings. You'll most likely learn to use a combination of all of them. Part of playing any stringed instrument is the subtle art of controlling the strings unwanted vibrations.

Give it a couple of more days.

Jiff · #4 12-27-2007, 08:41 AM

Alright, thanks for the advice. I'll just keep at it practicing and getting my fingers right.

jsingles · #5 12-27-2007, 08:42 AM

As you become more used to play, you will develop muscle memory for your hands, and they will automatically mute strings. You will also get better at plucking the strings and wont hit too many strings as much.

I guess im trying to say you are experiencing a perfectly normal situation for a beginniner, and I probably had the same problem. Sorry I can't be more specific about how to fix the problem, but im sure somebod here can provide you with some tips or exercises to play more accuratly. Try playing as slowly as you need to.

mattofash · #6 12-27-2007, 08:45 AM

Thats thing I know I had that when I started but I cant remember exactly what it was I did to stop it.
I think all I did was do stuff like play open E 8 times, then the first fret, second fret and so on. Then try doing simple runs like 1 2 3 4 and it will steadly improve

Just J · #7 12-27-2007, 10:36 AM

I had a big problem with the other strings ringing while I was playing when I first started. To make it more bearable I switched to flats for a while, they don't sustain and ring as much. Eventually I worked out my technique so they don't ring anymore.

I honestly have no idea what I did in practice to stop it, I just noticed it one day. One thing I do know is when I'm playing simple root note basslines, I'll flatten some of my fingers across the other strings. I wouldn't recommend practicing that though, it'll inhibit you at your stage.

Just work on getting the notes to ring properly as well as finger strength and agility. After a while be sure to work on muting (right and left hand) and dead notes. As you get comfortable, you'll eventually be able to control the length of the sound and prevent ringing better.

Chipsonfire · #8 12-27-2007, 11:08 AM

I'm pretty sure anyone who has never played bass before has this problem. Basically, you want to use any fingers not being used to fret or pluck to stop the strings from ringing. They ring because of something called sympathetic vibration, which basically means they start vibrating because the strings near them are. Do a search for 'muting' and look at the 'floating thumb' sticky at the top of the technique section. There's tons of good info on this forum about various muting techniques

Oh, and practice