Double Bass E string clatters when I lift off a note

[Walking]

I have a 3/4 bass. When I play a note on the E string, when I let up on the note, the string clatters and I can't seem to be able to let it up in a way that doesn't clatter--at least if I give it a good strong pluck. Am I missing some technique here, or should I look at getting different strings?

I am a new player and am playing a Shen. It was used for orchestral work, so maybe the strings are not optimal for bluegrass.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

What kind of strings are on it, and how high are they off the board?

Video of your plucking technique would be helpful.

 

[bassfacer22]

Need to hear the clatter on recording or see it..

Only certain notes clatter? Or click on the fingerboard?

 

[Jay Corwin]

The E string is the hardest to control and coax good tone out of typically. This could just be a newbie technique problem

 

[Les Fret]

Not sure what you mean exactly. Do you mean the short high pitched rattle noise that you get when you lift off your left hand fingers when muting a note? So stopping the sound with the left hand. For example in a two feel where you have a quarter note and then a quarter note rest. I think this is what you mean. It is present each time you lift up your left hand fingers. It's on each string but most apparent on the E string. The only thing you can do is mute the string with the right hand before you lift off off the left hand.

 

[Walking]

@Les Fret, Thanks, that is exactly the information I was looking for. Yes, if I am playing short notes, the string still has a lot of kinetic energy and when I lift my left hand finger up, it continues to vibrate and slaps against the fretboard. I have done a bit of hand muting on an experimental basis.

 

[Les Fret]

@Les Fret, Thanks, that is exactly the information I was looking for. Yes, if I am playing short notes, the string still has a lot of kinetic energy and when I lift my left hand finger up, it continues to vibrate and slaps against the fretboard. I have done a bit of hand muting on an experimental basis.

I think that sound is normal but you have to masque it by muting with the right hand. It is just because on a double bass the action of the strings is higher and because the strings are so thick. So when you lift off your finger there will be that high pitched noise when you play short notes and don't do any right hand muting. The thicker the string the more noise you will hear. Has nothing to do with the setup of you bass.

Curious what others have to say about how to avoid that noise.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I know exactly what you are talking about and I remember being a little horrified the day I discovered myself doing it and not knowing what I was doing wrong and how to fix it. You are not alone. There are a number of factors that create that strange buzzing clatter, most mentioned above. I also understand the shortened note and why that's necessary. Muting is probably at the top of the list. Find a way to mute with BOTH hands. But also, it likely means that your hands are weak and/or your technique needs a little refurbishing. Play some long note exercises climbing and descending a chromatic scale throughout the areas that are chattering. Use a metronome. Try connecting one note to the other and pay particular attention to how you lift off your fingers. Try to lift off vertically and cleanly, like a violinist, or guitarist, or great bassist. If you focus on minimizing any excessive sounds in a few weeks you will solve your problem. Add muting techniques and you're golden