Double Bass How do you ghost your notes)

[ctrlzjones]

There seem to be three options. (A) Killing the sound with only the right hand, having the index or middle finger mutening the string while the other is plucking it. Or (B) making the the “umpf” between both hands, having the left dampening the string while the right hand os plucking. Or is it (C) Using another string, best above the actual note that is going to sound next?

Does the chosen technique cause any difference for the sound? I tend to believe that comfort and speed are the only important factors.

I used to switch between (B) for the G-string & (C) for the rest as this came kind of natural to me. But becoming aware of (A) recently I’m considering to adapt it as it promises to be faster.

Rufus Reid has a great way of using this device. Any insights “how he does it”?

 

[ctrlzjones]

Is this a stupid question? Or just written out too knotted?

Maybe I rephrase: How do you play ghost notes? Making the dead sound with the same string as the coming up sounding note, wether with the index finger or with the left hand? Or using the neighbour lower string muffled?

 

[Papageno]

I am using this:

The are also variants where the ghost note is played on the same string as the following note, but this is more cumbersome to me.

 

[brianrost]

I always use the left hand for the muting and what string depends on the type of ghost note. For a single ghost, usually the string the previous note was on. For triplet rake ghosting, obviously starting on strings above the target note.

 

[statsc]

Is this a stupid question? Or just written out too knotted?

Maybe I rephrase: How do you play ghost notes? Making the dead sound with the same string as the coming up sounding note, wether with the index finger or with the left hand? Or using the neighbour lower string muffled?

Both. They sound different, create slightly different effects, and when mixed together provide more variety.

 

[bass183]

I don't even think about it anymore, it's been a natural part of playing for decades, especially on electric bass which I've been playing for decades. That said, I use my left hand fingers to mute the strings. There may be times when I use my right hand fingers to quickly mute a string, but I still think it's all coming from the left hand.

 

[jjqq123]

Some thoughts of my own:
-If you rake and want to mute the strings you can do it with less pressure of your left hand
-I usually play a string below to add ghost notes, which tends to be muted by my own right hand fingers. Which I consider very natural, but hard to do on the E string.
-I usually tend to pull off with my left hand and mute with my right hand, IMO Ron Carter does this a lot.

Hope this helps!

 

[ctrlzjones]

-I usually tend to pull off with my left hand and mute with my right hand, IMO Ron Carter does this a lot.

See, I have not thought about this ... Maybe it also starts me going with the hammer on and pull offs that I never have used a lot.
Other than that I have grown to like the two-finger-from-the-left option a lot. It first seemed like a drag, but becomes faster and more comfi than using both hands and having to synchronize them.

 

[Papageno]

-I usually tend to pull off with my left hand and mute with my right hand, IMO Ron Carter does this a lot.

I don't get what you mean. Could you elaborate? Any video where one could visualize this?

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I usually just stop responding to their texts...

 

[Papageno]

I usually just stop responding to their texts...

What are you talking about?

 

[Ed Fuqua]

What are you talking about?

Urban Dictionary: Ghosting

 

[jjqq123]

I don't get what you mean. Could you elaborate? Any video where one could visualize this?

Intead of "plucking" with your right hand, you "pluck" with your left hand. That´s a pull off.