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How to play Ghost/Dead Note with a Fretted Note?

L

lowend4life

Jun 9, 2025
34
22
#1
Hi, I ran into this notation and was wondering how to play it? I've seen people play it but not sure exactly how. I just know they slap both fingers on the strings against the pickup yet they play a note at the same time? I see it a lot in funk players.

As for the tab, I couldn't line up the x and 3 but they're supposed to be on top of each other.

---3---
---(x)--

Thanks for your time!
 
#2
Left hand: Fret the 3 with the meat of your fingertip, and rest the rest of you finger on the other strings.
If the ghost and played note are in reversed order from that, play the 3 with the rest of your finger and the ghost with the meat of your fingertip.

Right hand if slap: pluck both strings at the same time, one with index, one with middle.
Try playing with minimal force/stength to make the sounds you need. Slap is easier and usually sounds better if played with a lighter touch.
 
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#7
Groove Doctor said:
Could you post the notation here please? Or just a link to it?
Click to expand...
The video is above. Timestamp 4:30.


Docduval said:
Dude in the vid strikes both strings at the same time using his index and middle. Try to strike through the strings by hitting them with the very tips of your fingers.
Click to expand...
So my index hits the muted A string and my index hits the F note? (3rd fret d string) ?


Forgive my ignorance.
 
#11
lowend4life said:
Hi, I ran into this notation and was wondering how to play it? I've seen people play it but not sure exactly how. I just know they slap both fingers on the strings against the pickup yet they play a note at the same time? I see it a lot in funk players.

As for the tab, I couldn't line up the x and 3 but they're supposed to be on top of each other.

---3---
---(x)--

Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
I have a playthrough of Duran Duran's "Rio", which is chock-full of ghost/mutes notes. It's almost like, for me, one finger is a muted catapult for the incoming next note. It hits as a thud, and then my other finger immediately "falls" on the note, like the ghost note cleared the way. Maybe I can explain it later, but for now, try to zoom in on my fingers.

 
#12
He’s playing a persuasive backbeat on 2 and 4 while simultaneously playing a funky groove.

The backbeat is a simple thwack to any strings that give that percussive beat. I see it as a rake but limited to only two strings.

Personally, I would play the D string with 1 or two fingers and strike thru & land heavily on the A string …. similar to Double Bass technique, (which I also play).


Try a few different ways to get and see which one suits your playing style. Try not to be too exact while you’re experimenting with it, or that’ll mess up the groove feeling. Stay relaxed & you’re more likely to find your own method that fits under your fingers best and gets the closest results.
 
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#13
Groove Doctor said:
He’s playing a persuasive backbeat on 2 and 4 while simultaneously playing a funky groove.

The backbeat is a simple thwack to any strings that give that percussive beat. I see it as a rake but limited to only two strings.

Personally, I would play the D string with 1 or two fingers and strike thru & land heavily on the A string …. similar to Double Bass technique, (which I also play).


Try a few different ways to get and see which one suits your playing style. Try not to be too exact while you’re experimenting with it, or that’ll mess up the groove feeling. Stay relaxed & you’re more likely to find your own method that fits under your fingers best and gets the closest results.
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone for replying. Yes! that's what I was trying to find out and also the name for it. So it's just called percussive backbeats?

Here is a video of me playing the backbeat. Is this correct?

 
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#14
lowend4life said:
Thanks everyone for replying. Yes! that's what I was trying to find out and also the name for it. So it's just called percussive backbeats?

Here is a video of me playing the backbeat. Is this correct?

Click to expand...

Looks good.

The original video doesn’t demonstrate it well but he’s pushing his elbow forward then back slightly to facilitate raking the strings ACROSS the fretboard (NOT pushing the strings towards the fretboard/ pickup).

The skin of his forearm doesn’t slide across the bass edge. There’s enough slack/ wiggle room in the looseness of his skin to allow about 1-2 inches of motion. I think of it as loosening the thumb anchor and using the forearm as the anchor that slides slightly.
 
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#16
lowend4life said:
Oh okay, so I’m still doing it incorrectly?

Thanks again for your answers.
Click to expand...
1. What you’re doing with your fingers looks correct.

2. Thumb might be a little too firmly anchored to allow arm movement.

There’s stiff thumb anchor (great for speed & technical efficiency) and relaxed thumb anchor (allows a looser technique & facilitates expression/ feel that stiff thumb anchor does not).

3. The backbeat requires more arm motion (as I described above) and feel, hence a relaxed thumb anchor.


4. Mindset:
Think of Latin Dancers - they are highly skilled & experienced, but look really relaxed & make it look effortless.

It’ll come in time. Be patient. Relax & enjoy the music. This is the secret. Let go and it’ll eventually just come to you.
 
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