Learning pick technique, muting with right hand

[LotusCarsLtd52]

I started learning bass using the walking fingers technique and I feel I am good at it. A little rough around the edges but the technique is down and I can use it effectively, although not for insanely fast songs (not that I intend to play any, mind you).

Anyway I decided that I want to learn how to use a pick to expand my sonic horizons. My questions are as follows:

1) How do you mute when you use a pick? With the finger method I just use my thumb to quiet the strings not being played but I can't do this with the pick. I tried laying my hand over the strings with mixed results.

2) Is it better to pluck down or to alternate up and down?

Thank you!

 

[bongomania]

Check out the Carol Kaye method, and JimmyM's big thread about it.

 

[wetzelman1]

I do alternate picking, really necessary for speed. You do get different sounds with up and down picking so it's up to you and what sounds is necessary. I'll do a kindof selective palm muting. A little different on bass than on guitar, where you mute makes a big difference. I'll do a little bit of muting over the bridge on fast articulate parts to clean up the notes. You can get a lot of different sounds by muting in different places, using different pressures and palm angles.

 

[panazza]

I mute with my right hand, just laying it on the string above the one I am playing (I am not talking about palm muting near the bridge, just muting the strings you are not using).

 

[jowens004]

SOmetimes I will use my left Thumb to Mute the E string, and the right edge of my right hand to mute the othr strings. It takes time and practice.