Double Bass Muting E String With Cheek?

[fu22ba55]

This question proves I'm obviously not an accomplished classical player--I'm a jazz player getting more and more into arco.

While playing certain lyrical jazz melodies (arco), my E string vibrates sympathetically. (And sometimes my A string). I can usually dampen the string with my left hand, but at times it's easier to just "lean in" to the fingerboard and dampen the E string with my big fat head.

Is this acceptable? What should I be doing instead?

 

[chuck3]

I'm sure it's not proper technique but it completely sounds like something I would do, too.

 

[unbrokenchain]

Techniques have to originate somewhere, right? Maybe I'll try this cheeky thing out... Bet I could get some harmonics out with my chin too...

 

[etorgerson]

Joe Guastafeste often used his jaw to check pitch. I would venture to say that this is usually what is happening when you see bassist do that. It has often saved my intonation when I could not easily hear myself otherwise.