Open String muting - suggestions

[tothemax]

Probably a basic muscle memory lesson. I've been playing the Talking Heads version of "Take me to the river" and playing the D, and A drop down on the chorus on the A and E strings (3rd fret). I'd prefer to use the open strings but I haven't found a good method to mute the open D and A opens string without a "pinch" pluck which doesn't seem to flow as well. I'm thinking it "should" be a right hand action. I don't have any issues muting the open E (probably due to occasionally using the E as finger rest). Similar moves on the A or D seem clunky. Open to any suggestions or exercises.

 

[Malcolm35]

As a good ole boy hobby bassists I decided to use flats with foam rubber under the strings at the bridge as a method of muting. The flats and foam did most of the work and I seldom have to even think about muting.

Offered for what it is worth...

 

[FatStringer52]

I'm thinking it "should" be a right hand action.

Normally, going from open D to open A, I will use my fretting hand to mute. However, as always, it depends on where your coming from and where you're going to. If you are committed to using the open strings in that part of the chorus and wanting to mute with the plucking hand then yes, it's going to be a muscle memory thing that you will just have to slow it down and spend some time with.

 

[tothemax]

Thanks FS52,
As my playing progresses I'm trying to look at options for less travel up and down the neck. Using the 5th fret position allows me to play the E either open or at the 7th fret on the A string. Just noticed my typo "3rd fret", should be "5th".

 

[Les Fret]

Why not use D fifth fret and A open? All on A string. It’s easy and doesn’t require any muting. Playing two open strings after each other going from high to low is always tricky. If you really want to do that then mute with the left hand.

 

[dreamadream99]

Good rule of thumb:

1. Fretting hands mutes all higher* open strings
2. Trailing fingers of plucking hand mute all lower* open strings

*higher and lower refer to string pitch, not distance from ground

 

[tothemax]

Thanks LF,
Got some ideas to work with... this is a great site.

 

[SteveCS]

Probably a basic muscle memory lesson. I've been playing the Talking Heads version of "Take me to the river" and playing the D, and A drop down on the chorus on the A and E strings (3rd fret). I'd prefer to use the open strings but I haven't found a good method to mute the open D and A opens string without a "pinch" pluck which doesn't seem to flow as well. I'm thinking it "should" be a right hand action. I don't have any issues muting the open E (probably due to occasionally using the E as finger rest). Similar moves on the A or D seem clunky. Open to any suggestions or exercises.

Knowing that version of the song, I suspect you are asking as much about getting a clean consistent 'off' with the staccato notes as you are about preventing ringing of unplayed strings? For that I would advise avoiding the open strings. You need to aim for a short, fast and precise lift into your left-hand fingertips, releasing the string quickly from the fret but keeping your fingers in contact with the string as it lifts.

If this is a new idea to you, start out by fretting the note with your middle finger so that as you lift you can get ring and pinky into action killing off the sounding length (fret to bridge) and index damping the portion of string between fret and nut. Once you have mastered controlling the mute in this way, practice with other fingers taking on the stopping and muting. Killing a note played by middle or ring is easy - more tricky to learn are index and pinky because you only have 'dampers' on one side.

Have a go at these three. Watch out for the staccato marks and be sure to play the rests...