Playing notes on same fret, one string apart

[Steve Harris Is]

In my band we're focusing on originals, so most of the bass parts I write tend to focus on my "comfort zone", but I don't want to get trapped in playing stuff that's too simple, etc. So, one thing I always struggle with is:

Playing adjacent notes one string apart, when NOT trying to let ring out. Meaning it looks like this:

-----------7--7--7--7
----------7--7--7--7-

This is just one example, but you get the idea. If the notes need to be rung out, it's quite easy, but to get them to sound clean and individual I struggle with proper way to play. Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[Crazyeelboy]

Try playing each note with a different finger. For this, I tend to use the third finger on the higher string and the second on the lower string, but that can change, depending upon the rest of the bass line.

 

[Nick Ioannucci]

bar with one finger, and lifted afer every beat you play, its like a little quick mute, i know what you mean i really have to work on my muting, its not a problem on upright but on electric those pesky pickup things... lol

 

[wtg203]

Either bar the 7th fret on those two strings, and 'rock' your finger back and fourth to lift off the note you want to stop (thereby muting it), or place your second finger on the 7th fret, D string, and your index finger on the 7th fret, A string, and release the pressure from the note you want to dampen (they both do the same thing, just a variation of eachother.

 

[Zebra]

I tend to fret with two different fingers in those cases. It's not the "proper" method, but it works best for me. If you choose to bar the two notes, then you might want to try using the plucking hand fingers to mute the notes.

 

[Warwick19]

I would use first finger on the lower string, second finger on the higher one if you have trouble barring.

 

[fr0me0]

i do the rock method that was mentioned earlier. I couldn't get it for the life of me at first like most things but now it saves me alot of time.

 

[All_¥our_Bass]

Pluck teh lower string with your thumb and the higher with your index or middle, and after you pluck a note, rest your thumb/finger on the respective string to mute it.

 

[steveb98]

I disagree with all the suggestions so far. Rocking or rolling your finger between strings work good on guitar because the string spacing is closer on most basses the spacing is too wide to do it cleanly. Using one finger and a bar also is had to do cleanly. Both of these method lead to fret rattle and clicking from the constant back and forth and raising and lowering the string.

What you are talking about is like an old Blue shuffle bass line, going from root to the fifth below. I would do it with two fingers. Typically use second finger on the root (higher string) and first finger on the fifth below (lower string). I never release the root and using right hand finger muting to cut the notes off. By doing that there is no fret click or rattle. For the lower note depending on tempo I will release it, but still mute the string with the right hand. That way it helps eliminate potential fret click or rattle.

Getting your right hand muting together offers ability to keep the left hand down on strings to reduce fret click and more control of how long notes ring. Also get good with it and lots staccato line can be done cleanly. Getting your right and left hand muting together is real important when you start recording. A bass with its pickups wide open going into a DI picks up every little noise that you probably don't even notice now.

That's how I would approach it.

 

[brothernewt]

I think each of these techniques has some merit. 2 fingers if you want the notes to touch each other. Rock the finger or just move one back and forth for a very stacatto feel on slower tunes, or bar and mute with the plucking hand for a faster stacatto feel.

 

[Steve Harris Is]

Thanks for all the suggestions, and I will incorporate them into practice now and see what works best!

 

[Eli M.]

Moved to Technique

 

[dancehallclasher]

I usually have no problem barring them, especially in low positions. It can be awkward to do it if you play the higher note first and forget you have to bar, though.

 

[Alec W. Conway]

If the string are right next to another, I'll use the same finger for the same fret. There's plenty of meat for 2 strings on the same finger.

If you want string skipping, then I'll just twist my hand and use another finger.

 

[davefarrell]

i thought we were talkin about root to fourth not fifth?

 

[fretless Bob]

i would bar across the two strings and then mute with my right hand.

so what i do is bar across the A and the D, pluck the A with my index finger then pluck the D with my middle finger and mute the A with my middle finger as it is coming off of the D,

i find it the best way of keeping the bass quiet when needed,

a good way to practise this is to play open E A D G, so you pick the E with your index finger then the A with your middle and then mute the E with your middle finger as it comes off of the A, then pluck the D with your index, then mute the A with the index finger as it comes off of the D and then pluck the G with your middle finger and mute the D with your middle finger as it comes off of the G

so as you pluck the higher string you mute the string below it after plucking.

i hope that helps


Dave

 

[Alec W. Conway]

i would bar across the two strings and then mute with my right hand.

so what i do is bar across the A and the D, pluck the A with my index finger then pluck the D with my middle finger and mute the A with my middle finger as it is coming off of the D,

i find it the best way of keeping the bass quiet when needed,

a good way to practise this is to play open E A D G, so you pick the E with your index finger then the A with your middle and then mute the E with your middle finger as it comes off of the A, then pluck the D with your index, then mute the A with the index finger as it comes off of the D and then pluck the G with your middle finger and mute the D with your middle finger as it comes off of the G

so as you pluck the higher string you mute the string below it after plucking.

i hope that helps


Dave

That's precisely the technique I use, excpt sometimes I'll mute the D with my floating thumb.

 

[unity bass]

i thought we were talkin about root to fourth not fifth?

the fifth "below".
it effectively gives the same shape as grabbing the fourth above.
Adjacent strings at the same fret.

Chad

Edit: in responce to the orig. post; I use all of the above as well as others (hammer-on, two hand tap, etc...). None of them well, but yup... whatever works. depends on the song.

 

[fretless Bob]

That's precisely the technique I use, excpt sometimes I'll mute the D with my floating thumb.

i never really got into te floating thumb thing, my thumb either sits on the B or E string, or the pickup, amybe on the A occasionly.


Dave

 

[Crazyeelboy]

I guess this question comes up a lot - I had someone ask me about this very thing between sets at a gig a few months ago. I use one finger for each string and hold and release each note independently as required. That keeps the notes ringing out longer than desired. Seems to work for me.