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Right hand muting technique

B

BrianM

Dec 2, 2009
10
0
Nelson, BC Canada
#1
I looked through all of the threads on muting and was unable to find any specific answers regarding muting the upper strings when descending.

I also looked on you tube and was unable to find my answer there either. (There was one previous thread on this question in 2004 that no one replied to).

I have been working on the floating thumb technique which I find very good for muting the lower strings when moving to the next higher string but there seems very little talk or instruction for going the other way.

I tried Gary Willis' method but could not get the sequencing right because it seemed to change depending on which finger was used to pluck the last note before dropping to the lower string, so I started experimenting with using my pinky to dampening the higher string and it seems to work quite well.

The down side is: because the pinky is short, the plucking hand has to stay in quite a closed position in order to keep the extended pinky on the next string and I feel I have lost some of the "drive" of the pluck. Plus my hand seems to tire more quickly because it is curled in a bit tighter than the natural resting position.

I was hoping some of the more experienced players would have some thought about this that they could share. I am trying not to reinvent the wheel!

Thanks!
 
#4
Okay, but I dont understand how you can use you left hand to mute the note. What I am trying to accomplish is stopping that quick fret buzz when your finger releases the string to move onto the next note. I understand that releasing the string quickly will minimize the buzz but on the other hand a bunch of smaller buzzes still get in the way of the notes.
 
#5
That's just a case of practicing I'm afraid.

Now that I think about it, what I tend to do is instead of taking my finger entirely off of the fretboard, I lift up my finger so the string doesn't touch the fretwire but keep my finger on the string enough for it to mute. If that makes sense?
 
#6
BrianM said:
Okay, but I dont understand how you can use you left hand to mute the note. What I am trying to accomplish is stopping that quick fret buzz when your finger releases the string to move onto the next note. I understand that releasing the string quickly will minimize the buzz but on the other hand a bunch of smaller buzzes still get in the way of the notes.
Click to expand...
When fretting with the the index finger of your left hand, let it lightly touch the higher strings not in play in order to mute them. Whilst not fretting with the index finger, keep it lightly on the string(s) being fretted by your other fingers, as well as the higher strings not in play.
 
#7
Keep your thumb behind the neck, keep your fingers slightly curved and fret with your finger pad, not the tip. This way the meat in your fingers will touch the higher strings.

If you fret with index, rest of the fingers should be resting on the strings and/or going towards the next note. When you fret with your pinky on E/A, rest of of your fingers can still rest on the strings effectively muting them and your pinky probably will touch them aswell.

Think something along barre chords with guitar, only with lighter touch and more points touching the strings than one. Beware of harmonics near 5th & 7th fret, the higher pitched ones need to be EXACT to ring so they're not that much of a problem.

Keeping your fingers close to the strings is a good way for fast, exact fretting and helps with muting.
 
#8
Good post. I had to think a minute as I do it subconsiously. I mute with both hands. Mostly my left as long as its not near a harmonic fret (ie. 5, 7, 12). My right hand mutes mostly when I want the note to ring a certain length and then stop for that dead air time. I also use my right hand to mute slowly (touch the string on the bridge then move it up the string so the note decays faster).
 
#9
Just use your left hand. Having control over the strings with your left hand is crucial. When "unfretting" a string don't just pull your finger away but lift it enough for it to "unfret" but keep contact so it is immediately muted. Your other fingers should mute the other strings (or the higher strings if your right hand thumb is muting the lower strings and it's more comfortable).
 
#10
As I am following your thread, I am beginning to wonder if the secondary buzzes you are getting are coming from the strings being too low or the neck not having enough relief. I would think that once you take the fretting finger off, the buzz should stop in a fraction of a second unless the string is hitting the fret in its naturally vibrating state. If you pluck the open strings, is there any fret noise at all? How about after tapping a note? Popping?
 
#11
BrianM said:
I looked through all of the threads on muting and was unable to find any specific answers regarding muting the upper strings when descending.

I also looked on you tube and was unable to find my answer there either. (There was one previous thread on this question in 2004 that no one replied to).

I have been working on the floating thumb technique which I find very good for muting the lower strings when moving to the next higher string but there seems very little talk or instruction for going the other way.

I tried Gary Willis' method but could not get the sequencing right because it seemed to change depending on which finger was used to pluck the last note before dropping to the lower string, so I started experimenting with using my pinky to dampening the higher string and it seems to work quite well.

The down side is: because the pinky is short, the plucking hand has to stay in quite a closed position in order to keep the extended pinky on the next string and I feel I have lost some of the "drive" of the pluck. Plus my hand seems to tire more quickly because it is curled in a bit tighter than the natural resting position.

I was hoping some of the more experienced players would have some thought about this that they could share. I am trying not to reinvent the wheel!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Being able to mute with either hand really is worth some practice time.

I found it hard to mute with my right hand because my strap was very short. I played for years with my wrist cocked over to 1 side. When I started using my right hand more like a folk guitar player, I added to the length of my strap. The angle of my hand to the strings changed. I found a position that allows me more versatility with my right hand.

Your results my vary & it could take some time to find your sweet spot. The answer could be as simple as the relative position of the strings to your body. Good hunting. 8-)
 
#12
Thanks a lot for the help guys, I am really going to give the left hand muting a run. I have also had a bit of success getting my right pinky or ring finger to mute the strings as I descend. Also I just purchased a new MIA Jazz from a fellow TB, so once that arrives, I will see if string height might make a difference as well.
 
#13
I've found that being able to mute with both hands is a critical skill to clean playing. Right hand from mving from lower to higher strings, and left hand going the other way. For my right hand, I use an anchored thumb and mute with my pinky and ring fingers, but many people use a floating thumb technique very successfully. If you feel like you're not getting enough volume out of your right hand plucking, here's an easy fix...

...turn up your amp. ;)
 

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