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Staccato

Discussion in 'Technique [BG]' started by rcarraher, Jul 25, 2009.

  1. Jul 25, 2009 #1
    rcarraher

    rcarraher

    Dec 21, 2008
    I have a question about getting staccato notes. I have been playing Jeff Becks Led Boots for years and apparently I am doing it wrong. I was just practising the tune with some guys I haven't played with in like 10 years. It for a memorial this afternoon and the guitarist we are "waking" just killed on the tune so I want to get it right. The keyboard player keeps telling me that the last few notes in the begining bars (and a few other places) should be played staccato. I know what that means but I keep getting almost dead notes OR pull offs. What am I doing wrong, beside strangling the neck! Any help?
     
  2. Jul 25, 2009 #2
    XylemBassGuitar

    XylemBassGuitar Supporting Member Commercial User

    Aug 14, 2008
    Durango, CO
    Owner and Operator, Xylem Handmade Basses and Guitars
    There are a lot of only slightly-different ways to get staccato notes, but here is one:

    Attack the string slightly harder than you would for a normal note and instead of bringing your finger completely off the string, just release your grip enough to bring the string off of the fret, thus muting the note. This should help improve your problems with both the dead notes and the unwanted pull-offs.

    For open strings, don't attack harder, just mute the string as gently as possible with your palm, fretting hand, plucking finger, etc.
     
  3. Jul 25, 2009 #3
    rcarraher

    rcarraher

    Dec 21, 2008
    I'll give that a try. I feel like I got on an air plane last night, and got off not knowing how to play:eek: I've been sitting here working on it, and I think alot of my problem is position. I'm trying to reach and thus moving my hand alot, but the more I study it, everything should be under 4-5 frets. Maybe if I put your advice together with my discovery, I can make it work. Thanks
     
  4. Jul 25, 2009 #4
    XylemBassGuitar

    XylemBassGuitar Supporting Member Commercial User

    Aug 14, 2008
    Durango, CO
    Owner and Operator, Xylem Handmade Basses and Guitars
    Good luck rcarraher!
     
  5. Jul 28, 2009 #5
    rcarraher

    rcarraher

    Dec 21, 2008
    Well, I got through the memorial, and didn't sound half bad. But what it made me realize is that my technique has gotten very rusty, and maybe wasn't so great in the first place. Things like getting the staccato notes, bends, slides to "no where/from no where, etc...so I guess I need to do some wood shedding, but thanks for the tips on the staccato notes Xylem...got me through the gig.