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What is hip no mutting??

M

Music_for_life

Aug 6, 2010
627
9
#1
It seems most of the song is play in a normal way just like Come on Come on over.
Most people think it involves mutting, but I think the only part that is played with a mutting with the left hand is the E string at the 7th fret of the intro and verse.
What do you think?
 
#4
Maybe you and I have different definitions of "muting"? IMHO you should be thinking about proper muting technique every note of every song you play. Muting is one of the biggest factors that separates the intermediate players from the beginners, in my experience. :)
 
#5
It's much more obvious in the studio recording. I think for the purpose of that instructional video he may have toned it down so that you can see his finger movements more clearly, but he mutes with his ring finger and pinky (very lightly!) while fretting with his index and ring finger.
 
#6
When we're speaking of Rocco muting, it's a reference to using the fingers on the fretting hand to slightly deaden the note being played. It's a similar sound to stuffing a towel or sock between the body and strings by the bridge, using a dedicated string mute, or palm muting on the bridge.

Rocco does a LOT of left hand muting, but he doesn't mute every single note, every single time, all the time. There's many TOP songs that feature much more muting that "Hip", and it's easier to hear in recordings they've done in the last 10 years or so.

This type of muting is the key to Will Lee's sound, too. He'll tell you he stole it from Rocco, but Will doesn't necessarily use the technique full time. I've seen a lot of guys raise their action and get those pickup covers trying to cop that vibe but they don't get it unless they know about the muting thing.
 
#7
20db pad said:
When we're speaking of Rocco muting, it's a reference to using the fingers on the fretting hand to slightly deaden the note being played. It's a similar sound to stuffing a towel or sock between the body and strings by the bridge, using a dedicated string mute, or palm muting on the bridge.

Rocco does a LOT of left hand muting, but he doesn't mute every single note, every single time, all the time. There's many TOP songs that feature much more muting that "Hip", and it's easier to hear in recordings they've done in the last 10 years or so.

This type of muting is the key to Will Lee's sound, too. He'll tell you he stole it from Rocco, but Will doesn't necessarily use the technique full time. I've seen a lot of guys raise their action and get those pickup covers trying to cop that vibe but they don't get it unless they know about the muting thing.
Click to expand...

Great post...
Regarding What is hip. Which parts do you think are played with muting.
 
#8
Music_for_life said:
Great post...
Regarding What is hip. Which parts do you think are played with muting.
Click to expand...

Ultimately, Rocco always seems to have a tendency to mute notes an the E and A strings a lot, and is less likely to mute them on faster passages on the D and G. It's simply a lot harder (but not impossible) to pull this technique off on fast figures on the higher strings.

Rocco has said many times over the years that he was looking for his notes to sort of sound like a tuned conga drum, so they'd only last a short time, and then quickly move on to the next thing. He got this done with the left hand muting, as well as playing true staccato - giving the notes a little less duration that other players would to make the bass work better and be more audible in the TOP ensemble. Of course, Rocco plays longer, sustained notes in ballads and down-tempo numbers, but his signature approach will almost always pop up, even in those types of tunes.

Rocco also plays very high action that would scare, or at least humble most players.
 
#9
Mushroo said:
Maybe you and I have different definitions of "muting"? IMHO you should be thinking about proper muting technique every note of every song you play. Muting is one of the biggest factors that separates the intermediate players from the beginners, in my experience. :)
Click to expand...

IMHO, if you are having to think about technique on every single note, then you aren't feeling enough. I haven't thought about my technique in years. If I need to mute a note, it just "happens". It may be right (plucking) hand muting, or left. But my hands just do it. I have played What is Hip a hundred times and I honestly can't tell you how I mute the notes. And it pretty much sounds like the record. To me, not having to think about every note is what separates the pros from the beginners. Just a different perspective.
 
#10
^This is true, but you're glossing over the whole "learn it, then forget it" concept. Meaning, you've internalized this stuff over countless hours of playing. So much so that you've forgotten then you're even doing this, or I should say how you're do it. Until the OP gets there they have to work on the various muting techniques more methodically, hence thinking about it more. Totally agree with you but let's not forget that getting there is a process that takes time, some more than others.

OP, keeping working at it... you'll get there and when you do it will just feel totally natural.
 

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