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Gospel Instruments => Bass Guitar => Topic started by: joe crabb on September 28, 2011, 06:59:58 AM

Title: Muting when slapping!!
Post by: joe crabb on September 28, 2011, 06:59:58 AM
How do you guy's mute the unplayed strings when slapping?i play mainly 5 string basses,thanks,Joe.
Title: Re: Muting when slapping!!
Post by: Fingers! on September 28, 2011, 07:50:02 AM
How do you guy's mute the unplayed strings when slapping?i play mainly 5 string basses,thanks,Joe.

I use the left hand.  I used to play guitar years ago and I learned to deaden particular unwanted strings with the sides of my fingers as I strum chords.  Like, when they teach you to keep your fingers curled and play with the tip, I had to break that rule and play with the FLAT of a finger or two and let the tip touch-mute the string directly above. 

Sometimes, as I'm playing, when it's time to use my second finger, the longest, I  would play a note on one of the thicker strings, b or e, then I would leave it there...not fretting, just touch-muting that particular string with the tip while rest of that same finger laying over a couple of other strings, muting, while my other fingers are still playing notes.  That moment would last only about a couple of beats. 

It just carried over to the bass.  I never really thought about it on bass, like, how some people have the 'b' string ringing issue...nope, never had it.  I DO remember, like it was yesterday, working out my mute issue on guitar.  I had to consciously focus on that.  Now, it's automatic.   
Title: Re: Muting when slapping!!
Post by: mjl422 on September 28, 2011, 11:47:33 AM
I use a combination of the left hand and right fore-arm/wrist.

Watch how he lays his fore-arm across the stings near the bridge. This technique works better if you wear your bass high.

Trevor Lindsey Demos KSD Burner DLX (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX6pLPzYZco#noexternalembed-ws)
Title: Re: Muting when slapping!!
Post by: joe crabb on September 29, 2011, 04:23:59 AM
I will have to experiment with these,i don't wear my bass to high and maybe i should try it out,thanks for the info,Joe.