How to mute using a pick

[hudster]

Hi, I am a bass player who has been playing for about approximately 7 months. Lately I have been using a pick and playing some jason newsted lines. I am learning king nothing and the intro is really crappy on my end as I cannot mute the e string when playing the d and a. When I play fingerstyle I have no problem but I do want to have the pluckey thwap of a pick. I have looked online for tips but have only found stuff I currently know.

I know I can use the tips of my fretting fingers to mute it but when I slide from the 5-7 on the a string I cannot control my fingers enough to do it. I

f you need a reference of the tabs, here:

I want to know what I can do to mute it. Sorry if this was confusing I am a little illiterate so I find words and word usage to be confusing at times, and sorry if this is in the wrong sub, I'm new to this app so I'm still trying to find everything.

 

[HelpImaRock]

Muting comes from both hands. It takes time to get it right. This is a good video. Just keep at it.

 

[jeff62]

Use the fleshy outside part of your picking hand to mute strings. It’s natural if you’re a guitar player but easily learned with a little practice. This will give you tons of control once you’re familiar with the technique.

 

[Fynn]

I just tested it, because I couldn't tell you without examining what I'm doing while I'm doing it. I mute with both my hands. My fretting hand thumb is slightly wrapped around holding the E string, and the side of my hand is also muting all the strings below the one I'm currently picking.
Problem is, I couldn't tell you how I learned this. I learned pick playing fairly late, but I never did any specific exercises or such things. I just played and listened for when strings ring out.

I just learned that first riff from the video you posted here and I can see how it's difficult for someone who's just starting out with pick playing. Though I wouldn't be too concerned with this one honestly. The tuning is such that when you slide into that 7th fret A string, that's the exact same note as the open E, just an octave lower. I don't know the original, but I would simply let the E ring out a bit, while sliding into the 7th fret. Just make a slow smooth transition with your thumb to cover that E, so that by the time you're playing the 5th fret on the D string, the E is muted. But even if it wasn't, that 5th fret D string, which is a Gb if I'm not mistaken, doesn't fight the open Eb too much anyways.
That being said, I would definitely advise you to look into fretting hand muting though. I use my thumb, a lot of people use a free finger, but anything that works and doesn't hurt you is fair game essentially.

 

[hudster]

I just tested it, because I couldn't tell you without examining what I'm doing while I'm doing it. I mute with both my hands. My fretting hand thumb is slightly wrapped around holding the E string, and the side of my hand is also muting all the strings below the one I'm currently picking.
Problem is, I couldn't tell you how I learned this. I learned pick playing fairly late, but I never did any specific exercises or such things. I just played and listened for when strings ring out.

I just learned that first riff from the video you posted here and I can see how it's difficult for someone who's just starting out with pick playing. Though I wouldn't be too concerned with this one honestly. The tuning is such that when you slide into that 7th fret A string, that's the exact same note as the open E, just an octave lower. I don't know the original, but I would simply let the E ring out a bit, while sliding into the 7th fret. Just make a slow smooth transition with your thumb to cover that E, so that by the time you're playing the 5th fret on the D string, the E is muted. But even if it wasn't, that 5th fret D string, which is a Gb if I'm not mistaken, doesn't fight the open Eb too much anyways.
That being said, I wouldn't definitely advise you to look into fretting hand muting though. I use my thumb, a lot of people use a free finger, but anything that works and doesn't hurt you is fair game essentially.

Thanks for trying it out, I will take that advice and apply it to the best for my abilities, appreciate it lots

 

[hudster]

Use the fleshy outside part of your picking hand to mute strings. It’s natural if you’re a guitar player but easily learned with a little practice. This will give you tons of control once you’re familiar with the technique.

Like the thumb meat?

 

[Lowbrow]

Like the thumb meat?

The meat that runs from the bottom of your little finger to your wrist. What you'd use in a karate chop.

 

[hudster]

The meat that runs from the bottom of your little finger to your wrist. What you'd use in a karate chop.

Oh ok thank you got it

 

[Killing Floor]

What @Lowbrow said
When you’re holding the pick practice resting the opposite side of your hand in front of the bridge. Also you can pad your fretting hand on the strings.

There are also simple mutes you can buy or some people just stuff sponge under the strings at the bridge.

I’d say since you’re a new player try to learn hand muting because a true mute changes the dynamics and maybe it works for you or maybe not.

 

[lildrgn]

happy that you are considering the muting aspect of playing. I often see players, both finger and pick, neglect to mute ringing/open strings and it

MAKES.

ME.

ANGRY.

I try to be very precise with muting. As a relatively newer pick player (within the past 2.5 years), it was challenging, but I am good enough now that it is not much of an issue.

 

[MCF]

Hi, I am a bass player who has been playing for about approximately 7 months. Lately I have been using a pick and playing some jason newsted lines. I am learning king nothing and the intro is really crappy on my end as I cannot mute the e string when playing the d and a. When I play fingerstyle I have no problem but I do want to have the pluckey thwap of a pick. I have looked online for tips but have only found stuff I currently know.

I know I can use the tips of my fretting fingers to mute it but when I slide from the 5-7 on the a string I cannot control my fingers enough to do it. I

f you need a reference of the tabs, here:

I want to know what I can do to mute it. Sorry if this was confusing I am a little illiterate so I find words and word usage to be confusing at times, and sorry if this is in the wrong sub, I'm new to this app so I'm still trying to find everything.

 

[J Wilson]

I hold the pick with my thumb and index finger. I'll tend to use the outside of my palm (along the little finger) or the little finger. If I'm up on the D or G, the side of my palm along the thumb. And as needed occasionally my fretting hand.

 

[Sharko]

View attachment 7078340

The one and only Thunder Giraffe!

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Man… It was a very very long time ago but I don’t think anyone showed me a specific technique. I just kinda did it… I think. Anyhow I mute just has much with my fretting hand as I do my picking hand. I would just watch some movies with pick players and mimic the technique. I have friends who are heavy on the palm but it doesn’t sound as musical and kinda slows me down personally but we all kinda have our own ways of getting to the same result.

 

[Watchootognbout]

While the right edge of the picking hand is muting the unplayed strings,the left hand fingers are muting unplayed strings above the picked strings.

 

[malukopower]

just adding that when muting the E string and strumming the higher ones, sometimes I use my thumb from fretting hand to mute it. it may seem uncomfortable but since I play hard it is helpful, especially when playing standing.

something like this guy plays the main riff from holiday in cambodia: