Dampening skills

[JonJon]

Check this video up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MDw8XpZlJs

I feel tat this technique is important, however it's very hard to master it.

Any SOFTies here would like to share their experiences in learning this technique or giving any advice in learning it?

 

[VidaK]

Impressive videoo... (jealousy...)

Well... I just keep the rest of my fingers or hand on the strings that im not playing or when im not playing... since the feedback and hum is going to kill me if I dun... (gain always 11/10!!)

 

[keiith]

Just remind yourselve to mute the other strings whenever you pick up your axe,

You'll slowly get used to it and after sometime it will just come naturally..

 

[ShredCow]

This is a stupidly IMPORTANT skill for ANYONE playing guitar... doesn't matter if you play electric, acoustic, classical, with gain on 10, jazz comping only, gypsy-shred, low-E-only-riffing...

I've met too many guitarists who can't keep the rest of the guitar quiet while they do their thing.

I think its a lost discipline... and a by product of sloppy, indifferent practice. I don't understand how one can get by it when you have ringing, clashing notes all over the place?



Actually, dampening is an art and its quite personal. Look at EJ's way of doing it then look at Marty Friedman's (apparent lack of) dampening. Interestingly, I find that THE WAY to proper dampening can only be discovered by the player himself. Its like trying to tell a player to hold his pick in only ONE POSITION - which doesn't make sense. But what makes sense is the outcome, the end product.
So I'd actually suggest being critical, listening carefully and even recording oneself in practice - extra noises = poor dampening so please please please, re-look your technique! You are either the best critic or the most ignorant hobbyist...

 

[lester_music]

the key is be sensitive to unwanted sounds or note....and naturally you will just want to mute the rest of the 5 strings when u r hitting only one...

you will find damn irritating if you are sensitive enough....

usually guitarist who don't apply these technique are not sensitive enough....meaning other strings ringing and yet still continuing playing...ohmy.....it is such a mess to me......

 

[joshuak]

As with most guitar techniques, it is about hand/finger muscle memory. So just keep on practising on doing it right and be patient.

One day, it will become 2nd nature. You will dampen the right strings without even being aware how you do it. You probably won't even realise/remember that you are dampening those strings.