Your Bass Muting Technique Sounds Like S**t (How to Fix It)

Without good bass muting technique, the notes you *mean* to play will get smothered by the rumbling racket of ringing strings.

Muting means keeping strings from ringing that you don’t want ringing so that your bass lines sound clean and clear - and not like a muddy inaudible mess.

In this lesson I’ll walk you through the five muting fixes most pro bass players to keep ringing and noise out of the picture.

Fixes #1, #2, and #3 will start with your plucking hand, giving you a solid foundation for keeping your low strings muted. I’ll show you each fix, and then we’ll put them into action with the main riff from Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name.”

But plucking hand muting is only part of the bass muting equation - we need to get the fretting hand in to finish the job. Fixes #4 and #5 will show you how to keep your higher strings quiet with a couple simple tweaks.

Getting the plucking hand muting together is something most beginners can handle with some practice. But nailing the fretting hand muting will take more time, well into your intermediate stage of development. So don’t expect to nail fixes #4 and #5 on day 1 - get your plucking hand tight first, then start working on the fretting hand.

We’ll try out all 5 fixes with “The Big Bass Muting Test,” where you can make sure there are no holes in your muting. Then we’ll wrap up and play some Bon Jovi together.

There may be some terrible singing in the last 20 seconds - I plead insanity.

#bassmutingtechnique #yougivebassabadname

[BassBuzz]

What muting technique are you struggling with the most? 👍👆✋🎸

[bii_gii]

still can't believe this kind of energy and enthusiasm in a lesson is free...

[lightfootmusick]

I told my bassist about your channel. I can tell he not watching.

[jackorobertson]

I started playing bass literally 12 days ago and you’ve helped me so much

[MediHusky]

>Play highly technical riff: Impeccable muting
>play 4 whole notes in sequence: the ringing of the bells of all the churches in england resonate upon all of mine strings...

[kuroageha]

I lost my index, middle and ring finger on my left hand at a long time ago.
So when I started to play the bass, I had to modify my bass for lefty, put a 2kg weight to make a preferred body balance to play, and then pluck the strings with my thumb mainly.
I cannot even say that I can play the bass yet, but the tips on this channel really help me.
Thank you so much.
I will advance with your help.

[Gorlung]

This lesson is an absolute gem for beginners. Don't underestimate it! So many people on YouTube posting videos how they play their favorite songs' covers, when in fact they play it shitty (even after years of practice).
I am not a Bon Jovi fan, but the track is a perfect choice for the exercise.
And one more advice for beginners. If you think, that you play the exercise good enough, try to play with a metronome (you will definitely find something to improve) .
Thank you, Josh! (planning to order your online course, 'cause your efforts worth the support).

[SammyRebbo]

Vibrations can be sympathetic?! A lot of people can't even do that!!

[markbass]

Josh at first I was a mess with rumbling strings, the mute secrets came with time, not to mention the flying little finger, very good video kind sir.

[Nektopoulo]

You know what I've taken away from this, it's good to be the king, "The Pull-Across King"

[marimeiku]

I’ve been wanting to learn bass for well over a decade and I finally made a 365 practice commitment. I found your channel about a week into it and here I am 2 months later still at it. Your tutorials give me the instruction and motivation I need to keep going. I love your attitude and your explanations are so clear. Thanks for being a great teacher!

[SteveWeltman]

Josh, such a valuable lesson and all about what not to let ring. Your technique advice is outstanding and your humor is just a touch below that but still fun and keeps it interesting for us noobs. Thank you again for posting all that you do!

[spicymangooo]

My book said something about a “tip” that this was where it was good to start practicing muting. As a self-teaching newbie I rely on the book, so I was flipping back and forth, and they don’t even mention anything about muting techniques! But I’m glad you’ve posted one!

[peachgrave]

This is one of the most helpful videos on your channel! I learned bad technique years ago and now trying to unlearn it lol … after just watching I’m struggling with accidentally hitting strings when I’m trying to mute but already understand more and see improvement. Thank you!!

[heymanniceshot]

I'm literally devouring your videos. Probably the best bass lessons, short, clear, essential tips and a lot of fun and humor. Each video I discover or re-discover useful tips. Thanks for this great work. I hope we will have lessons like this for 5 or maybe 6 Strings ( muting is more challenging) of course less beginners oriented, maybe it's not what you want for your channel.

[Kazumakix]

Been playing bass for a little more than a year, i thought that my muting techniques were pretty decent but actually there's plenty of room for improvement, thank you for the video :)

[isaackim]

UNDERRATED~~! i mean cmon u deserve way more subs

[IronDio]

Just finished Josh’s Beginner to Badass paid course. Worth every penny. Sorely wishing he had a part two I could jump into right now!

[nathanmantle]

Your videos are great, love your approach to not just the teaching itself, but the editing and even the "branding" (e.g. the orange theme). A great model for what I'd like my own teaching channel to be like eventually!

[gdunctank]

I started playing bass this year, and these videos are the most illuminating and helpful I've found. Thank you for your work.