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Posted by: Praetorian Aug 26 2009, 01:47 AM

I always have these "ghost" sounds that I don't want when bending and vibrato. Here is a sound clip of what I am talking about. No matter how many times I practice the same bends, they are there. When I bend into the other strings, and then release, the strings that were "bumped into" will sound off. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

 bending_problem.mp3 ( 88.16K ) : 199

Posted by: jafomatic Aug 26 2009, 01:52 AM

Yes, what you're not doing is muting the other strings. With left hand you can do this with any spare finger behind the one(s) fretting. If you look closely at some players, they're doing that with the index finger when it is not otherwise being used.

Alternately, and depending on the tempo of the piece you're playing, you can use your right hand for this as well. Most recent example of this that I can recall is in Piotr's very popular "Guitar Loves Piano" lesson. Watch his right hand, he mutes a number of different ways.

Posted by: Praetorian Aug 26 2009, 02:06 AM

QUOTE (jafomatic @ Aug 25 2009, 08:52 PM)

Posted by: UncleSkillet Aug 26 2009, 02:09 AM

Jafomatic has given you a great place to start. That lesson is a very good one to learn muting and vibrato control.

Just to add another thought on this subject. I have also heard this type of tone created by pickups being to close to the strings. The magnetic pull on the string is to much and won't let things ring right.

A video might help use pin point things more accurate though.

Posted by: Praetorian Aug 26 2009, 02:27 AM

QUOTE (UncleSkillet @ Aug 25 2009, 09:09 PM)

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 26 2009, 04:38 PM

It's a very common issue man, don't worry and just try to practice the muting slowly along side with bending and vibrato. There will be often some string noise when you bend, sometimes it just cannot be muted completely, but what you can do is minimize it even more, use your picking hand to mute the strings above the one you are bending, it's a delicate technique, but focus on it while practicing and it will show later in your playing as well. Try with several slightly different angles of the fretting finger (the one that bends) to experiment what angle gives you less noise.

Posted by: jafomatic Aug 26 2009, 04:44 PM

To clarify, if you're not using your index finger for the bend, you can gently lay it across ALL the strings. There's plenty of time to do so, fortunately, because the noise you're getting is occurring at release. That still leaves two very strong fingers to support the bend.

Posted by: kaznie_NL Aug 26 2009, 04:51 PM

If you have for instance a bend on the D string, then the E and A strings are on the high side of your bend, and the G, B and other E string are on the low side. The notes ont he low side can be muted with your index, the notes on the high side with your wrist, kinda like palm muting

Posted by: djohnneay Aug 26 2009, 08:59 PM

Mayby this lesson can clarify a few things for you. I used this lesson myself for practicing bending, and if I may say so, it improved my bending very much !

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/bending-heaven-lesson/