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

👉 My full beginner bass course: yeah.bassbuzz.com/muting
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.
Did this lesson totally change your muting game? If so you should probably subscribe so you don’t miss any more gamechangers - yeah.bassbuzz.com/subscribe
#bassmutingtechnique #yougivebassabadname

[@BassBuzz]

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

[@pickbassguitar2802]

2 weeks, but this came out like 2 days ago...

[@60degreelobwedge82]

This was great but please do one about muting when playing with a pick. Thanks!

[@JohnDoe-xf8ew]

The sneaky finger is the one I struggle with the most

[@TubeScrewed]

Just started, so all of them.

[@dtrocks05]

Now I've been incorporating all these teqniuques in my playing for a while . My band noticed a huge improvement in my playing especially when it comes to the string sitter which took me a little while to perfect, but once I became comfortable with it the tunes I play have more clarity and attack ! Outstanding work Josh and keep up the excellent work !

[@bii_gii]

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

[@Fonkemman]

Sssshhhh

[@nigelberrenstein8748]

Gotta say he's the best bass teacher i'f seen so far

[@808Mark]

🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫!!!

[@jamiemcdonald4279]

Shush!!!

[@mini_mozzer]

beginner mistake thinking energy and enthusiasm is how you teach someone..

[@lightfootmusick]

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

[@BassBuzz]

Just copy-paste this into a text for them: HEY CHECK OUT THIS COOL NEW VIDEO ABOUT BASS MUTING TECHNIQUE, JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT FIND IT INTERESTING 😉😉😉

[@silversurfer8719]

Bwhahahahahaha LoL

[@Fonkemman]

HAHAHAHAHA Damn. Just forward a video to him.

[@diphylleia8577]

This ice cold tea right here 💀💀

[@Receipt]

Cold. Blooded.

[@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...

[@jackorobertson7597]

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

[@DatBoi-mo9vc]

Instruments arent jobs. They arent learned in a couple months and done from there. You learn the instrument forever.

[@dontmindme3032]

@@Johnny-zt6tq i've been olaying base for 2 days now too, got mine on tuesday, fretting and moving notes is also hard for me, im sure a lot of practice will make this muscle memory after a while. Just keep practicing i guess

[@edgar1906]

Johnny Simon sameee. And when I try to do it, it hurts my finger a lot 😂. I guess people get used to that. And it’s hard to fret as well. At least I can slap all 4 strings without missing after 4 days of practice.

[@dontmindme3032]

@@edgar1906 i have been playing bass for about 2 weeks now and fretting has become easier! Still not easy but i'm sure if you just practice you'll get used to it

[@fazeshrek2979]

How's it going now man, U slappin yet?

[@Gorlung]

This lesson is an absolute gem for beginners. Don't underestimate it! So many people on KZbin 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).

[@Gorlung]

Promised to purchase your course. I have finally completed after three weeks of intensive practice

[@kuroageha1096]

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.

[@mversantvoort]

It’s awesome that you’re learning to play the bass in your own way, good luck and enjoy!

[@shadowchu419]

Dude good luck on your bass journey

[@rudalph529]

Sucks that 99% of instruments need fingers, the handpan doesn't, check that out?

[@SammyRebbo]

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

[@markbass354]

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.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Mark!

[@markbass354]

I'm not sure who the other Mark B is do you have a link , Ive played bass for 45 years now

[@Nektopoulo]

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

[@BassBuzz]

Ask Jessica, ask Amanda, ask Tania, ask Alice, ask Corinn, ask any of my ex's! I'm the Pull-Across King!

[@Metalfreak777]

@@BassBuzz 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@tyrfree5733]

@@BassBuzz you're a real musician...cuz you go through a lot of chicks..

[@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!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Steve!

[@marimeiku2515]

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!

[@heymanniceshot4023]

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.

[@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!

[@nathanmantle377]

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!

[@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 :)

[@peachgrave9728]

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!!

[@isaackim6662]

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

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Isaac!

[@IronDio698]

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!

[@usynin463]

Please keep making these, I love these videos so much. Your communication is so bright and engaging, easy to follow but not condescending or baby talky. I NEED these keep it up!!

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Maria!

[@sharpeidad1055]

You do a phenomenal job of making this fun, Josh. Please keep these great videos rolling

[@Its_Nobody1x2]

Man I just started playing bass and I excited to learn. But I'm glad that this video is here because I can progress to being a better bassist. Keep up the awesome work!

[@NichiTeca]

Probably one of the best bass focused channel on yt! Thank you for all these awesome lessons :)

[@0711RC]

Learning the basics needs a good teacher that explains the basics correctly. You do that!! Bless your soul for helping so many of us.

[@danielatherton1631]

You're very good at imitating bad technique. Something often overlooked with content creators but you're able to make examples of how it sounds when it's done wrong and I think that's really useful.

[@gdunctank]

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

[@BassBuzz]

Thank you!

[@ajdayton101]

Such great stuff Josh. I believe my muting skills are decent, but I will check my technique for sure.

[@BootedSquirrel]

Been loving your videos lately! Keep them coming! :D

[@austinwilkerson8485]

This is just what I needed. Been having trouble with buzzing and ringing. You the man Josh!

[@nivbet3957]

Hey! i got my first bass three days ago, and im feeling so lucky that i came across this channel. you rock dude! thank you so much!

[@rohitdeshpande6978]

I started playing bass little over a month now. I have learnt amazing techniques from each and every video of yours. Your exercises are great and fun to learn. I always wanted to see a video of eliminating the unwanted sounds - Thanks this helps a lot :)

[@madmusic8447]

Im a really new bassist / music instrument player and this is the kind of technique i've been searching for. I've been doing the thumb, pull across and the flat hand most of the time. This video really help me a lot. thanks.

[@M4rKnoT]

Awesome!! This is another great one!! I’m improving a lot with these videos...!! Thanks josh!!

[@hansapils4889]

i just started playing more learning and i absolutely love your humor with this attitude learning an instrument makes so much more fun! Thankyou!

[@CarlosPerdomo]

oh my goodness Josh... just what I needed. I'm considering getting your DVD's.

[@dkless101]

Coming from a guitar background, muting on a bass was one of my first questions. You have to use the flat finger technique for power chords on guitar so this was fantastic for me. Thanks!

this is the video i've been looking for, finally! thank you.

[@TarantulaJonez]

Yay new video! I just finished the bass to badass course and it's AMAZING the difference it made. Thank you for making this instrument so accessible and unintimidating!!

[@BassBuzz]

Congrats on finishing the course Chelsea! Glad it was helpful.

[@TheOnlyBoon]

Love the shirt, and great video as always! Keep it up!

[@vanessa.nguyen]

Super entertaining! This video was perfect in teaching all the bass muting techniques. Thank you!

[@SonicXRage]

This is a good video because it goes into more detail on muting than most videos ("jUsT mOvE yOuR rIgHt HaNd AnD lEfT hAnD dOwN aT tHe SaMe TiMe"), *_BUT,_* like most videos, you missed an *_extremely important_* muting tip: plucking hand thumb placement. Let's say I'm trying to play an old school R&B song. I decided to pluck the strings somewhere close to the neck for that classic fat sound. I'm going my merry way, but I quickly notice a faint ringing sound coming from the strings _underneath my plucking hand's thumb._ I'm doing _everything_ Josh said, yet it's as if the laws of physics just don't work properly for me! Fortunately, the weird muting problems aren't actually caused by a glitch in real life: This strange phenomenon is just caused by my thumb touching a harmonic node (or whatever you music geeks call it). Fixing this issue is simple: I just need to move my plucking hand closer to either the neck or the bridge until there's no more faint, high-pitched ringing coming from the strings my thumb is muting. But since where you pluck also changes your tone, I'll have to try moving my plucking hand both ways to find a spot with a good tone and no annoying "thumb harmonics." So I try moving even closer to the neck--- sounds a little too fat for me. What if I try moving slightly away from the neck? ...That sounds pretty good! Not too fat, not too tight! And no more rebellious singing coming from underneath my thumb! Note: Remember that, while I decided to avoid going very close to the neck, you might like the sound of playing very close, or even on top of, the neck. How you shape your tone is entirely up to you. This tip both saved my sanity and improved my tone. Also, I find that moving to avoid "thumb harmonics" usually gives me a better tone as a byproduct.

[@BassBuzz]

Good point! You can end up with harmonics issues any time you're using a single point of contact for muting, which is why I usually use multiple muting strategies at once. Avoiding nodes helps too!

[@gingerale1591]

ive been trying to figure out why this was for a while, this should be pinned imo

[@Whitechai]

Thank you for your lessons seriously. My bass knowledge is mainly just you and my dad. Really improved my playing!

[@nickmeyer1030]

Man, this is just what I needed. I'm constantly tortured by ringing notes, and now I realize it's the left hand that needs to do some catching up. Thanks!

[@Sketchylemons]

glad this channel is getting the attention it deserves

[@D3adblush]

You’re the best bass KZbinr bru I’ve learned sm just watching your videos! can’t believe ts free tysm

[@Awesomewonder]

Thank you, sir. Youre a really good teacher. Ive always wanted to play bass (cooly and freely) but your way of teaching makes me REALLY MOTIVATED.

[@clussell7938]

Thank you, this was fantastic! I'm a beginner and found this very helpful. Especially the breakdown of which muting strategy to use with which note in the Bon Jovi song.

[@aria62ineh8]

I have been so frustrated about the sounds and thanks to you i finally know what to practice in the future so thank you

[@carloschitiva9315]

Amazing lesson! I didn't realize how important these small (yet HUGE) details are. But I'll work to improve my sound. Many thanks!

[@roymylchreest5628]

Josh (as usual) gives me the right information, stuff I can understand and use, when all the videos by other channels just have a load of waffle in them.

[@TheBitzr]

This so super helpful!!! Thank you!

[@floouk]

Great channel. Very entertaining lessons. You're a fine player and an even finer teacher. Congratulations and more power to your elbow.

[@tomlitterick560]

Hey man. I really like your videos and like the info and the way you deliver it. Comedy is definitely the best way to learn. I am an intermediate player and would like a bit of content based around that skill level in the way of exercises and drills. The most helpful video for me was where you broke down an exercise into 5 levels. If you could do more of them that would be awesome. Cheers

[@Weavaloid]

Honestly this is such a great tutorial, once I've been playing with an amp I thought there was something wrong with my guitar cause my other cheap ass bass guitar didn't make those ringing sounds and stuff. Thanks for the great help!

[@layaldergham3824]

5 minutes in learning the practice bass lines when I realized .... this guy has my exact bass! I love it. Subscribed

[@alonso9812]

Thanks for the vid, I've been struggling against this problem since I got my first bass lol Keep the good work! 👍

[@GrungeGarden]

Thank you for the tips!! :D

[@jeffreyalanday7432]

Super-informative and entertaining as well. I'm subscribing!

[@TackyHarmonica]

Thank you so much! Your videos are so helpful!

[@troydenison208]

Dude your videos help me out so much thank you

[@likenicesinging]

Dam flat hand is superior tip, especially for music school-graduated guitarists, thank you so much! Playing got so much clearer

[@YeowooBBCVIP]

Thank you very much! I've been getting frustrated by my strings ringing at every move. I'm only beginning, coming from cello so I'm not used to it at all. It's going to be very useful for me

[@valeriamoreno8317]

Hi! here Val, from Santiago, Chile. I just wanted to tell you that I started to learn bass a couple of months ago (at 39 yo...I know!) and your videos are BRILLIANT. As an amateur guitar and ukelele player that mostly play with chords, my plucking sucks, and your videos had helped my HEAPS. Thank you so much for the content. Also, you are hilarious.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Val!

[@Hungrybillpizzabandit]

Another great lesson, thanks!

[@mattfield3371]

I just started playing bass and I feel this is such an important thing that will really help my sound...I get so much unwanted unintended ring right now and what you said about sympathetic ringing is spot on, I noticed I'm getting that as well even when I'm sure I'm only hitting strings I want to be hitting. I'm going to work on getting much cleaner sound as well as getting better at plucking and muting in general so I'm sure layering several of these things will help my sound immensely much sooner in my bass guitar journey.

[@Magic2Seb]

Great job, as usual. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm! Do you have any recomendation for muting while using a pick? Thanks!

[@dulaldas7650]

Faced every problem he mentioned. Thanks for the techniques.

[@sergeitatevosyan1318]

Very cool! Thank you!

[@nicolasgodfraind4287]

That was pretty cool. I didn't know the pull across and I always used my thumb. I guess it's time to practice that. The plucking sounds different because I can (and have to) dig a lot more. I like it ^^.

[@littlefluffiescloud8461]

Your channel is the best!!! 💯

[@gamersvr6379]

I bought a bass and it arrived today and honestly as a complete beginner, these muting techniques are the hardest part in my opinion.

[@BassBuzz]

Congrats on your bass! Don't expect to get muting on day 1, it's hard! Just focusing on fretting and plucking at first, and dial the muting in over time. Here's a better starter lesson - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZLRd6h6jbtloJo

[@marcelotrujillo5338]

"you give BASS a bad name!" sometimes those funny/unexpected endings are just too good. AMAZING VIDEOS and thanks for the great lessons

[@sjefkees]

Great quality video, wow! Thanks

[@alanrocky182]

Absolutely brilliant lesson, thanks a lot. I began playing the bass a month ago now and this helped me tremendously.

[@BassBuzz]

Glad it was helpful Alan!

[@PurrbotArt]

These outros are to die for! Nice vid though! Really helpful for a beginner like me, haha.

[@davidbanwell7728]

Now that’s i call good technique now I need to get this done. I’ve just started to play my six string bass that’s all an mutation.

[@quietstorm7826]

Great video.. love the work you're doing.. much appreciated 🙏.. so many would love to pay for the course but can't afford to.. these videos are a great help... 👍

[@BassBuzz]

Glad I can help! Plenty more free vids coming. :)

[@iduncanw]

That outro was awesome 😁 Another great lesson as well Josh.

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks Duncan!

[@puregoll]

This is great! I have picked up a Bass a few months ago after starting to learn 20 years ago! Now im at the stage where I think im doing so well when I can play something like Black Eye Peas, Lets get it started but when I crank the amp up I realise my muting is shite lol Its hard to not just want to learn songs and to avoid practising this stuff!

[@davistefansson2178]

Been trying to learn bombtrack by ragtm and this helped so much wit the e string ringing on the main riff. Thank you so much!

[@BassBuzz]

You're welcome!

[@JayAyers]

Great lesson. The muting test at the end 9:00 was a revelation for me. It explained a lot and reinforces the technique. I like this style of lesson. Reminds me of a PBS show.

[@BassBuzz]

Glad it helped Jay! Next up - Reading Rainbow.

[@spezifisch4468]

Ive been playing bass for 4 years now and my teacher (actually a guitarist) who i had for the first two years never teached me muting. I kinda managed with my own bad technique, but this reaaally helps!

[@l.jturner6617]

Very excited, I bought my first bass guitar set yesterday!!!

[@andredepaulagomes]

This channel has too little subscribers for it's content. Your videos are really helpful, keep up with that great content :)

[@BassBuzz]

Thanks André!

[@dmitriydolgopolov5212]

It's not only bass muting technique. It's the base muting technique! Thanx!

[@GCEzel]

You are an outstanding teacher.

[@owenlim4625]

I dont use an amp while practicing, so i just notice this is really important. Thnx josh

[@lsmith604]

THANK YOU for explaining why I felt like I was going crazy. I KNEW I didn’t touch those strings and they were still vibrating, leading me to be confused why it was happening.

[@wilfredomendez3450]

A funny way to learn how to play the bass thanks so much and keep up the good work

[@slappido9623]

Nice video!!

[@spiketaterman5181]

LOL! Love the Weird Al Bass version in the end....seriously thanks, am starting out, never thought muting those damn misbehaving strings would be such a problem...I really want to develop the habit of playing cleanly, even if it's just simple quarter notes...this helps!

[@Uko4466_]

wow you just helped me so much, I was wondering if something was wrong with my bass

[@kuroimusic]

I'm glad I watched this video because I incorporated all of these techniques by myself through the course of a loooong time. It's reaffirming to me. But I'm also glad kids (I'm so old that I quarreled with my high school pals over this topic: if Nirvana's Unplugged was going to be great or a failure [I won, that was awesome]) now can access to this PRACTICAL musical education for free, provided by great (and funny) teachers like you.

[@maxibasse38]

I use 1 or 2 techniques naturally learned (for instance thumb on lower string than the one currently played -glad I practice it, it's so important-), all others I've learnt from your video, 👉Thank you ! 🎸👍🎸

[@omorganstudios]

Great video! Never knew what to call this...thx I can apply some of this to guitar too....

[@_TheDeanMachine]

🤣🤣🤣 The ending had me in stitches. Just started playing a few days ago and your channel has been great help. One of the things im struggling with is to get my index finger nail to not grab string, I've cut as short as I can and it still gets the string sometime.

[@tdtrecordsmusic]

I can't thank you enough for sharing this :)

[@bullfrogboss8008]

Electric bass guitar was my first instrument and I actually pretty smoothly learned both left and right hand muting, therefore I can confidently say I can play bass "correctly". However It's the regular guitar that ended up being my main instrument and my experience with muting was very helpful during learning guitar

[@kav784]

thi video is awesome !! thanks you so much

[@JALNIN66]

This would be the first video I would show to any new bass player. Perfect. I Love the lyrics at the end. That was great! 🤣🤣 Most seasoned bass players forget to mention this because we haven't though about it in decades. It's automatic to us, like walking.