Matt Bellamys muting / guitar technique

[Jobby]

Originally Posted by Banksy.

Apparently that's bad technique, limits the amount of frets you can stretch, but I do it too. I just find it easier. Probably because, as a whole, my technique is sloppy as fuck.

I've got a fairly sloppy technique too. I don't really lose a lot of stretch from it though, I've got long, gangely fingers

[Banksy.]

Originally Posted by Electricmuser96

I've got a fairly sloppy technique too. I don't really lose a lot of stretch from it though, I've got long, gangely fingers

Ahh, probably won't have much of a negative effect anyway then!

[jdeboer01]

Originally Posted by Impulse 101

It comes naturally after playing for a while. Raking muted strings prior to hitting the note that you want to sustain adds a percussive element to the sound. When I finger pick a part I will use the nails of some of my fingers to do the same thing when playing both lead and rhythm parts.

JT

Dave Gilmour does this quite a bit.

[jdeboer01]

Originally Posted by Electricmuser96

I've got a fairly sloppy technique too. I don't really lose a lot of stretch from it though, I've got long, gangely fingers

Jimmy Page is/was sloppy as hell too.

[Impulse 101]

Originally Posted by jdeboer01

Dave Gilmour does this quite a bit.

I stole most of my playing style from David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler and Alex Lifeson. (The rest was ruthlessly savages from Andy Summers and Eric Johnson.)

As for the whole "Sloppy is good." thing, I will add this. If you ever get into a studio with a real producer that whole theory will go flying out the window, along with your pride and self respect.

JT

[haze015]

That just sounds like those producers are in the wrong job.

Originally Posted by Harley.

By the way OP, dis is pretty easy.
|-x-x-x-x-x-x-------x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
|-x-x-x-x-x-x-------x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
|-x-x-x-x-x-7-------x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
|-6-6-6-6-6-x-------x-x-6-6-6-6-6-
|-x-x-x-x-x-x-------x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
|-x-x-x-x-x-x-------x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Just play everything like that, with your index finger muting all the strings. Play notes with your other fingers.

Nothing wrong with using your index finger to mute all the strings, but you shouldn't be strumming all the strings at all times. It's just a way to keep the odd slip up in check. Useful if you do a lot of tremolo picking as you should be using your elbow rather than your wrist, which is why it's useful.

[Impulse 101]

I thought that too, at first. Then I listened to the tracks that I did their way vs. my own demos. After that I worked a lot harder at playing cleanly and making the space between the notes count as much as the notes themselves.

JT

[haze015]

I just mean there are ways to get parts played more cleanly, like removing unnecessary strings from the guitar (I know this'll cause issues with the neck). If they aren't there, they can't hit them.

[IntelligentAl]

Originally Posted by Humphrey Goldenbollocks

I just mean there are ways to get parts played more cleanly, like removing unnecessary strings from the guitar (I know this'll cause issues with the neck). If they aren't there, they can't hit them.

Sounds like that would be massively overcomplicating the situation. If you cant play a guitar part cleanly without removing strings, you need to practice more.

Why am I still awake?

[haze015]

Originally Posted by IntelligentAl

Sounds like that would be massively overcomplicating the situation. If you cant play a guitar part cleanly without removing strings, you need to practice more.

Why am I still awake?

Of course they would need to practise more. But in a studio you wouldn't necessarily have time for that guitarist to go away and learn how to play the thing.

[jdeboer01]

Originally Posted by IntelligentAl

Sounds like that would be massively overcomplicating the situation. If you cant play a guitar part cleanly without removing strings, you need to practice more.

Why am I still awake?

You wouldn't believe what producers sometimes have to deal with when it comes to recording! There's often a lot of drunk, stoned, egos strutting around, as well as musicians who are very sloppy players.

[Impulse 101]

It's not always an option to use tricks like that. If the problem string is used in the next chord or picking pattern you'd spend more time editing and punching in than it would take to just move on to another musician or editing session while the guitarist learns to play his part. The studio is a ruthless bitch that will tear your soul apart if you are unprepared for it.

JT

[jdeboer01]

Originally Posted by Impulse 101

It's not always an option to use tricks like that. If the problem string is used in the next chord or picking pattern you'd spend more time editing and punching in than it would take to just move on to another musician or editing session while the guitarist learns to play his part. The studio is a ruthless bitch that will tear your soul apart if you are unprepared for it.

JT

I'm sure it depends on the band's budget too. If they can't afford to be fucking off in the studio, then they'll be more likely to have their shit together when they go in.

[Impulse 101]

Everything is about budget. For indy bands preproduction should be the most important thing. If everyone has their shit together before they hit the studio you are in a much better place. I hate to say it but it also helps to make sure the weak links are either compensated for or out of the process. Can you tell I've learned some hard lessons over the years.

JT

[jdeboer01]

Originally Posted by Impulse 101

Everything is about budget. For indy bands preproduction should be the most important thing. If everyone has their shit together before they hit the studio you are in a much better place. I hate to say it but it also helps to make sure the weak links are either compensated for or out of the process. Can you tell I've learned some hard lessons over the years.

JT

Yes, I assumed you've got some experience.

And personally, for every band I've known (indy types -- but I've never done anything myself) they have taken their studio time quite seriously, and have been well prepared. But then I hear stories from extremely reliable sources about people like Courtney Love, who while recording "Live Through This" was so strung out on smack that they had to drag her to the microphone to sing/play her parts! And if they didn't get it on the first take -- forget about it for that day!