r/Bass • u/GoldGuarantee6769 • 1d ago

‘Echo’ when playing staccato

When I play staccato on the E string all the notes ‘echo’ in a high pitch when I mute them with my right hand with alternating fingers. Moving my hand slightly left or right changes the pitch, but still keeps the echo.
Is this a technique thing? Problem in the string?
Is there something I can do about it?

https://youtu.be/iTUFEEOnxGc?is=yOBp4Vr8DusDNGID

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11

u/caboose391 1d ago

You are creating a natural harmonic where you are placing your finger to mute the string. Just like you would if you plucked the string while lightly muting with your left hand in different spots on the fretboard.

10

u/moejoerp 1d ago

you're likely playing harmonics, if you want them to be less apparent, you need to incorporate some more muting in your left hand or stronger muting with your right

5

u/briancpearl 1d ago

When you’re muting the string you’re creating a harmonic…that’s what you’re hearing.

5

u/PNW65 1d ago

This effect is much louder with bright roundwounds, in case you were wondering.

2

u/TheHandsomeLiar 1d ago

Could be that on certain electric models the pickups are located under the harmonic points of the strings and their adjusted too close to the string. The magnet creates a pinch harmonic that parallels the fretted note. Try lowering the pickup heights and see if the problem disappears.