How would you play this riff? (improving technique)

[darkshadow54321]

I'm trying to focus on improving my technique, working slowly and building up speed to ensure I'm playing cleanly. So imagine we have this simple riff which is repeated endlessly:

E-----------------------------------------
B-----5h8p5-------5h8p5------------------
G--7b---------7b----------etc------------
D-----------------------------------------
A-----------------------------------------
E-----------------------------------------

How would you play it? And perhaps more importantly, how would you mute the unwanted strings?

At the moment, I am bending the 7 on the g with my third(ring) finger and then using my index and pinky to play the 5 and 8 on the b string.

The important part in this riff is muting the bent note on the g string so that the hammer on and pulloff on the b string ring out clearly, and then muting those when you return to the g string.

I am using mostly my right hand to mute the strings but should I actually be using mainly my fretting hand? i.e.: have my index finger lightly touching the g string at the same time as fretting the 5th fret on the b string. I find that this method isn't very comfortable but would solve the problem. Perhaps best to do muting with both hands?

The other question is relating to the ring finger playing the bent 7th fret note. After playing it, should I be lifting off my finger or should I leave it there? At the moment, I am lifting it off as this is easier and (I think) improves my timing but I suppose it would be more efficient to keep my finger on the fret. I find that this is very difficult to do with a bent note though as you instinctively want to lift off. What do you think?

I'd appreciate any pointers. Thanks guys.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: How would you play this riff? (improving technique)

do whatever works the best for you.

I find that when I try to play that lick, I'm doing it just like you described - my index finger is touching the g string and keeping it quiet - -and I'm lifting my ring finger off the string. Seems to work for me. That's just the way it seems to be easiest for me to accomplish it cleanly. In that kind of situation, my picking hand is really only muting the 3 lowest strings- and my fretting hand it muting the high E string (and that G string when my finger is up).

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: How would you play this riff? (improving technique)

Middle finger would be bending, index on 5, hammering with ring finger.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: How would you play this riff? (improving technique)

I'm having trouble with this too... When you let go of the G string, its tendency is to go back to unbent. How do you keep it muted when it's going to pull right out from under your finger?

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: How would you play this riff? (improving technique)

First, I think you're using the correct fingers, and that lifting the third finger before the b string notes is the way to go.

If you keep your index finger so it is just over lapping the g string at the start of the bend, when you let that string go so you can pick the b string, the g string will snap back against the index and be still. Keep it flat against the b string, and let it just touch the e string without mashing it flat.

I'd pick it with the third finger on the bends, and the index and pinkie for the other two notes.

Try alternating the e note on the b string with the a note on the e string.

E-----------------5-----------------------
B-----5h8p5---------8p5------------------
G--7b---------7b----------etc------------
D-----------------------------------------
A-----------------------------------------
E-----------------------------------------

 

[Warheart]

Re: How would you play this riff? (improving technique)

If you keep your index finger so it is just over lapping the g string at the start of the bend, when you let that string go so you can pick the b string, the g string will snap back against the index and be still. Keep it flat against the b and g strings.

I'd pick it with the third finger on the bends, and the index and pinkie for the other two notes.

+1 I would switch to middle, index and ring if it were up higher, say around the 12th fret.

The trick to muting the G after the bend is for the tip of your first finger to touch it while still holding down the 5th fret. After that, its how you let go with your ring finger.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: How would you play this riff? (improving technique)

If you keep your index finger so it is just over lapping the g string at the start of the bend, when you let that string go so you can pick the b string, the g string will snap back against the index and be still. Keep it flat against the b string, and let it just touch the e string without mashing it flat.

Good call. That'll work.