novice bass question: string muting

[spuds]

I'm trying to learn bass.
Some guy told me to mute the all lower strings with my thumb when I play the higher strings - by pressing my thumb flat against the strings.

Is this "standard practice"?

It makes sense on my 4 strings... but i can't imagine someone trying to do that on a 6 string bass!

Comments pls?

 

[Goose1011]

Re: novice bass question: string muting

Well, as a Bass player (Not a good one, but I try, and I'm learning). The way I see it 6 string bass is completely uselesss and defeats teh purpos of playing bass. if you wana play 6 string bass get a electric guitar and put step down strings on it and tune it down. Hell, why not just play electric normally if yer gona do this? Any ways, Muting teh strings is a good idea, specially if yer like me and end up over shooting and hit teh next string up xD

 

[spuds]

Re: novice bass question: string muting

Hahah thanks for that.
Funny you said that. I was just mocking the 6 string bass today with my friend. I really don't see much point of it in a band setting... thats trespassing into guitarist territory! =)

I guess its useful if you're into bass solo's and stuff like that...