thunderbird13 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Over Christmas I tried brushing up on some technique and realised that I'd never really go to grips with playing ghost notes. After 2 practice sessions I still cant play them , it just feels so unnatural to not fully fret the note. Does anyone else struggle with these and are there any tips ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wil Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Focus on muting with your left hand whenever you're not playing a note, then all you need to do is carry on with your right hand when you'd ordinarily stop. Start with something with a groove, like the line from Another One Bites the Dust. Ordinarily that line would have a lot of gaps, so instead of playing 1/4 notes with your right hand, play 8th notes and try and mute anything that isnt part of the main line with your left hand, rather than focusing on muting individual notes. You right hand can then dictate where the ghost notes sound. So, where x = a ghost note: G-|-------------------------------------------| D-|-------------------------------------------| A-|-------------------------------------------| x2 E-|---5-3-0-x-0-x-0-x-x-x-0-0-3-0-5-x-x| Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Left hand, little finger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johngh Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 [quote name='thunderbird13' post='1078304' date='Jan 5 2011, 10:11 AM']Over Christmas I tried brushing up on some technique and realised that I'd never really go to grips with playing ghost notes. After 2 practice sessions I still cant play them , it just feels so unnatural to not fully fret the note. Does anyone else struggle with these and are there any tips ?[/quote] I'd call in that Derek Ancora/ Anorak or whatever his name is. He's good with Ghosties. Sorry, someone had to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 [quote name='thunderbird13' post='1078304' date='Jan 5 2011, 10:11 AM']Over Christmas I tried brushing up on some technique and realised that I'd never really go to grips with playing ghost notes. After 2 practice sessions I still cant play them , it just feels so unnatural to not fully fret the note. Does anyone else struggle with these and are there any tips ?[/quote] You are not alone, I'm rubbish at ghost notes as well. I shall be reading any advice with extreme interest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 You could try "70s Funk & Disco Bass" by Josquin des Pres. (book with tab & CD) It's cheap and doesn't have any tuition, just 101 funky lines full of ghost notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlucas Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 [quote name='JTUK' post='1078877' date='Jan 5 2011, 05:46 PM']Left hand, little finger.[/quote] Amen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 You have to think of it as a guitarist playing a funky rhythm part in sixteenths. The main parts of the rhythm are played and the other parts are muted. It's the same principle. Clear as mud, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I suggest practicing a pattern on a single fretted note to start with, alternating full and ghost notes in swung 8s because the swing helps emphasise which notes should be ghosted, da-dum da-dum da-dum etc. with 'da' being the ghost note One thing to remember is that for a really cleanly muted note you really need fingers on the left hand to mute the string at more than just a single point or you get problems with ringing harmonics. So in the example about I'd fret firmly on the LH index finger for the full note but for the ghost I'd raise this off the fret, keeping it on the string, at the same time as resting my LH ring finger on the string a fret or so up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 One of my favourite techniques! Just keep working at it and they'll get better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mep Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Not something I have though about for a long time. Worth getting to grips with as it really helps. I can imagine it's not easy if new. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I ain't 'fraid of no ghost Ahem! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 It'll come with practice and you'll be glad you put the time in. I love ghost notes and used well can really liven up a bass line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 I learnt them by chance playing in an odd punk band that had no guitarist. I had to keep the noise going somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.