Ending the bend/String muting

The instructional videos I've been using teach that ending the bended note should be done with the heel (or side) of the picking hand. Although awkward, I can do that if I'm thinking about it-- when not thinking about it, I use the side of my thumb. The latter seems natural to me since that's where my thumb is, having picked the string just before. (I'm playing with a pick.) Am I a complete fool for exhibiting such unorthodox methods, or is this common?

I have no idea why they would say this. My opinion is that if you want to mute a string at any time, you can use the side of your picking hand, but to end a bent note, just stop playing it. Lift your bending finger slightly or simply move to the next note. I have never heard of the idea that you end a bent note by muting the string with your picking hand.

whatever works for you is fine ... if you have to think while you are playing, i have found it's not a good thing ...

"Am I a complete fool for exhibiting such unorthodox methods, or is this common?"

You're not a fool! Butt,,,,, as Wolf told Hubert, "Ditch the pick!"

"Am I a complete fool for exhibiting such unorthodox methods, or is this common?"

You're not a fool! Butt,,,,, as Wolf told Hubert, "Ditch the pick!"

For my beginning open-tuned slide studies, I'm using a thumb-pick and fingers. For straight rockish blues in standard tuning, I'm using a pick. That's because I'm a rebel. A rebel, do you hear me? :cool:

P.S.-- And don't call me a butt. I'm more of an ass.

I have no idea why they would say this. My opinion is that if you want to mute a string at any time, you can use the side of your picking hand, but to end a bent note, just stop playing it. Lift your bending finger slightly or simply move to the next note. I have never heard of the idea that you end a bent note by muting the string with your picking hand.

If I stop playing it, the string releases and slides down to some other note I don't want. If you know of a way to choke off the tone with the finger holding the note, I'd be jumping-up-and-down happy to know of it! I've tried and tried to do it, but can't find a way to release the string without muting.

whatever works for you is fine ... if you have to think while you are playing, i have found it's not a good thing ...

Yeah, I'm starting to see that. There's always a "where am I going next" kind of thought, but each note shouldn't take a bunch of decisions...

Bends are harder than I thought they'd be. I'm trying to get them exact for a whole step all the way up and down each string, and it's going to take a while for it to be automatic. Man, I sure do miss the piano. :wink:

Here's what I mean.
QUG2J_5MCak

Here's what I mean.
QUG2J_5MCak

Thanks very much for the demo-- that was kind of you! I can't do that; looks like I have some work to do...