Blocking with the bar

[Michael Febbie]

I've been practicing pick blocking from an article by Greg Cutshaw and I came to something I don't understand. He mentioned blocking with the bar. He said to pick with the middle finger and pull the bar towards the player. All I get is a lot of bar noise. Can you explain the technique.

Thanks Mike

[Carl Kilmer]

I think what he's saying is, pick the string then slide the bar toward you (off the string)
and the tip of your finger in front of and behind the bar will mute it.

[Richard Sinkler]

Have the end of the bar only forward enough to cover the highest string you are picking. Pull back towards you and your middle fjnger, extending beyond the nose, will mute the string. Takes practice.

You can also tip the bar up SLIGHTLY from the back of the bar so the nose end only contacts the string you are picking. As Jeff Newman used to say, it's like drawing a picture. The bar should move forward and backwards along with the position of the right hand.

[Michael Febbie]

Thanks Carl and Richard now I understand
, it works.

Mike