What does "deadening a string" mean?

Question

I've just started to play the guitar and the book I'm using mentions deadening a string but doesn't tell me what exactly that is. I thought it might mean not plucking that string, but I'm not sure. Can anyone clarify?

Answer 1

Yeah. Where I'm from (UK) , deadening a string means to use ur palm near the bridge to muffle the string(s). u can do it with single strings or all 6 to produce the effect. "Choking" the string is to rest ur chording finger lightly on the string(s) to muffle the sound, or to stop the chord ringing on. If ur having trouble with a 6 string barre F as long as ur finger is resting on the bass string, it should sound OK. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

You put your finger on the string just enough so that it doesn't make very much sound.

You still play that string; it will just be dead. This is usually for a playing cords when you might need to play 5 stings. Instead of not playing the 6th sting you play it but deaden it.

mrbond has a slightly different technique that I have used to get more bass out of the stirng. Maybe deadening is considered something else where he is from.

Answer 3

To deaden a string you sort of mute it, you take away the sound.
You can do this by resting your palm of your picking hand over the string or one of your fingering fingers over the string to be deadened. it is to quieten the string or note.
Im sure others will answer you anyway.