Ending a note on guitar

Question

I just started playing electric guitar a few weeks ago, although I have a lot of musical background on other instruments. I'm learning from a book. One thing that is bothering me is I don't understand the proper way to end a note and the book doesn't mention anything about it. For instance, when I play a note on one string and then switch to a note on another string, how am I supposed to stop the sound on the first (order) string?

To give a specific example, this is happening while just playing a melody. For instance, the book has me play Rockin' Robin, and when I switch strings from high E to a D on the B string the E continues to sound. What am I supposed to do to stop the E from sounding after the E quarter note is finished?

Answer 1

I would say that's situation dependent. Sometimes you can let the note ring and don't need to silence it. When I need a more staccato note, sometimes I lift my fretting finger just enough that the string no longer sounds (finger still in contact with string, the string just comes up off the fret). There are also situations in which I'll explicitly move a left handed finger to mute the string, or mute it with my right palm or something like that. I go with whatever feels the most natural and relaxed, something that won't hamper my playing or alter my technique. I also try to use a method that fits the feel of the piece I'm trying to learn, as the different techniques will sound different.

In the end, I would caution learning only from a book, and this is one of the reasons. I've certainly picked up a technique or two by reading, and certainly lots of theory, but some books are written with the assumption that they don't need to explain some things. For me, learning to play music is one of those things that benefits greatly from another pair of eyes, another pair of ears, and/or the ability to follow the example of someone more experienced.

That being said, if you let us know what exactly you're playing, someone here might be able to offer a specific suggestion. The answer will differ if you're reading about power chords v. a pentatonic scale.

Edit:

A quick YouTube search brought up a video in which the guitarist addresses muting the strings. He is muting with his strumming hand in this case. If you're playing something more like the flute melody described in this tab, I would simply mute by lifting my fretting finger slightly, since I'm playing the next note with a different finger.