muting strings
Hi everyone, here's my take on the whole muting thing.
1. Muting strings with the plam of your right hand on the saddle/bridge.
This techique is very common on the guitar and is very useful when used with a pick. However, I have found that this method restricts the movement of the right wrist on the ukulele which in turn will diminish wrist speed and finger dexterity.
2. Muting strings with the extended pinky ala jake's instructional video.
Let it be known, that Jake is my ukulele hero (along with aldrine guerrero) and this method for sure works. This method also allows for full movement of the right wrist as opposed to the alternative muted saddle/bridge plam techique. However, in my experience, it's seems like a long walk around the block just to get into the house, so to speak, (that is, unless you are playing open chords on the uke. Then it actually is a superior way of muting).
I have found that by simply lifting all your (left hand) fingers off the fretboard slightly (at the appropriate time) and allowing the inside of the fingers to "rest" over the strings is the most natural and easiest method to string muting. I have studied Jake's method and have found no difference in tone, ease, or additional speed when playing the ukulele.
Disclaimer: Of course, as with any discipline, it's best to learn all viable techique's avaliable in order to master your instrument. It's best to incorporate different ways to do the same things when it comes to ukulele playing! This will become more apparent as your skill level rises and you seek out more challenging songs to learn and enjoy...
Thanks, E-lo...