Is it bad to use open strings in place of the 5th fret?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

fixed it for you

sorry, i find that song very repititious

personally i like using open strings if i can, but in this case i would fret it just so i don't have to jump strings, which i am perfectly capable of doing, I just am too lazy

The is the new period.

[Kronos]

Play the song as it's written, if it's a cover---which it is. If it was your music, or you're doing your own spin on it, then you have free reign.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by duo8675309

I find playing like this a lot easier in some cases (this might be a bad example, but you get the general idea.) Can this develop into bad habits? I'd like to know before I develop them.

Bad example, because I find the original easier to play since your hand stays in one position. And IanStephenson would hate me because I love to travel when playing (you should see me on YMCA in C or East Bound and Down But I understand where you are coming from.

Others have mentioned tone, control, etc so I won't repeat that. But there is also the problem of "position independence". I try to learn a song without using open strings if possible (playing in F first position would be an exception). Then if the singer goes "let's capo this up one" I am not throw off as much. This may not be a problem for you if your band always plays a given song in a fixed key.

One exception though; I like to use open strings at the end of a phrase and just let it ring.

[dlloyd]

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

The most common bad habbit of mediocre bass players is too much hand movement - they'll move up/down a single string rather than switching to the next string, and minimising movement. I HATE seeing some guy flapping around the neck on a piece that can be played in a single position.

I can see where you're coming from, but there are a number of valid reasons for shifting positions when you could play in the same position. There is a vast difference in the sound of, say, an open G compared with the same note on the A string, 10th fret. Shifting positions can allow you to slide into notes and can bring more energy into your bassline. Sometimes it just sounds better.

Hoiwever generally open strings will reduce hand movement, which generally means more speed, and more fluid playing - nothing kills a groove faster than having to move your hand.

I'd say that was more indicative of a mediocre bass player. Being unable to play what was required, including postion shifts, without being able to maintain the groove.

[All_¥our_Bass]

Originally Posted by Akami

... And besides, there is no fretted option for low E on a four string!

Not if your in Drop-D or any other lower and/or dropped tuning for that matter.

[All_¥our_Bass]

It also matters what tone you want. For example I wrote a fast metal riff, and I have to move around on the A string a lot to play it. I decided to play higher on the A instead of going to a higher string because the growlier sound had more bite to it (which the distortion I used helped bring out). Also its easier to play certain riffs faster when you use open notes.

For example what if I took a seven string guitar and played the "Master of Puppets" intro fingerstyle at full speed USING ONLY FRETTED NOTES, wouldn't that be a crap load harder than just using the open E?

But do what you like best. Try recording yourself playing it both ways and compare the two, then decide which you like better.

[detracti]

In general, if I can use opens in a part, to make it easier to play, and it doesn't sound worse, then I do it.

Sometimes, playing off opens doesn't work for a part. Sometimes, it does.... and sometimes it makes a part that seems insanely difficult, dead simple without taking anything away.