Beware Open Strings

[videomagician]

Note to Self - Those cool licks using open strings won't work when playing with a new singer who wants the song in a different key. Of course I should have already known that...

[unclejane]

Originally Posted by videomagician

Note to Self - Those cool licks using open strings won't work when playing with a new singer who wants the song in a different key. Of course I should have already known that...

Don't feel too bad. A while back I set about learning Extreme's "Cupid's Dead" off the recording. I took out my 6 string and starting going after it. got most of it down but noticed in some places there're these super long reaches and stuff. Turns out, you play it a half step up (or tune down an half step) and suddenly those parts are a bunch easier because you can use open strings.... That's probably how Extreme plays it too....

That said, yes, it's never a bad idea to learn closed string versions of your parts for that reason, unless they're just too wild. It's not that open strings are evil, but you can get trapped like you noticed...

LS

[Skitch it!]

I've found a lot of confusion over semi-tone key changes are due to the fact that the original band in the studio tuned down a semitone to Eb, to make it easier for the vocal range to cover, to release the string tension a bit for bends/chords/solos whatever +, or it may well be the original key, or on a five etc, I usually find out by having to detune E to Eb to get the lowest note in the track line.

When I find pop tracks in flat keys, especially if it's only a semitone away from the opens, I start to think about the tuning they may have used or not.

If it's a semi out at the gig and the line needs opens to flow, I'll detune the whole bass a semi and play it with the opens, just have to be quick about it ; )

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by videomagician

Note to Self - Those cool licks using open strings won't work when playing with a new singer who wants the song in a different key. Of course I should have already known that...

One of my main reasons for a shift to 5-string...easier to avoid open strings and preserve relocatable fingering and to avoid drop tuning.