losing place when playing an open string

[MrOrangeKitty]

Whenever I play an open string I cannot find the next note. My fingers just about always come down in the wrong place. I have never seen a discussion of where to hold the fingers when playing an open note.

[PastorofMuppets]

how Long have you been playing?

Its usually better to avoid open strings but some cases its unavoidable.
It just takes time to train your muscles. Practice practice

[JeffBTZ]

Originally Posted by PastorofMuppets

how Long have you been playing?

Its usually better to avoid open strings but some cases its unavoidable.
It just takes time to train your muscles. Practice practice

I wouldn't really say it's better to avoid open strings, as they are really useful once you learn how to use them properly. +1 on the muscle memory thing. You'll get used to it. Just work in open strings in your every day playing until you have no trouble finding where you are.

Nice dog PastorofMuppets (cool name too). We have a scotty too

[PastorofMuppets]

I just mention avoiding open strings because its easier to transpose to higher and lower Keys if you do. They can certainly have a different tone and usefulness.

The dog is a giant schnauzer named jack, he passed from cancer in 2009. I miss that dog. He was my buddy.

Originally Posted by JeffBTZ

I wouldn't really say it's better to avoid open strings, as they are really useful once you learn how to use them properly. +1 on the muscle memory thing. You'll get used to it. Just work in open strings in your every day playing until you have no trouble finding where you are.

Nice dog PastorofMuppets (cool name too). We have a scotty too

[MisterFabulous]

A mental trick I use when playing open strings is to play the open string at "x" fret (or corresponding line on my fretless) that is, the next note I have to play. Even if it is a different string, I am playing that open note with my eye on where my finger should be for the next note.

Of course there are multiple string open string notes...

[JeffBTZ]

Originally Posted by PastorofMuppets

I just mention avoiding open strings because its easier to transpose to higher and lower Keys if you do. They can certainly have a different tone and usefulness.

The dog is a giant schnauzer named jack, he passed from cancer in 2009. I miss that dog. He was my buddy.

ahh. It looks an AWFUL lot like our scottish terrier who happens to be a full 8 pounds larger than he's supposed to be (Not fat, he's just wayyy bigger than the average one...) Sorry to hear he passed away.

[PastorofMuppets]

The dog in the pic is 90 lbs and was grand champion frisbee dog.

[PastorofMuppets]

To OP sorry to derail your thread with a dog. lol

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by MrOrangeKitty

Whenever I play an open string I cannot find the next note. My fingers just about always come down in the wrong place. I have never seen a discussion of where to hold the fingers when playing an open note.

Major Scale Box.  Showing scale degree or interval number.

G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string

Pattern takes place over four frets, how many fingers do you have? Yep, four. Use one per fret where ever you are and I think the open string will not be a problem.

[joegrant413]

I am hovering over the open note string with a left finger ready to mute it.

I agree, open notes are more trouble, and usually prefer to go for something on the 5th fret.

== Joe

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by MrOrangeKitty

Whenever I play an open string I cannot find the next note. My fingers just about always come down in the wrong place. I have never seen a discussion of where to hold the fingers when playing an open note.

I use open notes all the time. I leave my left hand in whatever position I was at before the open note,so I find my way back no problem. If you loose track of where your left hand is supposed to go you are probably moving it too far away from the strings. you need less than a centimeter of clearance for the string to ring freely -if your technique is good.

I suppose I also am assuming you know what it means to play in a position and aren't just following TAB and randomly fretting notes with whatever finger you feel...

[BassmanSBK]

Originally Posted by mambo4

I use open notes all the time. I leave my left hand in whatever position I was at before the open note,so I find my way back no problem. If you loose track of where your left hand is supposed to go you are probably moving it too far away from the strings. you need less than a centimeter of clearance for the string to ring freely -if your technique is good.

I suppose I also am assuming you know what it means to play in a position and aren't just following TAB and randomly fretting notes with whatever finger you feel...

This.

I mean, how do upright players do it? They are always looking for open strings to play.

[dvh]

Originally Posted by BassmanSBK

This.

I mean, how do upright players do it? They are always looking for open strings to play.

Exactly. I don't even think about it. Muscle memory...

[MrOrangeKitty]

I suppose I also am assuming you know what it means to play in a position and aren't just following TAB and randomly fretting notes with whatever finger you feel...

So far I know first and second position. I use the 1 - 2 - 4 finger system. If you are wondering, the book is Hal Leonards Complete Bass Method.

To the various folks that suggested avoiding open strings, the problem is that I only know a very limited number of notes so far. Just down to the 4th fret.

Are the fingers supposed to stay pretty close to the strings when not in use?

[Already In Use]

A good exercise that worked for me to get the feel for open string playing is to play the open string and then mute it with your fretting hand. Alternate between your two plucking fingers....1...2...1...2 on two different strings. Develop a rhythm...pluck...mute...pluck...mute. Helped me with my technique quite a bit.

[Art Araya]

It's important to practice both closed positions and open positions for this very reason. Play all of your arpeggio and scale and pattern exercises starting on open strings. This is the only cure for your problem.

[Marty Forrer]

Originally Posted by BassmanSBK

This.

I mean, how do upright players do it? They are always looking for open strings to play.

Open strings are the upright players best friend because they are one of the pitch references. The answer to your problem is to keep practicing and also to get yourself a proper bass teacher, if you dont have one.
Practice a scale, any scale, keeping your hand in one position, thumb on the back of the neck, and just moving your fingers as needed. Your fingers should look like a spider, only moving to the next note when necessary. The open strings will become easier to deal with.

[Toastfuzz]

I got alot better at muscle memory and finding the right notes when I started playing 5 and 6 string basses. One thing that makes you alot better at playing in general and remembering where all the notes are is to play the 5th fret of the B string as your open E, so you can see how the notes relate to each other... like someone else said, it makes moving up and down the fretboard alot easier once you get rid of the dependency on that big fat open E string (that dominates so much of so many genres of music)

[MattP]

Spend some time practicing in front of a mirror. That will allow you to watch your hand position in an indirect way. I'm not sure why it works, but it helps me quite a bit.

This is slightly off topic, but keep it in mind. If you know the open strings and first 4 frets on all of the strings, that means you also know all of the notes on frets 5 - 9 of the E (the same as open through 4 of A), A (the same as open through 4 on D), and D (the same as open - 4 on G) strings.

[mrekoj]

check out bass method book 1 by Ed Friedland
the first lesson is 3 notes per string starting from low e (open string + 2 fretted note)
you will get used to open string after practicing the examples for a couple of hours