DB lines on an Electric?

[Inverse Kinetix]

I was just wondering this, as I listen to loads of music involving DB.

Is there any reason why one couldn't play a DB line on and EB? What problems might one run into trying to do this?

 

[.:Aidan:.]

I see no problem, in fact, scale lengths and fingering systems (1-2-3-4 on electric instead of 1-2-4 on DB) it should be easier to play DB lines on electric.
The only other thing I can think of is that DB players tend to use open strings very frequently and sometimes in order to facilitate shifting. On electric open strings can stick out sonically, so maybe when you play the line, try to play everything in a closed position (all notes in the passage fretted)

For this answer I've assumed you're talking about jazz/contemporary stuff, out of curiosity, what stuff are you playing?
Goodluck!

 

[eee]

^^^ What he said!

 

[Inverse Kinetix]

I see no problem, in fact, scale lengths and fingering systems (1-2-3-4 on electric instead of 1-2-4 on DB) it should be easier to play DB lines on electric.
The only other thing I can think of is that DB players tend to use open strings very frequently and sometimes in order to facilitate shifting. On electric open strings can stick out sonically, so maybe when you play the line, try to play everything in a closed position (all notes in the passage fretted)

For this answer I've assumed you're talking about jazz/contemporary stuff, out of curiosity, what stuff are you playing?
Goodluck!

Thanks.

I'm not really playing anything at the moment, I've only had a bass for a few months and have just been practicing scales or "improvising" on scales I know to various drum loops that I have.

Link Removed


I listen to pretty much everything you can think of, but for the exercise I am talking about, yes, it would be mainly jazz 50s - 70s (across all sub genres) and a bunch of exotica/space pop/pop nouveau type music. I know it is a very wide selection.

I just want to try and learn some songs, or at least play along to them in some fashion.

 

[Shakin-Slim]

Yeah man, of course you can do it. Just don't expect to get the same sound. I play the line to Digable Planets' 'Rebirth of Slick' every day on my fretless.

 

[J.D.B.]

My teacher plays pretty much all DB and teaches all us BG players just fine over the last fifty or so years.... I use the Simandl book, among others. No worries at all......

Josh

 

[FretlessMainly]

The only other thing I can think of is that DB players tend to use open strings very frequently...

Not sure where you observed, heard, or read this, but I certainly don't and none of the DB players I've known or played with do. Open notes stand out on DB as well. Of course, for the occasional large intervallic leap, they can be useful, but the DB is the sound of wood, and you don't get wood from open notes and you can't use vibrato either, so they are not popular choices for the most part. That's my take, anyway.

 

[fdeck]

Not sure where you observed, heard, or read this, but I certainly don't and none of the DB players I've known or played with do. Open notes stand out on DB as well. Of course, for the occasional large intervallic leap, they can be useful, but the DB is the sound of wood, and you don't get wood from open notes and you can't use vibrato either, so they are not popular choices for the most part. That's my take, anyway.

As a DB player, I'd agree with that to some extent. Avoiding open strings on stringed instruments is a good rule of thumb, and worth keeping in mind while practicing.

On the other hand, the open strings are always there, and they can be quite handy. In faster passages, using a few open strings as passing tones will be pretty much unnoticeable. I would not avoid open strings on fast walking bass lines.

 

[Shakin-Slim]

But I'm sure many jazz DB players use open strings regularly, playing their walking lines mainly on the lowest pitches. Sure, I'm being simple and reductive, but it generally seems to be the case.

 

[Marty Forrer]

I'm a DB player, and I tend to disagree. I use a lot of open strings, I find them particularly useful as intonation cues for intervallic leaps and just for checking tuning, particularly if I'm in a fairly loud setting. Mebbe I'm lucky, my open strings tend to blend well with played notes.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Great examples of "local school of thought" in that any given area things have a general similarity about them...bit like accents.
But I was taught to use open strings often as a way of navigation as well as large interval leaps, but use them constructively over using any tonality.
An open note on a strong beat can give a desirable and dissearnable feel to a line, as does an open note used as a root or 5th....altered or not. The placing of that open note within a frame work of a line, over the tonality it may or not produce, was deemed to be the better option.
I can see the point made by those about timbre, vibrato etc, but as other have said they were taught to use them. Personally If the option is there to use one I would not have it in my thoughts "I should not", if it serves my playing to use it I will.
Great points and in-sights on both sides though, good post.

 

[J.D.B.]

I'm taught to make the open string sound like the fingered note in regular playing. I can get it pretty good other than the open G on the guitar. I've noticed it's much closer on the DB. Again, this coming from a long-time DB player who's still gigging after 60+ years.

Josh

 

[tkozal]

I'm a DB player, and I tend to disagree. I use a lot of open strings, I find them particularly useful as intonation cues for intervallic leaps and just for checking tuning, particularly if I'm in a fairly loud setting. Mebbe I'm lucky, my open strings tend to blend well with played notes.

For years, I played Dave Hollands Conference of the Birds starting at the D at the 5th fret on the A string. Using NO OPEN STRINGS whatsoever. When I was taking DB lessons years ago, I realized that he was playing it with heavy use of the open strings, and it was almost like an exercise in that respect.