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Fretting the fifth, or playing the open?

#81
I'm thinking about tone...if the open A string, for example, sounds better to my ears or if I think it needs to be more aggressive than the fretted version, then I hammer on the open string. I like the twang it produces anyways..

I think I use open strings more than fretted notes.

Now, not to derail too much...unless I need to play the B on the E string, I will always fret it on the A string (2nd) ..I love the sound of B on the second fret of the A string. Something about that note..
 
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#83
Learn to use open strings and first position whenever possible. By doing so you extend the range of your bass and gain a much deeper understanding of the neck. If you always play from second position/fifth fret, you are essentially chopping off a chunk of your instrument.

There are situations where a fretted note is necessary - slides, bends, etc etc, but your open note will invariably sound cleaner. You can learn how to damp the open sting to compensate in many situations as well.

If you can play an open note, you better have a very good reason not to play it.
Anthony Jackson
 
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#84
I don't even know if I have a position. I certainly never had or watched a lesson that taught positions. I did read music coming in tho so I found the note on the fretboard and away I went.
It's usually at the root of the starting chord however.:bassist:

I don't think in positions and patterns for some reason. I'm only worried about getting a good groove down. Whatever appendage or string is the handiest to pull "whatever" off is what I use.
 
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#86
CharlyG said:
Whatever appendage or string is the handiest to pull "whatever" off is what I use.
Click to expand...
If you take the time to learn about the neck, you will discover new ways of doing things and become a better and more flexible player. Why shouldn't you take the time to understand your instrument? Why is music less important than something else that you might want to do?
 
#88
I think it makes a big difference but it depends on what you are going for sonically with the line and how much NOT using the open will limit your expression technically. To me, I generally shy away from open strings unless they give me something the fretted note does not. When I play double bass, it's the exact opposite.
 
#90
I just love watching the old school guys who play everything in nut position and hardly move up the neck at all. It's beautiful to watch someone play in any key that way. No set patterns. These guys just know where all the notes are when they need them. Those guys play plenty of open notes but you wouldn't know it unless you saw them do it.

But that ain't me. Like one guy said... it depends. I'm really big on damping adjacent strings to get the purest note possible. Open strings make that a bit harder, but I still use open strings when I think the situation calls for it.
 
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#91
I used to avoid open notes like the plague unless using flatwounds, but then I put EMG Geezer Butlers on all my Fenders, and now for some reason, open notes with rounds sound great, so I've been using them more and more. As for your situation, I have no idea because I have no idea what the song is or why the tab says open D. Might help if you gave some more details.
 
#92
For me it all depends on the song and where the note is.. in the song I mean.. If it is at the beginning of a sequence I will often fret the note ... if at the end or the very last note of the sequence I will often play the open string.. Sometimes playing the open string and picking up the arpeggio an octave otr two higher has an amazing effect.. There are no rules. For me it is all about feeling it ..
 
#93
russosborne said:
First, I know someone is going to say play it how I want. Thanks, but looking for more. Consider this a bass theory question. :D

Working on a song (using tab, shoot me) and the tab shows to play the open D. Does the open string really sound different? I can't hear that sort of difference if there is one. Cheaper Yamaha, cheap practice amp at a pretty low volume, and very bad ears. The ears being the main cause.:crying:

Instinctively I am wanting to play the D on the A string fifth fret. :unsure:

I know that tab isn't sheet music and is the interpretation of whoever did it (this is on Songster,btw). I am curious why he/she would have selected the open string D instead of the fretted. Part of my problem may come from having read somewhere way back when that open notes are to be avoided if possible. 25-30 years ago, so please don't ask for the source. One of the many books or videos I had is all I remember. And I could be remembering it out of context.

Thanks,
Russ
Click to expand...

I go with Phil Lesh on this one. If you're going to play an open string, you better damn well mean it.
 
#94
It all comes down to personal preference. You should play said note both fretted and open and decide what sounds more appropriate for what you're playing. Usually, the only open string I pluck would be the lowest, because of course there is no string available that is lower than that to use the 5th fret on. I also find myself using the higher end of the fretboard though, because I find the sound of a note like high E better on the 12th fret of the E string than on the second fret of the D string; the tone is more warm and rounded to my ears that way. But the whole point is, play what you think sounds good. If you find you can make a decision on where to play a note, just compare what they sound like.
 
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#96
Wow. Five Pages.
Thanks all.

It looks like the answer to my question really is it depends. I prefer black/white, that's the way I am wired, but I can live with it. And at least in my circumstance it is up to me to decide. If I was playing with others or out in public it might be different.

A bit more info. It's the song Promises by the Cranberries.
The song (at least the tab I have, and not counting the intro) is pretty much straight 8th notes, 2 measures of open (low) E, 2 measures of B, 2 measures of D (my question area) and then 2 measures of C (still 8th notes, but with rests every couple of notes). I am pretty sure that the intro isn't quite right, it needs to repeat anyway and the transcriber only has it once. But otherwise to me it sounds pretty close.

As some mentioned, the open D when I play it sounds bad. Obviously it's my playing. I do better with fretted notes.

While I guess technically playing the D on the fifth fret of A is second position (a term I had never heard of before TB), I just use my pinky on it without any issues.

I used to have a 5 string that I bought just to avoid having to play the open E for the reasons given. Being able to fret the whole song is better, as well as not having to deal with drop whatever tuning. But for now I only have the 4 string. Otherwise I wouldn't even be playing the open E in general. My open string playing really isn't good.

Russ
 
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#100
russosborne said:
Wow. Five Pages.
Thanks all.

It looks like the answer to my question really is it depends. I prefer black/white, that's the way I am wired, but I can live with it. And at least in my circumstance it is up to me to decide. If I was playing with others or out in public it might be different.

A bit more info. It's the song Promises by the Cranberries.
The song (at least the tab I have, and not counting the intro) is pretty much straight 8th notes, 2 measures of open (low) E, 2 measures of B, 2 measures of D (my question area) and then 2 measures of C (still 8th notes, but with rests every couple of notes). I am pretty sure that the intro isn't quite right, it needs to repeat anyway and the transcriber only has it once. But otherwise to me it sounds pretty close.

As some mentioned, the open D when I play it sounds bad. Obviously it's my playing. I do better with fretted notes.

While I guess technically playing the D on the fifth fret of A is second position (a term I had never heard of before TB), I just use my pinky on it without any issues.

I used to have a 5 string that I bought just to avoid having to play the open E for the reasons given. Being able to fret the whole song is better, as well as not having to deal with drop whatever tuning. But for now I only have the 4 string. Otherwise I wouldn't even be playing the open E in general. My open string playing really isn't good.

Russ
Click to expand...
I wouldn't have even considered the open D. The timbre is too different.

Play the open E, then the B with your index finger, D with your pinky and C with your middle finger. Note timbre stays the same for all the notes on the A string.
 

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