Grooves on open strings.

[Wannabebass]

Hello TB. I've been playing for close to two years, mostly on my own but aspire to play with other musicians. Working through the Hal Leonard Bass method, there are some E A and B box blues exercises, just a simple Blues in E that goes R-octave-b7-5. However the exercise uses all the open strings and feels twice as hard to play as the nice simple 12 bar I-IV-VI progression starting on the fretted E on the A string, cause I can use that nice familiar shape.
Any tips on how to visualize or become as comfortable with the open string shapes as I am with the fretted patterns?

Thanks in advance for the wisdom.

 

[Lobster11]

I'm in the camp that generally avoids open notes whenever possible, so I do what you do -- i.e., use the A-string E for the octave for this. Plus, I like the tone up there better than the notes down at the second fret.

 

[AGCurry]

Many players - like @Lobster11 - avoid open strings when possible. I use 'em but take extra care in the requisite muting.

 

[WrapRough]

I only really use open strings when it helps with fingering or a shift or I need a low E.

 

[Lobster11]

Phil Lesh once famously said, "Use an open string only when you mean it."

 

[Les Fret]

Jamerson and Jaco liked open strings. I also like them and use them a lot. The ‘avoid open strings’ saga doesn’t always apply. It mostly applies when playing simple or supporting bass lines.

 

[Wannabebass]

I'm in the camp that generally avoids open notes whenever possible, so I do what you do -- i.e., use the A-string E for the octave for this. Plus, I like the tone up there better than the notes down at the second fret.

Still working on it and its starting to feel more natural...For a blues in E its pretty dead simple, since you're just staying on the 2nd fret. My ear isn't discerning enough to tell which tone I like better (but I understand your point), plus I'm still at the stage where hitting the right note, with the right length at the right time feels like a win! Will trust the Hal Leonard system and keep plugging away.
Cheers

 

[Lostgallifreyan]

Many players - like @Lobster11 - avoid open strings when possible. I use 'em but take extra care in the requisite muting.

I use them when the sound is better that way, and this is all you can do, give extra attention to muting them at need.

 

[Malcolm35]

I've never understood avoiding open strings. I am a pattern person and if I stay in first position where open strings live, I'll use them -- because they are there just waiting on me.

My ears are old and rusty and I can not hear all that much difference.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I started on acoustic guitar, so I've always liked using open strings. Look at open position guitar chords and licks.