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How do you reference strings when not using notes?
- Thread starter Killed_by_Death
- Start date
I'm going to sleep now.
There's the string, the one underneath the string and the other ones.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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- 20,970
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- I suck, but nobody really notices
I use the number system from top to bottom. Even though "technical standards" say the top string is the bottom. It's just less confusing for most people.
Wow, this is a fascinating original thread. I'm genuinely surprised by both the variety and passion around this.
I just want to know is where, how and who the different string numberings started?
In practice I genuinely do not care or use or think of string numberings. However I did learn this in music shop lessons but more for mechanical purposes not musical communication except for high or top means high pitched.
All Ive hear of before today is
High to low = 1 to 4,5,6 ect./ I far as I know its passed down from EUB. The two oldest surviving western bowed string institutions german, franco schools/methods. Russian (french influenced) then Suzuki methods both followed.
There fore, I though this was a rare world standard.
I just want to know is where, how and who the different string numberings started?
In practice I genuinely do not care or use or think of string numberings. However I did learn this in music shop lessons but more for mechanical purposes not musical communication except for high or top means high pitched.
All Ive hear of before today is
High to low = 1 to 4,5,6 ect./ I far as I know its passed down from EUB. The two oldest surviving western bowed string institutions german, franco schools/methods. Russian (french influenced) then Suzuki methods both followed.
There fore, I though this was a rare world standard.
No, no nevermind it's not worth thinking about. I'm just too tired besides; I have some paint to spread out and dry.
Well, unlike my bass strings, which all come together as a set in one plastic bag, the strings for my Martin acoustic still come in a box with 6 separate envelopes. The envelope with the skinny little "E" string that goes on the bottom (closest to my foot) is labeled "1st string", the next, the "B" string is labeled "2nd string" and so on until you get to the top string, the big fat "E" string, which is labeled "6th string". So I assume the G string on a 4 string bass is the "1st string", absent odd tunings, holding the instrument upside down or other non-conformities. I could be wrong...but I don't think so.
Except banjo books
Welcome to TalkBanjo, I guess.
I prefer to just use the standard open string note names, but with so many people using alternate tunings I accept that doesn't work for everyone. Also, the poll question specifically asks what we do if we don't use a note reference, so that's also against the rule. So...
For me, the string with the highest note would be the "first string" (that's usually the one closest to the floor, but if you play lefty and string righty I expect you to make that adjustment yourself). As the strings get fatter, the numbers get bigger.
Of course just to confuse mere hackers, often these days acoustic guitar strings come packaged in three envelopes in the box the 1st and 4th together, the 2nd and 5th together and the 3rd and 6th together. Once you open the envelope you've got to figure the rest out for yourself.Well, unlike my bass strings, which all come together as a set in one plastic bag, the strings for my Martin acoustic still come in a box with 6 separate envelopes. The envelope with the skinny little "E" string that goes on the bottom (closest to my foot) is labeled "1st string", the next, the "B" string is labeled "2nd string" and so on until you get to the top string, the big fat "E" string, which is labeled "6th string". So I assume the G string on a 4 string bass is the "1st string", absent odd tunings, holding the instrument upside down or other non-conformities. I could be wrong...but I don't think so.
Some bass sets like d'addario come like that and la bella's have dice beads to avoid confusion.Well, unlike my bass strings, which all come together as a set in one plastic bag, the strings for my Martin acoustic still come in a box with 6 separate envelopes. The envelope with the skinny little "E" string that goes on the bottom (closest to my foot) is labeled "1st string", the next, the "B" string is labeled "2nd string" and so on until you get to the top string, the big fat "E" string, which is labeled "6th string". So I assume the G string on a 4 string bass is the "1st string", absent odd tunings, holding the instrument upside down or other non-conformities. I could be wrong...but I don't think so.
I consider the 1st string to be closest to your face. This is how violin strings were mapped out for me as a kid. The lowest string by pitch is the first, reading left to right on a violin as you look at the strings.
Ideally you worry about the notes. '3rd fret on the 2nd string' is no real substitute for knowing the note you are playing and why it works in the context of the music you are playing.
Ideally you worry about the notes. '3rd fret on the 2nd string' is no real substitute for knowing the note you are playing and why it works in the context of the music you are playing.
I don’t reference strings. I reference what note it is.
Same here. If I'm telling you what I'm playing, I'm giving you note/chord names. Where on YOUR fretboard you decide to play it is up to YOU.
When learning a song from someone, I also expect notes/chords, not strings and frets. For some reason, though, I'm ok with an initial note/chord and intervals from there.
The obvious correct answer is not an option on your poll, which is why the votes are distributed as they are between the 5 incorrect answers.
However by current count, if we add up answers 2+3 vs 1+4 (and ignore answer 5) we get 55+74=129 vs 33+27=60. So that's more than 2-to-1 that the G string is the "top" or "1st" string (in standard 4-string tuning).
I assumed the OP was referring to situations where someone is talking about a technical problem with their bass. In a playing situation, I can't recall ever referring to a string with another musician. That would be like telling a keyboardist to play the 47th key.
Yeah, and going up the neck takes you to the top of the body, not the top of the neck.
And is the "front" pickup located at the top of the neck? Of course not, it's at the bottom of the bass. Only P bass players avoid this confusion.
It's a wonder we can communicate at all.
In the classical world the drone would be the lowest pitched string and the chanter would be the highest one. Middle string isn't difficult to figure unless you have an even number of strings. The rest I just do by luck.
