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Open or not?
- Thread starter CaribooBass
- Start date
Worth checking the shape of the bottom of the nut slot and how it conforms (or not) to the shape of the string. Also, check witness points are properly set at both the nut and saddle.
i don't see any --- i vote "none!"
i'm not aware of a "debate." who wouldn't use an open string if it made sense to use an open string? maybe it's an idea for folks who are unsure of 'what to do' (or what they sound like).
that said: i mostly use open strings as passing notes in walking lines and other 'bass-line' parts on the fretless. the 'open string sound' difference on a fretless is real. but as far as notes go = "i like 'em all!"
i just like some better than others.
I get the tonal difference argument and agree that open strings should be avoided in certain cases. However, depending on what's being played, they might contribute to the music as well. Open strings are very important in hard rock and metal genres for instance. In fact, one may not be able to play certain riffs w/ out using the open strings.
Bass guitar is a fairly new instrument, and one should not set hard rules and avoid using open string just because someone told to do so.
Bass guitar is a fairly new instrument, and one should not set hard rules and avoid using open string just because someone told to do so.
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In a very demanding and precise recording environment, with most guys and a lot of basses, a line that's all fretted will sound different than incorporating open strings for the same line. Some are good enough there's no practical, audible difference, but not many.
Other than that, anywhere else, it's a moot point. A holdover from my mis-spent youth when I was just starting out, is banging along on Seeger-style rock and roll on the open E and A, big fun.
Other than that, anywhere else, it's a moot point. A holdover from my mis-spent youth when I was just starting out, is banging along on Seeger-style rock and roll on the open E and A, big fun.
Another noob thought on open strings is that I thought it sounded cool doing the intro to Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 when I did (on the E string) the 5 strikes on the 5, 3, and 2 frets, then 4 on 1, and open before going back to 5 and repeat. Simple thing I know, but I love that transition, and one of the reasons I wanted to take up bass.
As a beginner I favored Closed positions as they are movable / transposable. If I need to learn stuff quickly I’ll still default to that.
Studying Jamerson lines got me back into using open strings. These days I find it much ore interesting to figure out how a line ‘crosses the nut’ so to speak. They way each key falls on EADG gives them all a unique feel under the left hand. Technique (turn up and pluck lighter) plus flats help reduce tonal differences, but they are there, and the challenge of playing an open string such that it fits in is added fun. Imho
Studying Jamerson lines got me back into using open strings. These days I find it much ore interesting to figure out how a line ‘crosses the nut’ so to speak. They way each key falls on EADG gives them all a unique feel under the left hand. Technique (turn up and pluck lighter) plus flats help reduce tonal differences, but they are there, and the challenge of playing an open string such that it fits in is added fun. Imho
I don't think it's just an open string conversation. On my current bass, at least, each string has a very different tone. The lower strings have at thicker tone and the higher strings a thinner tone. I have assumed this is just the nature of having a thicker/thinner string.
When I'm learning songs I often make a decision on where to play a note based on whether I want a thick or thing tone. For example, there's an Audioslave song (Like A Stone) which has F note played on the D string. I found that sounded too thin when playing on my own, so I now play it on the A string to thicken it up. In the context of a gig, I'm not sure how much difference it'll make, but it's enough that I spend time thinking about it.
The same would apply to open strings. If the tone fit, I'd go with it. if not, I'd play it elsewhere.
When I'm learning songs I often make a decision on where to play a note based on whether I want a thick or thing tone. For example, there's an Audioslave song (Like A Stone) which has F note played on the D string. I found that sounded too thin when playing on my own, so I now play it on the A string to thicken it up. In the context of a gig, I'm not sure how much difference it'll make, but it's enough that I spend time thinking about it.
The same would apply to open strings. If the tone fit, I'd go with it. if not, I'd play it elsewhere.
If my music director wants open strings that how I play it. If he wants fretted notes, that's the way it is. Personally I like fretted notes.
I try to avoid them when learning a song for my soul covers band because of transposition issues. Once the key is set, I have no problem using them.
But it’s true I usually prefer freted notes for tone consistency or, rarely, muting issues.
But it’s true I usually prefer freted notes for tone consistency or, rarely, muting issues.
I love open strings. I usually like the growly tone better than a fretted note. And a bonus for me: I'm stuck at the mic most of the time and my bandmate is stuck behind his drum set, so when I play an open string I can wave my fretting arm around to give the illusion of more movement on the stage!
Being able to play the same thing from multiple positions is important, but to say using an open string is wrong is the height of arrogance. Reminds me of when Jeff Berlin told me that "slap playing is not a valid form of bass".
Songs are often written specifically to use the open strings to avoid shifting positions to play the line. Music that is intended to be played on stage, night after night on tour, often will be crafted around the simplest patterns in order to decrease the amount of brain power used to play the song. I am sure much of this also comes from the song writer who hashed out the changes using the "one position" approach, but it also frees up a player to pay less attention to his fingerings, and more to his vocals or choreography. It is just a reality in the scope of live music, and in a live setting, the tonal variations between open and fretted notes are virtually indistinguishable. In a studio setting, you may want to consider the alternative because "tape don't lie", but keep in mind, there are thousands of iconic pop songs that were written to use the open strings. Playing the open note certainly did not kill the success of almost every hit from the 70's.
Songs are often written specifically to use the open strings to avoid shifting positions to play the line. Music that is intended to be played on stage, night after night on tour, often will be crafted around the simplest patterns in order to decrease the amount of brain power used to play the song. I am sure much of this also comes from the song writer who hashed out the changes using the "one position" approach, but it also frees up a player to pay less attention to his fingerings, and more to his vocals or choreography. It is just a reality in the scope of live music, and in a live setting, the tonal variations between open and fretted notes are virtually indistinguishable. In a studio setting, you may want to consider the alternative because "tape don't lie", but keep in mind, there are thousands of iconic pop songs that were written to use the open strings. Playing the open note certainly did not kill the success of almost every hit from the 70's.
And very useful when you need a gulp of beer
Is this honestly a debate and something these so-called youtube experts get butthurt about? My answer is you play open strings when you need to play open strings... Sounds stupid, but it really is that simple. 
I think the philosophy of no open strings is that the open string will be louder than fingered strings
I try to match the timber/tone of the song, any string or note that does that is what i tend to do. For some gigs though, I learn the song without using the open note, because the key will usually change to one or all of the songs, there's no time to relearn it in that situation lol.
So the possibility of a key changing for the song drives the "no open" on this one right now for me.
Otherwise it's what ever works. Who owns the bass? you do...
So the possibility of a key changing for the song drives the "no open" on this one right now for me.
Otherwise it's what ever works. Who owns the bass? you do...
