Should you "try" to stay away from open strings?

[dvh]

Of course he's not serious...

 

[kesslari]

I used to try to avoid open strings.

Then I realized the genius of using them from many bass players much better than myself.
James Jamerson and Ron Carter are two examples - brilliant players who use open strings extensively.

 

[boynamedsuse]

Seriously?

He shouldn't be serious because real bass players use 5ers and you can play E1 on the 5th fret of the B string.

 

[dvh]

It appears that it can happen when people don't read what was posted and get defensive about a comment made in context of other things already posted as what they perceive as a threat to the "integrity of their playing style."

Like this...?

See posts #8 and #14. If you ever play fretless and develop a consistent vibrato technique, you'll understand. Or maybe I'm just a snobbish mid-level player, I don't know.

 

[cracked_machine]

I don't play open strings frequently -

They sound different than the fretted note
They are harder to stop sounding
If you learn a tune with open strings it is harder to change keys.

But if you want the biggest note - THEN you play it open. (IMHO)

This whole thread is personal opinion i think.

Personally I play, for example, Town Called Malice finger-style from open D to A string. That's because playing an open string makes those notes sound more fluid rhythmically. I know I should probably play it at the fifth fret on the A and E.

I guess playing open strings all the time is a lazy habit, but not all of us have hands like gibbons and whatever works for you to get the job done is OK by my book.

 

[Crazyeelboy]

Just make sure to keep flammables away from open strings...

 

[streetknight]

When I first learned that there were patterns that were shared from one song and key to another, I forced myself to play without open strings as much as possible in order to be able to transpose easily. Then when I got a little better and had learned some of those patterns, I discovered that using the open strings in a fast pattern will sometimes allow a position shift without dropping a note. Meanwhile, I definitely learned to use my pinky more while I was avoiding opens.

This is exactly the benefit my buddy said when he told me to try to avoid them while I'm starting out.

Thanks a lot for all the input everyone. Never thought I'd get this kind of response.

 

[dvh]

I guess playing open strings all the time is a lazy habit,

No! The whole point of this thread is that IT DOESN'T MATTER!

 

[phatbass]

Avoiding open strings is pure snobbery. Typical mid-level player attitude who thinks he understood everything about the instrument. The same people tell you you shouldn't downtune.

The reasoning behind the behavior isn't bad though. You shouldn't lock yourself into boxes but rather be able to change key at will.

The good attitude is to use them, while being able to avoid them when needed. There are tone differences between open and fretted notes and you should learn to play what fits best for the song.

^ This. Learn not to rely on 'em, then use 'em when it's practical.

I remember reading an interview with Stanley Clarke saying that he liked to play in keys like E so that open strings were available. And if anyone wants to try and tell me that Stanley Clarke is an amateur wannabe...

 

[baileyboy]

I use open strings when I can, especially if its use can avoid a huge hand shift to play a lick. I also practice bass runs in major and minor with the fretted and open string combinations; I believe this helps to make you a better player.

 

[thunderstation]

My buddy told me to stay away from open strings if possible. Why is this? Should I get in a habit of it.

If so, would I be better off to tune to Eb or does that make the positions awkward?

Thanks

I think it is a question of Judgement. Does using an open string enhance what you are playing? Does using an open string allow you to play the next note proficiently?
to me, learning to use open strings is just as important as learning to play without them - they can be very effective when trying to attract peoples attention to "the beat" or they can muddy up an otherwise effective part.

 

[tstone]

It's important for jazz players to be able to play in any key, and to transpose from one key to another at the drop of a hat. (Singer: "A is too high for me, let's do it in A flat. One, two, one two three four...")

For those people, and those in similar situations, it makes sense to practice avoiding open strings.

 

[late_boomer]

It's important for jazz players to be able to play in any key, and to transpose from one key to another at the drop of a hat. (Singer: "A is too high for me, let's do it in A flat. One, two, one two three four...")

For those people, and those in similar situations, it makes sense to practice avoiding open strings.

No, it's just important for people in those, and similar situations, to be able to play in different keys well.

That's not the same thing as just moving fingering patterns around.

Open strings are an essential part of the bass, and specifically an essential part of "jazz" bass. The thing to do is learn how to use them, not avoid them.

 

[FretlessMainly]

I was watching The Australian Pink Floyd Show for a bit last night and they broke into Money and the bass player played the B min line using open strings. The uneveness created by use of the open strings was awful.

I've said several times in this thread that I do use open strings in certain applications, so my best answer to the original question is that yes, in certain circumstances, you should try to avoid open strings.

 

[Kobaia]

I avoid it like the plague. part of the reason i play 6 strings.

 

[kapaauguy]

I was watching The Australian Pink Floyd Show for a bit last night and they broke into Money and the bass player played the B min line using open strings. The uneveness created by use of the open strings was awful.

I've said several times in this thread that I do use open strings in certain applications, so my best answer to the original question is that yes, in certain circumstances, you should try to avoid open strings.

pretty sure Roger Waters plays it open just like you described.
Roger Waters - Live Earth - Money - YouTube
any uneveness was not a result of using open strings but more likely poor technique using open strings. i think Money is a perfect example of a riff that is much easier played with open strings.

 

[tinyd]

I used to avoid open strings but as someone has already pointed out, they help with intonation on DB, so I've been using them a lot more recently since I started playing the big bass. What I've found is that using them makes me think about the relationship between notes in different ways which has helped my playing. So I guess the moral of the story is never to avoid things because they're unfamiliar and to explore all the different paths that your basslines can takes over the fretboard.

 

[mambo4]

It's important for jazz players to be able to play in any key, and to transpose from one key to another at the drop of a hat... it makes sense to practice avoiding open strings.

I agree it makes transposing easier....

But honestly, if you know your instrument and the most basic theory, It's not that hard to transpose something from a closed position to a position involving open strings. If you have the luxury of time, I find it a worth while exercise if only to break habitual patterns of thinking. I love the way using open strings can give each key its own unique feel under my left hand, and find myself exploring surprising ideas because of that. I think it's good fun.

 

[GypsyMan]

I wanted to preface this with;

I use open strings. Everyone else is a better Bass player than I.

With that out of the way, I knew I remembered reading that you should not use open strings some where. I found the statement in Mel Bay's Electric Bass Method -1 by Roger Filiberto.

I'm including page 31 "Rock and Roll - Rhythm and blues - Boogie Patterns".

When we think of finger placement, patterns and shifting it makes perfect sense to avoid open strings. If you want an 'E' you would shift your box down to the 'D' string, you're index finger never moved.

From what I see in other Bass Method books, Like Hal Leonard's Complete edition by Ed Friedland; Using the 1,2,4 method starts to lead you away from open strings. I hope I didn't come off as a know it all. I'm just learning and wanted to share.

BTW, thanks to everyone here. My reading these forums has made me a better BASS player
I've been reading and taking the suggestions on reading material.

 

[kuys]

****ing A, I love open strings, You sir, should be like me and do what you like.

The kind of attitude your talking about is why I don't like teachers in general. I have a guy teaching me technique that is one of the best instructors I've ever had...for anything. Be it collegiate level insruction on molecular biology or how to properly make up a junction box.

He doesn't push his hang-ups and is always trying to help me be the bass player I want to be, not what he thinks I should be.

My wife's violin teacher is a total snob. The guy can't stand slides; I'm serious, I once heard him go on a thirty minute rant about why it's not traditional and how it sounds "evocative" and "attention grabbing". My wife is big into Romanian and klesmer music.

He's a total douche-nozzel but he is the best teacher in town. Luckily, my wife pretty much ignores those tirades and doesn't let it get her down. You should hear playing those "evocative" eastern-European pieces. Amazing.