Why does it seem so many players use 5th fret vs Open string?

[Gilligan8]

I've just started playing bass "seriously", I've always pretended I was a guitar player for the past 30 years.

As I learn songs on bass or look up a video to make sure I'm getting it right. I notice most people will play the A on the E string and the D on the A string vs an open note.

Now I played a gig with a 5 string Spirit by Steinberger and the open D was quite a bit dead (might have been old strings) so I found myself always hitting the 5th fret on the A string for a D and I thought I was probably "getting by" or "cheating" in a sense. Then I see this being used a LOT.

I know the strings give their own tone to things which is why Tony Iomi (Black Sabbath guitar player) played things like paranoid WAY up on the 12th fret of the E strings, because it had a "better" sound. I can certainly see that a lot of times, especially with say the D as that string starts to get thin and barky sounding. But the A is pretty solid sounding in open.

I know each song is different and each player is different and there is a time and need for such a thing. But I've learned a few songs recently that seem to really have the bass player playing the 5th fret when an Open A would have been just as good if not even easier.

As a guitarist the open strings typically sound better and we use them when we can, except in cases of ease or sound like in Tony's case.

What am I missing as a beginner to the instrument?

 

[rogerbmiller]

Economy, control, and expressiveness.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I use the open string all the time. In some circles it's considered "incorrect," but I personally think it sounds and works fine.

 

[onda'bass]

It's for control and consistency of sound in my opinion.

 

[Gilligan8]

It's just completely backwards from guitar thinking I guess. That is what is throwing me off.

I do understand economy (thought open is often a lot faster ), control I certainly get which is part of the expressiveness I can see.

 

[s_wood]

The OP basically answered his own question.

For me, there are 2 primary factors that influence where on the neck i choose to fret s given note. The first, particularly with quick patterns played up-tempo, is economy of hand movement. I remember reading an interview with the great bassist Tom Fowler (who played with Zappa, Ponty and Ray Charles among others). He said that it's harder to play with precise time when changing hand positions, and I have found that to be very true.

The second factor is tone. Particularly when playing a brighter bass and/or when using roundwounds, I've found a huge difference in tone in a given note depending on whether it's fretted lower in the neck or higher. The biggest difference is between an open note and its 5th fret cousin. I'm not saying that's good or bad, it's just true and you may prefer one sound or the other.

YMMV, of course.

 

[tjh]

... much of what has already been said ...

.. one thing not mentioned is that fretted notes/patterns are much easier to move from key to key when transposing on the fly ...

 

[Lee Moses]

It's for control and consistency of sound in my opinion.

There might be other reasons, but the primary reason is consistency. An open note sounds different from a fretted/stopped note. So to keep the open notes from jumping out, you can try to fret/stop all notes.

 

[Grumry]

I'll just use whichever is easier for that specific lick.

 

[Jloch86]

Good question. Seems to me riff based songs generally use the fifth fret whereas progression based songs generally use open strings.

 

[HandsFree]

Don't play 5-string much, but when I do I always use the open E-string. The open sound has so much more punch than the 5th fret.
Less so for the A-string. I usually don't play D and G open. Sounds too thin.

 

[MTN.bass72]

For me, when playing contemporary Christian at church I tend to gofor open string for a more, for lack of a better term, airy, brighter sound... whereas in my country band I'll play, IE, .. A on 5th fret E string versus open A for a fatter, fuller sound..
Otherwise, regardless of what I'm playing I'll play what fits the song best.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

I fret everything for the reasons already given. I use open strings for effect only. Like let one ring while I fret other notes.

 

[obimark]

Depends on what you are doing.
Certain songs sound MUCH better when pedalling the open A-string.
However the open D sounds weaker when being pedalled. I don't use it unless it is a Tool riff where he plays the higher notes off the open D.

 

[FunkHead]

I like to use both. ie; LA Woman by the doors. I alternate between the Open A and the Fretted A on the E string.

 

[CryingBass]

One reason to use open strings is to intentionally let the open string ring while you knock off a few otherwise more-difficult fretted ( or fretless ) simultaneous notes higher up on the neck. Yes, there are a lot of Stanley-fingers guys out there, but I for one am not...

And I would mention harmonics but that's a little obvious I think, and probably not on op's point.

 

[QweziRider]

What am I missing as a beginner to the instrument?

Different tones of the same note played in different places.
Right tone for the song - or even the different segments of a song.
Different playing patterns being easier or more difficult for the given passage and notes.
Just because I feel like it at the moment.

Any number of reasons as pertains to a given song. nothing earth shattering or anything you're necessarily missing, just different needs for different players and different songs dictating playing a note open or fretted.

 

[ThePresident777]

Pretty much what everyone already said but I'll toss this in to narrow it down. Try this without using open strings:




I want to add, that in my opinion the "different tone" argument is bad. I know it's real, but, I consider that a flaw in the instrument, strings, pickups, amp, cabs, EQ, etc. That's just my opinion. I prefer a much more even sound, fat and clear all around. I know it might work for different styles like slap/pop or whatever and I know it goes far back. Carol Kay did it. But it's something that I avoid.

 

[Slevage]

Try these keys:

Eb Ab Db Gb or. D# G# C# F#

No capos or de-tuning. Songs can modulate mid performance.

 

[1954bassman]

I want to add, that in my opinion the "different tone" argument is bad. I know it's real, but, I consider that a flaw in the instrument, strings, pickups, amp, cabs, EQ, etc. That's just my opinion.

I second that opinion.