You sound mad. Why?
If you don't want or don't like playing open strings - it's OK.
Why do everybody needs to be like you?
I thought music was one of the FASTEST ways to get to that unique individuality.
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You sound mad. Why?
If you don't want or don't like playing open strings - it's OK.
Why do everybody needs to be like you?
I thought music was one of the FASTEST ways to get to that unique individuality.
That's exactly why I do use open strings. So I don't need to use the cumbersome fingerings I already need to employ in F# and Ab (this is assuming it's a complicated bassline that has advantages using open strings in E).
I was playing last night and the op question was still rolling around in my mind.
There is another reason I fret strings that can be played open that I did not comment about.
I slide up to a fretted note when I am playing flat wound strings. It's something I started some time ago and it just became a habit.
There is another reason I fret strings that can be played open that I did not comment about.
I slide up to a fretted note when I am playing flat wound strings. It's something I started some time ago and it just became a habit.
I play the same "shapes" in different positions of the fretboard. Incorporating open strings breaks my comfortable little system.
Also, there is no right or wrong here. Do whatever feels best.
Also, there is no right or wrong here. Do whatever feels best.
Including the rule that you shouldn't disagree with a player that you really respect as regards to the heaviest available use of open strings on DB.
Play the open G string hard and then play the 5th fret on the D string just as hard. 5th fret has more balls to it.
I'm fairly new to bass (and learning on my own with YouTube vids, books, asking questions)... I've got many years experience on woodwinds and keyboards but no experience with stringed instruments. I started out having a really tough time with muting and just couldn't imagine how you guys can keep the strings from ringing all the time. So I found it much easier to stay away from open notes so I could control the string better with my fretting hand. Then I started learning to mute with a floating thumb on my plucking hand. Then I started learning to pluck with two fingers and use the rest stroke. (there are still a bunch of muting techniques I have yet to learn - but I combine all the muting techniques I have to play as cleanly as I can)
Now at that point in my learning my fretting hand was only muting the one string I had just played - muting as I lifted off the string. So playing an open note was hard for me, I couldn't control it because I didn't have a fretting finger on that string. And it's still hard for me - but it is finally starting to come together where I can use my fretting hand to mute all the strings, not just the one I'm not fretting. So I am going back and relearning any songs that I used to play on the 5th fret and playing them with open notes and practicing controlling the strings and learning to play ghost notes on open strings just like I did on the 5th fret before. It's a little hard for me to get my brain around - but it is starting to feel more natural. And I can see the benefits (in some songs) to play them with open notes instead of how I was before - it's good to have options.
Now at that point in my learning my fretting hand was only muting the one string I had just played - muting as I lifted off the string. So playing an open note was hard for me, I couldn't control it because I didn't have a fretting finger on that string. And it's still hard for me - but it is finally starting to come together where I can use my fretting hand to mute all the strings, not just the one I'm not fretting. So I am going back and relearning any songs that I used to play on the 5th fret and playing them with open notes and practicing controlling the strings and learning to play ghost notes on open strings just like I did on the 5th fret before. It's a little hard for me to get my brain around - but it is starting to feel more natural. And I can see the benefits (in some songs) to play them with open notes instead of how I was before - it's good to have options.
The only time I ever ever play open G is if I'm using it to do a quick hammer on to a higher note on that string
I like playing like a double stop - the open G string and D on the 12th fret of the D string with some sliding to E on the 14th fret of the D string.
...but open strings have (require) more technique.
More control over intonation at the 5th fret, and oftimes easier access to where I need to go next. But I do switch back and forth quite often.
BTW, what's the best open string for Metal?
I'm guessing it's a drop tuned B?
I'm guessing it's a drop tuned B?
I use both open and 5th position notes. This last weekend, I was playing both at the same time, during certain passages on one tune for "overlap" - one note is still ringing when you hit the next one, so you have a more droning sound. I also sometimes play both just 'cause it gets you to "11" - it's one louder than one string at a time.
I was taught to learn the different scales, triads, modes, and chord fingering and positions on the fret board using closed strings first, which gives you more options on the neck to play the same scale or riff. I use this more often than not instead of the open string. Which I use on occasions. This was more gear towards electric bass playing. When playing upright bass I used more open strings since it is a different animal to play
I play 5 strings, and if you look at where the finish gets worn off my necks, I spend a lot of my time playing up starting at the 5th fret. (Of course many songs in open position too.) My primary reason for moving up is this allows me access to higher notes up on the G string without changing hand positions (for double-stops, etc) There is also a major tone difference, it's much darker sound for example fretting the E string at 5 rather than an open A. Some posters here hate on the Tone reason; I don't do this specifically for tone, but there is DEFINITELY a difference. With different nut material or a "zeroeth" fret, this can be reduced, but there will always be a difference because the string gauge and length are different. Most importantly, it's to your preference, and what works best for the song.
Keep learning new songs, you will get to know what is best played in a closed position and what is best played open. Teach yourself to play it both ways if you really want to get your bass brain working. I find that closed position is best for transposing to different keys while open is best for speed and economy of movement.
Something to note about Tony Iommi - he lost the tips of his middle and ring fingers on his fretting hand when he was 17 and that affected his technique a great deal. He made plastic thimbles for those fingers but he had trouble bending so he used the lightest gauge strings available. He probably played higher up the fretboard to get a thicker sound with the light strings. He also drop-tuned a lot to get a deeper tone and make the strings easier to bend.
Something to note about Tony Iommi - he lost the tips of his middle and ring fingers on his fretting hand when he was 17 and that affected his technique a great deal. He made plastic thimbles for those fingers but he had trouble bending so he used the lightest gauge strings available. He probably played higher up the fretboard to get a thicker sound with the light strings. He also drop-tuned a lot to get a deeper tone and make the strings easier to bend.
