Why no open strings?

[Larry McQueary]

I let the most comfortable position and my ears be my guides with all fingering decisions. I often work out a pattern in multiple ways and then decide.

I could not agree more with this. It's a tone decision, or a movement efficiency decision, or both. It's not an always/never proposition.

 

[TigerInATrance]

Because Phil Lesh said so.

Indeed he did, and with good reason... It's very hard to control an open string as it rings. Many times when you mute an open string you'll get an unintended harmonic. I personally prefer to play very few open notes. Most of the time I stay above the 5th fret, though on occasion I'm down on a low G. Open strings for me really only work for me in the extremely rare instance that I'm playing a whole note or longer and when that instance arises, 99 times out of 100 I'm dropping a bomb that needs to be low and powerful, a situation that calls for an open E or B (or similar ridiculously low frequency note.) Those need absolutely no real control...

 

[Ron Johnson]

Indeed he did, and with good reason... It's very hard to control an open string as it rings. Many times when you mute an open string you'll get an unintended harmonic. I personally prefer to play very few open notes. Most of the time I stay above the 5th fret, though on occasion I'm down on a low G. Open strings for me really only work for me in the extremely rare instance that I'm playing a whole note or longer and when that instance arises, 99 times out of 100 I'm dropping a bomb that needs to be low and powerful, a situation that calls for an open E or B (or similar ridiculously low frequency note.) Those need absolutely no real control...

It's easy to avoid unintended harmonics when muting with the left hand, just use two fingers spaced out on the same string.

 

[tonemachine]

There's nothing more satisfying than playing F from the first fret on the E string and walking to Bb or C and back to F using the open A string.

Mmmm. Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

 

[MegaSwing]

IMO, it is just another of those things that only players give a crap about.

 

[electracoyote]

It's easy to avoid unintended harmonics when muting with the left hand, just use two fingers spaced out on the same string.

Agreed. Between good left- and right-hand muting technique and never really being in that exact harmonic sweet spot, I never hear ambient harmonics when I use the occasional open string. Harmonics are challenging enough to achieve when you intend them, they never happen "accidentally" for me.

 

[Thumper19605]

We had UHF too!

 

[Davbassdude]

I don't advise avoiding the open strings. They typically provide the best sustain, when desired. For me, it's a matter of positioning. Many songs and/or progressions seem to be positioned in the 3rd to 9th frets. However, when playing in low F or Bb, it almost feels natural to use open strings, due to the availability of those key intervals. In other words; Where the arpeggiated intervals be at?

 

[chris.gotfunk]

I use fretted as much as possible. For me, I prefer the beefier and thicker sound of a fretted 5th fret on the E string than I do the open A etc... I think it's just a preference. I will say it does help with having to change keys though. For me, if I learn something in E, but we have to move it to Eb or some other key, I find it easier to transpose by knowing the pattern/shape of the progression. That said, I will use the open E instead of the fretted 5th fret on the B though.

 

[Tony In Philly]

If the opportunity to play A or D root fifth and octave runs present themselves and I feel like play a low A or D on the open strings I want the option to do so. If somebody thinks that's wrong I would probably let them know that I got the idea from watching videos of some very good amd well known players.

 

[BazzTard]

I wish I had all notes as an open strings, then no fretting! love that open string zing!!

You need a 12 string bass, tuned A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G#

 

[mellowinman]

I've always looked at it as a great exercise for improving my playing, so I will play with as few open strings as possible, while learning songs, and doing exercises. When I'm playing live? I might want an open string to be a big bomb, or I might be lazy, concentrating more on singing, or moving around. I think it's the kind of thing you should develop, but not be a slave to. Open strings are nice, but only one is absolutely necessary.

 

[zontar]

And while I haven't seen it mentioned--sometimes that time spent on an open string can be used to scratch your nose without missing a beat.

While I am slightly being tongue in cheek--I have actually done this...

 

[Ron Johnson]

Agreed. Between good left- and right-hand muting technique and never really being in that exact harmonic sweet spot, I never hear ambient harmonics when I use the occasional open string. Harmonics are challenging enough to achieve when you intend them, they never happen "accidentally" for me.

Intentional harmonics don't seem hard at all on my Ibanez GSR205 or Epiphone Accu Bass. For some reason harmonics come so naturally on them, but if I pick up any bass sitting in the store it's such a challenge.

 

[7dollarbologna]

your teacher needs to work on his left-hand control for muting and right-hand control for muting and attack

Well, I haven't seen him in 20 years- but if I do, I'll pass that along.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Stanley Clarke used open strings quite often.The tune "School Days" is a good example.

 

[drlndrve]

+1 to all the above posts. I happen to prefer fretted instead of open for tonal consistency-at times. As a brass professional you know the differences between an open valve C on trumpet vs a 2nd-3rd valve approach, or open G vs a 1st-3rd valve option. I've never found the tonal differences on Bass to be anywhere near as apparent as those examples, but many times I'll opt for a fretted note vs open, just as I might opt for a fretted note on a lower string vs the same note on a higher string--because it sounds better to my ear.

 

[MegaSwing]

+1 to all the above posts. I happen to prefer fretted instead of open for tonal consistency-at times. As a brass professional you know the differences between an open valve C on trumpet vs a 2nd-3rd valve approach, or open G vs a 1st-3rd valve option. I've never found the tonal differences on Bass to be anywhere near as apparent as those examples, but many times I'll opt for a fretted note vs open, just as I might opt for a fretted note on a lower string vs the same note on a higher string--because it sounds better to my ear.

Yup. I'll lean towards the fat strings, whether they're open or not.

 

[wmhill]

You need a 12 string bass, tuned A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G#

probably be like a bass harp! ha!

 

[electracoyote]

Intentional harmonics don't seem hard at all on my Ibanez GSR205 or Epiphone Accu Bass. For some reason harmonics come so naturally on them, but if I pick up any bass sitting in the store it's such a challenge.

I'm sure some basses are easier than others. My point, as pertains to this discussion, is that open strings will not produce random and uncontrolled harmonics if you use decent left- and right-hand muting.