Why no open strings?

[LeeNunn]

I liked reading the comments about using an open string to allow a position change in a challenging bass line (or reading) and the comments about the importance of muting. Both reminded me of Jaco examples. In Teen Town, the third measure (after the intro) uses a open A to allow a position change. That's tough line to play at tempo, and I can't imagine trying to "fret" that A. Barbary Coast is an example of muting. Some of the ghost notes are natural harmonics or muted open strings. Towards the end of the song, Jaco mutes the open D on the "a" of one (1e&a). Because the root is C# (on the 1e&), the muting of D is critical. So the one beat goes C#, C#, C# (up an octave), and then down to the muted open D.

All that said, I usually avoid open D and especially open G for all the reasons expressed above.

 

[Sammuell92]

install zero fret!!

 

[zontar]

It's not something I'd necessarily do--but it would work on a fretted bass.
Not sure about the fretless though.

 

[Chinchano]

I don't really use open strings much but I wouldn't say dont practice it. When emotions get elevated in a song, sliding into an open low B string gives people the chills.

 

[LeoFromPortland]

For years I was a "No open strings" guy, because that's what I was taught. I took my bass lessons like I had taken my piano lessons as a kid -- instructor's word was gospel. I never challenged that notion until getting back into playing bass after a long hiatus.
I'm auditioning for a band whose music I really love, and I find some of their patterns really do benefit from open strings. Economy of motion is important and, as others have said, muting allows you to control the tone.

I totally agree with working out a pattern both ways, and figuring out which works where in a given song.
I'm still kind of digging on the fact you can get tonal variations on a given note by playing it on different strings. But that includes open strings. Probably much of this is obvious to non-piano people or people whose first instrument allowed you to play the same note at the same octave in different positions. But for us keyboardist types, this ability on bass is pretty cool! And recently I've shed the dogma of my youth / former instructors and gone ahead and played open strings where it works. Not always for the most musically critical reason either; 20+ years behind a computer and my hands, while not injured like some of my coworkers', well, I have to think about more I guess.

I think sometimes we want to think each pattern we use is carefully thought out and has some fancy reason for it. But I know when I was playing keys professionally, I never thought like that, and showed up to a lot of rehearsals / gigs pretty stewed.

 

[JimK]

My 1st Bass Book (1972, Mel Bay) had a line "Avoid using Open Strings". No real explanation...except maybe this was in the "Boogie Bass" section (1-3-5-6-b7-6-3-1 patterns). Easier to transpose, maybe?

Then I tried learning these Alice Cooper/Dennis Dunaway songs: "Gutter Cat", "Dead Babies", & "Blue Turk"...without Open strings (the "D" mostly), you'd be a dead man.
About 0:20 seconds in-


Eventually, moved onto R&B/Funk like "The Real Thing" by Narada Michael Walden/Randy Jackson. Try playing the bass break without Open strings (the "A").
Bass break is approx. 3:35 in.


Same goes for something like "Footloose" (Open "A") by Kenny Loggins/Nathan East.

Short answer: Use your ear.
Do not get hung up on preconceived notions. Guys much better than me (then & still now) use Open Strings...and they sound great.

 

[JimK]

I was goofing around with this 2-bar Latin thing today...I would use a fretted "A" and an open "A" with this...YMMV.

Rhythm
|1_2_3_-&|1&2&__ &4&|

Open Notes in Bold
|A_E_C_-A|A#BFE__EGG#|

 

[Paulabass]

The primary reason I have heard is for transposition purposes as it comes in handy for freelance gigging musicians that don't always play in a set key.

I'm going to go out on a limb, and say gigging musicians, in particular jobbers, can play in any key, without really thinking about it.
I love open strings, and use them a lot if I've moved up the fretboard, and for contrast will play some note an octave or two lower, or as drones. For example, playing in E above the twelfth fret, play a few of the E's open.

 

[IamGroot]

This thread is 2 1/2 years old and 100 posts, and the first posters nailed it esp regarding tonal quality, but....

If its a walking line learn it both ways, with and without open strings. The open strings particulaly in a raked triplet is part of the idiom. Recognize low E can pass for Eb if palm muted and quick.

Learn it without open strings to make it transposable.

Always have an eye out for open string opportunities when playing fast passages that span the neck.

Fretless players. Use open strings to rebaseline when playinv unaccompanied .

 

[maturanesa]

They are great for using just before a fast change right hand position