Cat Burrito Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 It leaves your left hand free to punch the air Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMech Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 it also gives you a free hand to scratch your nose, or wipe the sweat off your brow. Probably doesn't look as good as air punches though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 i've found that throwing in the odd open string is a good way to check your intonation when learning fretless. [b][/b]btw DEREK SMALLS IS GOD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 (edited) Oh yes, indeedy. 12 bar in A, means I can do the whole song one-handed. Leaves the other one free to sign autographs. My [i]very good [/i]friend Victor Wooten (or Vic-baby, as I call him) was [i]enormously[/i] impressed by this when he caught my solo set in Pillerton Priors village hall. Expect a few surprises on his next tour. Edited October 30, 2009 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasher80 Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teen t-shirt Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 its a convenience really and one i like to rub in my guitard(s) face's because they have to fret almost everything where as i could potentially play an entire song with out ever touching the fret board... Go Smalls! Love that Big Bottom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 [quote name='teen t-shirt' post='640930' date='Oct 30 2009, 11:45 AM']Go Smalls! Love that Big Bottom![/quote] You want to love Derek Smalls big bottom? I have a few open sections in places, but there's more boxer re-adjustment than air punching unfortunately! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDM Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 If you have two guys playing you can do this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arsenic Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 A dodgy left hand means that I play as many open strings as I can ... I find it the only way to play some things..... T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesfinn Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 the only open string i ever use is the E string. I also generally only use the bottome 2 strings unless i really have to or am playing octaves....poor technique I know but it's all part of my sound! (i don't really like treble ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I use them whenever I can - especially playing fretless, when they are the notes you know should be in tune, or when changing left hand position to gain a bit of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='640893' date='Oct 30 2009, 11:19 AM']Oh yes, indeedy. 12 bar in A, means I can do the whole song one-handed. Leaves the other one free to sign autographs. My [i]very good [/i]friend Victor Wooten (or Vic-baby, as I call him) was [i]enormously[/i] impressed by this when he caught my solo set in Pillerton Priors village hall. Expect a few surprises on his next tour. [/quote] Are you telling me there are more than 4 notes on this bass thing? Send my best to Victor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I actually have a bit of a phobia of open strings. I will avoid them whenever I can and do ridiiculous stretches that my small hands can barely cope with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbird13 Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='641302' date='Oct 30 2009, 04:53 PM']I actually have a bit of a phobia of open strings. I will avoid them whenever I can and do ridiiculous stretches that my small hands can barely cope with.[/quote] I do the same thing - I have a tendancy to hammer the open strings too hard which is OK if I'm only playing open strings but sounds strange if I'm playing fretted notes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 The only opens I tend to play is E & A but will always try & play the A fretted as I prefer the sound of a fretted note as opposed to the flabby twang of an open string. I dare say if I used more of open strings then my technique would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kets Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I never really used to use any other open strings than E, sometimes A. Then about 5 years ago I started playing a lot more guitar, learning various bluesy/country licks where using open strings is the norm. I now find myself using them more on bass because of that. Maybe it's a bad habit? The're obviously handy on fretless for checking intonation though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobiebass Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='640893' date='Oct 30 2009, 11:19 AM']Oh yes, indeedy. 12 bar in A, means I can do the whole song one-handed. Leaves the other one free to sign autographs.[/quote] Im stoked I understood what this means. reading theory is helping obviously. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Anyone use a zero fret? wondered if they can hear the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darwin Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I always avoid open strings unless I need to drink/scratch/adjust my amp etc. I've always felt I have less control over an open note than using a fretted alternative probably as I use a lot of damping/muting ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thepurpleblob Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I'm trying to play open strings more. I always used to avoid them but now I realise it's a whole bunch of new sounds I didn't know I had. The only trouble is that I'm actually having to relearn some stuff to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alz Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='641406' date='Oct 30 2009, 06:34 PM']I'm trying to play open strings more. I always used to avoid them but now I realise it's a whole bunch of new sounds I didn't know I had. The only trouble is that I'm actually having to relearn some stuff to do it.[/quote] I try and avoid them like the plague as they can have a different tone compared with fretted notes. Havig said that, I will always grab one if I need to scratch my backside or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 I've never avoided open strings, if it makes some things easier to play I'll use them. There is a difference in tone but I don't think it's big enough to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay Splayer Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 i dont..... real bassists dont use open strings........ just like they dont use plectrums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teen t-shirt Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 [quote name='Bay Splayer' post='641476' date='Oct 30 2009, 08:21 PM']i dont..... real bassists dont use open strings........ just like they dont use plectrums [/quote] Oh God... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urbanx Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Ha ha great thread, I thought I was the only one! One of our songs has a great oppertunity for open strings. I place my right thb on my nose and wave my fingers at my drummer whilst blowing a raspberry, before giving the crowd a cheeky wave, pointing at the guitarist and rolling my eyes before getting back to the bass solo. Oh yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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