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[wwittman]

Emil "Gus" Gawaziuk wrote on Mon, 28 July 2008 21:51

Something else you may notice is a lot of players seldom use open a, d, or g (standard tuning for simplicity) unless absolutely necessary.

I've heard that axiom, but I have to say I play open strings a LOT.

I tend to choose the note position based on the SOUND it creates except in those instances where speed dictates a fingering.

But there is a big difference in sound between D on the 10th fret of the E string, D on the fifth fret of the A string, and D on the open D string.

Sometimes I'll even use one position for a verse, and another for the chorus, just to give the chorus a different tonal variation.

[leonardo valvassori]

Emil "Gus" Gawaziuk wrote on Mon, 28 July 2008 21:51

Something else you may notice is a lot of players seldom use open a, d, or g (standard tuning for simplicity) unless absolutely necessary.

Hmm. I do notice that.
However, I use ALL my open strings.
Cello is my first instrument;--open strings can be your friend when you have to shift positions.
Same with bass.
Yes there are times when tone matching is an issue if the part is very exposed, but I find that such huge tone differences between open and closed notes is indicative of a technique/execution issue.

Or, just plain shitty tone.

Ever watch Tony Garnier (Bob Dylan) play bass?

[maxim]

all the tone VARIATION lies within the left hand's fingertips

with open strings, otoh, it's either "on" or "off"...

[Emil "Gus" Gawaziuk]

That's what I was getting at..... the consistency factor. And, it does help nicely if one is playing in position.  Playing upright, arco, open strings are much more your friend when a position shift is called for in a piece (thinking back, I think it has been approximately 12 years since I played an upright with a bow, and more recently I have had the odd chance to play one pizz in an attempt to learn the finer points of rockabilly style playing)

Ahh, the nuances of such a seemingly simple instrument!  Fun!  Not often the subtleties get discussed.  Always been a rock player, some jazz and classical as well years ago.  Lately, I find myself appreciating motown and other very fluid styles far more often just for the sheer way the parts drive both the melody and the rhythm with ease.  The perspectives in this thread alone have made me examine even my own playing style a lot more, which is never a bad thing.  

[McAllister]

Quote:

I've heard that axiom, but I have to say I play open strings a LOT. I tend to choose the note position based on the SOUND it creates except in those instances where speed dictates a fingering. But there is a big difference in sound between D on the 10th fret of the E string, D on the fifth fret of the A string, and D on the open D string. Sometimes I'll even use one position for a verse, and another for the chorus, just to give the chorus a different tonal variation.

Yes. That exactly.

Quote:

all the tone VARIATION lies within the left hand's fingertips with open strings, otoh, it's either "on" or "off"...

True, but you can control a lot of tone with how your fingers pluck the string. Using different parts of the fingers (more meat), to create a softer attack. Makes open strings sound fretted.

M

[rankus]

As well as where your plucking... further fwd, towards neck, for more bottom, further back for brightness/ more attack... combined with how much "meat" on the plucking fingers there are a TON of tonal variations. (try finger tips vrs. side of fingers, vrs. thumb etc.)

[wwittman]

maxim wrote on Tue, 29 July 2008 01:56

all the tone VARIATION lies within the left hand's fingertips with open strings, otoh, it's either "on" or "off"...

I don't agree

both hands count, just about equally.

it wouldn't be hard to play a pattern two ways and make it hard to tell which one includes the open string and which doesn't.
But as I said, I tend to choose that open string because I WANT that ringier, probably growlier, choice.

[maxim]

all right, all right

not ALL the tone comes from the left hand...

[Bill_Urick]

Anyone ever use a felt pick?

[maxim]

i've used one on a mandolin

i like...

[Emil "Gus" Gawaziuk]

Nope on bass, once on a guitar.  Nifty sound.  Pick of choice is either orange tortex or green tortex (don't know the thickness, I just go by colors) when necessary, otherwise usually fingers, and usually at the bridge on a PJ pickup equipped bass, or a Jazz bass.   Have a pretty heavy right hand, often I find playing closer to the neck I am beating the strings into the pickups far too often.