Open String?

Is anybody else as quirky as I am and only plays an open string about 10% of the time? My illogic is, I like to have more control over the note, as far as sustain and punch go.
Jack

There is more control over a note when it's not open. I got into playing fingered notes as much as possible when I started playing fretless, and it carried over into my fretted playing. Its perfectly normal, and desirable.

Mike Bruce

There is more control over a note when it's not open. I got into playing fingered notes as much as possible when I started playing fretless, and it carried over into my fretted playing. Its perfectly normal, and desirable.

Mike Bruce

Mike,
That's what I was saying, I only play the open strings about 10% of the time, if that! I agree and I guess it's not so quirky after all.
Jack

My tunes often have me playing a melody riff over an open droning string.

note duration shouldn't depend on having the string open or fretted - it's up to you to control it ... personally, I play an open string whenever the economical way to play the line requires it..

I'm the opposite--I go for the open string any time I can. I can mute it at the bridge, if I need to, but I can be sure it will ring as long as I care for it to otherwise, almost certainly longer than a fretted note...but let's be real, as bass players, how often do we actually get to let notes ring until they fade?

Occasionally, I'll find a bassline in which it's just un-ergonomic to snag an open string in mid-riff, but it's rare I can't practice my way around it if I REEEEEALLY want to.

What control do you have over a fretted note that I don't have over an open one, aside from the option to then bend it? Not bein' sassy, just not seein' the value...

I'm the opposite--I go for the open string any time I can. I can mute it at the bridge, if I need to, but I can be sure it will ring as long as I care for it to otherwise, almost certainly longer than a fretted note...but let's be real, as bass players, how often do we actually get to let notes ring until they fade?

Occasionally, I'll find a bassline in which it's just un-ergonomic to snag an open string in mid-riff, but it's rare I can't practice my way around it if I REEEEEALLY want to.

What control do you have over a fretted note that I don't have over an open one, aside from the option to then bend it? Not bein' sassy, just not seein' the value...

I can punch the note and accent the note, like if you were ending a song and wanted to end and punch it and kill it at the same time.

I always try to stay away from open strings when I can, it makes it easier for me anyway, if I need to transpose into a different key at any point. Certain songs need the open string played to achieve the right sound.

Not entirely sure I get what you're sayin', JJF, but it's all about what works for you.

Ricplayer--I use a capo.

I use them often but if I'm already playing in the vicinity of the fretted note, I'll grab that...

Tim

I love the open strings, it's great for adding depth to a lick, play a lick, play it again with the last two notes as open strings and accented

a rhythmic twist.