Open Strings

[thrax0831]

I got in this habit of playing promarily without open strings so its easy to shift to other keys. Is this bad? I know its a big topic and just maybe a dumd question.

Mike

[Jim Broyles]

No, it isn't bad. There are many who prefer this method of execution, and anything which makes it easier to transpose to other keys will help in the long run.

[lenf12]

I think it's generally a good thing but the only caveat could be that in some situations, it could slow you down. Try to be mindfull of those situations. You may hit a note ( a clam more likely) which should alert you to a problem. This could be an ascending passage going from A (D string fret 7) to B (A string fret 2) where one of these notes is not hit cleanly. Examine the reason why and if it turns out to be that you should have played the A on the open string, then you'll have to make the change from your pinkie on the 7th fret. Other than those situations, playing with mostly closed fingerings can ultimately become a strength.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[thrax0831]

thanks for the replies

[RobP]

I try generally to play in closed positions as much as I can, but there are times when an open strings can be used as a double-stop that sounds really cool. For example, in the key of G, I get in the habit of striking the open G string along with the g note fretted on the 5th fret of the D string.

Norman Blake does a lot of that kind of thing.

Cheers,

Rob

[UnityGain]

I've learned mandolin while playing in a band that uses some awkward keys a fair amount so I've gotten used to playing in closed position a lot. the problem is that I dont use open strings enough. Lets face it, they are the easiest to play and have the best sustain! Also lots of times they are an important chord tone for many, many songs. Being able to hit a ringing open string note can sound really nice. And once you realize that you can use open strings no matter where you are on the fretbord you are is nice too. Its like having a magical extra finger sometimes. Old time and fiddle tunes usually rely heavily on open strings. Also. they are the easiest note to use to use as part of hammer-on pull off kinds of riffs since you dont have to use another finger to fret them.

Its not a bad thing to get your closed position fingering down, but realize that those open strings are really powerful and their usefullness should be exploited. Its easy to see how they work in keys like G, D, A, E etc... where open strings are root notes. But I am really starting to like using them in songs where the open strings are 3rds of the chords like, C, F, Bb, Dm, F#m, etc... They are also really fun to use as a bluesy note for keys like B. Hammering on from your open D to a D# sounds very neat during a B chord.