Open or not

[John Bertotti]

So because of a previous post I began learning Fur Elise. I have until today been playing open strings when I read that notes but realized in one repeating case the same note (E) was only one fret higher and tried playing up the neck instead of moving to the next higher string. My question therefore is is this acceptable? How do you know when to play up the neck instead of moving to the next string? Any rules of thumb or is it just what happens to be most convenient for the fingers? Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[bjc]

John,

It Depends on what is convenient AND what sounds good...I have worked on many classical tabs and found that (for me) the voicing sounded better by playing notes on the middle strings...fatter string=better tone...But, do what you feel and what YOU think sounds good...
sometimes the ring is the thing...so experiment my friend...

[John Bertotti]

Thats just what I've ben doing so I'll move forward from there. Thanks John