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Advanced playing on a 3-string CBG...

Hi all. Getting ready to build a nice CBG after my first sucessful stab at homemade instruments.

I am seriously debating how many strings to have. I'm an advanced player but I'm only beginning to learn scales/music theory etc so forgive any ignorance I may have.

I like to learn a wide range of music (from folk to metal and much in between) so a 4,5, or 6 string should be a shoo-in. On the other hand though, I really like the simplicity and aesthetic of a three-stringer- something just draws me to it. I was wondering, for those of you who've learned tunes other than OT folk and blues and/or gigged around a bit on a 3-stringer, can you manage more complex playing techniques on it or is it better to just get a standard 4 or 6-string?

The things I'm concerned about are-

-Is there a simple way to compensate for not having the lower strings (mainly the fourth or fifth) when reading tabs? Would raising the key (through a capo or barred finger) help, or adopting a lower or nonstandard tuning?

-I don't expect chords to sound as "big" as they do on a standard guitar, but I would like them to be distinguishable. For example, in standard (EBG) tuning, there would be no difference in fingering between a G6, E minor, or E7 (all common chords) and they essentially would all sound the same since the notes which distinguish between them wouldn't be there. I'm still new to music theory so this might be a stupid question, but is there a way to "remedy" this? Maybe changing the key for each song like banjo players? Or using an alternate tuning?

-What's the range of playable chords on a three-string, and what tuning supports the most variety of chords? I need to be able to play at least the basic majors, minors, and sevenths.

Sorry if my questions display any ignorance, but I'm very excited about the idea of a CBG and I'd love to play one as well as I can.

Thanks

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on August 2, 2011 at 3:15am

Wolf,

Have you checked out Keni Lee Burgess' "How To Play 3-String CBG" group (click on the Groups tab up top, or Search for it)? He will probably encourage you to go to his eBay page to purchase a set of his instructional DVDs, but hey, the man's gotta eat, right? Anyway, he goes into precisely the issues you're concerned about, and is very understanding and kind when it comes to apparent noob questions.

There is also John McNair's (Beetlejuice's) "Three string guitars" group, which may offer some support as well.

Oily

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on August 2, 2011 at 4:25am

Thank you oilyfool for your recommendation.

I would highly suggest exploring 3 string CBG.

Please check out these two videos and consider my instructional videos CD 4 & 6.

If you have any question, I would be glad to discuss them.

Enjoy your practice, Keni Lee

http://youtu.be/aGX3bWHSHt0

http://youtu.be/jVdAAuvR-k0

http://shop.ebay.com/njmikeb/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&a...

There is a lot more to see, please check out my Playlists at www.youtube.com/kenileeburgess

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Permalink Reply by Fiddling Wolf on August 6, 2011 at 4:16pm

Keni, thanks very much. I've checked out all of your playlists and they've been very helpful. I've decided to build a three stringer, with two courses per string (like a bouzuki, mandolin, or half a twelve-string guitar) to get a nice chorus effect.

I built up a prototype today with a long scale (using a modified strat neck) and when I was testing it, I found I could actually play pretty well without frets. Do you think it's possible to reliably chord and fingerpick fretless if it's only a 3-string, and has a long scale? I quit violin years ago (now I've picked up fretted viola) because of difficulties with a lack of frets on the tiny violin fingerboard. Is it possible that having a longer scale makes it possible to play without frets?

Keni Lee Burgess said:

Thank you oilyfool for your recommendation.

I would highly suggest exploring 3 string CBG.

Please check out these two videos and consider my instructional videos CD 4 & 6.

If you have any question, I would be glad to discuss them.

Enjoy your practice, Keni Lee

http://youtu.be/aGX3bWHSHt0

http://youtu.be/jVdAAuvR-k0

http://shop.ebay.com/njmikeb/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&a...

There is a lot more to see, please check out my Playlists at www.youtube.com/kenileeburgess

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Permalink Reply by Seaman Jay on August 7, 2011 at 9:22am

It is. For example - an upright bass is quite playable ;-)

Never tried to play on a violin, but the 62cm scale CBG is "just long enough"...

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on August 7, 2011 at 1:10pm

Hello Fiddling Wolf,

Shane's original CBGs were fretless. The playing possibilities are endless. Although, there is a difference. In general, I would say if you are planning to play a CBG in the conventional way like a standard guitar and want to play chords up and down the fingerboard, frets are in my opinion, the best way to go.

On a fretless, strumming open chords, adding a note of two is one thing, trying to fret three notes at a time is rather tricky to get the intonation correct. Frets basically make forming a chord idiot proof. As long as your CBG is in tune, place your fingers in the right place at the right time, with frets, the notes ring true.

Enjoy your practice, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by Grease Stains on August 10, 2011 at 3:07am

i'll stat this first, i have almost no understanding of musical theory. however i do know how to set intonation, and i'm religious about it. i like 4 strings better, and i keep the action really low so i can chord. i've yet to try making frets, but i get away with using my slide with no issues because there are no frets. i use a 25 inch scale so i always know where the frets are anyway. my guitars are all around 24.5 to 25.5 inch scales, and i used to play guitar with my eyes closed cause i met a blind guy that was absolutely awesome and wanted to see if i could do it (hah i was really little). also like to play my acoustic when the power goes out for something to do.

besides you'll hear when your off a little, and if you don't seal the neck with something it doesn't take long for the oils in you skin to leave dark spots on the wood! as for the theory, i've seen some of keni's video's on youtube, i'd check him out.

a friend of my old man's transcribed house of the rising sun in about 30 seconds for my the other day. it was the first time he touched a 4 string. i plan on asking him for some recommended books, as he is a singer/song writer, composer, conductor, and teaches music at a local university.
just remember tho, in the end there are no rules! do as you please! have fun man!