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QUESTION FOR YOU 3 STRINGERS

I've always played a 4 string cause it seemed like a natural progression down from a six string. Using the top 3 strings I can easily pick out any tune I want from classical to CW, Pink Floyd etc. Is this possible on a 3 string?

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Permalink Reply by Thumper on April 22, 2015 at 4:01am

Forgot to mention my tuning: GDGB

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 22, 2015 at 3:01pm

I use Keni Lee's ADF# on one of my 3-bangers, for the movable chord shapes. And you can strip that banjo tuning down to GDB or DGB...or a variety of other tunings. I find 3-stringers challenge my ingenuity.

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Curley on April 22, 2015 at 9:56pm

The bottom 3 strings on your 4 are GDG, the same as the standard 151 on the 3 string. See what you can do with just those.

Personally I don't prescribe to the '3 string can do anything' school, but that's just me.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on April 22, 2015 at 11:12pm

I agree with Pat that maybe a 3 string can't do everything but it's not supposed to. It's supposed to play and sound like a 3 string. No more than a 5 string banjo can do what a 6 string guitar can do or vice versa. Each is a unique and differently played instrument. As Ron says, 3stringers challenge one's ingenuity to find the sounds and chords if you want them. If you're happy with basic chords for songs they are so much fun and easy for just about anyone to learn who maybe have never played anything before.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 23, 2015 at 10:21am

Well, here's one thing I can do with a 3-stringer:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/oily-s-guitar-lounge-6-take-an-...

It's not everything, but it's a lot more than just barre chords. Tuned GDg.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on April 23, 2015 at 11:09am

Yup, that's a good one Ron. A 3 string can take an axe to it or it can play real sweet. It's all in the mind and hands of the player. I'm getting ready to post a version of Billie Holiday's God Bless the Child, which has got some serious chords, on a 3 string with my daughter singing. I think it's enlightening to listen to your Take An Axe back to back with a jazz classic on very similar instruments.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 23, 2015 at 6:05pm

Jim,

Looking forward to that!

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Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on April 24, 2015 at 1:12am

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/god-bless-the-child-my-daughter...

Here it is Ron. She's moved on to visit other relatives now. I wish we'd done a couple more!

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Permalink Reply by Patrick Curley on April 22, 2015 at 11:40pm

I reckon playing a 4 string fretted guitar is not that different to playing a 6 string. The 3 string however is a different beast entirely. I love it, particulary the fretless variety. You're pairing it back so much that it just demands a whole new approach.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on April 23, 2015 at 5:43am

Shoot. I play my 5 string GDgbd like a 3 string. Often GDG. Sometimes Dgb. Not often gbd. I even play it like a 1 string.

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Permalink Reply by SlowHound on April 23, 2015 at 6:05am

Started with 3 strings before trying four. Approached the four string tuned GDGB as two- three strings squashed together. It was the only way I could wrap my head around it at first.