3 String Versus 4 String

Feb
04
2014
3
By johnnycajon
So, recently I bought a 3 string fretted CBG kit ready to build. I was hoping to build it over the last weekend. It didn't happen because I realised it's going to take me a bit longer than I expected.
I'm dead keen to get started on Patrick's course having signed up last week. A friend of mine has offered to loan me a 4 string guitar until I get round to building my 3 string. Is it a good idea to follow the course on a 4 string? I suppose I could remove one of the strings.
I suppose a 4 string guitar is harder to play as a beginner because there is an extra string to consider. Being completely new to the world of CBG, I was wondering what the main differences are between 3 and 4 string in addition to the extra string. Why is one preferred to the other, is it just because of simplicity or is it something to do with the sound or the 'feel'?
Questions I hope to have answered soon. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot and make things more difficult than necessary at the start becuase this may put me off.

There are 3 Comments

Submitted by admin on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 08:30
Hi John

Never too much to ask mate.

There's no reason why you can't get started with the 4 string. The early lessons particularly cover basic slide and fingerpicking technique which is applicable to any type of guitar.
The main difference is that a 3 string is usually tuned 1 5 1 (g d g for example) where the 4 string will usually add the 3rd note in the chord. Of course they can be tuned any way you like and yours may be different but again it doesn't matter. Simply pick the bass string with your thumb and any of the treble strings with your fingers, I'd suggest the top 2 for now. (That's the two with the highest pitch, furthest away from the bass string).
It won't sound the same as my videos so be prepared for that but you can still practice the exercises.

Scattered throughout the course are links to youtube song lessons, you won't be able to do those just yet. If your build takes a while and you want to have a go at them, leave a comment on the lesson page or the youtube page, tell me your tuning and I'll see what I can figure out.
Likewise the sample blues solos are for 3 strings. If you get to them in the next few weeks you're going too fast. Likewise though, if your build takes a while and you want to play them on the 4 string let me know.
 
I prefer a 3 string because of it's tuning. Having the 3rd note makes playing blues a little more tricky. The 4 string has an advantage however when playing chords or country/old time tunes with a frettted instrument. Horses for courses.

 

Submitted by cuulblu on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 15:30

My question is similar to Johns. I have found a 4 string fretless guitar I would love to buy, probably going to as soon as I finish this post.

For the 3 string slide lessons can I simply tune 3 strings to g d g and ignore the fourth string for now?

Can I go through 4 string fretted lessons using a slide guitar?

Thanks,

Ken

Submitted by admin on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 18:37

Hi Ken

The 4 string course has a lot of chord theory, and technical stuff around fretting and using a flatpick. Most of this won't be suitable for a fretless guitar. You can certainly go through the 3 string fretless course to get your skills up, there's also the slide guitar workshops which are aimed mainly at 4 string players. You'll find them under the Workshops tab in the main menu, there should be plenty in there to keep you busy.

As always, please keep in touch if you have any questions.