Jigster Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I've started playing on my fretted bass, but with my eyes closed and in the dark, driven by some insane idea that this might be lay some preparation for playing unlined fretless? What think ye of such science? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 It may indeed J, generally though I'm pretty much buggered when there isn't good monitoring on stage and I have to resort to the side dots. If the stage lighting is crap....chaos ensues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceChick Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Nah, even if you hit the right fret, the intonation on a fretless is a far weirder science. I like the way you think though. A question if I may, why do you close your eyes and play in the dark.... Surely just one would do the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 (edited) ha ha - yes, but there is just enough street light to peep in! [size=4][quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1391375008' post='2356508'][/size] Nah, even if you hit the right fret, the intonation on a fretless is a far weirder science. I like the way you think though. A question if I may, why do you close your eyes and play in the dark.... Surely just one would do the job [size=4][/quote][/size] Edited February 2, 2014 by Jigster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Use your ears. I just got an unlined fretless yesterday, surprisingly it's easier than I expected it to be. Also surprisingly I can hear if a note is out even slightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Unfortunately I think the only way to practice playing a fretless is on a fretless Saying that, I have done your way before but never in training Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1391376769' post='2356544'] Use your ears. I just got an unlined fretless yesterday, surprisingly it's easier than I expected it to be. Also surprisingly I can hear if a note is out even slightly. [/quote] sure, that's the next step. what did you buy out of interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Something to maybe consider is a clip on tuner, and practice with one of them to start with, until you 'know' where to hit the right note. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 [quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1391377640' post='2356559'] sure, that's the next step. what did you buy out of interest? [/quote] This beauty . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1391377754' post='2356563'] This beauty . [/quote] gulp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 [quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1391377916' post='2356568'] gulp [/quote] It has dots on 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 etc. It's really not as intimidating as you'd think to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stef030 Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 my answer was I have been playing a lined fretless for a while, and now I will put a unlined kneck on as soon as I can find one cheers stef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1391377754' post='2356563'] This beauty . [/quote] OMFG! I just ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 In answer to the OP, it is just a case of getting used to playing whilst listening to your intonation instead of just assuming you are in tune, the way a fretted bass player does. You don't nbeed to 'practice playing in tune' you need to 'practice lsitening to your intonation'; the difference is subtle but significant. Same with a double bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 That's a bit of a leap. From never a fretless to 6 stringer fretless. I changed from 4 string fretted to a 6 fretless but had played various fretless basses over the yrs from WAL, Fender, Yamaha to my current Overwater (6er) and Jaydee (4er) I have to listen and make sure i can hear my fretless when playing to get that intonation as near as damn it. Nice bass and good luck with your development. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 [quote name='Jigster' timestamp='1391374816' post='2356501'] I've started playing on my fretted bass, but with my eyes closed and in the dark, driven by some insane idea that this might be lay some preparation for playing unlined fretless? What think ye of such science? [/quote] What everyone else said plus play it as you normally would. Don't set out to play fretless bass, just play bass like you usually would and listen carefully and adjust appropriately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Play an open E. Then, without looking, find the octave on the other strings in all positions. Check against your open E. Repeat for your other open strings. Then repeat with the open E, but look for fifths this time. Find all the Bs all over the neck and check against your open string. Repeat for all strings. Repeat again for major thirds, dominant sevenths etc etc... it'll begin to sound like music eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 Thanks for all the advice guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I've found playing double stops useful for intonation practice, just minor 3rds, 5th etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprocketflup Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1391375008' post='2356508'] A question if I may, why do you close your eyes and play in the dark.... Surely just one would do the job [/quote] He's scared of the dark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1391447198' post='2357253'] play it as you normally would. Don't set out to play fretless bass, just play bass like you usually would and listen carefully and adjust appropriately. [/quote] Excellent advice. You already have embedded muscle memory from playing fretted bass. I always found the switch from fretted to unlined fretless surprisingly easy...[i]and tremendous fun.....[/i]trust yourself - your fingers will usually land there or thereabouts by themselves. Let your ears take care of the rest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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