waynepunkdude Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I think I've nailed it, I limited myself to one glance per song last night and I did it. Has anyone else overcome fingerboard staring syndrome? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Mostly. Currently in the process of transferring it to fretless. Success rate is improving, but not completely there yet. THought about this topic for a bit recently - good one. T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Yep. If you know a song well it tends to happen more and more. Also handy when playing an unlined fretless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bidd Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Actually I've been thinking about this a lot recently during rehearsal. I've been trying to do our songs without looking (they are pretty simple basslines though) but have then got a problem as to were to look during a gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 at the lady with the biggest boobs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='758997' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:00 PM']at the lady with the biggest boobs[/quote] I can do this with or without a bass in my hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Ha ha Beware of that one now you are no longer staring at your fretboard ... Look for the biggest/meanest bloke in the room. He'll be her big brother/partner/minder/father/pimp/all of the above. Imagine him customising your bass with his boot, or your head .... Look somewhere in the crowd (bearing the above advise in mind) or the exit sign at the back of the venue or the heads of the bar staff ... The more you look towards the audience the better your band will look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonshelley01 Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 It's something I'm working on as I look ridiculous trying to do backing vocals while looking at my fretboard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='leonshelley01' post='759010' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:10 PM']It's something I'm working on as I look ridiculous trying to do backing vocals while looking at my fretboard![/quote] probably singing off mic too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leonshelley01 Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='OldGit' post='759015' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:12 PM']probably singing off mic too[/quote] That may be a good thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I do vocals for one band so have had to learn this quite sharpish, although I still have to sneak a peak in between lyrics for some of the harder basslines I have. My other band though I only do backing vocals for though, so I've never really been forced to learn to with them, though I probably could I guess. Thing is, when I'm playing a gig I always feel awkward not looking at my fretboard, as I never really know where else to look! Ooh look, there's one man and his dog watching us, hmm, there's the guitarist, drummer, singer - aaah, fretboard, much more interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I think a lot of it is being at home and comfortable with a bass, if you're used to where on the neck the notes are you'll hit them without looking. If you're then playing a bass where the notes are in a different place, due to more frets, bigger/smaller body etc etc, then you're fighting an uphill battle, especially if you're swapping mid-set. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I have to activly make myself do it, but once i've taken the proverbial plunge i seem to be quite okay. Its just taking that first step into giving it a go at a gig thats hard IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the 'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times. Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='Doddy' post='759121' date='Feb 27 2010, 02:17 PM']As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the 'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times. Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need.[/quote] +1 Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huw Foster Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 On some function gigs I can sometimes play a whole set without looking at the fretboard. I end up staring at the floor just behind the singers instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I often play in the dark so i cant see the instrument...i prob look a bit odd but its a great way of training your ear... your ears are your eyes as someone famous said? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Doddy' post='759121' date='Feb 27 2010, 02:17 PM']As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the 'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times. Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need.[/quote] It depends.... You are there to entertain. What passes for entertainment in your genre may determine whether shoe/board gazing is considered the height of cool or totally detaches you from your audience. Eye contact (ad relating to your audience members) is generally much more important than flash licks but, hey, look at yoru neck for the flash stuff and then lift your eyes when you are plying something easier. Old Git's Top Tip: For right handed players, stand to the left of the drummer. Look at your neck then look up a bit and there's the front person and the drummer and, just beyond the front person there's the audience.. Just a little change in your angle of looking and you can chack your fingers on your board too.. Edited February 27, 2010 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I too agree with Doddy. I look less the more comfortable I am with a song. It's never a problem unless you are so far hunched over your fretboard that you ignore the audience and the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='Doddy' post='759121' date='Feb 27 2010, 02:17 PM']As I've said before,I don't think that consciously avoiding looking at the 'board is a good idea-you are really just limiting yourself. As you play more you will naturally become more aware of the 'board and stop looking at it as much-it comes with familiarity. Everyone looks as the 'board at times. Purposely looking away is just another variable that you don't need.[/quote] Doddy wins, hands down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 (edited) [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='758997' date='Feb 27 2010, 12:00 PM']at the lady with the biggest boobs[/quote] That`s the only reason I play in a band! Yes I am that shallow. Another thing I`m bad for is if I am playing a song I know well, I tend to drift off and watch the Sky sports which is usually on the telly with the volume down. I was watching some horse racing from Dubia the other week. Jez Edited February 27, 2010 by jezzaboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 I used to be in a band with a lovely girl singer, used to spend most of the gig looking at her behind.... Not the worst job I'll ever have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='jezzaboy' post='759240' date='Feb 27 2010, 04:57 PM']That`s the only reason I play in a band! Yes I am that shallow. Another thing I`m bad for is if I am playing a song I know well, I tend to drift off and watch the Sky sports which is usually on the telly with the volume down. I was watching some horse racing from Dubia the other week. Jez [/quote] The amount of times I have played a gig whilst watching the football then stopped playing when something has happened in the footy. Anyone want to hire me for a function band? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [attachment=43709:sleep_bass.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='759310' date='Feb 27 2010, 06:28 PM'][attachment=43709:sleep_bass.jpg][/quote] WAKEY WAKEY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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