I disagree on the flat finger technique.I'm not saying your wrong,I'm just saying there are some cool things you can do with flat fingers.I play psychedelic funk so I do it alot.I have a few videos,I would love your opinion.I'm very undisciplined I just jam.I love TMV and Juan Alderete.
thanks so much for the video.Is there a way to know where the 'frets' would be? I mean, how do you know where you've got to press the strings for the notes/chords? (:
@megaSkate5000 thanks! I have positions markers (dots) on the side of the neck, there isn't an easy way to explain through text but it's about listening to the sound until you hear what is the right pitch you want - you play with your ears not your eyes... - if you are switching from fretted to fretless, learning the fretboard is a must!
@BiggerThinking1 Any skill becomes easier with practice. But I would suggest a couple of years to aid with the transition (right hand technique remains the same as fretted, although with left hand, learning the fretboard and getting used to the sound of the instrument is essential) I was playing fretted for about 5 years before I even picked up a fretless, however I do also play cello. Fretless gives a very unique sound/tone!
Hi. Why does playing with the fingertips rather than the pads make a difference, and what difference(s) does it make? Sustain, accuracy of intonation? Thanks
@Custom2212 intonation and accuracy - you also get a much clearer sound. Remember with playing any fretless instruments you play with your ears, not your eyes. Fretless bass requires a slightly larger stretch than fretted; so playing on the tips makes it more comfortable; it also makes vibrato much easier to do!
@tonymcg4 Thanks. I've been playing fretless a while (actually I've never played fretted bass) and didn't know which I used until I thought about it and checked. Turns out it's mostly pads. I don't generally have intonation problems, but thinking about it, a clean release point for the string using the tips would give a cleaner sound and more sustain, probably.
@omgitsmeagain13 could be the cam - but each to their own, i've switched to flatwounds too, a much nicer sound :) (the strings in the video are pressurewounds)
@rottencaca pressurewound/roundwounds are designed mainly for fretted basses - unless you have a really tough fingerboard (such as ebony - used by string players for years) after a few years of playing, roundwounds will wear away at the neck (started to do that to mine, hence switch to flatwounds)
Thank you for the video. I've just started fretless in the last week & it feels like a natural transition to me, not much difficulty so far (and I love flatwound, should have been using them years ago). Solid tips from you here, I'll work on some of these things.
Glad I could help, the transition with the right hand is the same (obviously) but the left hand try curving your fingers more, will give you a much better tone. Flatwounds are great if you want that vintage fretless sound :)
I disagree on the flat finger technique.I'm not saying your wrong,I'm just saying there are some cool things you can do with flat fingers.I play psychedelic funk so I do it alot.I have a few videos,I would love your opinion.I'm very undisciplined I just jam.I love TMV and Juan Alderete.
Recluse253 1 week ago
thanks so much for the video.Is there a way to know where the 'frets' would be? I mean, how do you know where you've got to press the strings for the notes/chords? (:
megaSkate5000 1 month ago
@megaSkate5000 thanks! I have positions markers (dots) on the side of the neck, there isn't an easy way to explain through text but it's about listening to the sound until you hear what is the right pitch you want - you play with your ears not your eyes... - if you are switching from fretted to fretless, learning the fretboard is a must!
tonymcg4 1 month ago
is it worth starting on fretless - or is it too hard and better to do a few years on fretted bass and then transition over?
And whats the point o fretless anyway considering it just seems to add a layer of difficulty to something that is already quite difficult?
BiggerThinking1 4 months ago
@BiggerThinking1 Any skill becomes easier with practice. But I would suggest a couple of years to aid with the transition (right hand technique remains the same as fretted, although with left hand, learning the fretboard and getting used to the sound of the instrument is essential) I was playing fretted for about 5 years before I even picked up a fretless, however I do also play cello. Fretless gives a very unique sound/tone!
tonymcg4 4 months ago
Hi. Why does playing with the fingertips rather than the pads make a difference, and what difference(s) does it make? Sustain, accuracy of intonation? Thanks
Custom2212 10 months ago
@Custom2212 intonation and accuracy - you also get a much clearer sound. Remember with playing any fretless instruments you play with your ears, not your eyes. Fretless bass requires a slightly larger stretch than fretted; so playing on the tips makes it more comfortable; it also makes vibrato much easier to do!
tonymcg4 10 months ago
@tonymcg4 Thanks. I've been playing fretless a while (actually I've never played fretted bass) and didn't know which I used until I thought about it and checked. Turns out it's mostly pads. I don't generally have intonation problems, but thinking about it, a clean release point for the string using the tips would give a cleaner sound and more sustain, probably.
Custom2212 10 months ago
idk if it's the camera, but that bass sounds awful...
omgitsmeagain13 1 year ago
@omgitsmeagain13 could be the cam - but each to their own, i've switched to flatwounds too, a much nicer sound :) (the strings in the video are pressurewounds)
tonymcg4 1 year ago
@tonymcg4 I am looking at getting a fretless, a very good bass player said to go with fw also.
Whyrendog 1 year ago
@rottencaca pressurewound/roundwounds are designed mainly for fretted basses - unless you have a really tough fingerboard (such as ebony - used by string players for years) after a few years of playing, roundwounds will wear away at the neck (started to do that to mine, hence switch to flatwounds)
no sound problems at all :)
tonymcg4 1 year ago
So basically, if you switched from a double bass to a bass guitar the only difference is that you're not using a bow and it's sideways?
kfgsaprez 1 year ago
@kfgsaprez yes and no, the plucking technique is slightly different on a double bass (more of racking action) and the spacing between notes is greater
fretless bass has note spacing similar to cello
i consider the fretless bass to be unique in its own; not a double bass or a standard bass guitar.
you can get electric upright basses which would more suited to your comment
tonymcg4 1 year ago
Thanks, that was helpful. What's your bass? Looks great.
cherdrol 2 years ago
No worries! My bass is just a cheap fender copy (cost about £100) but i love the neck and body so i won't be selling it anytime soon :)
tonymcg4 2 years ago
Thank you for the video. I've just started fretless in the last week & it feels like a natural transition to me, not much difficulty so far (and I love flatwound, should have been using them years ago). Solid tips from you here, I'll work on some of these things.
myworms 2 years ago
Glad I could help, the transition with the right hand is the same (obviously) but the left hand try curving your fingers more, will give you a much better tone. Flatwounds are great if you want that vintage fretless sound :)
tonymcg4 2 years ago