Bass Playing, Fretless or fretted? |
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Bass Playing, Fretless or fretted? |
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Apr 30 2014, 07:24 PM |
I really like fretless basses, I like how they sound and look but I've never tried one. At the same time, I would never relate a fretless bass with rock / metal music. I would relate it to jazz and maybe some pop. I would really like to know the opinion of bassists about this because now I'm curious.
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May 1 2014, 03:23 PM |
Not exactly on topic, but this is Bumblefoot explaining why he decided to use his fretless guitar which is used even in some songs with Guns and Roses.
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May 1 2014, 03:59 PM |
Hi Gabriel. you really should try one out. I bet you will get hooked. There is something about the feel of fretless that gets under ones skin. I have tried to embed a YouTube video of Primus with the incredible Les Claypool really going for that bass. Warning . This track was once responsible for my thumb bursting after I persisted in trying to nail that percussive rythm he gets. My fault for persevering long after I should have stopped playing, as my thumb was swelling by the minute. Oh the things we suffer for our art. I too am curious about how out and out bass players feel about this. I hope they all respond with their opinions Now that is interesting. It is something I never cosidered trying but, man it looks like hard work. Similar to playing with a slide, I guess , where you play visibly sharp? Our responses must have crossed as I included a Primus video in mine. Purely coincidence my friend. Not a tit for tat sort of thing. Have you ever tried a fretless guitar? I never even seen one. I must lead a sheltered life these days. I've never enjoyed Primus music, don't know why. It's not my thing. But playing that song on bass can be really tricky and also very entertained. And yes, fretless guitars is like playing a violin, you have to be very precise and had a very trained ear to be able to play always on pitch. Check this video by the master Guthrie. -------------------- My lessons
Do you need a Guitar Plan? Join Gab's Army Check my band:Cirse Check my soundcloud:Soundcloud Please subscribe to my:Youtube Channel |
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May 1 2014, 09:56 PM |
Bass player here!
I would agree that most of us relate fretless bass to jazz music (this is coming from funk/rock player) - at least those kind of lines come to my mind that I would play if I would be holding a fretless bass in my hands. You know - the smooth slides and all the tricks you can't do with a fretted bass? Another presumption would be that lots of bass/mid frequencies warn jazzy tone you'd get from a fretless. Unfortunately, I never actually had a chance to play one myself and really get into it although I think every bass player wants to. In my mind - I would either get an acoustic bass which is fretless as two seem like an interesting combination to me OR I would completely skip going for fretless and get the "real" thing - upright bass! Now when it comes to upright bass (which I also never had a chance to try out in the store - very limited opportunities), I would love to have one! I know exactly what I would be interested in playing on it : jazz walking bass, rockabilly and country tunes + 50s evergreen classics I think fretless is marginally used by the bass community as we all tend to first get a great 4 string, great 5 or 6 string, acoustic bass and then maybe go for exotic stuff - fretless bass This of course depends on the style of interest, but I don't know any of my bass playing friends who started on the fretless bass. Now, I suppose the same thing is with the fretless guitar community? Did anyone have one and what do you play on it (this is probably the key question)? I'd like to spice up the thread with some cool fretless playing : ...and upright bass : -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net
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May 6 2014, 12:12 AM |
One would hope the only thing that matters is how it sounds for the songs you're playing. If it sounds good, what does it matter, right?
Are they hearing a sound coming out of your bass that is not the tone they want? Are you hitting the notes spot on? Perhaps they're hearing you a few cents off key (hard to hear in a bass, but some can hear it). Perhaps it's image? I would get the reason "why" from the band-mate who is complaining. If it's tone, it's your obligation to meet that tone expectation. All I can think of, really. -------------------- The more I practice, the more I wish I had time to practice!
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