Seeing your fret markers on stage?

lowendgenerator · #1 08-09-2011, 11:47 AM

I used to use a dot from a yellow paint marker, but it would wear off quickly where I played (cowboy frets). Looking into the wonderful world of vinyl inlays got me thinking about an adhesive backed approach to my problem.

What do you do to see your fret markers better on a dark stage?

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 08-09-2011, 11:59 AM

I've honestly just gotten so use to the way my necks feel that I can, without looking, play whatever note I want to just from the feel of the neck.

That said, one trick I've seen guys use is they'll take some masking tape (or whatever that tan colored tape is) and tape the back of their necks to mark odd number frets. That way they can feel where they are in the dark, and since the tape matches most necks quite well no one will know it's even there

tdub0199 · #3 08-09-2011, 12:03 PM

I think they make glow in the dark fret markers....

yem · #4 08-09-2011, 12:06 PM

Stop looking at your hand. Practice. Listen.

Or install some brail.

**jmattbassplaya** · #5 08-09-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yem

Stop looking at your hand. Practice. Listen.

Or install some brail.

I advise against looking at your hand because there are a lot more important things to be looking at.

Such as the cute girls in the audience

KillerNeuron · #6 08-09-2011, 12:18 PM

I use the fretlord fretdotz only on the side of the neck, and they work like a charm and are not obnoxiously visible to anyone but me. I also never look at my hand when I practice and always hold my bass the same way to establish muscle memory. I only have to look at dots occasionally, but it is really nice to have em when you get distracted and need a reminder

lowendgenerator · #7 08-09-2011, 12:20 PM

Regarding the "don't look at your hands" comments. I didn't ask how for your tips on playing, I asked for suggestions on better ways to see your fret position markers in poorly lit/strobe filled stages. I posted this in hardware/setup, not technique.

I don't stare at my fretboard while I'm playing, but if I look down, I want to know where I'm at, quickly.

yem · #8 08-09-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

Regarding the "don't look at your hands" comments. I didn't ask how for your tips on playing, I asked for suggestions on better ways to see your fret position markers in poorly lit/strobe filled stages. I posted this in hardware/setup, not technique.

I don't stare at my fretboard while I'm playing, but if I look down, I want to know where I'm at, quickly.

Indeed. LEDs? They would look cool.

lowendgenerator · #9 08-09-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerNeuron

I use the fretlord fretdotz only on the side of the neck, and they work like a charm and are not obnoxiously visible to anyone but me. I also never look at my hand when I practice and always hold my bass the same way to establish muscle memory. I only have to look at dots occasionally, but it is really nice to have em when you get distracted and need a reminder

Those are neat, but a bit pricey. I was hoping to find some glow in the dark dots at a craft store or something lol.

lowendgenerator · #10 08-09-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yem

Indeed. LEDs? They would look cool.

I've seen the LEDs before, and they're cool, but then I really WOULD look at my neck all the time for the pretty colors!

yem · #11 08-09-2011, 12:26 PM

Or "tape brail". Then you have the both of best worlds. Winking at the cute chicks and feeling where you are at.

MNAirHead · #12 08-09-2011, 12:26 PM

Low end....

Quite sincerely the guys were telling you the truth... practice with your eyes closed.

Couple of other options... a Pin spot mounted on your mic stand will help... LEDs are cool - I'm sure you didn't want me repling "buy a status" or install LEDS.

=====

On my primary gig bass... I have "stealthy" "brailish" dots on the lower side of my neck.. basically dots from clear fingernail polish... double and single dots... needing to look down is garage band...

IT takes a few weeks.. but while talking to a patron I can tell where 1,3,5, 9, and 12 are... the moret things you can do at once the better a band mate you become.

**jmattbassplaya** · #13 08-09-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

Those are neat, but a bit pricey. I was hoping to find some glow in the dark dots at a craft store or something lol.

You could perhaps get different colors of electrical tape and still do the idea I suggested.

MNAirHead · #14 08-09-2011, 12:30 PM

IF you're interested in a simple educational step, then PM me.. by the tone of your replies to the prior guys you're a rawk gawd and don't want other possiblities.

----

The lesson was from a TRUE rock god and had me do this before he'd teach.

lowendgenerator · #15 08-09-2011, 12:36 PM

Ok, after taking a step back, I can see how those posts were trying to be helpful, and I apologize if I snapped a bit quick.

95% of the time, I'm not looking at my hands. I'm jumping around, having fun with the crowd, being a high energy jackass. In the event of a catastrophic failure of my skills, or a blow to the head, I find it hard to see tiny little black dots against pearloid binding. Strobes, smoke, booze, only add to the problem.

In an ideal world, I would be in shamans pose, playing with my eyes closed while levitating, and wouldn't need side markers at all.

MNAirHead · #16 08-09-2011, 12:42 PM

IF you insist on dot markers... take your bass to a fingernail polish specialist.. they can put extremely precise dots on your bass

I'm still a fan of an abrasive sticker on the lower side at the position marks.... OR LEDS

-----

Not sure if you find this relevant.. I can't play a lined fretless to save my soul... linless or blindfolded all day.

---

"hint" from my "somebody" teacher..... When you see most guys eyes shut commonly they'll be visualizing what they're playing... NOT on some cloud of excellence.

Demon_Hunter · #17 08-09-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

needing to look down is garage band...

umm....what exactly do you mean by this? Is this another elitist bass player comment along the lines of "real bass players only use their fingers, 4 strings, etc?"

yem · #18 08-09-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

umm....what exactly do you mean by this? Is this another elitist bass player comment along the lines of "real bass players only use their fingers, 4 strings, etc?"

Maybe he was saying that real bass players use their ears

MNAirHead · #19 08-09-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon_Hunter

umm....what exactly do you mean by this? Is this another elitist bass player comment along the lines of "real bass players only use their fingers, 4 strings, etc?"

Um...

No... Personally I play a 7 or 9 string most of the time.... imagine what jaco would have been able to do if he got his hands on a 7.

Relying on looking down indicates that someone can't hear an interval and isn't focusing on crowd interaction, band production and/or singing.

lowendgenerator · #20 08-09-2011, 12:59 PM

This thread is going to hell in a hurry.

Yem, if I can hear myself clearly, I probably don't need fret markers. I'm referring to the less than optimum conditions we as live musicians often find ourselves in. Blinded by lights, horrible stage sound, dodging flying objects. It's really fun, you should try it sometime.