easing into fretless

Wademeister63 · #1 08-04-2008, 08:41 PM

I've had a few fretless basses but never really took to any of em very much, and I got the itch to try it again. Building a toothless frankenJazz and I'd actually like to put it to good use. I'm thinking the simplest way start out would be to just grab the fretless and play the stuff I'm used to, is that pretty much right? I'd also like to learn a few "fretless songs" that sort of showcase that trombone sort of sound.

I've searched and read through some threads, but none were quite what I'm looking for. They always mention the great players who are known for fretless stuff, mostly solo bass and jazz though. I'm wanting to take it easy though =). Besides maybe The Police (which songs?) and Pink Floyd that I know about, what might be some good rock/pop tunes to check out? No Low B stuff, this is a fourbanger-slider. Stuff like Black Velvet would be cool, but that song goes below E and I don't really want to transpose or retune.

FrizzleFry · #2 08-04-2008, 11:35 PM

What I first did was just play along with some songs that I would with my fretless. and get the muscle memory.

mikeyswood · #3 08-05-2008, 01:26 PM

John Deacon did a ton of stuff fretless and until you study him you don't know how good he is. Under Pressure is one of the songs that moved me to fretless.

Bass wishes,
Mike

Thunderthumbs73 · #4 08-05-2008, 01:41 PM

I'd say check out the work of Pino Palladino. If nothing else, it is inspiring, and is played on four-stringers. Also, his tone is often out-front and his parts are easy to discern, even if they may not be as easy to play. Yes, you have the right idea- grab your fretless and play all the stuff you've always played.

Wademeister63 · #5 08-05-2008, 01:51 PM

I always thought john Deacon played tasty stuff but never knew anything of his work beyond the Queen records I had back in the day. I'll do some research on him and on Pino Palladino. Thanks for the tips!

jcsgroove · #6 08-05-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wademeister63

I've had a few fretless basses but never really took to any of em very much, and I got the itch to try it again. Building a toothless frankenJazz and I'd actually like to put it to good use. I'm thinking the simplest way start out would be to just grab the fretless and play the stuff I'm used to, is that pretty much right? I'd also like to learn a few "fretless songs" that sort of showcase that trombone sort of sound.

I've searched and read through some threads, but none were quite what I'm looking for. They always mention the great players who are known for fretless stuff, mostly solo bass and jazz though. I'm wanting to take it easy though =). Besides maybe The Police (which songs?) and Pink Floyd that I know about, what might be some good rock/pop tunes to check out? No Low B stuff, this is a fourbanger-slider. Stuff like Black Velvet would be cool, but that song goes below E and I don't really want to transpose or retune.

Fretless is a slightly different animal and I don't think it would be good to just grab and play it like a fretted bass.Take time to learn all the nuances of the instrument because that's what makes the fretless so cool...you can be so much more expressive on it than a fretted bass.

I try and play mine without an amp so I can really get connected with the way the bass responds to my touch....try different approaches to vibrato,hand positioning(right hand),when to make it growl or when to make the notes just sustain.It's like a blank canvas waiting for an artist to create something special!

Enjoy the journey!

Peace,

Jackie

nativeofsandieg · #7 08-05-2008, 11:17 PM

I usually marvel at how Jaco makes his bass moan.

Maybe its just me, but I have found it farely difficult to do chords on a fretless but he is just amazing.

Sorry, I am a Jaco nut, its really all I listen too now days.

Fretlessboy · #8 08-09-2008, 02:07 PM

Playing things you play of fretted s a good way to get the feel of the bass itself. When comfortable with the lack of frets you can then go to the finer points of the instrument.

Bassman316 · #9 08-09-2008, 02:18 PM

I'm thinking about wandering into the fretless realm, and I've always been intrigued with Jaco's moaning "mwah" sound. I'm curious as to what likely contributed most to that sound- was it the bass itself, or the strings (I understand he used roundwounds instead of flats), or was it how he played?

Honk'n_down-low · #10 08-10-2008, 04:11 PM

Just picked up my first fretless - a lined MIM Jazz (thank you velocraig).

I have always had decent technique so landing on the notes have not been that difficult without looking, but you have to use your ears more or so it seems. When playing chords you have to adjust to be sure your intonation is correct as you don't have the fret there to define the note.

The sound is nice the ability to slide in and out of notes and chords with that fretless tone is very addiciting. The questions I have now is what are the most popular strings - seems round wounds have the tone - but eat the fingerboard - flatwounds would be less harsh on the board - but then can they sound the same or similar. Considering having the board epoxied.