Looking when you play

[iceshaft07]

I always watch where I am putting my fingers when I play; Is that proper? or should I only look during chord changes-- or not even then?

[MonetBass]

You should at the very least be comfortable enough in 1st (and ½) position to not have to look at your fingers. I still look (briefly) when shifting to a higher position.

[DWBass]

Easy lines I usually don't look but some harder lines that need a bit of precision in playing, I have to look.

[jenich CZ]

It doesen´t matter.

[rockwarnick]

Originally Posted by jenich CZ

It doesen´t matter.

+1

however, the more you are able to play without looking, the more you know the fretboard which is very good.

[BadMonk]

It doesn't really matter. The longer/more often you play...the more that muscle memory will kick in...you'll eventually end up not looking as much, unless you want to, not because you 'have to' or whatever. It will become like closing our eyes and touching your nose...muscle memory.

[DocBop]

You should strive to be able to play without looking anymore than necessay. Once you have good knowledge of a postion or positions then may only need to look for large position shifts.

Best not to look because that lets you focus more on the music and less on fingerings and familiar patterns. For sightreading you really need to get to not looking so you can start learning to read ahead. Also is working in situations where someone is queuing breaks or conducting you need to be able to watch them while playing.

Learning to play is not so much about being able to know where every note is, it is being able work play relative to where you are. For example you are playing in 5th position and music needs a low F. You should eventually be able to drop down there and grab it will out looking. Once there then decide if you want to stay there, move back to 5th, position, or maybe slide to 2nd position. Sounds like a lot of thought, but all goes on at a subconscious level once you have played long enough. Basically you know where you are and have a feel for how far away things are relative to that. That is how DB players get around that big neck that has no markings.

Also looking at the neck all the time sends a signal to others this guy doesn't have a lot of confidence or hasn't played a long time. Being able to play with minimal looking at the neck frees you up.

[datsgora]

I am usually playing with my eyes closed....I don't look a whole lot.....like it's been said before...big position changes...alot of time i don't look at those either.....you just get a feel for the neck. Not looking or closing my eyes allows me to absorb the feeling of whats going on with the other musicians......listen more, think less. i live by a saying I heard once. "If you are thinkin'....then you are stinkin' "

[birdxofxprey]

when you put on a cd and listen to a couple of bass lines, can you tell whether or not the bass player is looking at his/her fingers? i can't recall ever listening to music and thinking to myself "damn, that would be a killer bass part if only s/he wasn't looking..."

[fryBASS]

Originally Posted by DocBop

You should strive to be able to play without looking anymore than necessay. Once you have good knowledge of a postion or positions then may only need to look for large position shifts.

Best not to look because that lets you focus more on the music and less on fingerings and familiar patterns. For sightreading you really need to get to not looking so you can start learning to read ahead. Also is working in situations where someone is queuing breaks or conducting you need to be able to watch them while playing.

Learning to play is not so much about being able to know where every note is, it is being able work play relative to where you are. For example you are playing in 5th position and music needs a low F. You should eventually be able to drop down there and grab it will out looking. Once there then decide if you want to stay there, move back to 5th, position, or maybe slide to 2nd position. Sounds like a lot of thought, but all goes on at a subconscious level once you have played long enough. Basically you know where you are and have a feel for how far away things are relative to that. That is how DB players get around that big neck that has no markings.

Also looking at the neck all the time sends a signal to others this guy doesn't have a lot of confidence or hasn't played a long time. Being able to play with minimal looking at the neck frees you up.

So true. +3.14

[Wallbender]

I'll do a visual check during more complicated stuff, but usually I'm looking at the drummer or guitarist to make sure we're on cue.