Personal Humbling Experience: Clean Sound

[das216]

I had my own rig set up to my own preferences at my weekly jazz gig. I played my fretless P bass. A friend of mine and fellow really great bassist came to hear me and my rig. I felt good about playing in front of him.

After the gig, I asked him to try out my rig. He played with what I perceived as a very clean, clear sounding technique. I was very impressed. I felt he sounded like I'd like to. My guitarist noted he was the type of player who uses his finger tips more [Implying I don't].

Since I've never actually witnessed myself playing - or heard my rig for that matter - I wonder how/why I heard such a difference. I've been extremely humbled by this experience.

So I guess I'm asking about left hand fretting technique.

Anyone?

[chaosMK]

That sounds cool. That's why I dont letter people better than me play on my bass.

Maybe have someone film your show and focus on you a little, or take some photos. That was how I started seeing some of the flaws in my technique.

[JohnBarr]

Have you ever recorded yourself?

I haven't yet but it's clearly something I need to do to evaluate my own fretless playing.

Wal-Mart sells cheapo cassette recorders including a microphone for $20
unspeakably old technology, but for that price why not? I really don't have a reason, or the $ for more expensive digital gear.

[vindy500]

or just a mic on your computer. obviously you have a computer

[WillBuckingham]

Originally Posted by chaosMK

That sounds cool. That's why I dont letter people better than me play on my bass.

Haha, Oscar Stagnaro played my bass for the better part of an hour at a clinic last week. THAT was humbling.

For the original poster, Pick up a cheap 4 track, or even just a generic tape recorder and start recording and listening to yourself ASAP.

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by WillBuckingham

Haha, Oscar Stagnaro played my bass for the better part of an hour at a clinic last week. THAT was humbling.

For the original poster, Pick up a cheap 4 track, or even just a generic tape recorder and start recording and listening to yourself ASAP.

Hahaha, Oscar will do that. :P That man is a BEAST. I took lessons from him last year, and plan to do so again next semester. Such an awesome guy.

Sorry for the distraction, carry on.

[WillBuckingham]

Originally Posted by Snarf

Hahaha, Oscar will do that. :P That man is a BEAST. I took lessons from him last year, and plan to do so again next semester. Such an awesome guy.

Sorry for the distraction, carry on.

He's a hell of a player. I got to do that clinic with him, and then hear is show with Paquito D'Rivera. His cd is wonderful too.

[alibloke]

Are you sure he was talking about left hand fretting technique? To me a fretted note will always sound like a fretted note unless you are playing vibrato/bends or some such.

I've always noticed a big tone difference when playing with the pads of my fingers as opposed to my fingertips (not using the nails!!). IMHO 'digging in' with the fingertips tend to sound alot cleaner/responsive (which I prefer).

Then again, you can always switch to finger 'pads', and move up the neck a bit to get a nice 'dub' style sound.

P.S. Is it possible you just haven't heard your rig out front of stage before??