Fretless

[theNoseBleedKid]

Hey Adam,

I've not noticed any of your playing featuring fretless bass, is there a particular reason that you've never recorded anything with a fretless (that I've heard)?

[adamnitti]

hi nosebleed-

i love the fretless bass, but you are correct; i have not recorded as many records on fretless.

probably my most extensive use of the fretless bass was on lee johnson's 'seaside symphony' album with the london symphony orchestra. i recorded that entire album with my yamaha trb fretless 5 string. i've also played fretless on select tunes on a lot of album sessions for other artists and commercial sessions, as well. i also seem to remember using the fretless on a handful of overdubs on my 'balance' and 'evidence' albums, but they were used more for layering and texture with a couple of the melodies. however, the fretted bass continues to me my 'main' axe. i'd actually love to get into using the fretless more... it's such a beautiful and expressive instrument. maybe you've inspired me with this post. thanks!

[theNoseBleedKid]

Thanks for the information.

Do you ahve any particular exercises that aid intonation, especially in the upper regions?

[adamnitti]

whenever i practice on the fretless, i usually have some sort of tonal reference that i'm playing with, such as an audio recording or track. it makes it more interesting and also gives me a reference point for fine tuning my intonation. believe it or not, i also will sometimes practice in the dark, so that i can't see my fingerboard at all... this forces me to completely rely on my ears to stay in tune. it changes the focus considerably, so that intonation adjustments are more spontaneously led by the ears.

[theNoseBleedKid]

Thanks man, I'll have to give the 'playing the dark' a go soon.

[LaklandBass]

+10 for the dark. When I was 17 I got my first fretless bass without knowing that the margin for error was so small. I used to go into my grandparents bathroom which lacked windows. Id sit on the pot and play for hours with the lights out. Totally helped

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

+10 for the dark. When I was 17 I got my first fretless bass without knowing that the margin for error was so small. I used to go into my grandparents bathroom which lacked windows. Id sit on the pot and play for hours with the lights out. Totally helped

That's a lovely story. Hope you remembered to wipe and wash your hands

The dark helps, but be careful...I used to do that when I first started playing upright. Then one day I tripped and fell, and dropped the bass on the bridge and snapped it out (I was fine, thanks for your concern ). Now I just turn my head instead of practicing in the dark.

[theNoseBleedKid]

What I'm noticing more and more, and this I should have remembered from when I played more upright, is how semi-tones are so different compared to the fretted a\basses.

[adamnitti]

VERY true... a different beast, altogether!