fretless

johnp123 · #1 12-26-2009, 10:45 AM

just got a fretless what are some good books and songs to practice fretless I already have hal leonard fretless bass method

sloasdaylight · #2 12-26-2009, 10:50 AM

I'd just say get a teacher or watch a lot of videos online. There is a lot about playing the fretless Electric that you can't really learn from a book, because there is so much feeling and expression you can put into every note by how you vibrato, how you pluck the note, if you slide into the note or not, etc.

kesslari · #3 12-26-2009, 11:25 AM

to start, practice with songs or with a drone, and listen - it will really help your intonation.
For creative ideas on fretless expression, listen to good fretless players - Pino, Mannring, Jaco, Percy Jones, etc.

SpamBot · #4 12-26-2009, 11:28 AM

Just play it a whole lot. A LOT.

ghigo85 · #5 12-26-2009, 11:35 AM

Hi,

If you want in my youtube channel you can find some videos that I did with fretless bass...

Here some links:

IMPRO ON FRETLESS BASS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9TyM-TYfJg

RAINDROP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEClHl_yGmo

CHATTIN WITH BB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgRB_DOGqhg

CATCHIN THE BUS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGAHaT1sU8M

And I put some lessons on PlayBassNow, website of free online lessons
Here my page with two lessons (I will post new lessons soon)

http://playbassnow.com/author/guidoponzini/

Hope you will like it

Keep playing fretless, it's an amazing instrument!

**pacojas** · #6 12-26-2009, 11:41 AM

there is a ton of technique to be learned. i suggest you master "portrait of tracy" and "amerika" by jaco in between lessons. learning these compositions has helped my son grasp what great possibilities are waiting!

J. Crawford · #7 12-26-2009, 11:44 AM

Ghigo, you are still the man.

Im still a budding fretless player, and believe me, it gets easier with practice. Once you find yourself a little in the instrument things will get better.

**pacojas** · #8 12-26-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

Ghigo, you are still the man.

+1

Chris K · #9 12-26-2009, 01:17 PM

Check out Steve Bailey's Fretless Bass: The Ultimate Fretless Bass Workout.
Never touch a fretted bass anymore. Don't watch your hands, use your ears.

copreus · #10 12-26-2009, 01:40 PM

+1
Bailey is a good introduction with plenty of tips and is fun. There's not a whole lot of instruction focused on fretless. You're pretty much set.

TIP: I practice with my eyes closed until I get lost, which over time is a situation that gets rarer and rarer. It requires a ton of practice and even with the "fret" markings, it requires listening to know if you're sharp or flat so you might as well jump in blind (heh heh) -- a leap of faith, as Indy would say.
Have fun!
--c.

Bassmickeyd · #11 12-26-2009, 02:08 PM

Your fretting fingering should be very consistant to play fretless in tune. If you hearing a lot of intonation problems while playing simple lines it's time to get your fingering together and that just just takes practice, practice and more..... When you're playing your fretted bass make sure you freting fingers always land just before the fret. Almost tight against it but not quite. Getting your fingering consistant will help with you intonation and build your fretless confidence.