Fretless Video Recommendations?

[Groover]

Can anyone recommend a good video (or two) on fretless bass techniques?

Thanks!

[west*coast*bass]

Do a search for Gary Willis. He has a video called "Progressive Basics" that goes over fretless playing. He's also amazing to watch...

[Blake Bass]

+1 on the Willis video. He's a killer fretless player. He has a very unique right hand plucking system that is interesting too.

[Erick Lam]

Willis' video is good for right hand muting and watch him play but the fretless section isn't very long. It comes down to this:

- Hand-eye coordination and muscle memory. Start by looking where the note is. Some notes will appear to be "fretted" behind the line, others on the line and yet others in front. I think this is due to parallax when looking at the neck from an angle. Then "record" your position. This is muscle memory (a bit hard to explain).
- Practice with a recorded fix-pitched instrument. Play scales along in thirds and fifths.
- Work on your vibrato. First to make your instrument sing and second, it allows you to cheat a little if you don't hit a note perfectly. You can vibrato it back in tune.

If you want to see him play, someone has posted a track and a solo from his video on youtube.com. Not sure it's legal though.

[bassybill]

Percy Jones Bass Exploration is great for the aspiring fretless player, but may be hard to find. I think it was only on VHS and never made it to DVD format, and is now deleted, but you may find a copy somewhere if you hunt hard enough. Recommended. Best of luck!