I seem to be having a problem with semitones on my fretted bass...again.

[Fassa Albrecht]

This is really beginning to annoy me. I had the issue on my fretless but it seemed that on a fretless this is a common issue and so I thought nothing of it.

But now I'm having issues on my 5-stringer, particularly on the E string. Anyone know if there's any way I could remedy this? I've been through some testing (specialist musical tests) for both pitch-perception (which I failed) and tone-deafness (which I did fine on). But I can't understand why it's a problem on the one string.

Also, is there any way my set-up could be affecting this? I've got a fairly low action and light-gauge strings on this bass.

As an added question, what is the difference between a pitch perception deficit and being tone-deaf? I've tried Wiki'ing it and I still don't know the difference.

EDIT: THe issue I'm having is that I cannot tell the difference between semi-tones on the E string for the first 6 frets or so when moving from one semi-tone to the next. I can tell the difference between intervals of a whole tone, but not the semi-tone.

[Pacman]

First step when asking a question: ask the right question. You haven't told us what "this problem" is.

I would imagine a pitch-perception problem means you have a lously sense of pitch. Tone deafness (true tone deafness) is when you have NO sense of pitch.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Edited.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

This is really beginning to annoy me. I had the issue on my fretless but it seemed that on a fretless this is a common issue and so I thought nothing of it.

But now I'm having issues on my 5-stringer, particularly on the E string. Anyone know if there's any way I could remedy this? I've been through some testing (specialist musical tests) for both pitch-perception (which I failed) and tone-deafness (which I did fine on). But I can't understand why it's a problem on the one string.

Also, is there any way my set-up could be affecting this? I've got a fairly low action and light-gauge strings on this bass.

As an added question, what is the difference between a pitch perception deficit and being tone-deaf? I've tried Wiki'ing it and I still don't know the difference.

EDIT: THe issue I'm having is that I cannot tell the difference between semi-tones on the E string for the first 6 frets or so when moving from one semi-tone to the next. I can tell the difference between intervals of a whole tone, but not the semi-tone.

If you play a chromatic scale very slowly, can you tell then?

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by DougD

If you play a chromatic scale very slowly, can you tell then?

I can do that, but only very slowly (60bpm or so). When I'm at 'normal' playing speed (in the region of 110bpm) then I start having problems.

[MalcolmAmos]

As we get older ---- I have frequencies that I can not hear well, i.e. small children; I have difficulty understand them.

Perhaps that is the problem.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

As we get older ---- I have frequences that I can not hear well, i.e. small children seem to mumble to me.

Perhaps that is the problem.

I'm just 22...

[Fergie Fulton]

Pitch perception is a problem similar to colour blindness in that not all is as it seems. Pitch perception is about what you believe you are hearing rather than what you are hearing.
learning pitch perception in semi tones is hard, especially when the frequency of the note is low or at the other extreme of the scale when high. Problems with it can be genetic because it requires the ear to function correctly in order to evaluate the information.

To improve pitch perception the brain has to evaluate the air vibration that the inner ear picks up in real life, or distingish instruments on a recording.

Certain instruments can create an en harmonic tone, in other words a second tone, due to vibration, bad technique, bad EQ etc, to dilute the real tone frequency. So the end result is a not that is not clearly one or the other to an untrained ear.
Belive it or not the ear can create this in the canal with a build up of dirt and wax, so having the ears profesionally cleaned is a good thing, your GP can organise this for you for free if you ask them, and an ear test as well if you feel it is necessary.

I have some good links but try this one first, it gives you a chance to try a pitch test so people can get a feel for what it is about.

Adaptive Pitch: Measure your pitch perception abilities

Any question post them and i will see if i can help.

[tangentmusic]

Make sure first that the E string in question is properly intonated.
Does your tuner show sharp or flat while fretting anywhere along that string?
If it passes this test, at least you'll know it's not the instrument.

[dmrogers]

Could the problem possibly be worse due to your EQ settings? Are you having the same problem with the lowest string on your 5 string (B)?

Those are pretty low frequencies, and I would suspect with certain EQ settings it would become even more difficult.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

As we get older ---- I have frequencies that I can not hear well, i.e. small children; I have difficulty understand them.

Perhaps that is the problem.

Teenagers as well Malcolm, but maybe thats just me....

[MalcolmAmos]

Teenagers talk to fast. We can hear them but can not process the words. Getting old is not all that much fun.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Teenagers talk to fast. We can hear them but can not process the words. Getting old is not all that much fun.

LOL maybe we just listen to slow?

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Pitch perception is a problem similar to colour blindness in that not all is as it seems. Pitch perception is about what you believe you are hearing rather than what you are hearing.
learning pitch perception in semi tones is hard, especially when the frequency of the note is low or at the other extreme of the scale when high. Problems with it can be genetic because it requires the ear to function correctly in order to evaluate the information.

To improve pitch perception the brain has to evaluate the air vibration that the inner ear picks up in real life, or distingish instruments on a recording.

Certain instruments can create an en harmonic tone, in other words a second tone, due to vibration, bad technique, bad EQ etc, to dilute the real tone frequency. So the end result is a not that is not clearly one or the other to an untrained ear.
Belive it or not the ear can create this in the canal with a build up of dirt and wax, so having the ears profesionally cleaned is a good thing, your GP can organise this for you for free if you ask them, and an ear test as well if you feel it is necessary.

I have some good links but try this one first, it gives you a chance to try a pitch test so people can get a feel for what it is about.

Adaptive Pitch: Measure your pitch perception abilities

Any question post them and i will see if i can help.

Here is another link to another similar type test, this is about identifying what you are actully hearing rather than what you think you are hearing. All good fun, two pieces of music are played but are they the same or are they different?..enjoy

Tonedeaf Test: Test your musical skills in 6 minutes!

[Russell L]

Well, Fassa, don't feel alone. My hearing is bad. I can play ok, but listening is weird sometimes. If I hear a song on the radio at the right low volume it will sound as if it's in another key than it really is in. When I turn the volume up to normal I am often surprised.

And get this (even the doc was stumped by this)--if I hold a tuning fork against each ear, it sounds like a different pitch in each one, almost a half-step different. Yikes! But, with both ears open it sounds normal.

I have played an E when a song was in F and didn't hear it as wrong at first. Low frequencies can be deceptive. Try changing your eq and see what difference it makes for you.

(One thing I like about the forum is that I can hear what everyone is saying, LOL).

[devine]

Try messing with your EQ on the amp... try boosting the mids... particularly low mids.

Also i know this sounds crazy, but i don't know what level of a player you are... if your just playing at home, and particularly in the same room, try playing it in another room. Each particular room in any building has a resonant frequency, this could be messing with things a bit. I know it's a long shot but try it out.

Good luck man.

Scott.

Scottsbasslessons
http://www.scotdevinemusic.com

[Stumbo]

Coming from a non-musical solution, through medical testing I found out that I was deficient in certain vitamins (D3,B12). While remedying those issues, especially the D3, I found out that my musical perceptions improved substantially. My wife, the human jukebox, confirmed the improvements I've made.

For the last year, I got more sun, took a liquid, oil based D3(6kiu/daily) and liquid super B complex (b12, 16k% daily)along with a liquid iron/mineral supplement. Over that past year I've been able to hear/play things musically that I've never been able to do before.

Recent cut back on B12 because I've reached the upper limits based on medical tests. My D3 increased during the summer on then went back down. Guess I need to get more sun again. Will be checking my D3 levels again soon by the lab.

IMO/IME, no downside to trying the supplements for a few months and see if it helps.

YOu should check in with your Doc if you're fatigued, low energy levels, have low-concentration levels, or poor short-term memory, poor long-term memory recall, eye ticks, dry skin, blemished skin. All these things I've seen improve in myself and others by better nutrition and using supplements.

YMMV.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I can do that, but only very slowly (60bpm or so). When I'm at 'normal' playing speed (in the region of 110bpm) then I start having problems.

There is your answer then. Slow down when practicing. Use a step system I. E. Start slow and gradually speed up. Concentrate on how you hear each note. Make sure you use good technique. It may take some time, but your ear will improve.