Just starting out - fretless or fretted?

Michael Campbel · #1 08-13-2008, 02:53 PM

As someone who's just starting out and hasn't had the opportunity to learn any good OR BAD habits yet, would it be beneficial to stick with standard fretted or jump right in to fretless? Is learning one first over the other going to be a hinderance in any way?

bass_snake · #2 08-13-2008, 02:58 PM

Just get a fretted one first. It' s so much easier. Get a fretless when you gain more experience.

Fred

Mushroo · #3 08-13-2008, 03:07 PM

If you are not sure, choose fretted.

If you absolutely love fretless, though, by all means start on fretless. I disagree that fretless is "not for beginners."

No matter which instrument you choose (fretted, fretless, tuba, banjo), you will sound bad for a while, then you will sound okay, then eventually, you will sound good.

Michael Campbel · #4 08-13-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushroo

If you are not sure, choose fretted.

If you absolutely love fretless, though, by all means start on fretless. I disagree that fretless is "not for beginners."

No matter which instrument you choose (fretted, fretless, tuba, banjo), you will sound bad for a while, then you will sound okay, then eventually, you will sound good.

Hah, thanks. A friend of mine once said, the definition of a "Gentleman" is someone who knows how to play a banjo, but doesn't. =) I "got it", but always liked a good banjo song all the same. Within the past 5-8 years or so I was turned on to Bela Fleck. That's just some crazy $#@! there; I love it.

MysticMichael · #5 08-13-2008, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Campbel

Is learning one first over the other going to be a hinderance in any way?

Fretless is going to require a longer, steeper learning curve. Because in addition to learning where all your notes are on the board, you have to learn how to produce them with precise intonation, consistently, without the substantial margin of error that frets provide.

So the standard way to approach this is to get a fretted bass first, learn everything about it that you can, then apply that knowledge to a fretless, making the necessary adjustments to approach and technique that a fretless requires - without having to learn it all at once by starting on a fretless...

Of course, there are upright players who have no interest in ever playing a fretted bass guitar, many of whom transition straight to fretless electric without difficulty. It all depends on your musical agenda....

MM

Mushroo · #6 08-13-2008, 03:17 PM

I started on fretted and then got a fretless after about 6 months. I would play the fretted most of the time and fretless on a couple of tunes. Now, I pick whichever one is right for the project--maybe all fretless one day, then fretted the next day.

Fretted is sort of the "standard," and because the frets keep you in tune, that's one less thing to worry about. That's why I say if you don't have a strong preference, go fretted. With cheap basses rising in quality (SX, Squier, etc.) it is not hard to add a 2nd bass to your arsenal later on down the road.

downneck · #7 08-13-2008, 03:19 PM

geez, i wonder how contrabass, cello, viola, and violin players ever get started!

ignore what's on the fingerboard and buy a bass that makes the sound you want. the learning curve on a fretless isn't as massive as these guys are making it sound.

also, try out a double bass!

rarisgod · #8 08-13-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mushroo

If you are not sure, choose fretted.

If you absolutely love fretless, though, by all means start on fretless. I disagree that fretless is "not for beginners."

No matter which instrument you choose (fretted, fretless, tuba, banjo), you will sound bad for a while, then you will sound okay, then eventually, you will sound good.

+1. I don't see how fretless can be "not for beginners". When people started playing the Double Bass, they didn't have a fretted version to start with, did they?

That being said, is it ok to assume that once you learn fretless from the beginning, playing a fretted bass will be easier? Or does it have it's other difficulties that one wouldn't notice going the other way around?

QuintrKD · #9 08-13-2008, 03:36 PM

Fretted and Fretless do have limitations in regards to style. If you think that you want to do a lot of slapping, or if you expect to be playing in venues with poor lighting or monitor situations, you may want to lean towards fretted. If you want to do a lot of "voice-like", expressive phrasing or are going for that woody upright tone or lots of mwah, go with the fretless.

Two other things to consider... you can mimic fretless slides by masking the fret noise via gently muting strings below the fretted position with one or two of your fingers. You can also do vibrato on a fretted via a parallel motion with respect to the frets.

But if you are asking the question, it seems you aspire to be a fretless bass player. There's no reason why you can't learn fretless bass from the start, and getting what you want may motivate you that much more to hone your intonation by practicing scales and modes in various intervals.

If you do go fretless, consider a lined fretless as a beginning bass. I still find mine useful in poor monitoring conditions.

QuintrKD · #10 08-13-2008, 03:38 PM

And I also forgot to mention... if you plan to sing vocals while playing bass, go fretted.

downneck · #11 08-13-2008, 04:03 PM

like mushroo said, a third option would be to go cheap and get one of each in the SX or squier brands

at rondomusic, to get one of each at the cheapest level (for example: a fretless jazz (sjb-62mg) and a fretted precision (spb-57...which I have and love)) and to have them both shipped to my house would run you $251.29 total.

(also, try a double bass)

DudeistMonk · #12 08-13-2008, 04:06 PM

There is always the 3rd option...lined fretless, you get the sound without that hassle. Or you could even ad thin lines of painters tape to a unlined, like training wheels.

DocBop · #13 08-13-2008, 05:27 PM

Don't start on fretless unless serious about ear training because playing in-tune is key. But starting with a focus on ear and playing in-tune will be slow at first, but then you will be passing others in no time.

Michael Campbel · #14 08-13-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBop

Don't start on fretted unless serious about ear training because playing in-tune is key. But starting with a focus on ear and playing in-tune will be slow at first, but then you will be passing others in no time.

I don't think I understand, Doc; did you mean "don't start on fretLESS..."? If not, can you explain why for me? (I'm old - go slow and use small words...)

Thanks.

StyleOverShow · #15 08-13-2008, 07:06 PM

Fretted is definitely an advantage for the beginner rock/RB/Blues player. If you are inclined to classical of Jazz then you can start on a fretless although there are more challenges on these instruments like pitch for instance.

mutedeity · #16 08-13-2008, 08:09 PM

Do you start out on fretted upright bass?

It depends on whether you see yourself having a use for playing fretted bass or not. Obviously you are attracted to fretless. I wouldn't go and buy a fretted bass just because you feel you need some "training wheels". If playing fretless is what you really want to do then start on fretless by all means. Be aware that you will have to work hard on intonation and other things more on freltess at first though.

EliasR · #17 08-13-2008, 08:56 PM

Imo, if he knows what a fretless is before he starts playing bass, he should play one.

DocBop · #18 08-13-2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Campbel

I don't think I understand, Doc; did you mean "don't start on fretLESS..."? If not, can you explain why for me? (I'm old - go slow and use small words...)

Thanks.

Sorry typo don't start on fretless unless your want to get serious....

Michael Campbel · #19 08-14-2008, 04:49 AM

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Yes, ultimately, I do want to be able to play a fretless; I love the sound and the styles that use it. But, I also enjoy funk and such a great deal and would like to learn that style, which I'm understanding works better on a fretted (yes? no?).

That said, I will probably, over time, try to learn both. I'm not sure of order yet, but hey, it's all an adventure at this point!

Thanks again all!

DocBop · #20 08-14-2008, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Campbel

Thanks everyone for all the advice. Yes, ultimately, I do want to be able to play a fretless; I love the sound and the styles that use it. But, I also enjoy funk and such a great deal and would like to learn that style, which I'm understanding works better on a fretted (yes? no?).

That said, I will probably, over time, try to learn both. I'm not sure of order yet, but hey, it's all an adventure at this point!

Thanks again all!

Want to check out some great funk and other great music on fretless listen to some Alain Caron, especially the tunes P.A.C. Man and D-Code from the Play CD.