Learning the Notes on the Fingerboard

[blankstare77]

Yes, the ONE HURDLE in my playing that seems to be too high.

I plan on trying to do etudes to really learn the fingerboard, but I was wondering if you had any to help me learn all the notes past the fifth fret.

If anyone would either give or write etudes for each of the few positions in order for me to learn the notes, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks!

[KayCee]

Originally Posted by blankstare77

Yes, the ONE HURDLE in my playing that seems to be too high.

I plan on trying to do etudes to really learn the fingerboard, but I was wondering if you had any to help me learn all the notes past the fifth fret.

If anyone would either give or write etudes for each of the few positions in order for me to learn the notes, I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks!

Rather than etudes, you need to learn scales and arpeggios in all 12 keys.

[blankstare77]

Originally Posted by KayCee

Rather than etudes, you need to learn scales and arpeggios in all 12 keys.

I know scales. the problem is that I'll mindlessly do finger patterns as opposed to knowing the notes. I'm aware of all 12 notes and I have thorough experience playing the trombone. Trust me, I really just need etudes. Thanks for your input though!

[KayCee]

Originally Posted by blankstare77

I know scales. the problem is that I'll mindlessly do finger patterns as opposed to knowing the notes. I'm aware of all 12 notes and I have thorough experience playing the trombone. Trust me, I really just need etudes. Thanks for your input though!

One more suggestion...say them as you play them.

[DocBop]

Play C major scale on one string, going from open string up to around 15th fret. Say each note as you play it. This note only will teach you the natural notes, but also good exercise on shifting positions.

Work on one string till you feel you know the notes and can smoothly go up and back saying the notes and playing the scale. Then move to another string. Keep going this way until you cover all the strings.

[dulouz]

Check out this site: http://www.jimstinnett.com/books.html

He has a great book called "Reading in Bass Clef". It is a collection of various etudes from beginner to advanced. It is written for one finger per fret in various positions on the neck.

Here's another idea. Try reading out of your trombone books. I have been experimenting with that. Good Luck.

[Mark Perry]

One thing i do is play all the notes in a particular key from the low E (or F if E isn't part of the scale) up to the B on the fourth fret of the G string.
Also Low E up to the first octave on the G string. Then play this same exercise without the G string, then again without the D string (just the E and A).
Not sure if that makes sense .

[ErikP.Bass]

One thing I found particularly helpful is to play every instance of every note, every practice. Generally I will do this string by string, moving horizontally or by playing the same note in its various locations on the fretboard . Just move chromatically through every note and every time (as mentioned above) be sure to say the note name aloud. For enharmonics (i.e F# = Gb) you have to do them twice, once for each note name.

Hope this makes sense.

It may sound simple..... but really focus and try it you just might be surprised. Then when you think you are ready, try it in time with a metronome. It gets you away from patterns (scales or arpeggios) and will help you target notes better when you have to shift.

[smeet]

Check out these books (single string excercises):

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=715
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=716

Basically they are quarter-note single-string excercises that take you through playing every note in every key on every string.

Boring, but it works like nothing else I have tried to teach you the fingerboard, cuz it forces you to learn the note names, as well as how to read them.

[Poop-Loops]

An exercise my teacher gave me is to say a note, any note (i.e. A) and then find that note everywhere on the fingerboard. Then say another note and find them all, etc.

[Mark Perry]

Also get the bass clef edition of the real book if you haven't already:
http://www.amazon.com/Real-Book-Bass...8012295&sr=1-1

Play the melodies in different registers + different keys all over the bass.

[fcleff]

There is a sticky in this forum called 'Pac-Man's Sure Fire Scale Method' or something like that. He has some very good insight there. Check it out.

[Norwegianwood]

A good starting point:
Every time you practise with your band or whatever - play patterns in different positions. Instead of using the low c on a-string, play it on the E-string...then you will learn where the octave is on the D-string...one practise try never using the G-string....you will pretty soon find that your knowledge of notes on the d-string increase...off course etudes and one string scales are very good as well.
Good luck.