New bassist...trouble discerning pitch...typical?

Billyzoom · #1 03-10-2011, 01:28 PM

I've been playing bass for only a couple months, but I'm having some trouble discerning the pitch of the bass at times, particularly when playing along with songs.

I've played guitar for quite some time and have sung forever, so identifying pitch isn't typically a challenge.

I have two good quality (Lakland and Fender) basses and they are intonated properly. I'm using a strobo tuner.

I'm wondering if this is typical and I will get more accustomed to it, or if maybe it's my amp setup. Even in playing with eq, it still is hard to distinguish. It's as though I hear more overtones than the fundamental at times. I'm playing through a 4x10 at low household volumes.

At times it also seems like I'm not QUITE in tune with the recording, even though it's all digital nowadays.

I don't know...a little frustrated, though still motivated to learn. Any tips or suggestions? Thanks for your help.

Joel

MalcolmAmos · #2 03-10-2011, 03:13 PM

Trying to hear what you hear is a little tricky. I would think it's the low register you are just not used to. Back off the distortion. Get as close to nothing as possible and see if that helps.

When trying to pick out a key I have to walk the G string the E string is just too low for me to hear the differences, I suppose this is what you are encountering.

Perhaps some one will have a better solution.

smeet · #3 03-10-2011, 03:44 PM

Make sure your sound is not too mid-scooped, maybe even boost the mids. Play closer to the bridge to get or pluck the strings harder to get more harmonic information in the note. You could also try playing with a pick to get more definition.

Depending on the tone and the resonances in the room, you may need to play a note an octave up and then down to clearly hear the pitch. Room modes can fool you!

Hellbastard · #4 03-10-2011, 03:57 PM

use headphones.

mambo4 · #5 03-10-2011, 04:02 PM

exactly which bass are you having trouble discerneing? yours or the recording's?

in bass ranges, more overtones = good, for discerning pitch.
The fundamentals are usually too low and indistinct by themselves.
Just because the low E string is 41.204 Hz does not mean that boosting that frequency is desirable. The articulate "voice" of the bass lies in the low mids, between 250 -1K hz. I like to boost around 300-350 for a fat reggae type sound, between 500-1000 for an aggressive rock sound. plucking closer to the neck, fretting closer to the nut will help. Boosting the lows (150 hz and down )is rarely effective for stronger pitch identification.

recordings are not always tuned perfectly, digital or not.

**lowendfriend** · #6 03-10-2011, 04:12 PM

For picking notes off MP3's, I really like the freeware BestPractice....lets you slow down, change keys and kill dominating parts of the mix (karaoke mode).

For your notes, crank up the treble a bit (you hear more harmonics and get better resolution on the pitch that way), play in a higher register and transpose down, play with a pick while searching for the right notes. Another thing I do when I am ahving a really hard time is play on my acoustic beater I have strung BEAD. Somehow I can make out the low register notes better that way sometimes.

okcrum · #7 03-10-2011, 04:27 PM

Go up an octave if you're having trouble with your pitch. Once you're on, you can come back down to normal playing register.

Billyzoom · #8 03-10-2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

exactly which bass are you having trouble discerneing? yours or the recording's?
..
recordings are not always tuned perfectly, digital or not.

Good question...I meant my own bass is what I have trouble hearing. EQ hasn't made much difference so far, but I'll keep trying. It does seem a bit easier at times if I jump up an octave

Thanks for the advice!

tjh · #9 03-10-2011, 07:19 PM

FWIW, I am probably the last one to give advice on discerning pitch, as I really struggle at times ... sooooo, I find the practice amp I use is very important ... when I used a few that sounded, nice and full, deep and round, I struggle even more .. I use a Peavey Minx 110 with mids and highs present when practicing ... I find a larger speaker tends to lose something when sitting right on top of it, and smaller is just too thin ... I like the clarity of the Minx .. it helps ... I also prefer to learn music on a Jazz over a P ... JMHO

Old Fart · #10 03-11-2011, 09:59 AM

This is my first post, ever, on this site. I'm returning to bass after a thirty-year hiatus.

440 Concert Pitch is not observed by everyone. I wish they would, but they don't. And I think a bass note that is slightly out of tune is more disturbing than a guitar string that is just slightly not perfectly tuned. This might explain part of the reason why your pitch challenges seem greater now that you've moved from guitar to bass.

Also, yes, low notes can be more difficult to hear. There are some good suggestions above. Sometimes I will sing the note to myself, physically, and that helps me find it on the bass. Another trick is to find a way to physically connect your body to the amp. I am using an Ampeg BA-115HPT which is about 2.5 feet tall, and I just sit on it. If I'm having trouble finding a note, or hearing it, I will walk over and sit down on the amp, and that helps a lot.

smeet · #11 03-11-2011, 11:20 AM

Good point above... Cut the low eq a bit or use a smaller cabinet, and raise or tilt the cabinet up so it is pointing directly at your head. That will help a lot.

IotaNet · #12 03-19-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcrum

Go up an octave if you're having trouble with your pitch. Once you're on, you can come back down to normal playing register.

This has been key for me. I've been playing for years and I still sometimes have trouble.

I've found that it's MUCH easier for me to hear if I take the part up an octave. Once I know what the notes are, it's simple to "go back downstairs" and play the part.