Sight Reading Question

[Twistad]

I've started reading standard notation a few months ago, and even though I'm good at reading in the keys of C, G, D, F, and Bb, i still have lots of trouble with the other keys.

I try mostly to stay in first position when reading but when there are too many flat or sharp notes, i have a hard time keeping them in mind so to make changes to my fingerings.

So, my question is: should i always stay in first position no matter the number of flat/sharp notes or should move into the key that is given by the number of flat/sharp notes.

For example, that would mean that if F, C, G, D are sharp (key of E major), then i should read it and place my second finger on the E so to have every note under my fingers.

Thanks

[Bassist4Life]

I don't think you're going to find a "right" answer to this question. There are tons of fingering solutions. The goal behind sight-reading is to play what you read. Some people favor open strings, some do not. Some people like to stay as close to 1st position as possible. Some people like to play on a lower string on a higher fret. The goal is to read/play the music.

Joe

[Richard Lindsey]

I agree with Joe. There is no single right answer. You should use the position--or positions, there's no law that you have to stay in one place--that (1) allows you to play the notes most easily and fluently and (2) yields the best sound, feel, or articulation. Not necessarily in that order, or with that priority. Sometimes (1) conflicts with (2), and you have to compromise.

[arbarnhart]

I hope you don't think I am piling on, but while I agree there is no single right answer, I do think there are some wrong ones and choosing the position to play out of based on the key instead of what the notes are is a wrong one, IMO. It may (and likely does) cross octaves. It might be a major scale but have no 3rd or 6th played. There may be accidentals. Etc, etc. I probably move my left hand far more than necessary the first few times through something. BTW, some of the music I have doesn't have the key signature. The Hal Leonard Bass Method series has some music books with bass lines of popular songs in notation only (no tab) and just notes sharps or flats as they occur as if everything is in C. The chords are shown, so you can usually figure it out.

[steveb98]

You need to read up the neck because a lot of stuff does up up to three, four, five ledger lines. Sometime only for a few notes and back, but you still have to do it.

I don't think there is a trick to it, mainly a matter of practicing reading, start using second, fouth, and fifth positions. Once you feel okay with a new position start reading and avoid looking at the neck, start developing that second sense of where you are on the neck without looking all the time. Then start playing some music with larger range so you have to drop down for a couple low notes and work up to a couple high notes. Set the metronome slow so you can start getting used to looking ahead and seeing that you will need to move.

A simple way to get used to the notes is practice play C Major scale on one string from lowest note available on the E string would be open E to highest available note on your bass. Say the note names as you play them. Now repeat with each string. Simple, but you will learn the notes. After good at that then time for another key and work your way through all twelve keys. When done you will really know your fretboard, know how to spell your scales, and how to shift positions to play a scale on one string. Do this ten minutes a day and you'll be amazed how your reading will improve for shifting positions. Your scale knowledge and technique for shifting and playing up the neck. If you have a teacher have them help you on shifting.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

If you know you are in the key of "X" then play in a position where your hand is available to play more notes in the key of "X"

Example... If you are in Ab... Have your 1st finger on G on the E string... But, keep in mind you may have to move... Just because you are in one "Key" does not mean that all the notes you play will be in that "Key"

As you learn how to read better and more comfortable, you will look further ahead in the music... You will see a bars rest or hole note and look bars ahead for a key change or complex rhythm etc etc...

Best thing to do when sight reading in general is look ahead...

[Twistad]

Thanks a lot for the replies

I'm going to start applying these ideas into my practice routine

[sedgdog]

Kudos for learning to read! It is an awesome skill you won't regret putting the time into.

You will find that certain positions do lend themselves very well to certain keys. For example 5th position, (5,6,7,8 frets) will works real well for Bb. I use an old Mel Bay book with my students called "Position Studies for Electric Bass". The exercises are a bit dated, but it is very good for working on reading in different positions (It's still available BYW). Eventually your brain will see the fret board as one big position and your reading will be on autopilot.

I also suggest glancing over the music before you read it and get an idea where your shifts will be. The more you can minimize shifting the more you can keep your eyes on the music instead of your fretting hand. Also read the piece out of time. As Jeff Berlin says "You can't play something you don't know".

Again, just keep at it and eventually your brain will start picking up all of the mechanics for you. Read, read, and read some more is the only way to get the skill of reading together.

All the best,
Tim

[drumsnbass]

The one thing my bass teacher gave me that was worth more than anything else to date was some pattern diagrams of chords for major, dom7, minor, etc. By highlighting the starting note of the chord in rad, and noting the rest of the notes in black, with the repeating chord one octave up in red again, i was able to put together the basic finger patterns of a walking bass line.

If you have not taken the time to "see" the patterns of what you have been playing to date, go to studybass.com and print off a few fretboard diagrams in the keys that are confusing you. flag the starting note in one color, the rest of the notes in that scale in another, and the octave up note in your first color again. now play the chord tones (1,3,5,7) and look at what you are playing. also feel the pattern. when you have the basic chord pattern down, you should find that playing in anything with lots of sharps or flats will come easier as well.

BTW, I play a five string, and one of the main reasons is how well the chords stack up on the fretboard compared to a four string. far less shifting.

[steveb98]

Originally Posted by drumsnbass

The one thing my bass teacher gave me that was worth more than anything else to date was some pattern diagrams of chords for major, dom7, minor, etc. By highlighting the starting note of the chord in rad, and noting the rest of the notes in black, with the repeating chord one octave up in red again, i was able to put together the basic finger patterns of a walking bass line.

If you have not taken the time to "see" the patterns of what you have been playing to date, go to studybass.com and print off a few fretboard diagrams in the keys that are confusing you. flag the starting note in one color, the rest of the notes in that scale in another, and the octave up note in your first color again. now play the chord tones (1,3,5,7) and look at what you are playing. also feel the pattern. when you have the basic chord pattern down, you should find that playing in anything with lots of sharps or flats will come easier as well.

BTW, I play a five string, and one of the main reasons is how well the chords stack up on the fretboard compared to a four string. far less shifting.

And when the chord in the diagram is an inversion? Be much easier and more useful to simple take the time to learn to spell chords. Only takes a couple weeks of drilling your self in spare time to go from having the calulate the next note, to spitting out chord spellings as quick as you see a chord symbol. I used to drill myself on chord spellings when driving. Turning lost time into practice time. Then you will know the chord tones for basslines. the 3rd's and 7th's to target when soloing, common tones between chords to do pedaling lines and other uses. Same with learning a few basic scale fingering patterns that will give you more control, than taking a Guitar chord symbol as a possible note pattern. In long run learning things right won't take much longer and you will get long term use out of the information not just a crutch.