Why 1st position when sight reading?

thndrstk6 · #1 11-03-2009, 01:46 PM

I'm currently working on my sight reading and I've been doing it all in
5th position. I guess I just don't understand why it's so important to learn
it in 1st position and what benefits come from learning it there. Please
help.

Rockman · #2 11-03-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thndrstk6

I'm currently working on my sight reading and I've been doing it all in
5th position. I guess I just don't understand why it's so important to learn
it in 1st position and what benefits come from learning it there. Please
help.

If you can play everything your sight reading in one position I would say you should get something that has a larger range.

FunkMetalBass · #3 11-03-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockman

If you can play everything your sight reading in one position I would say you should get something that has a larger range.

When you think about it, on a typical 4-string bass, 21 of the 35-36 notes are all available in the first position, and many times, a typical bassline wont need anything above the 5th fret, G-string.

thndrstk6 · #4 11-03-2009, 01:57 PM

Yeah I guess I didn't think about that. I've been using Gary Willis's sight reading page to
help. I've only been setting the lowest note to a G. I see how being in first position can
help when going lower. What if you play a 5 or 6 string then. You wouldn't have to move
from one position at all usually right?

CapnSev · #5 11-03-2009, 01:57 PM

I have the complete opposite problem. I am trying to break myself out of sight reading in first position. It seems like I'm stuck there.

thndrstk6 · #6 11-03-2009, 02:00 PM

Why does it matter? If you can play the notes on the page then stay in first position.

CapnSev · #7 11-03-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thndrstk6

Why does it matter? If you can play the notes on the page then stay in first position.

I should have clarified more. I play 5 string 99% of the time, because of the convenience of not having to play in first position for anything that isn't drop-tuned.

I would like to incorporate that into my sight reading for less movement, and a shorter reach.

singlemalt · #8 11-03-2009, 02:10 PM

is it just me, or isn't it nice to have the open strings?

I read everything in 1st unless I have to shift up for something to be easier.

Try playing it in 1st, then move to another. It'll help you to have options for the same notes.

I struggle with reading: it seems like the idea is to train your eyes, brain and fingers to get the right notes without thinking, I try to make it easy by staying put in 1st and taking advantage of the open strings.

Once I've memorized a part I might move it and play it differently, but for reading, I try to keep it simple.

thndrstk6 · #9 11-03-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnSev

I should have clarified more. I play 5 string 99% of the time, because of the convenience of not having to play in first position for anything that isn't drop-tuned.

I would like to incorporate that into my sight reading for less movement, and a shorter reach.

Oh ok. I see.

thndrstk6 · #10 11-03-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singlemalt

is it just me, or isn't it nice to have the open strings?

I read everything in 1st unless I have to shift up for something to be easier.

Try playing it in 1st, then move to another. It'll help you to have options for the same notes.

I struggle with reading: it seems like the idea is to train your eyes, brain and fingers to get the right notes without thinking, I try to make it easy by staying put in 1st and taking advantage of the open strings.

Once I've memorized a part I might move it and play it differently, but for reading, I try to keep it simple.

Yeah I guess my problem is that when you don't play in 1st position
your left hand has to fret every note and I know how to play all the
intervals in different ways so it makes sense to me to play in 5th
position. When I play in 1st position the open string throw me off
because I'm use to playing every note with my left hand instead of
playing an open string. Also it's annoying when you play and open
string then have to go up a 4th or a minor 7th because there's extra
muting that has to happen. I understand the importance of learning it
in 1st position now but it just seems like a pain sometimes.

NYC_bass_artist · #11 11-06-2009, 03:29 AM

I would like to improve my reading as well. I would assume it would be good practice to read and play all over the neck, depending on what your goals are you might be handed a written solo or a piece that requires you play higher on the neck.

powerbass · #12 11-09-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYC_bass_artist

I would like to improve my reading as well. I would assume it would be good practice to read and play all over the neck, depending on what your goals are you might be handed a written solo or a piece that requires you play higher on the neck.

Learning to read music and play from various neck positions allows a greater dexterity on the instrument. It also breaks you out of any pattern that has become habitual. Habits are OK but the brain turns off. Any kind of playing/practice that challenges you mentally is also a physical challenge as well.

thndrstk6 · #13 11-09-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerbass

Learning to read music and play from various neck positions allows a greater dexterity on the instrument. It also breaks you out of any pattern that has become habitual. Habits are OK but the brain turns off. Any kind of playing/practice that challenges you mentally is also a physical challenge as well.

I completely agree. I'm finding that I'm not reading notes anymore. My
brain is just playing them on autopilot. It's very important to mix it up.

fdeck · #14 11-09-2009, 09:19 PM

+1 to the past 3 threads. Here is how I think about it. You should learn as many different possible ways to finger any given interval or brief passage, in order to really get to know your way around the fingerboard on an intuitive level. As you gain more command of the instrument, your "reptilian brain" will automatically guide you to the most logical fingerings. How many different ways can you get from low E to the highest note on your bass, and back down again? This includes both scales and arpeggios.

And you should master reading. One way to put these together is to practice reading passages where written fingerings have been added by a teacher, or even by yourself, to get you out of the groove that you happen to be in. When I took lessons, it was standard procedure for my teacher to recommend fingerings, and later on, to have me come up with my own and then critique them.