6 string fretless + lead vocals...

[Rockin John]

I wondered whether anyone else on TB has been insane enough to try this little wheeze and, if so, how they coped with the extra pressure of playing that sort of instrument whilst singing. OK, we're (only) talking about blues / rock in my case, but I do find it difficult to do both.

I've long regarded the fretless 6 to be my playing pinnacle so when the opportunity came to pick one up cheap - as a starter instrument - I took it. But adjusting from a 4 came within a couple of days of joining a band ... and I'm the only one who can sing so once again I'm doing the vocals.

The upshot is, of course, that I'm learning a new instrument at the same time as re-learning to sing and play bass and it ain't easy!!

Any wisdom, guys?

John

[bigfatbass]

You lost me at "6 string fretless" and "only blues/rock."

Since it's "only" that stuff shouldn't it be snap?





Good luck with that!

[Rockin John]

Good morning Bigfatbass.

I suppose the skill in blues / rock bass is in the groove so that, when I said, "only", I was trying to imply that the material doesn't need need the top-drawer skills of a Jaco or a Wootten or a Hamm.

Even so, and especially in slow blues, the groove and the vocal line can be close together, or miles apart, or anywhere in between at any time. And that complicates matters for me. I was OK with the fretless Precision and singing but the 6 has me floored ... well, at least for the moment. Somehow, I don't seem to be able to transfer the playing / singing skills I honed on the Precision, onto the 6 (both unlined basses).

Like all my musical stuff, I'll just have to muddle through and see how it goes, I guess!

Best.

John

[MirageBass]

Ask Les Claypool how he does it.