More thoughts on bass positions

[TomGale]

Over the years, the approach has changed a great deal. The older approach was to start with the 1st finger on Ab, (G string) and call it 1/2 position. Then came the 1st finger on A - 1st position, etc. You gradually creep higher and higher in pitch.
The current approach is a definite improvement. You start with the 1st finger on A, call it A position and explore the whole position and then jump to the D position - 1st finger on D (easy to find), go back and forth between the 2 positions and then comes the 3rd finger on the harmonic G.
This outlines the fingerboard and THEN go back and fill in the notes in between the 3 anchoring spots. It makes the player much more confident and takes the fear out of "Flying High".
Tom Gale

[Alaska Bass]

IMHO the best position for a bass is in the fish cooler!)

[ubasshudson]

I have my students locate notes by measuring the distance from the note to the nut, in half steps. We also talk about the distance from the last note to the next one in half steps. I point out the harmonics at 5, 7 and 12 half steps and the shoulders of the instrument is about 9 half steps. They very quicky are able to tell me where notes can be found all over the fingerboard. They are empowered to find the locations themselves and can practice more effectively on their own. We rarley talk about "positions" unless they need to translate what is being said to the violins. I explain once how positions are named and they get it. Having reference points like half steps that don't require lots of theory to figure out gives them the equivalent of a keyboard. Teach them to subdivide evry note by the shortest and count aloud and they can figure out rythms too. Pretty soon they get to be the song leader and I get to tap my foot tell them to drop their shoulders and add accents. Tom

[Stan Haskins]

Originally Posted by ubasshudson

I have my students locate notes by measuring the distance from the note to the nut, in half steps. We also talk about the distance from the last note to the next one in half steps. I point out the harmonics at 5, 7 and 12 half steps and the shoulders of the instrument is about 9 half steps. They very quicky are able to tell me where notes can be found all over the fingerboard. They are empowered to find the locations themselves and can practice more effectively on their own. We rarley talk about "positions" unless they need to translate what is being said to the violins. I explain once how positions are named and they get it. Having reference points like half steps that don't require lots of theory to figure out gives them the equivalent of a keyboard. Teach them to subdivide evry note by the shortest and count aloud and they can figure out rythms too. Pretty soon they get to be the song leader and I get to tap my foot tell them to drop their shoulders and add accents. Tom

I think half steps are really hard to hear in tune. Instead of measuring "from the nut", it's simpler to tune a "d" (fourth position) to the open d-string, and the same with an "a" (1st poition). From those "anchor points", playing whole-step melodies is a pretty natural thing to do (children's songs are basically pentatonic, right? I don't know of any chromatic songs that are easy to teach an untrained player . . .). Plus, the idea of "measuring" creates alot of cognitive problems . . .

[bassbrock]

Originally Posted by Alaska Bass

IMHO the best position for a bass is in the fish cooler!)

You mean on the grill, AFTER it has left the fish cooler.

[Alaska Bass]

I now think the best position is off the grill and in my belly!