124 vs OFPF: Part Doh

[Groove Master]

Well I don't understand why you guys are using shifts and awkwards fingerings while I can play the whole thing in one position...

 

[SteveCS]

Well I don't understand why you guys are using shifts and awkwards fingerings while I can play the whole thing in one position...

Of course that's possible, and maybe marginally easier, but as I alluded to earlier, I preferred the tonal balance when playing the first D and long C on the 3rd string and the the G's on 2nd compared to the 4th/3rd respectively. I've seen nothing awkward or remotely difficult thus far.
In the end, the choice would also depend somewhat in what came next. If it was a low G, for example...

 

[Groove Master]

Of course that's possible, and maybe marginally easier, but as I alluded to earlier, I preferred the tonal balance when playing the first D and long C on the 3rd string and the the G's on 2nd compared to the 4th/3rd respectively. I've seen nothing awkward or remotely difficult thus far.
In the end, the choice would also depend somewhat in what came next. If it was a low G, for example...

To me the less shifts you make in general will have a much better result in sound, fret noise, length of notes, phrasing and timing but YMMV.

 

[SteveCS]

To me the less shifts you make in general will have a much better result in sound, length of notes, phrasing and timing but YMMV.

That depends. As far as possible I aim to make smaller shifts of the hand whilst notes are sounding, so there are no interruptions due to shifting. I will even switch stopping fingers mid-note to facilitate a seamless shift, if necessary.

I think if shifting impacts timing or phrasing then shifting needs more work.

 

[Groove Master]

I think if shifting impacts timing or phrasing then shifting needs more work.

That is the aspect that should be worked on all the time ;-)

 

[SteveCS]

That is the aspect that should be worked on all the time ;-)

Indeed. Unfortunately for many bass players, shifting is (or at least used to be) a bit of a bogey-man. Looking back to when I was learning to play - pre-internet - I put it down to the number of beginner to intermediate books that focussed on box-scale patterns in position.

 

[74hc]

Hmmm... the only other OSPF that comes to mind is in an entirely different field... computer network routing protocols.

Yes, I clicked on it from the home page, just assuming this was in the off-topic section. Realized it was OFPF from reading the first post.

I suppose there is very few of us that speak OSPF here.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I preferred the tonal balance

Yes, that D and/or Eb on the E string (the 10th/11th fret) does not provide a good tonal balance.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

the less shifts you make in general will have a much better result in sound

Yes, but could you avoid those shifts (ever) especially on the 4-string bass?
No.
If so, one must learn it.
The OP's example is not(!) a serious passage. Usually, aspiring bass players encounter and/or face more challenging shifts - that's a result of maturing as a musician.

I remember as a teenager many decades ago, I was learning to drive a car with a manual transmission - a stick shift. I used to make me mad to stop - shift gears - for pedestrians, for Stop signs, for Red lights, etc...
I've learned that "it comes with the territory".

 

[Groove Master]

Yes, but could you avoid those shifts (ever) especially on the 4-string bass?
No.
If so, one must learn it.
The OP's example is not(!) a serious passage. Usually, aspiring bass players encounter and/or face more challenging shifts - that's a result of maturing as a musician.

I remember as a teenager many decades ago, I was learning to drive a car with a manual transmission - a stick shift. I used to make me mad to stop - shift gears - for pedestrians, for Stop signs, for Red lights, etc...
I've learned that "it comes with the territory".

Yes I agree that shifts should be worked on. I wrote a bunch of exercices on that matter but like I said before the whole passage posted by the OP is easily done in one position using OFPF.

 

[SteveCS]

Yes I agree that shifts should be worked on. I wrote a bunch of exercices on that matter but like I said before the whole passage posted by the OP is easily done in one position using OFPF.

I have to say that I don't really care too much for the term OFPF. In the literal sense in which most people use it, I find it over-prescriptive and even a bit cheesy, bordering on bass-player jargon.

In the example given, playing literally OFPF is not quite possible, since the Eb requires either a forwards extension to 11 on 4th string with pinky or a backwards extension to 6 on 3rd string with Index.

I much prefer the more general term 'In Position', which includes the extensions as valid and essential techniques that are clearly not shifts. So:
No shifts? Yes.
In Position? IMHO, yes.
But OFPF? That depends if the definition includes/allows for the extensions, and for that I don't think there is yet a definitive answer. But by the literal definition, no.

YMMV

 

[Groove Master]

I have to say that I don't really care too much for the term OFPF. In the literal sense in which most people use it, I find it over-prescriptive and even a bit cheesy, bordering on bass-player jargon.

In the example given, playing literally OFPF is not quite possible, since the Eb requires either a forwards extension to 11 on 4th string with pinky or a backwards extension to 6 on 3rd string with Index.

I much prefer the more general term 'In Position', which includes the extensions as valid and essential techniques that are clearly not shifts. So:
No shifts? Yes.
In Position? IMHO, yes.
But OFPF? That depends if the definition includes/allows for the extensions, and for that I don't think there is yet a definitive answer. But by the literal definition, no.

YMMV

I know what you mean. I've used the OFPF abbreviation because it was used in the thread. Since I played a lot of jazz lines in my career it was useful to make good use of the 4 fingers-4 frets+ and learn out to slide in-and-out of a position just like that Eb at end of the example

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Yes I agree that shifts should be worked on. I wrote a bunch of exercices on that matter but like I said before the whole passage posted by the OP is easily done in one position using OFPF.

By the way, how is your recovery going on?

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I never have all fingers down at the same time.

I was just watching Hadrien's video.

From here.

 

[Groove Master]

By the way, how is your recovery going on?

It's going ok but it is very slow and frustrating but I keep practicing every day with my new concept of Tempo mapping.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

It's going ok but it is very slow and frustrating but I keep practicing every day with my new concept of Tempo mapping.

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing OK.
Don't get frustrated - you know what you are doing!

 

[Groove Master]

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing OK.
Don't get frustrated - you know what you are doing!

Thanks WUTP, it's nice of you to ask