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Double Bass "Cheater Lines" or not? (position markers)

U

unbridled

May 26, 2005
1,076
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Montana
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Endorsing Artist-Compton Compensated Custom Bridges (for Gretsch 6ers)
#1
I recently got an EUB and am having a blast with it. I was thinking about putting position markers on it to help me out. Most of my experience is with EB, but I can at least fake my way through simple patterns on the EUB and am getting the hang of finding where I need to be on the fingerboard. I was thinking about putting some lines on the board to help me out a little, but I also think if I'm already getting the hang of it after two days, that if I put the lines on, it will just be a crutch and I'd be better off learning without.

What do you think? I know it's no big deal to take them back off, I just want to know if you think the "cheaters" would help or hurt in the long run.

Thanks
 
#2
My two cents: You will not develop your ear for intonation if you use position markers. Practice scales and try not to look at your hands, using a tuner if needed. Once your ear and left hand get in sync, your muscle memory will be there. Keep working at it -- you'll be glad you did. :cool:
 
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#3
Im a total novice player but heres my thoughts ....

I would say ..if it helps ....put them on theres no shame in it.
Use them when you need them, once you have confidence in your intonation and you have developed some "muscle memory"..take them off.
There are a lot of EUB's with permanent dots and lines on the FB already.

I know a few experienced DB players (from another forum) that still use them if they have a new bass or are borrowing a bass for a time. They will stick on a few dots till they get used to the intonation.
Dare say there are others who wont agree.... but its your call. ;-)
Would be good to hear what the experienced players would say to this.
 
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#4
I don't have an EUB or a fretless so I can't say about Cheater lines, however I an going from playing all of my songs from memory instead of from the sheet music. If the music is in front of me I have a lot harder time learning the song, because I want to look at it just because I know it's there. I imagine lines would be the same way. In the beginning it might be a little harder, but you will remember it a lot better if you don't use them.
 
#5
I put dot position markers on the neck (i.e. side) of my DB when I first got (using liquid white-out) and they are still there. I put them only at the same positions they are on a typical EB fretboard. They are still helpful to me.

I wouldn't do the lines if I were you but the dot position markers might help.
 
#7
I have blacked them out on my EUB. After starting to play the proper DB without markers, I found them to be a crutch. It was time to get rid of them. Besides, when you are reading music or chord charts you have no time to look at your left hand so it is a skill that will be useful.

Studying with a bow helps me most in developing my intonation. It takes constant work, though.
 
#8
scojack said:
I know a few experienced DB players (from another forum) that still use them if they have a new bass or are borrowing a bass for a time. They will stick on a few dots till they get used to the intonation.
Dare say there are others who wont agree.... but its your call. ;-)
Would be good to hear what the experienced players would say to this.
Click to expand...

How much experience are we talking about here? I haven't seen any DBers using dots or lines since grade school, and definitely not experienced ones. Switching basses doesn't necessitate the need for dots.

Dots create a habit and reliance of looking at the fingerboard. Trust your ears not your eyes. The notes that you hear on the DB and BG are the same notes and in the same octave. Just as you hear the notes in your head before you strike it on the BG, do the same on the DB. Just play the same pitches and adjust as necessary.
 
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#9
If I did it, I think I'd use electrical tape cut really thin and run it across the fingerboard and partially down the right side of the neck. I thought, that way, it wouldn't be seen from a little distance away but would be there for reference.

My ear is pretty decent, and I've been finding notes on the neck and then checking it with the tuner to see how close I am. I would only do like 3. 5, and 7 and go from there. More opinions?
 
#10
Another thing I thought about was something like a strip of tape on the BACK of the neck so I could barely feel it, but have a reference.

I've been playing EB for 25 years, but only have a little time on upright. I just was kind of surprised that it's taking me longer than I expected to get the feel of where I need to be. I can fake it decent, but need to build confidence more than anything.

I guess it's only been 2 days, but I usually pick things up faster.
 
#11
uprightbass.com said:
Dots create a habit and reliance of looking at the fingerboard. Trust your ears not your eyes. The notes that you hear on the DB and BG are the same notes and in the same octave. Just as you hear the notes in your head before you strike it on the BG, do the same on the DB. Just play the same pitches and adjust as necessary.
Click to expand...

Maybe so but think of them as training wheels. Even without purposefully marking, many DB players I've spoken with talk about marks on the neck - things like grain patterns, stains, dents, scratches, etc. - that helped guide them in their early days.
 
#13
I didn't mean for that to sound like it does!

I just mean EB doesn't transfer as much to EUB as I thought it would. Also, I'm only doing basic country and old rock type stuff. Should be easier than it is!
 
#14
dvh said:
Maybe so but think of them as training wheels. Even without purposefully marking, many DB players I've spoken with talk about marks on the neck - things like grain patterns, stains, dents, scratches, etc. - that helped guide them in their early days.
Click to expand...

Works for kids in grade school and even then that's for a few months, but it sounds like the people considering doing the training wheels have a lot of experience on BG. Use your ear training and musicianship.

If you need a guide or aid, practice with the Don Hermann’s Accompanied Rudiments Course. It goes through scales and major and minors in all keys with intervals and arpeggios. Can be purchased through Lemur. I did a writeup if you need more information.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#20
I need to use marks, I am extremely visual. Even when playing guitar, I need to look at the fretboard unless I am in the middle of playing a single note or chord for an extended amount of time. I drew square and triangle shapes near the edge of the fingerboard that would correspond to where dots would be on a guitar. I know that my visual orientation is a handicap, but that's just how my brain is wired.
 

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