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Chromatic progression question

T

trox

Jun 20, 2013
7
0
#1
Hey hey everyone!

I just registered to this awesome bass forum! It seems that there is a lot of experienced bassists here.

As a self studying begginner bassist I have a lot questions for you guys.

One in particular that is bothering me.I play a song from the book "Bass aerobics" writted by Jon Liebman, workout number 2. There is a chormatic descent from 13th fret to 5th on the same string.

My question is, how to actualy play this? For now I play 13 and 12 with 1st and 2nd finger, then shift down to the 9th and then to the 5th. I do it like so because shifting down 1 fret at a time with my 1st finger for instance doesn't sound quite well to me... This question applies of course to all chromatic progressions.

How would you guys do it? Any best practice recommandation?

Thank you very much for your advice!
 
#2
The most economical way to play it is to go 13 to 12 by sliding the pinky up and then descending one finger per fret and ending on 5 with the 1st finger.

I'm a big fan of playing things in every way you can think of during practice and paying close attention to how the different fingerings sound. That way when you start using your technique to play music you'll be more inclined to use a route from point A to point B that makes sense within the context of that music rather than just spitting out the most efficient fingering.
 
#3
jeffbonny said:
I'm a big fan of playing things in every way you can think of during practice and paying close attention to how the different fingerings sound. That way when you start using your technique to play music you'll be more inclined to use a route from point A to point B that makes sense within the context of that music rather than just spitting out the most efficient fingering.
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Smart advice.
 
#4
I'm a big fan of playing things in every way you can think of during practice and paying close attention to how the different fingerings sound. That way when you start using your technique to play music you'll be more inclined to use a route from point A to point B that makes sense within the context of that music rather than just spitting out the most efficient fingering.
Click to expand...

Thank you indeed for this smart advice. So if I get this straight there is no better way, only your best way :)

I've already tried several ways of doing it, what I used for now was the easiest for me to do. I'll try several other ways. The fact is I use non-coated round strings which makes an awfull sound when I shift 1 fret at a time when ascending or descending so I was wondering...

I'll look around to have smoother strings or coated and eliminate/reduce this unwanted limitation.
 
#5
trox said:
Thank you indeed for this smart advice. So if I get this straight there is no better way, only your best way :)

I've already tried several ways of doing it, what I used for now was the easiest for me to do. I'll try several other ways. The fact is I use non-coated round strings which makes and awfull sound when I shift 1 fret at a time when ascending or descending so I was wondering...

I'll look to have around smoother strings or coated and eliminate this unwanted limitation.
Click to expand...

One thing I ALWAYS do is to find the most efficient and physically economical way way of playing something first (usually the least amount of shifting) and branch out from there. Don't get locked into playing what's easiest. I find often that what sounds best for a given piece of music isn't always the most efficient or easiest way to play something.

Practicing and playing music are two different things but the more different ways you practice the same thing the more subtle your articulation will be playing music. Ultimately playing the same thing a bunch of different ways becomes about being in command of subtleties of articulation. Bass parts are often very simple to play and HOW you choose to play them separates the good players from the mediocre ones.
 
#6
trox said:
I'll look around to have smoother strings or coated and eliminate/reduce this unwanted limitation.
Click to expand...

I suggest spending time with what strings you have if you like the tone. It takes a long time to develop good technique and changing variables can be wasting your time. I noticed that the longer I spend with one instrument, no variables except the occasional string change as necessary, my feel is loftier, my touch has better tone, and my notes sound more confident. When I switch things up, there is a time period when I don't gain anything and it seems like a waste. Personally I've always used the same strings, because I got lucky and found the ones that work for me right off the bat. When I change string types my comfort level drops. Just keep on truckin'
 
#7
Ultimately playing the same thing a bunch of different ways becomes about being in command of subtleties of articulation. Bass parts are often very simple to play and HOW you choose to play them separates the good players from the mediocre ones.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree 100% with your statement. This is exactly what I'm aiming for. I used to play voilin as a kid and know how much important it is. That is why I asked my question, to see if there was a good or a bad way of doing it. I guess I need to focus on articulation as I used to do with the violin, think that my fingering have a great effect on the sound and therefore research more different manners to play a piece.

Just keep on truckin'
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I sure will :)

Thx a lot for your very usefull advices, It made me think how I used to work on the violin. I will try to apply the same methods.
 
#9
I agree that it's good to experiment with what works, though I also think it's good to be able to see why some things work better than others. You might find a type of shift that is giving you trouble and that you will benefit from working on (e.g. shifting from 4-1 or whatever). Or you might find that some patterns are just awkward and will only be used when really necessary.

FWIW, I personally play that run with 3rd finger on the 12th fret for the first 4 notes, then shift down to 4th finger on 12th (shift down 1 fret) for 4 notes, then 4th finger on 8th fret for 4 notes. This works for me because I shift once per 4 notes, which feels natural for me with the 4/4 feel. For whatever reason, I find the shift you described from second finger (13th fret) to 4th finger (12th fret) to be awkward...

I also find it very useful to be able to shift up or down one fret as needed. I use one finger per fret quite a bit and being able to shift 1/2 step up or down fluidly allows a lot more flexibility of fingering options to match whatever part/chord/mode that you're playing at the time.
 
#10
FWIW, I personally play that run with 3rd finger on the 12th fret for the first 4 notes, then shift down to 4th finger on 12th (shift down 1 fret) for 4 notes, then 4th finger on 8th fret for 4 notes. This works for me because I shift once per 4 notes, which feels natural for me with the 4/4 feel. For whatever reason, I find the shift you described from second finger (13th fret) to 4th finger (12th fret) to be awkward...
Click to expand...

Yep, I experimented this exact shift yesterday after posting and reading answers, it feels actualy better than what I first did. However I can't keep up with the tempo yet but that's gonna come with practice.



Thx very much for all your great advices!
 
#11
Check out the two octave plus chromatic fill used in this demo, it uses the same sort of decent but the fingering differ for the same notes. one you understand chromatic movement within the tuning of an instrument tuned in 4ths, then chromatic notes are really only one fret away ether side to ascend or descend the neck...whether on one string or across them..check out the link and the fills

 
#12
That sounds good. A few notes: Fight your thumb's temptation to move up and down on the back of the neck. With few exceptions, it should stay planted on the "skunk stripe" (the strip of darker would running down the center of the neck). It's not always comfortable at first but you should work on keeping your fingers parallel with the frets. This is important for dexterity. Lastly, remember "one finger per fret." You used your first finger a fair bit for notes that should have been played with your middle finger. Over all, I'm impressed. Your right hand technique is good (though you might try holding your wrist a bit straighter).

To answer your original question, I agree with jeffbonny. Play with one finger per fret and shift every four notes. That's the fewest shifts, which is a good thing.
 

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