Does it matter were between the frets you play?

[UncleBalsamic]

It is just easier to play right behind the fret.

 

[ryco]

Just behind the fret and right up to it. Eliminates fret buzz.
Stay off of the fret itself though!

 

[Lon86]

Never put any thought into it...

As long as the note is in pitch and you can reach it...it is all good IMHO.


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[PilbaraBass]

I try to play as close to the fret as possible...nearly on top, but not over...as I release a string, I try to pull my fingers away cleanly and quickly...this helps the timing with my right hand for mutiing (I use a lot of right hand muting techniques.

when I play more legato and with more vibrato, i tend to play more towards the middle of the fret positions and use finger pressure to develop a little bit of vibrato (not at all like string bending, more like a "chorus" effect).

mind you, I only concentrate on any of this when I am practicing...when I'm playing live...the ONLY things I think about is the sound and keeping up ...the technique comes from the practice...

 

[EADG mx]

True, but I only experience that when I press in pretty hard, if I press the string without too much pressure it gives out the same tone over the length of the entire fret.

It's not about tone though, it's about playing with max. efficiency.

Playing directly behind the fret is ideal because you have to execute the least amount of force, and you don't have to worry about accidentally pulling the strings sharp.

Playing in the middle increases your chances of playing out of tune.

On top of the fret is not recommended as you run the risk of muting the strings.

The choice is obvious imo.

 

[D.Don]

Jaco said the best tone is right behind the fret and I believe him. Thats how I play.

Also, if you play fretless as well, its good to get in the habit of playing close to the fret for intonation reasons.

Jaco said a lot of things ...

If you intend to ever play fretless, you'll indeed gain lots by already being used to fretting just behind the fret and your fingers will have no trouble finding their way on a fretless.



D.Don

 

[JimmyM]

Who are these guitarists who say to fret in the middle? It's the same for all fretted instruments...right behind the fret for a clearer tone and less effort.

 

[mutedeity]

Who are these guitarists who say to fret in the middle? It's the same for all fretted instruments...right behind the fret for a clearer tone and less effort.

Probably guitarists with scalloped frets say it.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Just wondering. I tend to play right behind the fret, almost like I was playing fretless. Does it matter that I am not playing in the middle of the space between frets?

I don't think it makes a practical difference. Play so that your hand is comfortable and the notes that you fret are solid. If you are conscious about putting your finger right behind the fret, that's a nice bonus, but not in any way essential for a fretted bass. At least IMO. The only bonus I can think of is that if you were going to play a fretless, that a.) your fingers might be a little more stretched out, and b.) the consciousness of your technique for your left hand which you've applied to the fretted bass will serve you well for fretless bass fingerings/intonation, apart from the aural component of it.

Good luck with it!