fretless for a noob?

[Roar!]

heeeeeeyyy

I've been playing upright for bout a month or two and want to go to acoustic bass guitar. I think I want fretless because upright has no frets, but I just spoke to an friend in the business and he said no way to I want to start bass guitar on fretless.


he also says that they can be filed down but I don't like that idea.

thoughts?

 

[BurbsToo]

Not everyone starts with fretted. If people can learn upright bass or a trombone without markers, then I don't see why you can't learn bass guitar on a fretless. I guess it depends on how you want to play. If you like sliding, go with fretless. If you want to slap (not even sure if you can on an acoustic. Haven't bought mine yet) go with fretted.

 

[embellisher]

If you want to play fretless, buy a fretless! The learning curve is a little steeper than a fretted, but there is no reason to think that a beginner can't or shouldn't start with a fretless.

Works for orchestral stringed instruments, trombones, etc.

 

[Dbassmon]

The endeavor of learning the upright is an all consuming task. Learning to play a fretless instrument in tune is all about position playing, muscle memory and ear training.

If you are trying to learn both at the same time, EBG and DB, I would advise against it. Two of the three skills needed, position playing and muscle memory, are completely different on these two instruments. Even thought they are both bass instruments, there are huge differences in fingerings, the size (scale) and techniques required to play them.

Get serious about one or the other. Once you can play the DB in all positions, in tune, pizzacato and arco, then maybe pickup the bass guitar.... or play the bass guitar and forget about the DB for now.

You need to devote a lot of time and passion and be very dedicated to learn either of these instruments. Trying to both at the same time is setting yourself up for failure.

Get a teacher!!!

Just one man's opinion of course!

 

[vampiregenocide]

fretless shoudln't be too hard to pick up. tbh i mostly look at the side dots when im playing anyway. im also an upright and conventional player

 

[Connor]

start with a fretless. you will enjoy, unless you want to learn slap.

 

[Stuggi]

Starting out on fretless is a bit harder, but then there's no learning curve switching over to fretted, which might be a plus...

 

[Roar!]

I was thinking about it like being born blind, or leaning to drive on a stick shift. Same kinda deal?

 

[Fontaine]

just get a lined frettless, u should be good.