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Key of F? Capo? c'mon!!!

B

Brado

Oct 19, 2005
386
11
47
Buda, TX.
www.myspace.com
#1
I just saw a band on the David Letterman show called, "The Virgins." Their bassist was using a capo on the first fret. :scowl:They were playing a tune in the key of F. Now......I have the utmost respect for players who use capos on the bass in a solo setting (Yves Carbone, Richard Bonna, Michael Manring....just to name a few). But, what about in a BAND situation, playing a 4 string bass in the key of F. I think he had great tone. His playing was just fine....I don't understand why the capo........???? Just put your finger on that first fret & PLAY THAT F. The last note of the tune was a big, fat F. Why the capo? C'mon! :confused::hmm:
I have to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.....maybe the nut was WAY too high & fretting the F with the index finger was just too hard....maybe he played some harmonics in there that demanded the first fret be capo'ed...(just tune the bass up a half step). Can somebody shed some light on this? :help:
 
#3
well tuning up a half step would work in that setting as they only played the one song but chances are on tour he's not in practice doing that and a capo is faster than switching basses....

also maybe he was doing some licks that need open strings... or he likes the tone better... or he's lazy (yet his band is on letterman so who are we to judge)... you said yourself his tone and playing were great
 
#6
Saw the performance as well. The bassist had good tone and was really a standout amongst his bandmates. I enjoyed his playing and felt the groove on the song. IMO once those two requisites are met, I don't question what technique was employed to get there.
 
#8
Brado said:
I just saw a band on the David Letterman show called, "The Virgins." Their bassist was using a capo on the first fret. :scowl:They were playing a tune in the key of F. Now......I have the utmost respect for players who use capos on the bass in a solo setting (Yves Carbone, Richard Bonna, Michael Manring....just to name a few). But, what about in a BAND situation, playing a 4 string bass in the key of F. I think he had great tone. His playing was just fine....I don't understand why the capo........???? Just put your finger on that first fret & PLAY THAT F. The last note of the tune was a big, fat F. Why the capo? C'mon! :confused::hmm:
I have to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.....maybe the nut was WAY too high & fretting the F with the index finger was just too hard....maybe he played some harmonics in there that demanded the first fret be capo'ed...(just tune the bass up a half step). Can somebody shed some light on this? :help:
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Who gives a god damn? Play your low F the way you want and this guy will do it how he wants. :rolleyes:
 
#10
onlyclave said:
I guess you're just a better bass player than him. Meanwhile, his capo on the first fret of his bass has him on Letterman. When are you scheduled to appear?
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I think they must be on the episode after Danger Danger appear. But really what we need is to lynch the guy for using a capo. Next thing you know the world will be overrun with capo playing zombies eating everyone's brains as they murmur, "F maaaaaajoooor".
 
#12
I only caught the last minute of the band ( remote flipping to catch the concurrent music acts on Letterman & Leno is a PIA).Missed the capo but really liked the bass playing .He seemed to play a shorter scale fender and used a pick & had a sort of Average White Band groove thing going.
 
#16
I did something very similar the other day, I'd learnt a song in E, the singer wanted to sing it in F. It was easier to slap a capo on than try and work out another way of fingering it, my riff was rather reliant on open strings. I did have to try and pretend the dots weren't there though.:o
 
#17
onlyclave said:
I guess you're just a better bass player than him. Meanwhile, his capo on the first fret of his bass has him on Letterman. When are you scheduled to appear?
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Dang Cletus!!! Wez'a' gott us a' smart 'un heer!
I'm pretty sure I'll be on Letterman....hmm, let's see...November 14th of 2009, Sept. 22 in 2011, Conan O'Brian the next night there after.(these dates may change. my booking agent is on it, though.) I'll bring my capo. I was thinking about playing in 3....I mean, G. :D
 
#19
Brado said:
I have to give the guy the benefit of the doubt.....maybe the nut was WAY too high & fretting the F with the index finger was just too hard....maybe he played some harmonics in there that demanded the first fret be capo'ed...(just tune the bass up a half step). Can somebody shed some light on this? :help:
Click to expand...

Why would you want to tune your bass up when you have the option of capoing, which is quick and easy and doesn't mean adding extra tension to your strings.
 

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