Learning fretboard on 6 string bass

[Newby6string]

Anyone have any ideas on learning the fret board on a 6 string bass? I am using the octave concept and a chromatic/naming approach. Would like a more systematic/efficient approach to learning the notes on the fret board. Sight reading exercises are covered just want a better way to learn all the notes on the fret board so that my sight reading of bass clef can advance at a faster rate.

 

[hs123]

My bass has 6 strings and 24 frets. I try to memorize the position of each note on each string (without the bass).
Example C: B String (1, 13) E String( 8,20), A String( 3,15) D String (10,22), G String( 5,17) C String ( 12, 24). I try to do this for each note. ( I didn't double check these numbers so I'll wait for retribution).

 

[Newby6string]

My bass has 6 strings and 24 frets. I try to memorize the position of each note on each string (without the bass).
Example C: B String (1, 13) E String( 8,20), A String( 3,15) D String (10,22), G String( 5,17) C String ( 12, 24). I try to do this for each note. ( I didn't double check these numbers so I'll wait for retribution).

My bass also has 24 frets. Hmmm.... this a sort of visualization approach to the notes on the fret board. I had not considered this aspect. Thank you.

 

[ole Jason]

It really just takes time and practice, sounds like you are doing everything correctly. As far as sight reading goes most stuff way up on the G/C strings would in tenor or treble clef.

 

[Newby6string]

My bass has 6 strings and 24 frets. I try to memorize the position of each note on each string (without the bass).
Example C: B String (1, 13) E String( 8,20), A String( 3,15) D String (10,22), G String( 5,17) C String ( 12, 24). I try to do this for each note. ( I didn't double check these numbers so I'll wait for retribution).

It really just takes time and practice, sounds like you are doing everything correctly. As far as sight reading goes most stuff way up on the G/C strings would in tenor or treble clef.

That makes sense since it is in the guitar range of tones. Will need to include sight reading in Treble clef for upper register bass lines. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[TolerancEJ]

My bass has 6 strings and 24 frets. I try to memorize the position of each note on each string (without the bass).
Example C: B String (1, 13) E String( 8,20), A String( 3,15) D String (10,22), G String( 5,17) C String ( 12, 24). I try to do this for each note. ( I didn't double check these numbers so I'll wait for retribution).

My bass also has 24 frets. Hmmm.... this a sort of visualization approach to the notes on the fret board. I had not considered this aspect. Thank you.

I remember seeing a YouTube video of Anthony Wellington doing something similar at a clinic. (I cannot find the video now, otherwise I would have posted the link.) As a demonstration he played the positions of all of the notes on the bass... All of their strings/positions within one minute. (For example, playing all the positions of "C", then all the positions of "C#", etc.) He was using one of his 6-strings.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I also happen to enjoy 6-string basses. Here is a link that has been handy for me, as a resource for scales, chords, etc.

Dave's Six-String Bass Resource Page

 

[Newby6string]

I also happen to enjoy 6-string basses. Here is a link that has been handy for me, as a resource for scales, chords, etc.

Dave's Six-String Bass Resource Page

Great!

 

[TolerancEJ]

Although the image is piano keys, I also have this link saved as a quick reference of the relationship between the Treble Clef and Bass Clef

 

[Newby6string]

Great!

I have four string basses but I got a six string because I often got piano sheet music during rehearsals where the bass line often went below low E on my four string. Also, sometimes the guitar player could not make it to rehearsal, so I found myself having to chord on songs. A six string bass overcomes these two issues quite well.

 

[Newby6string]

Although the image is piano keys, I also have this link saved as a quick reference of the relationship between the Treble Clef and Bass Clef
View attachment 3687401

Love this reference!

Although the image is piano keys, I also have this link saved as a quick reference of the relationship between the Treble Clef and Bass Clef
View attachment 3687401

It looks like the transition point is middle C give or take a note above and below. Makes perfect sense.

 

[Newby6string]

I remember seeing a YouTube video of Anthony Wellington doing something similar at a clinic. (I cannot find the video now, otherwise I would have posted the link.) As a demonstration he played the positions of all of the notes on the bass... All of their strings/positions within one minute. (For example, playing all the positions of "C", then all the positions of "C#", etc.) He was using one of his 6-strings.

This is one exercise I have come across that I would like to implement in my daily bass practice routine. It may be the one you are referencing. StudyBass Note Name Memorization Method | Fretboard Notes | StudyBass

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Unfortunately nothing makes perfect sense for me regarding music.

It looks like the transition point is middle C give or take a note above and below. Makes perfect sense.

 

[Acoustic356]

This man has taught more people the names of all the notes on your instrument than any other teacher that I have met. You should not use any tricks or patterns... you should know that the 6th fret of the B string is an F, or that the 10th fret on the D string is a C... etc.

His method is simple. Start from the highest note on your instrument, and learn where every note is... dedicate 1 week to each note... in 12 weeks, you know where all your notes are.

Here is a demonstration of his approach:

 

[TolerancEJ]

This man has taught more people the names of all the notes on your instrument than any other teacher that I have met. You should not use any tricks or patterns... you should know that the 6th fret of the B string is an F, or that the 10th fret on the D string is a C... etc.

His method is simple. Start from the highest note on your instrument, and learn where every note is... dedicate 1 week to each note... in 12 weeks, you know where all your notes are.

Here is a demonstration of his approach:

I think that's the video I had in mind. I guess I was wrong. I thought he used a 6-string.

 

[Acoustic356]

I remember seeing a YouTube video of Anthony Wellington doing something similar at a clinic. (I cannot find the video now, otherwise I would have posted the link.) As a demonstration he played the positions of all of the notes on the bass... All of their strings/positions within one minute. (For example, playing all the positions of "C", then all the positions of "C#", etc.) He was using one of his 6-strings.

At various clinics, I have seen him do this on 4, 5, 6, and 7 string instruments.... soooooooooooooo

 

[bfields]

For what it's worth, this is what I've been doing lately:
- Pick a random song from iReal Pro (or substitute your band-in-a-box-like app).
- Pick a fretboard position (e.g., first string on the fifth fret).
- Play through the chart. I may have to adjust the tempo until keeping up is difficult but doable.

I've already got a sort of weak memory of the notes on the fretboard, but this has been helping me get to the point where it's more automatic. I suppose it's not that different from site-reading exercises, though.

I also do the same thing but restricting myself to a single string instead of a single position, as another way to memorize the notes, and as a way to practice shifts.

Usually I'll start out just playing roots in time, then try to do something more musical as I go along.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Personally, I'm fairly comfortable with my fretboard. Reading music with relative speed is my lacking skill at the moment. I can read sheet music if I sit down with it for awhile, studying it like homework. My skills are not such yet, where I could immediately start playing if sheet music had been just handed to me.

For a few months in the past year, I had a wonderful opportunity to try playing in a jazz/big band. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep up learning the songs in a timely manner. It was like a knife in my heart when I had to step away. I will strengthen my sight reading skills and try attempt this again later.

 

[nostatic]

At various clinics, I have seen him do this on 4, 5, 6, and 7 string instruments.... soooooooooooooo

Ant says a 7 string is ideal as you can play all of the mode shapes in one position. He has a bunch of great stuff - I did Skype lessons with him for a couple years. Highly recommended.

The notes on the instrument is pretty straight forward. I can't remember if it was Ant or Kai Eckhardt who had an exercise where you first play every E on the instrument, then every F, then every F#, etc. And do it with a metronome just for some added pressure ;-)

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

Anyone have any ideas on learning the fret board on a 6 string bass? I am using the octave concept and a chromatic/naming approach. Would like a more systematic/efficient approach to learning the notes on the fret board. Sight reading exercises are covered just want a better way to learn all the notes on the fret board so that my sight reading of bass clef can advance at a faster rate.

One suggestion: only play six for a good long while. Jumping between 4's, 5's and 6's is baffling (at least to me, and especially starting out). Play the 6 until it feels like "home" and other, less stringed models feel all skinny and weird.