You might have to elaborate on that one...
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Sliding chords on fretless
- Thread starter Tedthulhu
- Start date
See below.
Typically used for 4ths in DB, but on EB works for 3rds - octaves.
Christian McBride forks like crazy every time he's in thumb position, and also when double stopping wherever.
From this book:
joelquarrington.com
Typically used for 4ths in DB, but on EB works for 3rds - octaves.
Christian McBride forks like crazy every time he's in thumb position, and also when double stopping wherever.
From this book:
Canadian School of Double Bass 4ths Edition Package — Joel Quarrington
Both Book 1: Daily Studies and Book 2: Intervals Chords Arpeggios Scales. These are contained in a .zip folder. Download size approximately 70mb. Version 3.0 November 2025
joelquarrington.com
Indeed. I know "spooning" but "forking"?
Indeed. I know "spooning" but "forking"?
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OK, so adjacent fingers on notes a 4th apart on adjacent strings. Now you mention Joel Quarrington it makes sense, but doesn't make sense for electric bass guitar in the way he does it on a string bass, i.e. as logical modification of thumb position, and so not really necessary where there is unfettered access to the upper positions. I often use adjacent fingers to play 4ths, but the fingers don't become parallel to the strings:
You have to adapt it for EB, and it works well, for me, as I said, for thirds to fifths on adjacent stings. For me, it also works for 6ths and 7ths on non adjacents. The idea is to keep the wrist high and so the fingers arch well. It works perfectly for me. To be clear, I adapt the concept. It may or may not work for others. I can assure it can be effective, for me, the higher up the neck the better. Will it work for others? I do not know. That's why I started my input here with the words "For me."
See below.
Typically used for 4ths in DB, but on EB works for 3rds - octaves.
Christian McBride forks like crazy every time he's in thumb position, and also when double stopping wherever.
From this book:
Canadian School of Double Bass 4ths Edition Package — Joel Quarrington
Both Book 1: Daily Studies and Book 2: Intervals Chords Arpeggios Scales. These are contained in a .zip folder. Download size approximately 70mb. Version 3.0 November 2025
View attachment 7468517View attachment 7468518View attachment 7468519
Ok thanks. So just playing the same fret on two different strings with two different fingers? fourths or minor sevenths or minor 10ths. I do it all the time but never heard that term.
If you've seen Joel play you will see there is more to it than that, with fingers almost parallel to the strings and often spread wide open across 3 strings. My daughter was fortunate enough to do a masterclass with him a year or so back, and has incorporated some of the ideas into her own technique.
Start with the chord/interval in tune and end with it in tune. The slide won't be perfect but will be moving continuously that you won't hear the intonation issues while it's moving.
ok thanks. I studied upright for 15 years but stopped a year ago. Is there a video of Joel Quarrington explaining or showing the technique? I know him but never really studied him.
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If you play a fourth on two strings with 12 or 23 or 34 and try them to be in tune (fingers both in almost the same spot on neck) your wrist automatically goes higher and your fingers come more parallel to the string, otherwise is not possible to play it in tune. You don't have to do a special technique for that cause it sort of happens automatically.
I'm sure there are some out there, but I got my vids from a QR code included with the CSODB books.
He also has a couple vids on Tonebase, but that's a subscription site.
I'll poke around after work when I have some more time.
It is difficult to show 3D shapes in 2D images, but that's what I found to be true - technique is borne of necessity, regardless of what you call it.
check out the samples for his discover double bass course (maybe courses), not specifically forking, but you can extrapolate.
Yeah -- If I explain forking in relation to spooning in explicit terms I will probably get an infraction warning or even be banned from TBIndeed. I know "spooning" but "forking"?
I think it is a thumb position thing on the upright when you play double stops or triple stops. . Your fingers look like a fork. I never heard it called that way.
Percy Jones is particularly good at that sliding chord technique, the trick is adjusting your finger spacing to compensate as you slide up/down, which isn’t easy. Sliding harmonics is cool too, and if you can work that into a sliding chord………
I attended a clinic by Michael Manring in Seattle about 15 years ago. there were 12 people in the audience. it was like having a private demo/instruction session by one of the most accomplished bass guitar players ever. He truly is awesome.
I have yet to hear any sound on a fretless that he cannot duplicate live.
