Transposing yuckiness

[Vanceman]

I just learned More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Staircase. Great, fun bass line, easy to play, feels good, go watch a bass cover on youtube to see. However, we are learning this for a wedding, the groom will be singing it, and we're doing in E flat, instead of G.

Suddenly, it's no fun to play. I'm struggling. The notes don't fall so easily under my fingers. I need professional help(no, not that kind). I've made some compremises, playing around the 6th fret on the A string, but any suggestions, alternate tunings, whatever, would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[filmtex]

Tune down a half step and open your second set with it. While the groom takes his bows, you can retune. That's what I would do. It's either that or you're on the A string at least.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

….... I've made some compremises, playing around the 6th fret on the A string, but any suggestions, alternate tunings, whatever, would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

For what it is worth... I never leave standard tuning if I can help it. Then move my major scale pattern to the place we find the key that is needed. Course most of my music has been transposed to Nashville numbers and that helps in the process. Might try Nashville Numbers...

E flat is D# in my book.

D# at the A string 6th fret or D# at the 11th fret E string. I would, like you mentioned, go with the A string placement.

If you have not tried Nashville numbers now may be the time.



Transpose your sheet music to Nashville Numbers then play the numbers. I transpose my fake chord sheet music to NN using a black marks-a-lot writing over the A, B, C's with NN, 1, 2, 3's. This way I still have the lyrics to help with when the chord changes come. Can normally transpose what I play to NN in about two minutes.

NN do lend themselves to roots, however, if you want to add a 3rd the 3rds are - from the root up a string and back a fret. Always. The 5ths are where 5ths always are. NN do not limit you, just another way to skin this cat.

Offered for what it is worth...

 

[Nashrakh]

Play it on a five string. If you have one, that is. Unless you absolutely need open strings, I don't quite see your problem here.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Suddenly, it's no fun to play. I'm struggling. The notes don't fall so easily under my fingers.

I agree that some bass-lines could be not too easy to transpose but sometimes, I was able to find a "different fingering beauty" of the bass line after transposing it.

 

[Vanceman]

In the 10+ years of being in a gigging band, I've never had to transpose a song. I see now how knowing theory can be helpful. I wish I had a 5'er right now!

 

[dax21]

Digitech The Drop is handy for odd changes of key like that when left hand shapes become unnatural.

 

[JRA]

yeah: sometimes transposing a key threatens your sense of 'security'...until you've done it a few times and it becomes no big deal. the advantage to biting the bullet = more skill.

good luck taking the "yuckiness" out of learning a useful skill!

 

[two fingers]

Tune down a half step and open your second set with it. While the groom takes his bows, you can retune. That's what I would do. It's either that or you're on the A string at least.

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This is a great idea. Most basses aren't as sensitive to detuning as guitars are in my view. Tune it down a half step and learn it in E. While the groom is hamming it up and all the ladies are saying "aaaaaaaaaw that's so romantic!" you'll have tons of time to tune back up.

 

[EarnestTBass]

The original recording by Spiral Starecase is in G. The band I subbed for dropped it a major third too. I use a 5 string bass... (Insert speech about the advantages of a 5 string here) For what it might be worth, here is my transcription for Eb.

If you want a different key, send me a PM and let me know which key signature. I originally entered the transcription into MuseScore in G. Then the band changed it to Eb at the last minute. With MuseScore and I can transpose it to any key. (Insert glowing review of MuseScore here)

 

[Vanceman]

Thanks! I don't read music, but my daughter does, and I know where the notes are on the neck. I think this is gonna work!!!!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

For what it is worth, to read and play from standard notation fly specks you have to be able to identify the fly speck before the music goes off and leaves you. So --- you can do that with out your bass. Keep some sheet music with you and get 20 minutes of reading the fly specks at lunch. Keep some sheet music by your easy chair and between commercials get in some reading.

When you can see, identify and say the name of the note the fly speck is telling you, in the same amount of time it takes you to say your first name, then it is time to pick up your bass and find that note on your fretboard.

Identify first. Find and sound the note next.