How the hell did this thread end up as 'if you don't compose your own music' you're somehow 'less' ? This place sometimes...
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Well let's see. What did the very first line of the post say?
Do you apply this bizarre way of reading to every book you "read"?
WHAT, isn't derailing thread subjects a spectator sport here ?
Plenty if people do, actually, and it's really not an attitude. All over my post there were statements like "for me,..." and "in my opinion, and this is just my opinion..." and "I'm sure not many people agree but..." so you really shouldn't get your feelings hurt when I talk about myself and my own preferences, and what has worked for me over the years.
I don't know what people think goes on in music schools. In going through college and conservatoire, all of them will have studied and practiced composition and will have created and performed several new pieces, individually and in collaboration, for a number of contexts. Most will realise that composition is not for them and will recognise it as a special ability best left to those drawn to it. Some will find their calling and go on to be very successful composers.
I really don't see how this has anything to do with the fundamental question of memorizing notes on the fingerboard.
It's not that much of a stretch for a thread about memorizing the notes on a fretboard to turn into discussion about whether that is a necessary endeavor to begin with. And considering its only somewhat necessary in order to play another composers music, you can see how it went there. Though what actually happened was the kind of uppity piano guy insisted on sowing division along the lines if bass players vs pian
Wow, I'm new around here, is this really what qualifies as a thread gone awry? what am I supposed to do, not defend myself when people say my thinking is bizarre for a saying music theory is not for me, and tell me I'm giving them attitude for recounting my own experience, and clearly pointing out that it's my opinion and no one has to agree, and even apologize for saying that much. Didn't mean to ruin any thread, it was a thread about memorizing the notes in a fretboard, is it unreasonable to question whether that's a worthwhile or necessary endeavor ?
No hurt feelings whatsoever. I just don't buy the idea that creativity in something is damaged by deeper understanding and appreciation of that something.
Since you seem to be referring to an ealier post of mine:
- I gave to the OP some precise answer/trick: playing scales on a single string while saying/singing the notes names. I pointed out that the knowledge of the fingerboard is not acquired by an effort of "memory" but results from the familiarity we develop by practicing (post #5).
- in an other post (#113), I asked respectfully about why it is that what all players of some other instrument (piano, violin, cello, horns, etc.) do -- namely studying and exploring their instrument thoroughly -- appears daunting or uninterestring to (some) bassists. I did not express any negative judgement about anyone. My question received various interesting and informative answers.
- I am not the one who wrote that I would deny my respect to anybody who has a different approach from mine, as you did about musicians who do not compose/create their own music. How can you be surprised that your statement effectively derailed the thread?
It's not an unreasonable question, but I've yet to see any substantive argument against it, from you or from anyone else raising the same question or trying to justify a similar position. The idea that learning any kind of theory stifles creativity, the usual first-line defence, is quite frankly BS. Lucky accidents notwithstanding, the results of such creativity rarely make headlines.
Without being disrespectful, I humbly ask to continue OT discussion outside this thread
With sugar on top
With sugar on top
For me the trick was to play my bass a whole lot.
Benjamin Earl
Commercial User
- Dec 31, 2008
- 281
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- Fretboard Visualization Author
The thing that helped me memorize the fretboard is learning the C major scale all the way up the neck. It all clicked for me once I had a grasp on the fact that the notes on the fretboard are named based on the C major scale. Here are the steps I suggest:
1. Memorize the 7 notes in the Major Scale in one position
2. Use octaves and other positions to determine where the scale repeats and extends higher and lower.
3. Memorize all the positions of the C major scale up the neck. Here is a video:
4. Study how notes in-between the C major scale use sharps and flats.
- Memorize the 7 notes in the Major Scale in one position
- Use octaves and other positions to determine where the scale repeats and extends higher and lower.
- Memorize all the positions of the C major scale up the neck
- Study how notes in-between the C major scale use sharps and flats.
1. Memorize the 7 notes in the Major Scale in one position
2. Use octaves and other positions to determine where the scale repeats and extends higher and lower.
3. Memorize all the positions of the C major scale up the neck. Here is a video:
4. Study how notes in-between the C major scale use sharps and flats.
B and C are always next to E and F one string below. A is always a string above E. G is always one string below C
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Yes. When the subject is how to memorize something, and someone pops unbidden in with judgy mcjudgerson stuff about how playing anything other than your own composition is pointless, I'd say that's a pretty good derail.
New around here? Sounds like trolling to me.
It's a good thread. Let's keep it good and keep it going.
Benjamin,
I really like your graphics and video, but I would still recommend learning the fretboard in the method I suggested previously, by learning all keys at the same time.
It probably takes the same amount of time but touches on and establishes more fundamentals that can be built on later, specifically: understanding different keys, key signatures and the circle, recognizing the bass staff, and making the connection from staff to fingers.
Let me know if you disagree.
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Benjamin Earl
Commercial User
- Dec 31, 2008
- 281
- 469
- Disclosures
- Fretboard Visualization Author
The higher strings are all duplicated on the lower strings.
The pattern repeats, and inverts.
If you know the A string then you know the E string starting at the 5th fret.
Also, if you know the E string to the fifth fret, you know the A string from fret 7 to the octave.
OP is a cool dude. Keep it friendly.
The pattern repeats, and inverts.
If you know the A string then you know the E string starting at the 5th fret.
Also, if you know the E string to the fifth fret, you know the A string from fret 7 to the octave.
OP is a cool dude. Keep it friendly.
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