Double Bass What to use for Fingerboard Markers?

[RollEyes]

Okay, so Solo and Ensemble is in a couple weeks and despite my efforts, I am unable to fully memorize where the hell all these notes are that are above the 12 fret and so I was wondering: what can I use as a substitute for fingerboard markers? I've been using little pieces of stick tape (haha thanks to the percussionists at school) but I'm only able to place it on the side otherwise, it slides off and they leave a little bit of gross goo after I take them off. Or should I just order some dot stickers from Amazon? I realize that it might not look good, but I need it to be in tune haha. Thanks.

 

[John Chambliss]

A few pencil marks or white-out on the fingerboard.

 

[craigie]

Practice more.

I remember reading a quote from miroslav vitous years ago that when he started playing he had an audition or some such situation and received the comment he was out of tune. “I just need to learn where to put my fingers” was his reply. He turned out ok.

You need to develop your muscle memory and your ears. Markings are just a crutch and an impediment to the latter IMHO. You are probably more concerned with being out of tune than you really are out of tune. You have identified a weakness so focus on that. If upper register playing is lagging then woodshed it and don’t work on passages etc that you can do well. You may develop some techniques to get you to the notes you want like little slides and intonation corrections. Any comments just tell them about miroslav vitous

 

[RollEyes]

A few pencil marks or white-out on the fingerboard.

White-out?! Will that work? Will that damage the fingerboard? Also I've tried pencil and it just rubs right off

 

[Steven Ayres]

OK, well --

First, recognize that markers can't give you good intonation. The only way to play in tune is with your ears, and your eyes can get in the way and make things worse.

That said, if you feel you need to eyeball a big shift, a pencil mark on the fingerboard at that position will be simpler to see and hit. It's supposed to rub off, because with practice you don't need it.

Last, if you still really feel the need to mark general positions, something I've had experience with is scraps from vinyl automotive window stickers. They'll still drift and fall off eventually, because they're trying to stick to an oily surface, but they last better than other kinds of tape and will come off pretty clean.

 

[Maple]

I’m working on improving my intonation as well - I use a pencil on the fingerboard at the octave position while trying to build muscle memory.

On the side, I use a silver sharpie- it’s easy to see yet rubs off easily

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I’ve also used a silver sharpie to make dots at the octave and up in thumb position when recording.

 

[Picton]

I’m confused.

If you’ve memorized the notes from Fret 0 to Fret 12, you’ve got them from Fret 12 to Fret 24. They’re the same, just one octave higher?

Am I missing something?

 

[John Chambliss]

White-out?! Will that work? Will that damage the fingerboard?

It will scrape off easy. Silver marker won't show as bad.

 

[bass12]

What's this talk of frets?

 

[jasonrp]

Damn.. you beat me to it

 

[Mgaisbacher]

White-out works great and is easily reversible. Yes it can come off and mine does time to time but it usually last months before I need to redo it. Theres a white-out dot on my bass that I think has been there for about a year and a half of daily playing.

 

[RollEyes]

I’m confused.

If you’ve memorized the notes from Fret 0 to Fret 12, you’ve got them from Fret 12 to Fret 24. They’re the same, just one octave higher?

Am I missing something?

Well, I've got the notes memorized, but the note spacings get smaller the further you get up the neck. :/

 

[RollEyes]

OK, well --

First, recognize that markers can't give you good intonation. The only way to play in tune is with your ears, and your eyes can get in the way and make things worse.

That said, if you feel you need to eyeball a big shift, a pencil mark on the fingerboard at that position will be simpler to see and hit. It's supposed to rub off, because with practice you don't need it.

Last, if you still really feel the need to mark general positions, something I've had experience with is scraps from vinyl automotive window stickers. They'll still drift and fall off eventually, because they're trying to stick to an oily surface, but they last better than other kinds of tape and will come off pretty clean.

I realize that markers won't magically give me amazing intonation, but I don't have my own bass, so I gotta use the schools' basses. I use three different upright basses and they're all different. The fingerboard on the bass I use for Wind Ensemble is a brownish color, so pencil marks don't help much haha. I'll look into the vinyl stickers. Thanks!

 

[Steven Ayres]

I use three different upright basses and they're all different.

Not to belabor the point, but this makes your ears that much more important to intonation. Good luck!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I’m confused.

If you’ve memorized the notes from Fret 0 to Fret 12, you’ve got them from Fret 12 to Fret 24. They’re the same, just one octave higher?

Am I missing something?

Most hilarious lost-slab-player-not-reading-the-header post yet!

 

[Picton]

Most hilarious lost-slab-player-not-reading-the-header post yet!

Yup. Just figured that out.

Have fun, guys! I’ll see myself out... good luck, OP!

 

[lz4005]

I realize that markers won't magically give me amazing intonation, but I don't have my own bass, so I gotta use the schools' basses. I use three different upright basses and they're all different. The fingerboard on the bass I use for Wind Ensemble is a brownish color, so pencil marks don't help much haha. I'll look into the vinyl stickers. Thanks!

White China markers or grease pencils work great for temporary markings on a fingerboard. Much more visible than a pencil, but wipe off easily.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Are these dots for gigs or practice?

 

[Max George]

Gollihur Music makes sheets of small dots in white and a gold color for just this purpose. I use them as I have to wear ear plugs because of hearing issues, and they work great. They help a lot.