If a line starts on B flat then works it way up to C
How do I know where to play it?/Start
1st fret? Of A string
Or 6th fret of E
How do I know where to play it?/Start
1st fret? Of A string
Or 6th fret of E
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Where to play?
- Thread starter 77stingray77
- Start date
Do what sounds/feels good to you. There's no rules. Only music.
Try different positions...whatever sounds good in the mix.
Also, depending on where chord progression goes after the C may influence your choice.
Also, depending on where chord progression goes after the C may influence your choice.
I would probably start in first position then shift to second or third position at a convenient time according to the intervening line to the high C.
On the other hand, if the high C is just a top note I might play the whole in 6th position E string with forwards extensions as necessary
On the other hand, if the high C is just a top note I might play the whole in 6th position E string with forwards extensions as necessary
Record yourself playing it both ways. Listen back with an open mind. Hear which way sounds better. Use whichever sounds best as your standard fingering, but also keep practicing the other fingerings until you can make them sound good, too. The ultimate goal is to be equally comfortable playing in all positions on the fretboard. I encourage exercises that require thoughtful shifting, like practicing two octave scales and arpeggios.
In my experience, there's more twang on the first fret of the A, more boom boom on the sixth fret of the E. Play the one that suits the song.
It's kinda left up to you. Why, how? To answer that I'm going to have to go into some detail, hang on...
If you are playing from standard notation or chord names, aka C, F, G7. You may want to stay in first position. First position = the first 4 to 5 frets of the neck. Why? Well everything you need is in first position and you know where all those notes are located. C's at the third string 3rd fret. F is right above the C on the D string. B is back one fret from the C. The G is right below the C on the 4th string, The D is up a string and over two frets, or use the open string, etc. You have put all that to memory and can call on it as needed.
However, if you are playing using the box pattern and you think in interval numbers, aka, 1, 2, 3. You probably will want to place the root note then play the pattern of what you want. There will normally be three places on the neck you can start. C at the 3rd string 3 fret. C at the 4th string 8th fret or C at the 3rd string 15th fret. Works like that for any root note you may use - 3 locations as you go up the neck. E string at the 1st fret for an F. Then another F at the 3rd string 8th fret and that would put your 3rd location for an F at the 13th fret 4th string, etc.
I normally use Nashville numbers and go up the neck with my patterns, however, when handed a sheet of fake chord sheet music where the chord names are listed - at a gig just before we are to play that song - I would find those chords in first position. Why? Because to use Nashville numbers, aka 1, 2, 3's I would have to transpose my sheet music and some time I do not have time to do that before we start playing this song. In the World I live in it ends up being some time first position for standard notation or chord names and some time up the neck with a box pattern and NN.
So, again either way works. Begs the question why do I transpose all my sheet music over to NN? Once into Nashville numbers I can easily change keys for the fat lady that wants this song in Bb instead of what our sheet music is in. Once into NN your sheet music is in the key of one. So I just move the R in my box to the Bb note on my fretboard and I'm good to go. Should you care to know more about Nashville numbers, this video will go into detail. video, nashville numbers, williams - Bing video
Good luck.
If you are playing from standard notation or chord names, aka C, F, G7. You may want to stay in first position. First position = the first 4 to 5 frets of the neck. Why? Well everything you need is in first position and you know where all those notes are located. C's at the third string 3rd fret. F is right above the C on the D string. B is back one fret from the C. The G is right below the C on the 4th string, The D is up a string and over two frets, or use the open string, etc. You have put all that to memory and can call on it as needed.
However, if you are playing using the box pattern and you think in interval numbers, aka, 1, 2, 3. You probably will want to place the root note then play the pattern of what you want. There will normally be three places on the neck you can start. C at the 3rd string 3 fret. C at the 4th string 8th fret or C at the 3rd string 15th fret. Works like that for any root note you may use - 3 locations as you go up the neck. E string at the 1st fret for an F. Then another F at the 3rd string 8th fret and that would put your 3rd location for an F at the 13th fret 4th string, etc.
G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
C chord coming up place the R on a C note, 4rd string 8rd fret. Then play the pattern R-3-5-8 for your bass line. Or pound out roots and fives, it two is left up to you.
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
C chord coming up place the R on a C note, 4rd string 8rd fret. Then play the pattern R-3-5-8 for your bass line. Or pound out roots and fives, it two is left up to you.
I normally use Nashville numbers and go up the neck with my patterns, however, when handed a sheet of fake chord sheet music where the chord names are listed - at a gig just before we are to play that song - I would find those chords in first position. Why? Because to use Nashville numbers, aka 1, 2, 3's I would have to transpose my sheet music and some time I do not have time to do that before we start playing this song. In the World I live in it ends up being some time first position for standard notation or chord names and some time up the neck with a box pattern and NN.
So, again either way works. Begs the question why do I transpose all my sheet music over to NN? Once into Nashville numbers I can easily change keys for the fat lady that wants this song in Bb instead of what our sheet music is in. Once into NN your sheet music is in the key of one. So I just move the R in my box to the Bb note on my fretboard and I'm good to go. Should you care to know more about Nashville numbers, this video will go into detail. video, nashville numbers, williams - Bing video
Good luck.
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In addition to what sounds good
consider what phrases come before and after it
and where you will need to play those
context is everything
consider what phrases come before and after it
and where you will need to play those
context is everything
Do whatever sounds best to you and makes most sense in the context regarding to what the next tone in the bass line is.
As Basstards stated there are no rules in music, only useful guidelines.
If it works it works, simple as that.
Use your ears and common sense to judge if you are doing things right and you'll be fine.
As Basstards stated there are no rules in music, only useful guidelines.
If it works it works, simple as that.
Use your ears and common sense to judge if you are doing things right and you'll be fine.
IMHO, bass notes sound better the lower on the neck you play them. As long as you can comfortably play the spread "down low", I'd do it. Also, use open strings when possible; they sound the best of all. And the further towards the nut you play, the less likely tuning or intonation problems are likely to interfere. Again, IMHO.
Other folks are probably smarter than I am, but for me the big question would be do I intend to use the V's below the roots - that low F and low G on the E string - in my line. If so, play the Bb at the 1st fret A string. If not, 6th fret E string.
As noted non-bass-player Mickey Baker used to say: Play a note in the position that will most easily get you to the next note.
You're audience can't tell the difference between the two in a band setting (assuming your bass is in tune). Go with whatever is most comfortable in the context of the song as a whole. Call me a slacker, but I usually opt for comfort over tone.
Listen, I'm all for freedom of speech, but can we please banish the phrase "The audience can't tell" from our vocabularies?
Playing Texas Blues, I would use first fret on the A string. We always like to feel it in our feet. I use higher frets for jazz because they seem more articulate and clear. Depends on the song and style music. Most importantly play it where it's easiest and most comfortable for you.
