fretboard knowledge

[hieronymous]

I've been playing the bass for over 30 years, and yet I still don't know the notes on the fretboard! I know the first position fine, but between the 6th & 11th frets it's really fuzzy. Once I'm playing within a key I know where everything is relative to the root, but I'm finally trying to bump up my knowledge of the fretboard. So I took a picture of various positions on the neck of my 5-string Stanley Clarke Signature Squared:



I can look at the picture and even if I'm sitting at my office I can try and remember the different notes. I also can add in certain notes to help me visualize:



Sometimes I even look at this while I'm playing the instrument! I think I'm finally learning that F# on the low B string...

[David Houck]

Fingerboard knowledge is one of the many areas for which I have much room for improvement.

[rv_bass]

Reading music is one way to learn the location of notes on the fretboard.

[StephenR]

I know I tend to play (and think about the notes) from the roots on the lower strings up toward the high strings. One thing that I found useful for working on learning the notes on the upper strings is to play from the root on the high strings down to the low, this is also a useful exercise for working on improvisational skills.

I use all four fingers on my left hand to fret and like to play from the position where the roots on the low strings fall under my pinky, especially on a five-string since low tones are still available high up the neck on the B string making it easy to stay in one position and play across the neck instead of up and down. When playing with the root (or any other note) under your pinky on the B or the E string the octave will be three strings over and fall under your index finger so another easy way to learn where some of the notes are on the D, G, or C strings.

[peoplechipper]

I need to learn this too; I'm even too ignorant for 5 string-if I'm not looking down at an E string I am lost...

[hieronymous]

Reading music is one way to learn the location of notes on the fretboard.

Yes - working on incorporating that as well. Fortunately, I can read music - took piano lessons in elementary school - but just never bothered to transfer the knowledge to the guitar or bass. Tablature ruined me! I took the easy way out and am definitely a "rock bassist" in many ways. Time to get back to it!

I know I tend to play (and think about the notes) from the roots on the lower strings up toward the high strings. One thing that I found useful for working on learning the notes on the upper strings is to play from the root on the high strings down to the low, this is also a useful exercise for working on improvisational skills.

I use all four fingers on my left hand to fret and like to play from the position where the roots on the low strings fall under my pinky, especially on a five-string since low tones are still available high up the neck on the B string making it easy to stay in one position and play across the neck instead of up and down. When playing with the root (or any other note) under your pinky on the B or the E string the octave will be three strings over and fall under your index finger so another easy way to learn where some of the notes are on the D, G, or C strings.

Both of these are great! Again, I have almost always taken the easy way out - playing only the patterns that came naturally or that felt comfortable. I've occasionally approached things with the pinky on the root on the low B, your post inspired me to incorporate it - it makes a lot of sense and opens up patterns that I have never used!

Playing down from the high notes makes a lot of sense too - I played with that a little today. I'm learning some of the F#s! C# is next on my list...

I need to learn this too; I'm even too ignorant for 5 string-if I'm not looking down at an E string I am lost...

For me, I've been playing in ignorance of the notes for so long, it's hard to even realize what I don't know! I've been a pattern player most of my life - it's not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, I think it's a valuable skill and I am still able to make music, but I'm realizing that I want to take my music further. It's slowly happening!

[pauldo]

"... I've been a pattern player most of my life - it's not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, I think it's a valuable skill and I am still able to make music, but I'm realizing that I want to take my music further. It's slowly happening! ..."

Harry with that mind set you will achieve your goal.

Irony is, when I started playing bass it was in high school jazz band, had to know the notes - it was just how they taught.  So I know the notes, read the music, play the notes THEN see the pattern(s).

If playing unwritten music, the pattern is my guide (although knowing the notes allows for easy octave shifts - when appropriate).

[lembic76450]

Harry,  I think you dropped the # off the high F...  When I got my 5 string,
I would practice early in the morning before work while it was still dark.
It helped me find my way around and helped my ears, too.

[hieronymous]

"... I've been a pattern player most of my life - it's not necessarily a bad thing, in fact, I think it's a valuable skill and I am still able to make music, but I'm realizing that I want to take my music further. It's slowly happening! ..."

Harry with that mind set you will achieve your goal.

Irony is, when I started playing bass it was in high school jazz band, had to know the notes - it was just how they taught.  So I know the notes, read the music, play the notes THEN see the pattern(s).

If playing unwritten music, the pattern is my guide (although knowing the notes allows for easy octave shifts - when appropriate).

Actually, I was fortunate to take one or two lessons with my jazz band teacher in high school - I think it was 10th grade - that's when I learned the first five frets! Should have taken more lessons but I was on my way to just playing "good enough" very well. Thank goodness I accomplished what I did though - I at least have had the fundamentals all these years! But I think that learning the patters first has made it hard to finally try and actually learn the notes - my bad habits are deeply ingrained - but change is possible! As hard as it is... Don't... give... up.....

Harry,  I think you dropped the # off the high F...  When I got my 5 string,
I would practice early in the morning before work while it was still dark.
It helped me find my way around and helped my ears, too.

You are absolutely right! I fell asleep on the job and didn't notice afterwards. The program I'm using won't let me edit it after the fact - oh well, reconstructing it will be a good exercise...

It's interesting - I practice in the dark, but I find that to push further it's better with the light on. But some deliberate time playing in the dark could be beneficial too.

What I really need to do is come up with a practice routine that I follow consistently - I've started keeping track of my practicing, but am still kind of willy-nilly.

[David Houck]

Sometimes I practice with my eyes closed; not because it's helpful, though it could be, but because it's way past bedtime and my eyes won't stay open.

[elwoodblue]

For some reason, I always do better in practice when I'm watching my hands
in a mirror. The 'separation' helps bring a more objectivity I think.


 Maybe add some Spyder style inlays? 

[edwin]

Next time we hang, let's sit down for 45 minutes. I can give you a set of exercises which, if you practice for 15 minutes most days for a month, will enable you to never get lost again. I studied with a student of Mick Goodrick and he had a whole lesson system derived from that which taught me more in 8 weeks than I learned in 8 semesters at Berklee.

[hieronymous]

For some reason, I always do better in practice when I'm watching my hands
in a mirror. The 'separation' helps bring a more objectivity I think.

Maybe add some Spyder style inlays? 

That's interesting - I do play in front of the mirror sometimes but not sure that I'm taking advantage of it.

Entwistle definitely came to mind when I was making my note graphs!

Next time we hang, let's sit down for 45 minutes. I can give you a set of exercises which, if you practice for 15 minutes most days for a month, will enable you to never get lost again. I studied with a student of Mick Goodrick and he had a whole lesson system derived from that which taught me more in 8 weeks than I learned in 8 semesters at Berklee.

Edwin that would be awesome!

[tbrannon]

Edwin,
If you do that w Harry,  can you record it on a phone and upload to youtube and drop the link in here?  I would love to hear what you're going to pass along.

[slawie]

When jamming with Bill, Harry and Wolf I heard Wolf playing the Sailors Hornpipe.
I now use that tune as a warm up to get my fingers moving and pliable enough
for the upcoming gig/rehearsal. Everyone knows the tune and I just keep playing it faster and faster.

Thanks Wolf.