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Author Topic: Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?  (Read 1275 times)

Offline ccweaver

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Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?
« on: December 20, 2005, 10:52:55 AM »
I'm a beginning Bassist. I started practicing daily a little over a week ago. I have an instructional book with some nice practice exercises to develop my skills. However, I wanted to know how I should go about learning to play without needing to look at my left hand to see that I'm hitting the right notes. I've started learning what notes are where on the top half of my neck. But I still need to look at the neck to get there.

I was watching the bassist at my church this past Sunday and he barely looked at his bass guitar while playing, accept for a few glances here and there, yet he was moving all over the neck for certain songs.

So, since I'm just starting out, I wanted to make sure that I'm not forming any bad habits. Should I practice all my exercises by not watching my left hand (example exercises are scales, 1-3-5, 1-3d-5 hand positions, etc) after I initially learn how to do the exercise? Is there another way I should go about learning to play without looking at my left hand? I tried it briefly last time I practiced, and ended up hitting wrong notes or pressing on the fret instead of just behind it. It's clear that this skill is something that comes with practice. I just would like to know a good way to practice this skill.

Thanks for your help.

 - Cyrus

Offline uriahsmusic

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Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2005, 04:55:59 PM »
....I think he looks more than you think he does!....

Offline djgroovin

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Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2005, 02:53:06 PM »
Don't worry about it.  You can look all you want to be accurate.  After a while of playing you will naturally begin to NOT look as you become more comfortable.

Offline MikeGee

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Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2005, 03:21:47 PM »
The 2 that responsed before me are my 2 fav. members on this forum, other then me of course.


as for your question, it's jusst like typing on a keyboard. things take steps and time.


what I do is i start on a note like G on the E string 3rd fret. I'll put a finger there for this example I'll say my index. From there I know if i stay on the same string and lay my ring finger down it'll be an A Then changing the string on higher which is the A string ring finger fret I know that's a D.


I hope I didn't confuse you, maybe someone can clearify for you.

Offline mr_layback

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Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2005, 09:47:46 PM »
Quote from: djgroovin
Don't worry about it.  You can look all you want to be accurate.  After a while of playing you will naturally begin to NOT look as you become more comfortable.


I totally agree. Once your muscle memory develops, you'll probably stop looking naturally. Just remember, when playing in church you have to watch lead singers, preachers, and other musicians too :!:
Perfect Practice Makes Perfect!

Offline bradleymoorer

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Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2005, 09:59:47 PM »
Think of it this way, the more you play the more you will put in your vocabulary, and you will get comfortable with certain movements, I have noticed that basslines are all about pattern, so when your fingers remember a certain pattern you don't have to think about it. When you hear it you will say hey I know that movement and just go to it. But I like what was previously stated, look all you want because it is about accuracy not looking cool, Peace!
Bradley AKA Bass Monkey

Offline T-Block

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Beginning Bassist Question - Left hand without looking?
« Reply #6 on: December 24, 2005, 04:01:35 PM »
uriahsmusic wrote:

Quote
....I think he looks more than you think he does!....


Like uriah said, he do be looking more than u think.  You don't have to actually stare at your hand, you can see out of the corner of your eye too.
Sometimes, when I'm playing I get tired of looking at my hands cuz I already know it, so i just look somewhere else.  Every now and then i glance to see what I'm doing, but mostly i am looking at the keyboard player or the song leader and I watch my fingers out the corner of my eye.  It takes time, you'll get there with much practice.
Real musicians play in every key!!!
Music Theory, da numbers work!
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