Question for the serious bassist.

[sugabear]

Wassup folks. I've been teaching myself how to play the bass and have seemed to run into a problem. I've discovered that there are quite a few different hand positions in which you can play one song. This is confusing me very much so, being that I can't decide which hand positions to use. For example, let's say that I'm teaching myself a song from a cd. The song is in the key of C. Do I use hand positions closer to the C on the A string 3rd fret, or do I use hand positions closer to the C on the E string 8th fret or, am I to use a combination of both? Please help a brother out. This is becoming frustrating and starting to discourage me a little bit. Any advice would be very much so appreciated.

[djgroovin]

Hey.  I had the same question when I started not to long ago.  You really can use any position but you should try to use the one which is easier for you to play with less hand movement.  Try a few of them and see which is easier for you to get it out.

[uriahsmusic]

...Personally I like the sound of the strings closer to the nut or the head of the neck!...the sound is tighter and more pronounced ...for some riffs the notes are high so you must swing up higher..but for the meat of a song I try to stay close to the nut for a tight biting sound!

[crzywvguy]

I agree with uriah...i like the tight bite and the deep tones...but on some songs, i like to get on down the neck...all depends on your style and preferences.

[B3Wannabe]

...and how many strings you have. Needless to say, if you have 5,6,etc strings, you can play high notes from the nut area. That's why I think some people learn to play 6+ strings: You don't have to move around as much.

[Perfessor]

I almost always play the Bb on the E string , 6th fret. Also, I almost always play certain notes in one position only, for example Eb on the sixth fret of the A string. When you play the key of D with two sharps it's best to play in "2nd postion" . The same goes with the key of A with three sharps. Otherwise you can play most songs down near the nut. Another thing I almost never do is play the A, D or G on the open string, but instead on the fifth fret to allow faster access to the next note. It's just how I taught myself some 30 years ago but it works for me.