Fingering Help...

[Bass4FTM]

I have been trying to get this set of notes under my fingers for a week, Help!!!

The song is "Chasing after you" by Bishop Paul S Morton: These are at the end of the song, and at least to me the move reallllllllllly fast...

               F Bb F Db Bb C Ab Bb F

               F Bb F Eb Db Bb Gb F


Thanks for any help...

[malthumb]

I don't understand what your question is. Are you trying to confirm that these are the correct notes or are you trying to figure out the best positions to play from?      

[Bass4FTM]

The question is; What is the most economic way to play this?

Example; 6th fret B string (F), flatten the finger to reach the Bb then back up to the F, thats when the problem starts I cant get to that Db fast enough...

[floaded27]

dont have my bass on hand, but looking at the notes, i would say the easiest way to play it would be in first position. index finger on the F, go to the  Bb right above it, then back to the F, then with your pinky hit the Db(C#), which is just 4 frets over, 1 string up. So if you starting on the B string, dont try to hit that Db on the A string (4th fret), hit the one on the E string (9th fret). when you keep your hand in this position, all of the notes stay within a 4 fret range.

for the 2nd group of notes, you can either hit the Eb directly above the Bb, or I think you can be quick enough to get your pinky to that Eb 2 frets over from the Db you hit in the first run, and then bring it back to the Db. once you do that your back in the 4 fret range for the rest of the notes.

[phbrown]

If you tune flat, that would make the Bb, Eb, and Ab all open string notes, thus freeing up your hand to hit the other notes.

[Fingers!]

If you tune flat, that would make the Bb, Eb, and Ab all open string notes, thus freeing up your hand to hit the other notes.

True, but eventually, he has to learn to do that F to the B flat finger roll thing.  No better time than now.  The main problems are, one, doing it on the first fret which is the hardest area to do that and, two, hitting that fast B after the second group of notes.  Try to get everybody to hit that fast B together...Yea 

[malthumb]

I agree with Floaded27 in terms of HOW you would position those notes.  On a 4 string, you definitely want first position and you want to play the Db with your pinky.  On a 5 string, you can move up the neck (towards the body) and play the F on the 6th fret and the Db on the 9th fret.  Same pattern, but shorter fret distances, so it'll be a little easier on the fingers.

But that's assuming you play THOSE notes.  I went out on YouTube and listened to the song.  Some of those notes are passing tones that you don't necessarily NEED to play to get the correct feel of the song.  I would suggest listening to the song a bit more.  If you have a tool that can slow it down, do that and focus on the foundational notes, then add your own feel in terms of passing or accent notes.

[floaded27]

If you tune flat, that would make the Bb, Eb, and Ab all open string notes, thus freeing up your hand to hit the other notes.

just tuning flat so you can hit open strings can never be a solution. as a bass player we have to be versatile because what happens when someone doesnt play it in the original key? will we keep readjusting our tuning? i almost never play open strings for that very reason. once the key changes, you have to be able to play the same pattern without them.

[phbrown]

just tuning flat so you can hit open strings can never be a solution. as a bass player we have to be versatile because what happens when someone doesnt play it in the original key? will we keep readjusting our tuning? i almost never play open strings for that very reason. once the key changes, you have to be able to play the same pattern without them.

Thats wisdom right there! Bass4FTM Listen to him!

[floaded27]

Thats wisdom right there! Bass4FTM Listen to him!

thanks man. just comes from experience. for instance, there's one lady in our choir that sings every song she leads in G. So when im home practicing with the recording, i gotta play it in the original key (some songs Ab, Bb, F, F#, Eb, C#, etc such variety), but in rehearsal or sunday morning => G. And when you do this, you learn some fingerings/positions work in one key but dont in another. Thats where learning alternate positions for different notes comes in handy, as well as the number system

[ddwilkins]

thanks man. just comes from experience. for instance, there's one lady in our choir that sings every song she leads in G. So when im home practicing with the recording, i gotta play it in the original key (some songs Ab, Bb, F, F#, Eb, C#, etc such variety), but in rehearsal or sunday morning => G. And when you do this, you learn some fingerings/positions work in one key but dont in another. Thats where learning alternate positions for different notes comes in handy, as well as the number system

I was going to add the number system. That's how I learn songs most of the time. I don't learn the notes, just their scale positions. It helps tremendously.

[Bass4FTM]

I truly thank you gentlemen for all your input, I do have a lot to learn. I am trying to get with these musicians with alot more playing skill than I have, in hopes it will make me up my playing and this is a key song.

Who ever said the bass guitar was easy and all u have to do is play the root note, clearly did not did not play one...

[mjl422]

Practice your 3rds, (ie: 1-3 2-4 3-5 4-6 5-7 6-8 and back) it will make that line alot easier.  I usually play it on the 4th fret Db string ( I tune down.  It would be 3rd fret D string for standard tuning.  It's easier, for me, to play on the D and G strings than the E and A strings.

[cordney]

I was going to add the number system. That's how I learn songs most of the time. I don't learn the notes, just their scale positions. It helps tremendously.

I usually learn the key the song is in...then I will apply the number system to it. 

[Fingers!]

I agree with Floaded27 in terms of HOW you would position those notes.  On a 4 string, you definitely want first position and you want to play the Db with your pinky.  On a 5 string, you can move up the neck (towards the body) and play the F on the 6th fret and the Db on the 9th fret.  Same pattern, but shorter fret distances, so it'll be a little easier on the fingers.

But that's assuming you play THOSE notes.  I went out on YouTube and listened to the song.  Some of those notes are passing tones that you don't necessarily NEED to play to get the correct feel of the song.  I would suggest listening to the song a bit more.  If you have a tool that can slow it down, do that and focus on the foundational notes, then add your own feel in terms of passing or accent notes.

I actually pedal on the F on that part.  There were times I actually pedaled on the A.  I have to listen to it again and see how it really goes...

[phbrown]

I actually pedal on the F on that part. 

what does "pedal on" mean?

[Bass4FTM]

Well bass comrads, I figured it out after 4 hrs. I had to do it the tird and true method "practice"... I also went and tried out for this band, and they want me to join them, needless to say I'm pumped right about now.

I give thanks to God, and to all of you for your advice...P.S what is "pedal on?

[malthumb]

I'm assuming Fingers is a keys player and is talking about pumping the F on the organ foot pedals.

[floaded27]

I'm assuming Fingers is a keys player and is talking about pumping the F on the organ foot pedals.

im sure thats probably where the term originated, but sometimes its meant to just indicate steady 8th (or maybe even 16th) notes on a particular note.

[malthumb]

im sure thats probably where the term originated, but sometimes its meant to just indicate steady 8th (or maybe even 16th) notes on a particular note.

Ahhhh!  Never heard that usage before but it does make a lot of sense.