"Tuning Anchors" - How to Find the Notes & Play Them in Tune. Double Bass Lesson
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
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In this video, I show you how I use 'tuning anchors' to help me find the notes and play in tune by removing any guesswork when shifting. It's a simple concept, but it makes a big difference and I use it each time I play.
If you are unsure how to move about the fingerboard and get to the notes you want to play, without playing them out of tune, then this lesson is for you.
I hope you enjoy the lesson and if you have any suggestions on how to improve your intonation please share them in the comments. This is a huge topic for upright bassists and I'm sure we would all welcome any new ideas.
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About the fourth anchor: I have also notice this during several concerts, I think it is a great idea to use ^.^
I used to play bass guitar so am well aware of the harmonics method of tuning and it's easily transferable to the upright, also very useful is the idea of gently 'tapping' the note just to check tuning. Thanks Geoff, I am getting a lot out of your lessons.
Bobby G Hey Bob, that's great to hear. I love that tip too, it's saved me a few times when I have to start a tune :-)
Thank you Geoff, you’re a wonderful teacher. I will return to this lesson many times.
Geoff you are so cool to provide this valuable resource.....thank you for posting this excellent teaching video...the one anchor i like is tuning E flat against the open G string also B flat against the
D string harmonic...
New lesson alert! :-) In this one I show you how to use a method I call 'Tuning Anchors' to help you find the notes and play them in tune. I hope you enjoy it, Cheers Geoff
Good luck, I hope you enjoy it. Cheers Geoff
Thanks for referencing bass guitar.
Thanks, Geoff, for this, another, very useful lesson. Regarding that "nut trick", I happened to start using that from day 2 of learning to play the upright (the day before yesterday that is), so before watching this video. It really helps finding the G# and the A on the G string. By the way on my 4th day (today) I can play the first 4 bars of "So What" of the Kind of Blue LP already. Second position is to difficult for me right now. So bar 5 and so on have to wait. Besides using a chromatic tuner with a built in microphone, I use my ears very carefully.
Great lesson Geoff! Really helpful for us new folks. Having a few "tricks to know where I am at is helpful! Cheers from Michigan1
This is a great video. Thank you so very much. Yes, my teacher uses the bottom of the scroll as a reference for 1/2 position as well. So, it's definitely something accepted at least as far as he's concerned. I am just now getting comfortable with the harmonic idea for tuning.
Great stuff, I'm glad it helped and that the scroll reference is a good move. Good luck with the harmonics, they are a big help to me. Cheers Geoff
Yes I've used the scroll for years, glad to hear someone talk about it.
Thank you very much for this video lesson. I got a lot out of it and will start using these techniques.
Great stuff Jeff, best of luck with it, cheers Geoff
Very nice lesson Geoff....The final tuning anchors it's very good for me..I have many songs in B flat in all time the bass is first wich start to play an I don't find all the time the B flat or E flat...I use this every time but I didn't know anything about it...Thanks for this lesson :)
These videos are extremely helpful!
Chronic Thanks, I'm glad they help. Enjoy your practice, cheers Geoff :-)
Great tip of using fifths. I use It a lot
I'm a relative beginner, and I naturally zeroed in on that scroll-tapping method figuring that everyone used it - seems so obvious. Still trying to get to know those harmonics, though - you and other good players make it look so easy.
+Robert F Else Hey Robert, thanks for checking out the lesson and I'm really glad it helped. Those harmonics take time, but I'm sure you will have them before you know it, cheers Geoff
Just a small point. Some older basses have an Eb neck
I have a small Upright Double Bass chart were notes are, it's helpful. But some one getting me a large one for Christmas ⛄🎄.
I am not sure on the bass I am hitting the right strings, it's not like a electric bass, you have frets on the bass. There you can find notes.
i taught myself and had no idea how to find notes. turns out i was actually doing it right all along!
Thank you very much!!!
The conductor (my violin teacher) asked me to play DB since we are long for bassists, especially during outdoor performances… as they play in many (every) orchestra in Hong Kong and always unavailable, that's why I'm here… thanks for the tips, and those videos make me feel life is full of hope 😀, thank you!
Great to have you here and to hear you're enjoying the lessons!
Re: your scroll tapping method, my own teacher showed me something similar to develop a memory of where the C on the 3rd position (A string) is. Index finger should go up, touch the nut and then move the little finger down to the C. It takes a little practice but it's a good way of orienteering the first three "frets".
That's a great method!
The point about the 'heel' of the neck is good, but I was taught to keep the 2nd finger opposite the thumb, and you use the index finger to find the D. I take it that it is generally good to have the thumb 'fixed' in relation to the rest of the hand - so where do you shift?
Hi Simon, great question. This is hard to explain in text, so apologies for the long reply.
Your thumb doesn't need to be exactly opposite the 2nd finger, there's a bit more range and for most people, that area is from the point between the 1st and 2nd, and the 2nd. You need to keep flexible in the shift and the thumb naturally aligns more with the 1st finger as you hand moves nearer the nearer towards the neck heel...then continues to go past your 1st finger as you move into thumb position. You can hold your hand up in the air and see your thumb position naturally move as you do the motion of moving from half to thumb position. Your thumb will move after the fingers.
I've never heard of using your 2nd finger on the D. I normally say that everyone's different and to go with what works for you, but in this case, I don't think the layout of the hand supports that idea as you will have to extend your thumb against the natural position of the fingers. I've also never heard of a method that uses this approach. IMO it's not the most effective way of playing the notes, but without seeing you play it's hard to know for sure. I recognise that everyone's different, so if it's reliable and doesn't add tension to the hand then there's no reason not to do it that way.
Your bass is gorgeous
loved it!
gracias
Thnks or this lesson Geoff ;)
I've tried the last all of the tuning anchors (including the scroll in half position) and they work for me. When my thumb touches the neck heel, the thumb is in line with my second finger. The first finger plays the D on the G string. I am slowly getting used to the notes available from the neck heel on the other strings too.
Your last tip about practicing scales and arpeggios is understandable. For a relative beginner (ABRSM grade 3) how long per sessions would you suggest one spends on those aspects (full time job and other time consuming interest to compete with).
Gracias, ahí la llevamos
Hey man! Have you ever heard of an octobass it is a very unique instrument. Im sorry if I miss spelled it.
Also keep up the amazing work.
Hey Jacob, I've seen some pics and the odd video but never seen one in real life. I would LOVE to give one a try though! :-)
very useful video thanks - and beautiful instrument! what make/model is that please?
Hi, my bass is actually made up of a few parts. The back/sides and scroll are a 100 year old German bass, but it has a modern front, about 10 years old. Its also got a new neck so the set up is really good. I use Evah Pirazzi weich strings which seem to suit it well. Cheers Geoff
Discover Double Bass o
Never tought of the 4th, but it's what I do too unconciensely
Good video
Is it right method to mark a dot or thin line behind the neck~ please guide
We don't recommend it as you will have to turn your head to view the dot which causes problems with your posture and hand shape. However, it is possible to use dots in thumb position as that's already within your line of vision.
@@DiscoverDoubleBass Thanks for great tip. I wish to play double base in small orchestra. And wish to play in tune. Is DB has practice routine of shifting position studies like violin .?
Thanks in advance
Absolutely. There are several ways of learning the fingerboard and a few different numbering systems for the different positions. As there are less notes available per position you do need to practice a lot of shifting and maintaining the correct hand shape to play in tune.
@@DiscoverDoubleBass please suggest a book for shifting exercises
I'm afraid I'm not aware of any.
Hi! i have C (3rd string) right under G (4th string), then F (2nd string) right under C (3rd string), But B flat (1st string) is not right under F (2nd string). Is this normal?... well, thanks in advance!
The position of the notes should be the same on each string, so it sounds like your bridge may not be straight or the string may not be in tune with the adjacent one.