Fretless Bass Lesson with ScottsBassLessons

[@sixfingr]

Love the comment about not being scared. I bought a fretless in the 90s and expected months of work before being able to play it outside of the living room. You will really be surprised at how quickly your fingers get to "know" the correct intonation positions. A good weekend of work and a solid fretted player can be playing nicely in tune down low. Above the twelfth fret it does get exponentially dicier, but practice can remedy that. Great as always, Scott! New format rocks!

[@MarioKL]

After playing guitar for about 17 years (on and off) I bought a bass (as a joke) and I fell in love with the instrument. I have most of the basics down thanks to my guitar playing, I just needed to develop muscle memory for fretting, slapping, picking and the rest since it isn't as easy as on a guitar. 6 months later, I've ordered a fretless bass. It arrives in 10 days or so and I just can't wait. I don't remember the last time I've been this excited 😁

[@themanoskouts]

So do you still play the fretless base?

[@edwardfields8029]

Good to hear from someone who's not snobbish towards the lined fretless. Your tips are right on the money.

[@Slayer16a]

one of the most beautiful sounds on an instrument

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@MuhammadAli-vp7qt]

@@devinebass can I get one of this Fretless Bass..

[@RandyLott]

It's an amazing way to hone your ear. Listen to a track and play fretless with your eyes closed. Use your ears to make subtle corrections. You'll know when you're "in".

[@MrDblStop]

Or "out"... :)

[@chongyvevo]

I got my first fretless 2 days ago with no lines and I'm loving it. Even without lines and just dots every few 'frets', I'm improving my intonation already! Thanks Scott!

[@josephinecaruana3847]

Hope you done well and still using the fretless

[@mackymaca]

Beautiful bass, beautiful tone.

[@jamcam9]

Love that you named Alain Caron - I swear nobody ever knows about him but he's a supermassive monster of a fretless bassist.

[@VeryAp1cal]

that dude is seriously too good. UZEB is my favorite group right now

[@devinebass]

I have been having a lot of questions about the fretless bass... 3 essential tips about playing fretless bass!... Fretless Bass Lesson with ScottsBassLessons

[@kradmehr]

Sir you forgot Steve Bailey!! :O

[@LFC-Star]

A query.. PB or JB fretless?

[@niklaspilot]

Tybok C JB... More tone options! ;)

[@LeviChangsMusic]

+Scott's Bass Lessons Scott this may sound weird but I actually tried the squier fretless and I think it was harder to play than the other bass without any marks

[@jedisentinel1499]

Have a 5 string Dean fretless. Love it! played all genres BTW, the run at 3:57 was just sick! Thanks for the video!

[@thomaslarosa5440]

Love the sound of that bass

[@mikemcgibney]

Some of the nicest, most musical fretless playing I've heard! Scott hits it out of the ballpark (again!)

[@scottmcclain3489]

I had a fretless before and never knew to play ON the lines. I was frustrated thinking I was always off key. I eventually bought another fretless bass (with lines) and started to play again using your tips. I love it! Thanks Scott

[@johnchapman2197]

Just about to buy an old 1970s Aria Jazz copy - NO LInes on it - hey ho -I'll spray them on!!! Have not heard sounds like this for decades - loved Jaco. Love what you do - you have convinced me I need to try. Its never too late to try - even at 67. Wow - thanks. Is Dill Katz still around? saw him with John Hiseman once -superb. Thanks again - from an ageing drummer

[@snowcloud06]

I love the sound of that bass. Fretless is like no other.

[@EndyHawk]

Last summer I converted my Squire P-bass into a fretless, with new pickups and bridge; immediate improvement, with this REALLY groovy Jamerson tone; woody, thumpy, and not at all a 'standard' fretless tone. Whenever I take it to jams and gigs, I immediately get odd looks on this kinda cobbled together instrument, but the sound blows people away. It's got the groove.

[@eddieaskari1490]

Hi Scott! You are definitely my favorite bass teacher. Can we get more lessons on fretless bass please?

[@RandyLott]

That tone is wonderful! Fretless bass is ALL about the fingers! Playing near the neck with a bridge pickup always has a great sound that "blooms" with time. Known commonly as "muah". This goes to show that violin has much less room for corrections. However, I find that bass shows pitch errors so much more.

[@TheGalwayFarmer]

You forgot to mention Sting!! Legend has it he bought his fretless Precision and used it for a gig that night

[@GuerinBarry]

I've always been a journeyman bass player. 50's rock has been my thing...since the 50's. (I've was a member of the retro-rock band, Sha Na Na.) I was buying a new bass and my violist-son, Keith Barry (Dean and Co-founder of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music with bassist, Flea) shamed me saying, "You know where to put your fingers!" I got a fender PJ fretless and I really enjoy it. I'm trying to keep up with your lessons, very much enjoying the Walking Bass hack. Thank you.

[@EthanBlock]

I played cello for a long time before I picked up bass guitar, so when I did, fretless was a no brainer. I started with a lined 4 string and have since moved to a 5 string unlined. You are absolutely right that the lines are more visual and easier, but I feel like unlined has made me that much more connected with my own intonation and that much more comfortable with the layout of the bass. I would absolutely recommend lines to any new players.

[@metanoeos]

Scott Devine signature bass??? This is divine, Scott! Many congrats and thanks for posting these vids. So helpful!

[@pedrolanhas4120]

Hello; I have been trying to play guitar for the last 35 years of my life... I can manage some licks and decent sounds although I cannot see myself as a musician in terms of performance... this week, instead of the usual 6 string guitar, I tried a Squier fretless bass (with lines) because I was asking the man in the store how to get that deep and slightly deaf bass sound like I remember hearing in "eight miles high" by The Byrds... I am not even sure if that is a fretless bass, and I don't care... the moment the store guy switched from a fretted bass to the fretless one I was addicted because I really don't like that initial sharp tone of the fretted instrument... The amplifier was a recent Fender Rumble 200. I was delighted to play this instrument and cannot wait for the day I manage to bring it home. Yes the lines make all the sense to me even if not looking so cool. I was intuitively playing on top of the lines and not behind. I don't remember having so much fun with a six string guitar. If I buy a bass, it will be fretless. Thank you for the series, I will keep coming to see them. Pedro, in Portugal.

[@robertshamansky1912]

Fretless has such a beautiful tone!

[@agnosturaelwsr]

Fretless bass is absolutly what I like the most, gonna buy me first a fretless bass this year. Great video and fantastic playing - thank you :D

[@devinebass]

Hey... when I was playing fretless exclusively I found it very strange playing fretted and would completely agree with you... going fretted to fretless feels more natural than going from fretless to fretted. thanks for tuning in man! :)

[@kylejwilson1743]

The sound is absolutely incredible, it sends shivers down my spine! I saw Talk Talk play and they did 'Have you heard the news' it totally blew me away!

[@devinebass]

I've actually got roundwounds on... but flatwounds sound great too!

[@ccwalker050]

Excellent!!! As a drummer, naturally I love the bass because we hold down the funk together. I also love the playing of Jimmy Haslip as well! Another GREAT fretless bass player.

[@erikaccou7104]

Thanks for the tips. just bought a fretless. Should have done this a long time ago. It's fun, it's great, can sound like a human voice.

[@LeviChangsMusic]

What kind?

[@oopsydaisy4637]

I went in to a local music shop and had a good go on an acoustic fretless bass. I enjoyed so much I just bought it a few weeks later :)

[@khronscave]

PS: For people who might be interested in the more metal aspects of fretless bass, guys like Sean Malone (Cynic, Gordian Knot, Aghora), Robin Zielhorst (Exivious) and Steve DiGiorgio (Death, Sadus) might be worth a look as well .

[@soportetecnicohigoversomas3451]

KhronX Steve Digiorgio is a god in death metal, love his work in control denied

[@khronscave]

The other two ain't half-bad either, if you take a look into their work ;)

[@kenleonard5147]

KhronX I was just about to add Steve but u beat me to it! He's been with Testament the last few years or more, which my cuzin also played with when he replaced Alex

[@khronscave]

Yeah, well, especially in metal, fretless is a rare breed, so the prominent users kinda "stick out like a sore thumb", as it were. In a good way, of course :)

[@kenleonard5147]

yeah in building a fretless myself now and using super glue as the clear coat on the fret board which comes out with a beautiful glass like finish and is tough enough to take the beating from the strings, got the idea from a KZbin video I found!

[@roberthinote864]

Scott, just bought my 1st 5 string fretless & man am I stoked! I could hardly wait to get it home & plug it in! I have to say I truly admire your musical talents & think you're doing a hell of a job in providing us bass players (beginner - professional) a place to go for information or inspiration. Nuf said, I hope to aspire to your abilities someday soon with this baby? Keep up the fantastic lessons brother, I'll be watching.

[@SimonPeters]

You come across as a very likeable bloke, and I enjoyed what you said and what you played. Good stuff!

[@markkartchner5614]

Thanks Scott! I love fretless and you really make it sing. Ive been playing a Carvin AC50F with no lines. I appreciate all your advice.

[@johnmoser2689]

I soooo love the sound of fretless....I always think of the Don Henley New York minute fretless parts... epic feel

[@jeffdevries5044]

Thanks for the good tips Scott. I agree with you, fretless is fantastic to play. The lined basses really remove a lot of fear for the transition to playing fretless. The reference note while practicing is my favorite tip I think.

[@thelegendaryjedi1]

Scott - you're an absolute saviour. Your lessons have re-inspired me to practice really hard and more often. I've played bass in garage bands and live for many years, but this is a "rebirth" - THANK YOU. I am also a full time Luthier, so can truly appreciate the Overwater basses for what they are!!! When in UK again I'm going try and make the time to look you up if at all possible.

[@TheAbstractsounds]

I don't even play bass, but love watching you play. Your style is so smooth!

[@tgifhounds]

Tony Levin's fretless bass work in Peter Gabriel's San Jacinto has always intrigued me about this instrument. Great video and tips, thanks. Cheers

[@zacharymorin5696]

Mr. Ben One of my favorite parts of the song!

[@MurrayMD]

Great bass lesson! I like being able to do more musical things on a fretless bass like vibrato and sliding into and out of the notes with more artistry than you can with a fretted instrument. It also develops your ear better when you have to listen to every last note to make sure you a playing in tune. Because you have to concentrate more to do that, chances are that you'll be concentrating more on tone quality and musicality, and finding ways to differentiate your playing more from that of fretted instruments and their restrictions on your playing. Strictly speaking, fretted intervals actually compromise your anyway so when you consider what you have to give up to go fretless, the list gets smaller and smaller. One way to help that kind of a crossover that I've never heard mentioned anywhere else is to study KZbin teaching clips on how to learn to play the cello, particularly those that teach intonation, vibrato, shifting positions, and any other left-hand technique. After hundreds of years of fretlessness, I expect cellists will have learned a few things about it by now.

[@drummerflex]

I'm not a bass player, but I loved this video! I love the sound of the fretless bass, and yours sound fantastic.

[@TheSoxmania]

just did a Jaco on my old bass (yanked the frets)... never had such a fun instrument... and fretted bass was fun anyway!! XD

[@fredgenius]

I made a fretless bass like nearly 40 years ago. Sycamore body, mahogany neck, ebony board. Played nice and I loved it - but hard times made me sell it. Very sad. I played a fretted bass for many years after that, but now I'm making a new fretless for myself. Precision style, simple ash body, maple neck, ebony board, single EMG 35DC pickup, rear-loaded electronics, just a volume knob. I like a blank fingerboard, no lines or dots, just dots on the edge - copper electrical wire is perfect. Truth be told, I hardly look at the front of the board when I'm playing. That first bass - I was given the wood for the body by no other than Stephen Delft (legendary guitar maker). I lived near his east London workshop back then, and he taught me a lot. Sycamore is not easy to find nowadays, but it has a very tight grain and a crisp, bright tone. Anyway, thanks Scott, interesting video - I'm sure you get asked this a lot but - why the glove?

[@agustinalvarez3318]

I've learned and still practice all that you've shown on KZbin. Thanks Scott. You are amazing.

[@boomrattle]

I just got the chance to play a MIM Jazz fretless. It was great. I had a sound in my head that I knew could only be done on a fretless and sure enough, as soon as I got my hands on it there was the sound. Scott is an amazing bassist and can make a fretless sing.

[@sp1midholm]

0:43 - I'm ready to give up now before I've even started. Magic playing by Scott!

[@devinebass]

I've played a couple of killer Pedulla fretless basses! Thanks for tuning in David :)

[@ferox965]

You cleared up something for me. Since I lost my gigs due to Covid, a friend lent me a custom Lado fretless (no fretlines, but there are dots)to jam on. Having synesthetic perfect pitch, it drove me nuts that I always seemed flat, but when I played where the actual frets should be, I was in perfect tune. At first, I worried that it was a neck issue...now I know that's how it's supposed to be. I never was interested in fretless, I'm a blues, rock, metal player, but jamming on this thing has totally changed my mind.

[@curakbezcuraka938]

Hello, i just read your comment and i have question. As you was saying, when i play on the ´´fret´´ it seems Sharp, but when i play on the spot when the actual fret is, it sound in tune. And how Scott and you mister was saying, that little ,,offtune´´ sound is what it supposed to be. Is that really true? I would like if you could comment me if its true. Thank you very much

[@krausenband]

someday i'll try one !! i love the sound of a fretless bass, and also, you're very inspirational !!

[@simplezgoof]

Mick Karn was the most unique and original fretless bassist to exist

[@carriersignal]

I figured someone had already written this, so I just voted it up.

[@dronespace]

Usmaan Mohmood Mick is the reason I'm interested in fretless bass

[@nocre2948]

Mick is the reason I'm buying a fretless bass

[@stephenbennett1643]

Mick is the reason I have a frettless bass! He is king.

[@taylorholmes7437]

So you have never heard of Jaco then??????

[@ilPeval]

WOW. Nice bass and congratulation for your playing style.

[@devinebass]

Hey man thanks for tuning in. I actually plugged straight into protools for this vid... so no amp at all and very little eq.

[@rclere1]

Scott you are really a fine teacher and player!

[@tgifhounds]

I’m a lifelong drummer and quite honestly am horrible with guitars but… I have always loved the fretless bass, big Peter Gabriel fan here. Thanks for this video and tips; it’s very tempting to snag one. Cheers

[@prupucci]

Great. Thanks. Jaco got me engaged to the fretless.

[@josephinecaruana3847]

Bought a fretless bass for me to enjoy the sound is so different than fretted I love it Play it every day to me for my down time The sound is amazing I just love to hear it did buy an unmarked one but it has small lines on top of the fretboard by the dots I was scared of it thought I made a big mistake But its going good happy with what I got enjoying it Thank you Scott for all your work on bass you are a tremendous person and bass player 💜

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🧡🔥

[@yakityyob]

I'm considering buying a fretless bass and your tips and advice were really helpful. Thanks!

[@vladaroo]

Phenomenal sound. Thanks Scott

[@EuropaMan]

Thank you Scott! I just picked a Fender Squier Fretless bass & even though I've played bass for many, many years I never knew that you had to play on the lines. That explains so much & why the darn thing sounded out of tune. Fab website and awesome bass lessons. Keep up the great work! Eric

[@devinebass]

I've played a couple of killer Pedulla fretlesses! Thanks for tuning in David :)

[@patrickr12342]

A big thanx for your vids!!! Keep up the great work, stay safe ,because there is so much to hear, learn and play on this fantastic instrument. Fretted or frettles!!! Greetings from germany.

[@nicholaspetergagg7769]

really good teacher and wonderful musician.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

We are approaching the end of September 2020. It’s been nearly 25 years since I bought my first bass guitar, and the whole time I have fostered a regret that it wasn’t fretless. The thing which prevented me getting one right off the cuff is a myth I was fed, that playing slap bass on a fretless fingerboard is fatal to the fingerboard. The minute I was informed that you can protect the fingerboard by applying the same boat epoxy which Jaco put on his fingerboard, I knew I would need to get one. The one I’ve chosen won’t have those finger markings, but I have frequently played basses with and without the markings. Going to try depending as much as possible on my ear. Still appreciate the advice though, Scott.

[@talwarpranav123]

This is one of the best bassists I have seen in my whole life :D

[@AlexejLihov]

What a great tone. could not help but comment on that.

[@larsniehaus3278]

I have just started using a 5-String fretless. I love it! Thanks for sharing this Scott 👍

[@indecisive.m]

I love the pickup placement on your bass!

[@2abasscafe]

Just converted one of my basses to fretless! Excited to start the journey into the fretless world!!!

[@devinebass]

Enjoy dude!!

[@Alainboro]

hello Scott! great lesson! i recently bought a fretless bass, a fretless squier jazz bass! it was pretty cheap but it sounds AWESOME and i recommend it to everyone who want a fretless bass on a budget. it sounds great looks greats and has some ''seymour duncan'' style pickups. it also has lines on the ebonol fretboard which plays and feels great! thanks a LOT for the lesson i think your channel is awesome keep up the good work ! bless u!

[@brutalbasspro]

Fretless made me a much better player, not only did it help my ears to hear intonation better but it helped break my heavy right hand habit. Now I play better in tune and only play heavy handed when its needed for tone reasons.

[@michaelroche4559]

Thanks for the awesome lessons, I just got my lined Fretless P--bass and I'm ready to explore this new direction in my playing! Cheers

[@blueliondaze]

Hi scott, This was a great lesson I've just got my first bass 3 days ago and look forward to watching all your video's.

[@pietrobarca]

The first solo is killer, Scott teach us!

[@crazyuncleduke9]

Great vid! I play a slightly modded custom shop '75 fretless J bass maple fingerboard with black blocks and fretlines. I'd be lost without the fretlines. Thank you for the mention of Pino and Mick. They're the ones that led me into the fretless world so many years ago.

[@santosdominguez154]

your one of my favorite bassit as well, and you are an awesome teacher thanx, i' sticking with you my friend.

[@mjnc3672]

There's a number of conversations from a fretted to a fretless on youtube. Some use a contrasting wood to fill in where the metal frets were. Some are videos are sloppy hack jobs, but a few turned out stunning. It's all in the care and skill put into the project.

[@kevinmitchell4094]

The tone of fretless inspires me. So thick and rich.

[@dotnex]

When I played years ago in touring show bands, I exclusively played a Fender J fretless tuned BEAD. No markers, I had a heavy background in violin, cello, and upright, however. Since the 80’s to today, I play guitar only.

[@andrea22213]

Thanks Scott, really helpful. And you're so personable, it really helps.

[@devinebass]

Thanks for tuning in Eduardo! :)

[@christianmusuasua1067]

great teacher thanks for the lessons

[@SquareWaveSymphonies]

I changed the neck on my Thunderbird to a fretless one. I should get it back in a week or so. I'm quite exited ^^

[@humancolorsmedia]

I just bought a mini fretless and googled for hints, your vid was my first hit. First: You really sound/look like an amazing good bass player and teacher. And Second: You should have seen my smile when you mentioned "Alain Caron" in your favorite players. I'm from Quebec and I've known his music for at least 25-30 years back in the UZEB days. Seen them live and I've also had the privilege to chat a few times with Michel Cusson who was the guitar player in UZEB, another mind blowing musician. Keep the good work going Scott, who knows if you ever play in MTL lemme know!

[@MacGyver8806]

Nice to see I'm getting some love at a fretless player! Great video per usual

[@ehmyles59]

Scott I love fretless bass. I had a lined fretless but it was confusing because the line was the note and not the dot !!! For me it's easier to play my unlined fretless because the dot is the note !!! Plus I'm a bit of a "Purist" in that it seems a bit more authentic to play an "unlined" fretless. Love your videos, Thanks.

[@wombatboter]

Have seen other videos of you before but this one really nails it and gives a very good explanation about fretless playing... gréat job ! Greetings from Belgium.

[@davidlis8756]

Great lesson Scott and great tips. My Pedulla is a lined fretless. It's the only bass I own and the only one I will play. It's like putty in my hands and has an awesome tone.

[@devinebass]

Keep on going Emil... you'll get it!

[@mariosangermano]

i totally agree with your concepts. As far as playing fretless with lines, I prefer fretless with no lines. I tried a lined fretless and it actually confused me more. When I decided to jump in both feet and add fretless to my tool box I went for a no line fretless and It has worked well for me. I use the side dots on top of the fingerboard to guide me. I've been playing fretless now for about 15 years and do live gigs, sessions and some reading gigs on fretless. I spent a lot of time doing scales, arpeggios , chromatic exercises, and reading through some of the Bach cello suites to get my intonation and reading skills on fretless up. And I use upright left hand fingerings to play fretless and fretted as well. And as you have said , just using a wide left hand fingering in the shapes of scales , arpeggios and so on really helps keep the intonation solid. I think if you really feel led to use an unlined fingerboard doIt, just make sure you're committed to going all the way and put the time In to do It good.

[@jeffaustin8658]

Great sound from the Overwater. Ive had a fretless for a couple of years and not used it much you have now encouaged me to start again. Cheers. :)

[@jdblackwell2]

It's only been recently that I've had much success with fretless bass. What I've found is that if the neck isn't rock solid stable they don't stay in tune or sound good especially on the B string of a 5. Graphite reinforcing rods in the neck make a dramatic difference I've found. Intonation is a lot more important than I would have thought but the accuracy in that area makes it easier to switch between different fretless basses without having to adjust your muscle memory. I have a Warwick fretless forur and a custom fretted 5 string P-Bass but my favorite is a pawn shop find, a 2003 Carvin LB75A. A good setup and a Delano preamp has made it my #1. I hardly ever play the fretted basses anymore. My take on lines is that many of us don't crane our necks to see the lines so dots have been working for me. The caveat is that the dots need to be properly placed where the fret would have been. Sometimes I practice scales up and down the neck in the dark to make the connection of pitch to muscle memory stronger.

[@Aging2day]

I'm going to give it a try Scot, thanks.

[@bortzbass]

Beautiful work...you're a marvelous player and great teacher. However, I must say that after about 35 years of playing unlined fretless (currently 6-string), I would probably have trouble with lines...lol! Anyway, I'm glad I found you and do love your playing!!

[@dvdrbrts]

Grew up playing upright, but switched to electric bass (I prefer Fender Jazz Bass) In my professional life I played 1976 Music Man, but it never filled the hole i my heart as did the upright. So bought a fretless Jazz bass..was playing for friend and she provided the input after I mentioned I'm working on intonation and said that seems fundamantel. This is the first video I found that actually describes how to work on intonation...A story: Chet Atkins was playing a gig with his usual pick-up guys and after one tune he walked over to the bass player and asked, "Has anyone ever told you you're the best bass player in the world?" The bassist was flattered and said "no". Chet asked him then, "did you ever wonder why?" Advice for everyone

[@joseluisorellano69]

Great as usual.Nice fretless sound.

[@leojazzbass]

Man U are one of my favorites bass players and also an awesome teacher!!! Please keep it up!! This fretless bass sounds amazing!!!

[@raphaelcote3577]

Thanks for the Alain Caron mention! He's from my country, i've seen him live and he's hell of a player!! ;)

[@devinebass]

Hey man thanks for the heads up! I just gone in and changed it so if you try again you'll get the correct backing track. Thanks again man, :)

[@mutwkilahmed6494]

I should have on soon or later. This bass is fantastic

[@stefanhakopians3418]

This bass sounds fantastic....