FRETLESS BASS - THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF GOOD INTONATION /// Scott's Bass Lessons

This is a clip taken from this weeks Academy Show over at Scotts Bass Lessons... I wanted to share it with you guys as I think there are many misconceptions when it comes to playing fretless bass - hopefully this will clear some up for ya! :)
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[@XTL_prime]

"Don't worry about the intonation thing, you know. Just play in tune." :)

[@garymorrison4139]

I recently set up a J with an unmarked fretless neck and find the absence of frets liberating. I love incorporating slides and all the semitones and their overtones. It seems to me that frets present an obstacle that can only be overcome by eliminating them.

[@noahzimmerman7913]

I love how Scott is always putting out inspiring intros with every video; I love it!

[@kickbiker7920]

Thanks for uploading this fretless bass clip. As before both the visual and audio quality are exceptional.

[@charlesford1304]

Awesome. I'd just been looking at getting one. Thanks for the tips Scott!

[@Windkind0]

I played Bass for a few years and then 10 years of guitar (classical stuff, where finger placement is key) and then a few months of (fretted) bass. I then went to play a fretless for the first time in my life and I thought it is going to be incredibly hard. I was amazed how easy it was. It was completely no hassle at all, after a while I even started to forget I was playing a fretless (and the bass I played had only dots but no fret lines).

[@egerhartl]

This is exactly what I always try to convince to people asking me about fretless playing. I sometimes use the example of violin and cello players, if they can do without frets, why shouldn't I? It's all about the proper technique!

[@Grayham4]

Eibe Gerhartl we don't even have dots. It's ridiculous

[@aloysiusdevadanderabercrombie8]

As a viola, cello, and contrabass player, I hope I've got a head start on the fretless bass.

[@rayk6251]

“Practice fretless in the dark”. HaHa, I used to do that back in the late 70’s. I didn’t know it was a thing. So cool to see you hanging out with Geoff from DDB. Love his lessons as much as I do yours. Good point about not playing because you don’t intonate well. If you don’t play, you never will develop your ear and intonate properly. Cheers, RayK

[@mirkocaserta]

Best advice I've ever heard on the topic. Now I know what to focus my practice on.

[@1macruc1an]

simply amazing tone.

[@farn451]

good technique is vital but the thing that a lot of bass players who dabble with fretless don't realise is how you need to be right on the fret mark. the fret on a fretted bass allows you some mm of wiggle room without affecting your intonation, being "off the mark" on a fretless will make an audible difference in the intonation on a note. i think that's what most bass player worry about.

[@MusikPlusMehr]

This bass sounds just beautiful.

[@crimfan]

This was so true. I had no trouble transitioning from fretted to fretless because I never thumb wrap and play with a very relaxed and open left hand, fingering right up against the frets. A few minor adjustments and I was good to go on a fretless.

[@realbasslessons9356]

Excellent!

[@thesethousandhours]

That bass sounds incredible. Do you have a video on tone? I'd love to know how you get such great tone recorded.

[@SonnyGTA]

Oh MAN that ssssoooouuuuunnnd. Sooooooooo. Awesome.

[@saintofconsequence]

That's the best sounding fretless I've ever heard. Wow.

[@dbass5554]

Hi Scott , great channel and a lot of wonderful information here. As i watch this pondering The width and tempo of vibrato on fretless is a almost life threatening if played too quickly. Perhaps explain this in-depth a tad more otherwise it can sound neurotic and we do not want more fretless neurosis syndrome. Too many miss this extremely critical area. In addition to weight, left/ right hand pressure/release to make notes bloom or boom and all gradations between. Continued success! You deserve it.

[@Jorcorand]

Bright Size Life blew my head... i´m still searching and joining the parts :)

[@jeffbruce6369]

once again Scott, your tech is great advise!! ~~~and here i insert the AND~~~i've two issues with this video~~#1( lined fretless [in my opinion] is a cheat~~#2( vibrato does create a great "mmmuuuaah", but is useless as per learning perfect pitch, so i call this a cheat also~~~thx for the lessons, by the way!!!

[@Jo-si3ot]

Damn! That bass sounds good!

[@wyattsiefert2759]

That bass sounds absolutely fantastic. What model is it?

[@Christopherjazzcat]

love the tone of that bass. I'm thinking of defretting my acoustic bass as it's a fixed bridge with intonation issues as I move up the neck. What sort of pickup system do you have on that bass?

[@subnormalwater8158]

wow, I never thought about my fretting technique.. I'll go practice it :D

[@juxtaposeism]

that acoustic fretless sound dope and ofc great playing...

[@rickkorinek9217]

Anybody else notice that there is only 4 strings on the bass?

[@AJWalkincoma]

Especially when he mentions it, yeah.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Not until I read this. Then again, my eyesight is lousy.

[@Blackgrass1]

The fifth one's tied in a square knot. (Billy Cox mutatis mutandis)

[@user-di5bn8eg1r]

I noticed too

[@3fretdallas]

Hi Scott. I have a very similar looking bass by Mike Kinal in Vancouver. The Kinal Kompact. Your bass is almost inspired by it (or vice versa). Mine is a 5 string high C, 30" scale strung with La Bella white nylon tapes, B-band acoustic pre, and I use a TC Bodyrez. Dallas Selman, Chemainus BC Canada

[@rodshop5897]

Two questions about this video: 1 - Correct hand spacing is key, do you have any tips about going back and forth from different scale lengths? I have 30" and 34" scale basses, and jump between them within sets. Do you have any tips how best to quickly adjust my finger spacing between? 2 - Looks like your 5 string is set up E-G with only 4 strings. Why not have the 5th string on it? Thanks Scott!

[@Shitsurei-ib2no]

Such a great sound and playing. What is the name of this fretless bass?

[@drivin69]

i learned to play bass on a fretless it was quite a wild experience ....... you have to be good with apparsio.... witch i am not even on guitar but fiddled around with it till i came up with some thing else i could use...

[@fudgesauce]

Vibrato also helps mask small errors in intonation. (I don't play fretless bass, but I played cello when I was in school)

[@Piedscooter1]

Hey Scott! I recently purchased a relatively low cost Fretless P-Bass for my meager home studio endevours. It compliments my good 'ol Fender Jazz and Precision basses for that mawah sound. The problem is, the Fretless came with round wound strings which want to tear the tips of my fingers off when I go for the sliding fretless sound. I was thinking about getting a set of tape wound strings, but I am totally inexperienced in this area. What would you suggest?

[@bwj8]

Go for it. Many people use flats, tape wound, or pressure wound.

[@crashcollins63]

If your fretless has the fret lines on the fingetboard are you playing on the line or behind it?

[@steveogden5774]

"In tune" is an interesting concept. Fretted instruments, like keyboards, are "well tempered", a 12 tone scale. Some music doesn't use that, I play with a cajun box player who is in mean tempered tuning which is fun. Also if you play a scale that sounds "right" to your ear you may well find that actually you are not in tune with a fretted bass. Often you'll find you have flattened the third and seventh to make a more natural sound.

[@richbruns3465]

Does anyone know what kind of bass this is I like the tone that Scott gets out of it?

[@kevinkelley3135]

I know this is an old video but how do you practice good technique when you lost your index finger? Any pointers?

[@Omnatten9]

My first ever bass is a fretless one and I still play only it :)

[@rawstarmusic]

I never tried fretless. Having said that I'd still want to argue. If you are a stretcher then it might work but I move the hand a little. I could take a C close to fret but then the D more in the middle. Also I wonder if you're 10-20% flat all the time if you press behind the fret? You should press on the fret shouldn't you?

[@saintofconsequence]

What is it about that particular bass that gives it such a great fretless tone? I notice it's a hollow body.

[@haldanealex]

I've been trying to find a fretless bass in my price range (about 7-800) that doesnt have fret markings. As someone who is more experienced on a double bass, I just think fret markings would hurt more than help me. I suppose i could also paint the neck

[@AerroReyna]

What strings are you using on this bass?

[@oliverbustamante8959]

I want that bass 😱😱😱

[@johandypablofrias3453]

What model of bass is that ???

[@ibidangeles1625]

I noticed, Scott you are not wearing your glove. Does this mean you have overcome your tremors on your hand?

[@devinebass]

Nah - I just forgot to take them to the studio ;)

[@ibidangeles1625]

Oh well there are those days, you still sounded exceptional though. I am really loving your lessons, by the way, it helped me improve the way I play the bass. Thank you!

[@raghavendrarao1551]

Ibid Angeles

[@ibidangeles1625]

Yes mate?

[@joelellis9480]

Sigh... always one

[@Pensivata]

I think its a different story when a classically trained double bass player migrates to a fretless bass guitar. For someone used to bowing a lot, I tend to keep my Simandl fingering nearer the nut, in other words, just retain my overall double bass fingering to play fretless, and the intonation sounds fine. However I appreciate this may not be of much interest to fretted bass players - but maybe just one comment might be - if you're thinking about taking up bowing, it will certainly be of great help for your fretless playing.

[@evangelineguinto-timbol268]

what is the brand of this bass?

[@OnlineNumberOne]

I've noticed If I play lined fretless bass I don't listen enough and play it more like fretted one, so I just covered fretboard with black vinyl, so I could learn to listen))

[@paca_bill4863]

Bottom line, it comes down to actually listening to what you are playing. After had the experience of playing upright for over 40 years, and electric for 35, it always comes back to using your ear.

[@nicholaspogue4749]

It sounds like a stand up bass. Just accept the fact that you can play anything and you intimidate all of us beginners. Thanks for all the videos!

[@Tedroy]

One thing to keep in mind on fretless is to tighten up the spacing as you move up the neck. For instance if you want to slide an octave you MUST not keep the same spacing the same as you slide. You have to consiously move your fingers closer together as you slide up. It becomes second nature after a while, but can be a bitch to master at first.

[@dvened]

nice! I guess that's a tip for playing without looking at the fretboard, since you just do it by reflex when you're looking, right?

[@SonicXRage]

This is also true on fretted bass.

[@saintofconsequence]

For me, I enjoy the extra challenge of playing unlined fretless. It's more fun.

[@craigdouglas9979]

if you want to fix fretless intonation have a look at the stuff from Steve Bailey. In fact have a look at Steve anyway, great technician.

[@DeffJam100]

where can i buy this Ibanez Intertour acoustic 5 string bass ?

[@devinebass]

Unfortunately they're pretty hard to come by... It would have to be an eBay or Reverb.com job! The model no. is TTR35B if that helps. Good luck! 👊🏻

[@df4808]

what bass is that ? it sounds amazing

[@bwj8]

It's mentioned in the comments.

[@Purpleskyshorizon]

Awesome Scott!!!I bought a Fender Affinity and converted it into a fretless and I love it. And the intonation is perfect. I got very lucky.Oh, and Jeff Berlin can make his fretted sound like a fretless.....he's amazing....but you probably already know that, haha!"

[@davidcripps3011]

It's all about using your ear. I never think about my finger placing. It adjusts naturally

[@alfieharries]

Gorgeous sound to that bass, what is it?

[@alittlebitrobot]

It's an Ibanez Talman Intertour Fretless, but I only know that because he talks about it in a video he made showing his bass collection. Mad-looking thing (still missing a string!), but it sounds so lovely.

[@cbrunhaver]

Scott needs to convince ibanez to make these again

[@Bass.Player]

Intonation based on fretted finger position is not s good way to think about this because the spacing constantly changes as you move up and down the neck. I have been playing fretless since the 80's and until last week I had not even owned a fretted bass for a long time. Fretless bass is played by ear mostly, sure being used to where the frets are would help but if you played it like a fretted all the time you would be flat all the time. I have yet to see a fretted player trying a fretless not slide sharp, I would assume feeling for the fret. A fretless bass plays just like a Chello, Violin, Viola and Double bass, it just takes time to learn and to me it's easier to play physically, mostly because of string height however it's certainly a little more visual than fretted. The last time I attempted to check the intonation (1st octave) was about 1985, just string it and play it and have fun...Peace!

[@rorybass7915]

Bass Player couldn’t agree more, especially if there are no markers, u have to approach it differently

[@Yoshisakan]

True, a big difference is the just intonation vs equal temperament. This really comes into play when playing chords.

[@bwj8]

I'm sure you meant cello.

[@jeyrey3898]

This comment made me feel better about getting into fretless for my first bass

[@BassBusMusic]

"...the spacing constantly changes as you move up and down the neck". And it doesn't do that on a fretted bass? You forget that a certain Mr. Pastorius practised on his fretted bass for the reasons Scott gives in this video. Yours is not the only true way.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Essentially, a linchpin of pitch control on a fretless bass involves relaxing the palm of your hand? Definitely makes a lot of sense. I think this might be the first time I’ve gotten a look at anyone playing fretless from behind the neck instead of in front.

[@acousticsong-guitarco964]

It helps to have the "frets" drawn on the fingerboard!

[@user-zl4dg5fg2o]

Just a lined fretboard bro, chill out

[@MonacoBlast66]

What about the intonation for leading tones?

[@Kokopellli]

What bass is this?

[@Pudsy440]

Playing a fretless helps you play better on a fretted by improving your finger placement .. how cool is that!

[@joelegerardi4736]

Model bass ?

[@jazzman1954]

Well of course he is playing in tune. He’s looking at his fingers on a fret lined bass!!! Now do it reading a chart or not eyeballing your fretboard while playing some tough jazz changes. Let’s see Mr S D do that and I will genuinely be impressed.

[@Peter-ff1tp]

You are just the worst type of person. You know Jaco had lines, right? Gary Willis plays with lines. Scott’s 100x the bassist you will ever be, guaranteed.

[@brettmarlar4154]

Scott Devine = Keith Richards of the 5-string fretless!! :-P

[@b.thebassplayer9159]

When are you going to put that 5th string back on the bass?

[@DuxJerome]

I always thought you had to play ON the lines on a fretless. On a fretted bass you play just behind the frets. So if you play accurately on a fretted I agree that the spacing between the fingers is the same as on a fretless. But I think you cant be in tune if you play behind the lines, unless you detune the bass slightly. But then you have out of tune open strings. Can somebody clear this up?

[@nick.raptis]

You still have to play just a bit behind to give a bit of room to the string to lift from the fingerboard. But it's imperceptible. Just get a tuner and use your nail or a pick or a coin to fret with precision at first and you'll find the exact position that works for you.

[@TylerMillsftw]

You can adjust the intonation to have it set up either way, check out Gary Willis' page on intonation.

[@DuxJerome]

airscorp Good Point.

[@jpl9577]

I think sometimes it depends on the specific bass in question, whether it's a factory-made fretless, or if you de-fretted it yourself, how well it is set up, etc. I de-fretted mine myself and right on the lines works at the moment, but the action is still absurdly high so I'm going to have to file the nut down, and I wouldn't be surprised if I have to go back behind the lines once this is done. But in short, I think it's slightly different on every bass.

[@timbeaton5045]

Have to say, although i'm by no means a good bass player, i found that playing a fretless was surprisingly easy. Maybe because I learnt violin as a child, so I became used to "tuning in" without frets in the first place. However, there is one thing that occurs to me: that over the scale length of a bass, as opposed, say, to a violin there is much more "room to manoeuvre" in terms of accuracy of finger placement. Also, as we are dealing with bass frequencies, a "mistake" of a few millimetres in finger position, means only a slight pitch variation from the correctly intonated note. On a violin, the same few millimetres will make a more noticeable error in pitching, so will actually sound more out of tune. Perhaps this is also one reason why there are so few fretless guitars, especially as chord accuracy on a fretless guitar is much more difficult. Any thoughts?

[@kellnola]

a fretless guitar makes no sense whatsoever

[@timbeaton5045]

@@kellnola Oh yeah?... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6TLfYqPn7KcoNE 😁

[@kipling1957]

Good intonation? It’s a f***ing miracle when I hit the right note!

[@lehssarwalker]

I play classical, so I’m new here. But my instruments are fretless, the fingerboard is smooth. Could one of you tell me why this bass is considered fretless?

[@sgostt2158]

Those aren't frets just "lines" (markers) the fret board IS flat. Hope that helps?

[@samjyang4209]

on a fretless bass, would you fret it ON the line or right before the line just as you would on a fretted bass

[@TreborTnemorf]

양정웃 You play so the last bit of meat on your finger is on the line. This may mean the centre of your finger is just before the line.

[@OnlineNumberOne]

Generally speaking you would place your finger on the line, but you still need to listen as your instrument might not be set up perfectly or something else. So you need to listen and correct yourself if this is a case.

[@sebradfield]

Agreed. I play a fretless with no lines at all, but dots on the side where you can see them. You get used to the bass and after time you develop a feel for where things are - just like an upright.

[@TylerMillsftw]

You can adjust the intonation to have it set up either way, check out Gary Willis' page on intonation.

[@LeviChangsMusic]

sebradfield My problem is looking at the lines, I can intonate pretty good but If I look to much I play to high.

[@kepriworks]

what kind of fretless bass is Scott playing

[@contrebasse71]

IBANEZ TTR35B

[@Carzand]

I'm so overwhelmed by anxiety whenever it comes time for me to pick up my bass that I've already failed, in my head.

[@merrymonarch]

Carface Capone what you play on your instrument is an expression of you. Know thyself; then play the bass

[@seba145]

Carface Capone how? thats like getting anxiety by reading a book or by watching tv. it aint s scary experience or sth

[@sheepthing]

Sebi Sebi Sounds like an anxiety disorder

[@Carzand]

Exactly so.

[@UnequalTemperament]

I know that this is an older comment, but I think +merrymonarch's admonition to "know theyself" is good general advice, if easier said than done; if you're well-sorted in your life/internally, that will be reflected in your expression, including musically. That said, different things make different people nervous and nervousness manifests itself in different ways and shows itself more/less outwardly in different people. I used to get so nervous, sometimes, playing for a crowd that I couldn't feel my hands. I addressed this by making myself practice in public places -- might not be the best approach for everyone, but it helped me. Another thing is focusing on being authentic rather than perfect, and giving yourself permission to make mistakes/embracing those as part of the learning process. Another idea I would add (that I learned from a mountain-biking magazine, actually, years ago!) is to focus on where you want to go, not on where you don't. Focus on what you want to play, not on how you're afraid you'll mess up -- you'll tend to steer toward the object you're looking at. There are more possible approaches, obviously, and getting through this stuff is often a process. Anyway, hope things are looking up for you and that you're feeling more positive about your playing and generally.

[@mv9787]

I’ve tried fretless only once in my life. It was a 6 string and I could play it easily.

[@user-yy6lu4bc7b]

What bass is that, it has a mad fretless mwahhhhh

[@user-yy6lu4bc7b]

Actually more like twaaaah

[@Simbosan]

Its lovely hey

[@PietroSantachiara]

I would be interested in knowing that too

[@ElectricBoogaloo007]

+Shori Ling Not to be confused with twaaaat.

[@psychoholidayXXX]

That's an Ibanez TTR35b, Talman Intertour 5 sting.

[@1mespud]

Question: On a fretless bass with fret markers, do you place your fingers directly on the fret markers or behind them? Answers will be greatly appreciated by anyone and thanks..

[@Nikosi9]

That would depend on whether, or not, the manufacturer put the lines in the right places...

[@Peter-Alexander]

@@Nikosi9 That is interesting....so what would in your opinion be the correct position? I thought these lines are in exactly the same position as they would be for a fretted bass. If that is not true everything I write below is not correct! Consequently your fingers emulate in fact a fret on a fretless bass (quite different on a fretted bass where your finger 'activates' the fret. So you should then position your fingers exactly on these fret lines instead of just behind. I hear many players play great licks and all the whistles and bells on a fretless bass but they place their fingers not on the line and you can hear it's about half a note or less too low. As a good exercise you can do 3 tone scales and right after the higher octave. Or compare your scale with a piano or computer. Then you will hear phase differences when your intonation is not 100%.

[@Peter-Alexander]

I'm pretty sure you have to tune your bass to standard tuning. EADG so in order to play the notes in tune you'd have to put your finger on your left hand at the fret bar. If you wanted to play the notes at the center of the fret you would have to tune your bass accordingly, not a good idea IMO as you would have a problem with open strings consequently. On a standard bass even though you put your finger in between two frets, its the fret itself that shortens the string, making the note, so you have to mimic the fret with your finger on a fretless instrument.

[@Nikosi9]

@@Peter-Alexander Some people recommend practicing in a dark room, so that will hear the the noted better. I started out on upright bass and depended on my ear and visual clues. I remember putting 1/8 in tape on some of the places where frets would be. Eventually, the tape would wear off, and I would just go with my ear. String instrument players (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, etc.) all learn to play in tune, so why not fretless players? Jaco was quoted as saying, "Frets are like speed bumps on the bass." They say he practiced on a fretted bass. Just pay attention and you'll hear when you're off. correct it and keep playing.

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

And about intonation, listen to Mr Eddie Gómez...

[@wyattsiefert2759]

Or Gary Willis, Jaco, Alain Caron, hadrien Feraud, Mark Egan, etc. And for Upright players the list just goes on and on lol.

[@VikoTheBassist]

Guillermo Carrasco Les Claypool

[@ItsNotaTuhmah]

Gary Willis is probably the one with the most advanced technique of all of them. Also, Steve Bailey.

[@jaribu2758]

It is so much harder to unlearn than to learn. Develop proper left hand technique from the very start. Fretted bass is actually harder because of the fret noise. I got lucky. Everybody I liked held their hand a certain way, so I did too. So when I began to study I was correct.

[@lucaswilleford1408]

you sound great on fretless Scott, why would you use anything else? I have found myself only using a fretted bass when I'm playing slap bass, or something heavier. I used a fretless on a rock gig once the band was skeptical at first, but after the first set they wanted their original bassist to play a fretless. how come more people don't play a fretless, it should be the standard of what bassists should play

[@pifie]

Lucas Willeford because it's harder to play because of that proper technique thing. It can be fun, but it can be a hassle too. For some styles it's really harder for no good reason. For others, the sound is just too muddy As an example, I used to (and still do) play bass with overdrive and working mostly as a riffing guitar (fifths and so) but in a more funky way, and it was difficult enough as it was... trying to get precise in the fifths (for distorted sound in particular). Think about basses like death from above 1979, royal blood, Motorhead, RHCP, Rage against the machine and so... Plus, it's not easy to intonate on very heavy gauge strings (like tuning BEADG or AEADG), in which cases you have to compensate (Scott's way doesn't work there since your "fretting" finger vibrates too and so you have to go "sharper" on it) On the other hand, playing beatles or pop-ish songs with fretless is a delight, and so is reggae

[@lucaswilleford1408]

+pifie +pifie hey man I appreciate the reply, but you miss understood me lol. I've been playing with proper technique on fretless for so long that it's effortless to me now a days. So I could and have used my fretless in many genres and it still sounds great and most people don't realize it's fretless until I use vibrato. So the only real challenge is slap, and a friend of mine plays on a lakland fretless and he slaps on it and it killer.

[@pifie]

Lucas Willeford I understand, so you see right there why it's not expected. Anyway, give a listen to that bands I've named and think about how problematic would be for you if they hired you as a bass player there, to be able to play what they do... and you'll see what I mean. It's not just a matter of fretted being easier on the things that fretless can do too

[@lucaswilleford1408]

i appreciate the concerns man, but I am just throwing out thoughts rather than morals to how I play bass. I own more fretted basses than I do fretless. my main bass is just fretless because it is my favorite. if I am auditioning for a band I ask what bass they would rather have me use, they typically ask to see how the fretless sounds too, I never get a complaint about it. but for the most part, I get to choose what axe I get to use. there aren't many bass players as bad ass as I am where I am from. but for my own stuff, I write either fretted or fretless, just depends on how I feel, but all the writing takes place on the fretless. it's probably that way because all the upright playing I did the past four years, I kinda set down electric and only did that for a while, if you haven't done that I recommend it. But I am in school for engineering so I am not as hurt to find gigs or sessions as most, the flow for me is what I like and once I get my degree it will only pick up from there.

[@aleksandrfilatov9194]

There're two guys on KZbin called Fred Frizz and Remco Hendrix. First one is a good exapmle of playing heavy things on fretles with fuzz and overdrive. Second one is a good example of very fast and staccato-type of fretless bass playing. Check them out, they rock. I personally found that playing with right hand close to bridge, fretting with more pressure against fingerboard & using neck PU (especially with flatwounds) results in almost fretted sound without 'mwah', if you need it to sound this way. Add some post-processing & it'll be VERY hard to distinct it from regular bass by ear. So for me fretless is simply more versatile but also more challenging bass.

[@gazfunk]

What about Mick Karn? He only used 2 fingers from what I can tell.

[@gazfunk]

It doesn't look very standard to me.

[@jerekyox]

Why would I use a fretless guitar instead of a fretted one? What are the upsides/downsides of fretted over fretless and vice versa?

[@alfieharries]

an infinite amount of passing tones, which gives you loads of scope for putting character into your playing. Also, because you are really thinking about your intonation, for me, it makes me think much more actively about what I'm playing (as I mostly improvise) as opposed to just going through shapes and licks that I already know/have played before. Also massively different sound. Fretless guitars are more uncommon I think because of chords and needing the intonation to be bang on

[@jerekyox]

Thanks. So If I had a fretless guitar, would there be any reason to have a fretted guitar?

[@alfieharries]

Well yea, playing chords would be much easier because of the intonation.

[@jerekyox]

Easier on the fretted guitar?

[@davelanders8688]

Yeah. It's very hard to properly play chords on a fretless bass because there is zero room for error (chords sound very ugly when even one note of the chord is slightly 'off'). Fretted basses are much better for playing chords.

[@linleylaurencon3516]

Looks like a string is missing ?

[@user-gw1rb8yy2r]

The sound is so warm and sexy

[@LilYeshua]

Thanks and why do you wear a glove. honest question. :)

[@xxxxneoxxxx]

He suffers from a condition of his nervous system that has his fingers tremble a little. By wearing the glove he cheats his brain into having the fingers obey him =)

[@pleximanic]

It is better in my opinion to set the intonation exactly on the 12th fret line! "I learned this from Gary Willis"

[@_omega420]

I'll take 12

[@markanthony5897]

For those of you who are looking to improve the shape of your fretting hand, I have a technique that has been successful for many of my students: I tell my students to hold a good size orange or a soft ball as a template or as a guide for an ideal fretting hand shape. Or you can imagine holding a round ball about that size to create the preferred shape for your fretting hand. You will notice a nice concave pocket in your palm. This shape in your palm should be able to hold something like a tablespoon of water. These ideas are used to trigger your hand into a posture that already exists in your muscle memory. Comment any constructive criticisms, insights or ideas about this subject.

[@timothykelley7713]

You need to use double bass fingerings if you want to play in tune without looking at the fretboard. That is the #1 thing, bass guitar fingerings are all over the place

[@MGTS24]

The tune Jaco is on the self-titled Pat Metheny Group album, and the bass was played by Mark Egan, not Jaco! It's wonderful bass playing as well. There is at least one live performance of it from back in the day on You Tube.

[@DoglessEndeavor]

The song in this video is Bright Size Life from the album of the same name, and does feature Jaco.

[@serek227]

That tone ;_;

[@pitgod1059]

It’s a fret less bass, can’t you just tune the note by ear? Like on an upright there aren’t exact points it changes with humidity and temp. You gotta move the left hand to be in tune

[@jmbassistedeventron1312]

Hi Scott, can you speack slowly and translate in french please !!!

[@RiveBassCovers]

5:11 He could’ve also played that 4th fret harmonic on the 9th fret, sounds the same

[@aarongrefer2918]

No gloves!

[@LetzBeaFranque]

I don't hear good intonation here because every note at the end of the phrase has vibrato on it - he's not committing to a pitch

[@jaaz.handss]

Anyone notice that he doesn't wear a glove in this video...?

[@michaelluczak3019]

Very difficult to play fretless

[@tomek9966]

Scott with all respect I like English positive attitude but... It does work so well beyond 12th fret,I know that as I do play fretless - not because I watched YT video... You must practice on fretless to play fretless bass people - sorry!

[@samuelward1148]

I thought this was a Reverb video for the duration because of background...