Real Bass Lessons 171 - Making The Jump To Fretless Bass

[@Jameson417]

Fantastic point about fretless not requiring a "good ear" like everyone always says. Your ear will help you correct, but will not help you play the right note to start with. Love that Jim's wisdom gets to live on forever on youtube. RIP.

[@abelieversperspective9595]

This man's got class.

[@augustnicholas4418]

i dont mean to be so off topic but does any of you know of a way to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow forgot the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me.

[@rogelioalonso5618]

@August Nicholas Instablaster ;)

[@Iofflight78]

Man we miss you!

[@heyitsscottyo]

"Practice proper hand technique on your FRETTED bass" was such a Papa moment from this guy. Great lesson dude.

[@thomasfioriglio]

That's the best advice I've heard about playing fretless bass. "Don't worry about it." This is why I prefer an unlined fretless. When I had a fretless with lines, I was constantly looking at my fretboard and where my fingers wear, rather a listing. I feel much more relaxed and confident on an unlined board. And some more great advice about practicing your fingering. Really beautiful playing. And great advice about round wounds. I use them as well. So many players worry about fretboard wear. It's not a big deal. As you said "Don't worry about it." Cheers!

[@johnnyfreeman1018]

This old boy has got some nice chops....👍

[@basspredator6318]

Hallo Jim, sorry for my terrible English😅I m a professional Bassplayer Upright and Electric in a German Orchestra and have a lot of Respect for you as a Player and Teacher. I can feel your love and the knowledge for the Bass, Upright and Electric.Very sympathetic Teacher! Very important for all Students, so many good Informations, thank you for your really great job👌👍

[@realbasslessons9356]

You are welcome. Thanks for your compliments. :)

[@davidreichert9392]

Your English is perfectly fine. :)

[@backpages1]

I almost got a fret less bass when I was 16, but I didn’t. Then life happened, decades went by, and today I came across one, but I passed. Too much life in the way. Still, I should have, and after listening to him play, I regret the pass. Tomorrow will arrive and I will add a fretless bass to a Harley Electraglide and a 73 Corvette Stingray I never got. And life will go on I guess. Enjoyed the video, it sounds like I imagined it would! Thanks for posting.

[@alunrhydderch1786]

Ah jim! I still come to you for valuable advice! Rip buddy, miss your uploads.

[@padrejuan7763]

!!! Greetings from Montréal, Québec, Canada !!! VERY HAPPY to have come accross your Web page. Started playing guitar at the age of 16 (1976) Played a lot of BEATLES songs and other Rock groups of the 60-70-80's. Bought my 1st Bass in 1982 (RICKENBACKER Mapleglow and of course a HÖFNER Bass LEFTHAND) but turning 40, I started listening to Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin,1930-40 Jazz bands and always liked the sound of the Double Bass. Liking Jazz and playing it was two worlds for me, Since I did not really read music sheets, I tought Jazz would not be in my life if not, by putting hundreds of hours in practice and being kind of lazy, I shot myself in the foot !!! Still, in 2000, I bought a Fretless Bass (G&L L-2500), but never really played it or practiced on it. Now at 63 yrs.old, close to retirement, I shall have all the time in the world to learn the instrument, but since I saw your web page, I shall give myself a headstart even if it is 15 min./day, 2-3 times/week. Looking forward to watching your past and future videoxs and hope to be a good/fair student to the instrument !!! Stay healthy my good man and I shall keep you posted of my progress !!! Cheers !!!

[@Sean-i6z8o]

Jim Stinnet passed away in Feb 2021.

[@padrejuan7763]

Sorry to read those lines....Do accept my late condolences to the family and friends !!! Amen !!!

[@daevien]

@@padrejuan7763 His son Grant Stinnet plays bass as well as one of his former students Charles Berthoud is a very good player and educator here on youtube

[@petermanley7525]

Quality advice without the BS

[@orionduckstein3116]

Hey there, buddy, guitar player here who has loved fretless electric since high school. Finally grabbed one and trying not to freak out about it. Thanks for the hand position tips, I'll start there today. I also need to look up right shoulder and plucking hand positions. A few years ago I covered a bassist in a friend's band and man was I in pain afterwards.

[@webrambler88]

Fretless bass after the double bass... A real treat today!

[@samhunter8059]

You having fun and being so happy is so infectious. Wonderful video!

[@randallsnell5767]

Thank you, sir. Fretless requires more attention to actual finger position, plus the average fretted player has muscle memory which places the fingers in the wrong spot for fretless. Start by accurately playing fifths and octaves up and down the neck. One moment it seems to fall into place and it becomes an enjoyment. I have a blank black fingerboard on the G&L L-2500 I defretted. I put little white dots on my edge of the finger board, only visible to me. A few landmarks help for switching back and forth.

[@yellowmagicdog3350]

Hi Jim, you are a great teacher and player and you look like you are having a ton of fun! So I just wanted to let you know that I had as much fun watching. Thank you for some uplifting inspiration.

[@GregsBassWorld]

I haven't had a fretless in over a decade and I found one too cheap and purty to pass up. Great lesson. Love the laughter!

[@realbasslessons9356]

Thanks. Glad you like it.

[@HD-md9pr]

nothing but vibes with this geeza, hes got me cracking up

[@hardcoreoma]

6:33 I love how he accents the offbeat by exhaling through his nose, that's exactly what I tend to do too

[@muggy55]

I play a no lines fretless and feel you can temper the notes by not using the lines. I tell anyone who asks me about fretless to play it with their ears and not their eyes.

[@yerah1]

Hey, thanks for this tips & advise! Groove on, man!

[@waltdog123]

I'm a moderate guitar has recently purchased my first Fender Jazz Bass. Progressing well enough but after hearing this I am strongly considering fretless. I wonder how Larry Graham would sound on a fretless?

[@ajm1515]

I used to play with Jim. Very sad to hear of his passing :(

[@igrieger]

Oh, I am sorry to read that! He seemed to be such good person and an excellent teacher🙏🙏🙏🙏. Rest In Peace.

[@ajm1515]

@@igrieger Indeed he was

[@del5582]

I was about to say before you mentioned it at the end, the solid color of the guitar alongside that vibrant wood grain, unbelievably cool guitar. I would want that neck with that body purely for cosmetic purposes irrespective of the tone.

[@sebastianmillan109]

thanks for this! watching from Argentina

[@realbasslessons9356]

You are welcome.

[@AndrewEtmus]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@philippemelkonian6485]

Great tips tks. I've just upgraded my Stingray to fretless and you give me great outcomes

[@realbasslessons9356]

Glad to help. :)

[@Herehear49]

Good for you! Enjoy it!

[@TBSSPILOTviews]

Well said Jim…that’s it in a nutshell. Gotta work that position technique. It’s still a work in progress for me. I favor the double bass technique, but this is the best advice out there I’ve heard for guys transitioning, but we gotta practice and just play the living be Jesus out of it! 🤣🎶🎸🙏🏼

[@thepagnaet6361]

I love the sound of a fretless. Maybe one day.

[@arnlmndza]

I took off my fretless neck 2 years ago. Now i'm thinking of sing it again. :)

[@davidmagid7853]

Just started fretless again, thanks!

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

First off, I loved this! I’m a guitar player by trade, but like so many I was hoodwinked into becoming a bass guitarist in one lineup of my first band. After that when people heard me play the bass, they ignored that I’m actually a guitar player and convinced themselves that bass was my primary instrument. One key regret that I have when I watch videos like this one is that I didn’t push to make my first one a fretless bass. There were many times when I almost did get one. One of them was back in the spring of 2000. It was one of the more irregular specimens I ever saw, a Rickenbacker 4001 fretless which didn’t have fret markings. Man, that thing really tempted me. It would’ve been my weapon of choice, if I hadn’t fallen for the myth that you can’t slap on one. Now, I’m waiting on an old friend to finish selling me his. Are you referring to Scott’s Bass Lessons, Jim?

[@realbasslessons9356]

Thanks. Welcome to the low end. No intenional referral.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I dig it.

[@josephinecaruana3847]

You got class amazing

[@TGBassTutor]

I use exactly the same approach with fingering! But I'm coming from playing electric then double bass after 15 + years. Great video!

[@stein0niets]

Spot on!

[@stein0niets]

have a fretless and a fretted with the same dimensions (+ specs). works miracles for me.

[@ferox965]

Just got to this channel...I'm sorry to see that Mr. Stinnett has passed away. RIP sir.

[@MaliVinnyB]

Nice,Cat....I,TOO, Play doghouse..,and this is the Best, (I've seen,anyway.) as per Fretless..KUDOS!!

[@realbasslessons9356]

Thanks. :)

[@nonohmic766]

Great advice!

[@mejsjalv]

Nice lesson! Just don't be intimidated by the instrument. You get used to the fretless neck, just like you get used to anything else if you practice. Got used to the frets with the guitar before, played some regular fretted basses... so it was not that much of a learning curve. Anyway, it is a fun instrument to get into. Got attracted to the nice lead sound you can get from it, very versatile instrument.

[@robguitarwizard]

Very nice!

[@josealexander9794]

Is it possible to play an electric fretless bass without looking at the fretboard? I have been learning with a fretless before I got a fretted one. With the fretted, it is easier to play without seen.

[@josephinecaruana3847]

I noticed you wear your bass very high do you wear it that high when in a standing position How would you deal with small hand that don't stretch

[@dennisdewinter1997]

That was great! Thank you.

[@maciejbzura9057]

Great video

[@rosieq3713]

Hi Jim, loving your posts and teachings. I am looking to get my first fretless and thinking about fretboard woods. What is the wood on this fretboard? I couldn't quite make out what you said. Also can you recommend a good short scale fretless? I am having difficulty finding one outside of custom made and very expensive?

[@57precision]

Jim passed away last year, he was truly a beacon of light to us bass players. The neck wood on that bass is goncalo alves, probably from Warmoth. Short scale fretless basses are pretty uncommon because the shorter scale length means you have even less room for error when playing in tune.

[@rosieq3713]

@@57precision thank you, I did realise shortly after posting that he had sadly passed. What an amazing and very giving person. Regarding the quest for a short scale fretless it makes sense what you say about the short scale, thanks.

[@shooz4unme]

Q: How to practise good hand position?

[@realbasslessons9356]

Ah, good question. I was wondering if anyone was going to ask. ... :) Copy, the fingerings, and play along with these tracks, many, many hours. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGrYZ6NofbqrfM0 Plus, for a very detailed view, use these short vid lessons: www.stinnettmusicdownloadables.com/Stinnett_Music_Downloadables/cycle_of_4ths.html The key is repetition of a predetermined physical motion. Must build muscle memory.

[@realbasslessons9356]

These video lessons have helped many students with their technique: www.stinnettmusicdownloadables.com/Stinnett_Music_Downloadables/cycle_of_4ths.html

[@pat8437]

Thanks a lot man. I want to make the jump to fretless, I want to order a Warmoth, but it’ll take 2 months plus to get to me. Should that give me enough time to practice these hand positions and postures, assuming I’m an (I hate this word) average student on my fretted bass? Is it okay for me to practice these things on a fretless (which was my idea in the beginning, to more or less force me to develop good posture to stay in tune)?

[@realbasslessons9356]

@@pat8437 No, it doesn't work nearly as well trying to develop your hand position starting on the fretless. Give it a try.

[@pat8437]

Real Bass Lessons Ok. Thank you for your help.

[@AdamManley7]

That slide at 3:40 sounded like a magic box opening

[@200909will]

Could you share how you like to set the pickup volumes for different types of music please.

[@realbasslessons9356]

I think how you use the volume knobs is totally personal choice. In general the more back you choose, the crispy and more treble it will sound. This is because of the pickup placement. If you choose more front pickup, it is a darker, fatter sound. How this applies to "types" - styles of music, that is individual choice. I use a darker sound for jazz and motown. I use a clearer and brighter sound for funk or rock.

[@200909will]

Real Bass Lessons thanks

[@mynewsong9035]

that bass sounds great. your not bad either. lol ive got a squire fretless but it don't sound that good. what are you plugging in to? I really enjoy your bass lessons. your the best.

[@realbasslessons9356]

I am going directly into my computer, Garage Band. This bass is a "little" above a squire.

[@diegoq8417]

Very helpful video. What kind of strings do you use? Thanks.

[@realbasslessons9356]

Curt Mangan

[@d4ben]

Good afternoon Jim, I have only recently come across your channel and really get a lot out of the content. I wanted to ask you with this video were you using any effects or is the sound that you are getting just simply the straight sound on the bass ? Kindest regards ~ David

[@JoeyMino]

Sadly the guy died in february 2021...

[@HempBike]

Q: What is Double bass fingering on an electric bass? Are there scale charts somewhere showing the patterns? Love your videos btw. Thanks.

[@realbasslessons9356]

Traditional double bass fingering is found in all double bass method books.

[@HempBike]

@@realbasslessons9356 Oh yes of course, for a moment I was thinking that Double Bass used wider violin string intervals in which case the scale patterns would be different. But now I checked and it's the same as us. Thanks.

[@HempBike]

@@Shred_The_Weapon Yep. Sure was. turns out all the violin family (Violin, Viola, Cello) tunes in 5ths except the double bass.

[@MrBombom25]

Thanks for sharing Sir👍

[@realbasslessons9356]

You are welcome. :)

[@errollbrantley]

Nice grooves pops!

[@WilliamFancyFace]

I'm scared to get a fretless bass because I move so damn much. My groove completely ruins the placement of my fingers

[@Herehear49]

A friend lent me his fretless and I thought I wouldn't dig it. I loved it! That Stinnett bass is a beauty. Hey Jim, do us a favor and discuss what components are generating some of your beautiful tone. My 40+ year old Roland Cube doesn't quite get that sound, lol.

[@realbasslessons9356]

Pat, the "components" that produce this tone you like is the bass and the fingers. Even though you see the amp head, and speaker box, they are only for my monitor sound. My bass is plugged into the audio interface then directly into Garage Band. So the sound you are hearing is the instrument. I believe I added a bit of reverb on this one. I normally Do NOT add EQ. The elements of the bass can be found here: www.stinnettcustombass.com/copy-of-specs-for-p-j-chambered . The body is not chambered. Learning to practice for producing tone is a vital part of learning to play well. Yes, we can cover for inadequate technique, and sound, with gear, but this is not desirable.

[@1848revolt]

Tony Franklin approves.

[@punkfan97]

Have you ever had experience with 5 or 6 string fretless?

[@realbasslessons9356]

A bass is a bass....

[@panchoverde5078]

Nobody else uses a capo on their bass? The frets make mine rattle just a tiny bit. I'm so curious to play a fretless

[@hippoferd]

that's a sexy bass ;)

[@realbasslessons9356]

:) . www.stinnettcustombass.com/copy-of-specs-for-p-j-chambered

[@sbdreamin]

Real Bass Lessons Jim what difference besides weight does chambering it do? Thanks

[@realbasslessons9356]

@@sbdreamin The timber is quite unique. A bit more woody, and resonate sounding and feeling.

[@sbdreamin]

@@realbasslessons9356 cool, thanks!

[@JLeppert]

This kills me. My hand posture is terrible.

[@gregorikjangsen9870]

RIP

[@Sixnofrets]

Can you play with out seeing the fretboard?? that's the basic lesson.

[@jazzman1954]

There are a gazillion fretless guys out there who can’t play in tune. Put some music in front of them and their dead. I am very familiar with a local guy who studied upright at the Royal College of Music London. He also plays guitar bass fretless in and out of tune to an extent! The sliding harmonic thing also gets on my nerves. The first thousand times I heard it it was cool. Now it’s a pain. I know band guys who won’t hire anyone who turns up with a fretless. I have a great deal of respect for this teacher. One of the few who really can come up with the goods. However my advice to all you JACO’S out there is leave the fretless in your bedroom because you’re not half as good at it as you think you are.

[@tomasomiadhachain2411]

Way to support up and coming baby bassists trying to learn and be inspired in their craft 👍🏻

[@fahering]

So full of himself!

[@dh1474]

The guy has passed away you funt.

[@fahering]

@@dh1474 that's one thing will happen to all of us.

[@dh1474]

@@fahering great insightful response. You win prize bell end award.

[@fahering]

@@dh1474 congratulations for your great work of moral inspection on youtube! The platform is very proud to know that the robots are working efficiently!

[@dh1474]

@@fahering you sound more of a d1ck with every post you make. Keep going..