Bass player with a Question

anotherone5560 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject: Bass player with a Question

HI. I'm learning bass and I have a question. Does anyone approve of not looking at your fingers on your left hand. Play blind and I'm not looking down the neck. Basically, do you look at your fingers when you play. Just making sure not doing it wrong when I'm not looking at my fingers. The right hand. Thanks if you can answer

amateis1991 · Tadpole Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 21

If the song gets hard, then yes, I look at my left hand. But if the song is really easy, and I have already learned it, then no I don't

Ankhanu · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

Looking helps you figure out your positioning as you learn... but it's not necessary. Even if you have to look, eventually you will develop the body memory to know where your fingers have to move...

Mind you you may also develop the muscle memory to have your head in a position where you could be looking at your fingers... while not actually looking. Habits are hard to break :P

-Ryco · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 10:57 am Post subject:

Ankhanu pretty much nailed it.

Totally acceptable to look at your fingers - esp if you're just learning.

But looks cooler if you don't on stage.

Having said that when I see pics of me playing live I'm looking at my fingers more than I would like! But who cares? It looks like I'm checking to see if my shoes are tied! haha

I've heard of ppl practicing with the lights out to get better at playing "blind". I never have.
Also some ppl practice in front of a mirror to achieve the same thing. Never done this either.

To each his own!! peace
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Rd_Artist · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject:

I have been playing for thirty years, and I still look at my left a lot!
when I plays keyboard I look at the keys,it is perfectly normal and is a good trick to use if you get a little stage fright don't sweat it.
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Bass_Snake · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject:

I look at my left fingers too. I find that I sound better though when I don' t look at my left fingers. I also tend to get nervous when I keep on watching myself play.

FunkDoctorK · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject:

really, it all comes down to what works and feels best for you. i play a fretless so i rely mostly on muscle memory with quck glances that are getting less and less frequent the longer i play...go figure Smile

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vinxbass · Tadpole Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 22

Depending on the song that I'm playing, sometimes I look at my fingers less than other times. When I'm singing I tend to look at my neck just to make sure where I'm at.

tom16 · Not So Newbie Joined: 18 Sep 2008 Posts: 7

I've been playing bass for about a year and a half and i look at my fret hand when I need to. I don't think it really matters unless you need to concentrate on sheet music or a tab at the same time.

confusedqueen · Lion King Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 1082 Location: pfft.

i dont consider something learned until i can play it without looking
but thats just habit from the cello, because youre never allowed to look at the left hand with the cello, because it makes your posture really bad. That doesnt apply with the bass though. i think muscle memory will develop quicker if youre not looking.
this is a seriously biased view though =)
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timmyG · Little Guppy Joined: 08 Oct 2008 Posts: 34

For me, it depends on the song, and what bass I'm using. I can get away with not looking more often when I'm on my Fender, but if I pick up my Dano, I've got to look (short scale messes up the whole muscle memory thing).

But if you're dead set on not looking, do what Robert Fripp (yes, I know he plays guitar, not bass) does and fret with your dominate hand.

JojoguyHxC · Little Guppy Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 33

Personally, I take occasionaly glances when I'm playing. (Its hard to watch your fingers when you're headbanging or jumoing around)
But if its difficult, then I keep still and watch em
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