Sight reading - position shift problems

[JapanAxe]

I have been rehearsing with a local big band, and it has really shown up the weaknesses in my sight reading. I used to play with a dance band that had a huge pad of pop and strict tempo material, and I got way with because (1) the band leader was a guitarist with sloppy timing, and (2) the previous bassist couldn't sight read, and just worked from the chord symbols or even the note names scribbled above the notes!

Here's where I'm at (full disclosure):[list]
[*]I'm playing bass guitar (for the avoidance of doubt!)
[*]My comfort zone is the first five frets, and I tend to gravitate to first position and using open strings when available;
[*]I am not bad at playing 'in position' higher up the neck, using a 1-finger-per-fret approach.
[/list]
What really catches me out is where the bass line necessitates a shift of position, e.g. notes that can only be played near the nut, followed by notes that can only be played higher up the fret board. If I could look at my left hand it would be much less of a problem, but my eyes are glued to the page and I don't want to lose my place. All this becomes so much worse when it's a quickstep at 200bpm...

What have you done about this, that has worked for you?

Cheers all!

[Grangur]

Practice sight-reading and use pieces that encourage you to explore the world of the dark arts above the 7th fret!

A good one I found is [url="https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=88014765C749B87!347&ithint=file%2cpdf&app=WordPdf&authkey=!AJq7elXKOMBsXlk"]Autumn Leaves[/url]

Others are here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/215336-learning-to-read-the-dots-sheet-music-to-learn-with/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url]

Another I'm using is [url="https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=88014765C749B87!258&ithint=file%2c.pdf&app=WordPdf&authkey=!AIxJkOPw7ijNt8c"]Morning Has Broken[/url] which I play using the C on the E string.

Actually, work on these in as many positions on the neck as you can find.


Edit: I know others will be along in a minute shouting this down as "this isn't bass playing!" But I don't have the spare time to be in a band so this is what I enjoy doing. IMHO it's better than playing roots to an MP3

Edited October 12, 2015 by Grangur

[ambient]

This is where a 5 or a 6 string bass comes into it's own.

I did a 3 set reading gig yesterday afternoon, and never had to change position once. I play everything from from the 5th fret upwards. Low E, F G etc, and all played on the low B string.

With a 4 string bass, then it's just a question of doing it, and practising position shifts without looking away, or if you do look away from your chart, then get used to reading ahead, so you know what notes are coming up. Also get used to looking for signposts on the charts, so if you have to look away from the chart, you can easily find your place on the chart when you look back at it. If you're able to take the charts home, then don't be afraid to pencil in things that can help you.

Edited October 12, 2015 by ambient

[ambient]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1444653928' post='2884768']
Practice sight-reading and use pieces that encourage you to explore the world of the dark arts above the 7th fret!

A good one I found is [url="https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=88014765C749B87!347&ithint=file%2cpdf&app=WordPdf&authkey=!AJq7elXKOMBsXlk"]Autumn Leaves[/url]

Others are here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/215336-learning-to-read-the-dots-sheet-music-to-learn-with/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.u...__fromsearch__1[/url]

Another I'm using is [url="https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=88014765C749B87!258&ithint=file%2c.pdf&app=WordPdf&authkey=!AIxJkOPw7ijNt8c"]Morning Has Broken[/url] which I play using the C on the E string.

Actually, work on these in as many positions on the neck as you can find.


Edit: I know others will be along in a minute shouting this down as "this isn't bass playing!" But I don't have the spare time to be in a band so this is what I enjoy doing. IMHO it's better than playing roots to an MP3
[/quote]

Playing melodies is brilliant practice, and hugely satisfying.

It's great reading practice too, lots of non-diatonic notes, tied notes etc.

[Bilbo]

Your problem is a simple one and the solution is simple. You just need to practice reading with shifts.

The 'secret' (and it is no secret really) is the make sure that, when you shift, position, you have sufficient muscle memory to allow you to go directly to the fret you are looking for and, most importantly, you know WHICH FINGER you want to land on the target note. If you are not prepared, you will flounder around the note and miss it every time. If you doubt yourself, you will fail.

Practice reading without looking at the neck; ever.

(As an aside, reading on a show, where the pit is in almost total darkness, means that you cannot rely upon your eyes for anything other than looking at the dots (which are lit up)

[JapanAxe]

Thanks for all your contributions.

I have a 5-string, but I really want to crack this problem on the 4-string.

I have plenty of material to work on. I had a quick look at one of the trombone parts tonight, and much of it was written on ledger lines above the bass clef, so trombone books may be a good further source.

Bilbo I think you have hit the nail on the head. I can do it on guitar with barre chords, so why not on bass?

Actually I did much better tonight at rehearsal as I have been practising with the parts, and got into the 'zone' much more quickly. I print out my own parts from the band Dropbox folder, so I can scribble and highlight them with impunity. I have pencilled in chord names to help me recognise the arpeggios, and marked some fingering positions. Also tonight I found I shifted up to 5th and 6th positions fairly reliably - not there yet, but like you say if I close my eyes and practice, there's no reason why I shouldn't develop the requisite muscle memory.

Cheers folks!

Edited October 12, 2015 by JapanAxe

[SubsonicSimpleton]

Classical DB pedagogy has a big emphasis on shifting up and down the neck accurately - Simandl modern method book 1is probably worth a look, along with Hrabe 86 etudes, and there is a youtube channel where a very helpful japanese person has put the Simandl 30 etudes book in video format where you can read the score and play along with piano accompaniment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2OnFTI3tCg

Edited October 16, 2015 by SubsonicSimpleton

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1445004405' post='2888102']
Classical DB pedagogy has a big emphasis on shifting up and down the neck accurately - Simandl modern method book 1is probably worth a look, along with Hrabe 86 etudes, and there is a youtube channel where a very helpful japanese person has put the Simandl 30 etudes book in video format where you can read the score and play along with piano accompaniment.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2OnFTI3tCg[/media]
[/quote]

Thanks, that looks useful.

[deepbass5]

Hi Japaxe
I have been here or there for a while now, but as Bilbo says practice is the key to everything and it will come, I had a real hang up of not knowing the best place to start on the neck, to avoid this problem. I even took lessons from a pro to sort me out, this was good as it showed me there is no wrong place but a best place. So on those numbers you are referring I would suggest starting in the 5,6,7th position with your middle finger left hand on the route of the scale the piece its written in e.g. Db Then without looking at the neck you suddenly find all the written notes are falling under those fingers just as you would play the scale in that key. I am 13 years into this and now play in two big bands but you still find some numbers that freak you but thats because some arrangers are not bass players

good luck