Biglump Posted July 25, 2016 Posted July 25, 2016 Sorry, I know it's probably been done to death, but which fret is eqivalent to middle C. AND What is meant by the bass is a transposing instrument, please? I want to learn to change dots to tab and to play from the dots eventually. So I could really do with knowing where the anchor is. Many thanks, The Lump Quote
zbd1960 Posted July 25, 2016 Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) The bass is described as a transposing instrument since the note that you hear is an octave lower than the note that is written. As written, middle C is the one on the leger line that is between the A of the 5th line of the bass clef and the E of the first line of the treble clef. Seeing that, you would finger the 3rd fret of the A string (for example). The note that you would hear if you compared it to a piano is actually the C in the 2nd space on the bass clef, i.e. an octave lower. [color=#0000cd][EDIT][/color] OK MEA CULPA - I wrote the original reply here thinking cello and not BG. Cello's top string is the A belo middle C and that is what I described. If you want to play the note that sounds middle C, then you need to go an octave higher than written, which will be way up the G string.. Edited July 26, 2016 by zbd1960 Quote
Joebass Posted July 25, 2016 Posted July 25, 2016 Music written for the bass is notated 1 octave higher than it sounds; this is to avoid having to use too many ledger lines. Here's "Another one bites the dust" written as it sounds: And here's how it would be written for the bass guitar: Much easier to read! Middle C, as it's written for the bass, can be found at the 5th fret of the G-string. To play a true middle C, as it sounds in concert pitch, you'll want the 17th fret of the G-string. ~Joe Quote
cb1 Posted July 26, 2016 Posted July 26, 2016 A very concise, easy to understand and accurate answer to the OP's reasonable question - say no more....... Quote
Earbrass Posted July 26, 2016 Posted July 26, 2016 [quote name='zbd1960' timestamp='1469483368' post='3098769'] If you want to play the note that sounds middle C, then you need to go an octave higher, which I think means fret 15 on the A string. [/quote] [quote name='Joebass' timestamp='1469484500' post='3098774'] To play a true middle C, as it sounds in concert pitch, you'll want the 17th fret of the G-string. [/quote] [quote name='cb1' timestamp='1469491473' post='3098801'] A very concise, easy to understand and accurate answer to the OP's reasonable question - say no more....... [/quote] Quote
ras52 Posted July 26, 2016 Posted July 26, 2016 [quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1469515135' post='3098840'] [/quote] Joe is correct... zbd is an octave out! Quote
zbd1960 Posted July 26, 2016 Posted July 26, 2016 (edited) [quote name='ras52' timestamp='1469515840' post='3098849'] Joe is correct... zbd is an octave out! [/quote] Mea culpa. Yes, because I was thinking wrong instrument... The top string of the cello is A... Edited July 26, 2016 by zbd1960 Quote
Biglump Posted July 31, 2016 Author Posted July 31, 2016 So, erm, anything on the Bass cleff is going to be on the top 5 frets? and the low e on the bass is written as -O-? as in the crude drawing below? ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -O- Quote
Dad3353 Posted July 31, 2016 Posted July 31, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Biglump' timestamp='1469978243' post='3102414'] So, erm, anything on the Bass cleff is going to be on the top 5 frets? and the low e on the bass is written as -O-? as in the crude drawing below? ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -O- [/quote] Basically, that's correct, with the proviso that anything from the low 'A' upwards on that stave can be played, either using the 'A' string, or the 5th fret of the low 'E' string. Once there's a low 'A', anything above can be played on other strings, depending on many factors, such as proximity to the preceding/following notes, tonal issues, personal preference and more. Apart from the four very lowest notes, and the highest notes, there is no fixed fret for any note, unlike a keyboard, where there is no such ambiguity. There's no harm in starting off thinking as you suggest about only the lower frets, but it's good practice to read the notes on different strings as well. Confusing..? Not after the first forty years or so. Hope this helps; subject to completion, correction and/or contradiction from others. Edited July 31, 2016 by Dad3353 Quote
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