Playing the fretless bass

[bass_dinger]

I recently acquired an edge-lined fretless bass.  How do I play it?

 

Specifically:

 

How do I improve my ability to pitch the notes correctly?

What is "correct" - should I aim for Even Tempered pitch or the actual pitch? (I have already discovered that the 3rd of the scale sounds more correct against the Root when it is slightly flat)

What slides work (from the 4th to the 5th? 1st to 2nd?)

How can I get more "mwah"?

 

Edited January 23 by bass_dinger
More questions

[Twigman]

??

I find by ear is best.

[Beedster]

Same as you woulkd play a normal fretted bass. Seriously that is IMO by far the best way to start. The worst way - again IMPO - is to try and play, Jaco, Karn, or Pino. Best thing I did to was take my fretless along to rehearsals and simply integrated it more each week to the point that I was giging it around 6-weeks later. Good luck, it's fune 👍

[Bilbo]

You need to learn to listen to your notes in context in a different way which requires a little discipline but, mostly, it's the same. 

[Linus27]

1 hour ago, Beedster said:

Same as you woulkd play a normal fretted bass. Seriously that is IMO by far the best way to start. The worst way - again IMPO - is to try and play, Jaco, Karn, or Pino. Best thing I did to was take my fretless along to rehearsals and simply integrated it more each week to the point that I was giging it around 6-weeks later. Good luck, it's fune 👍

 

Exactly this, don't think of it as a different instrument that needs to have a different approach, it's not, it's no different to a fretted bass, it just has a different voice. Also, don't try and make it sound like a fretless and play like Jaco, Pino. Play it like a fretted bass and let your own technique and voice come through. Over time you will find what works and what doesn't. The only thing that requires more focus over a fretted bass is using your ear and fretting accurately. How weak or strong this is already will be your only obstacle.

[Wombat]

I’d go with what’s said above. You can stick a tuner on but you end up either watching that or your fingers and don’t concentrate on what you are playing. The “line” is where the fret is so play on it, not behind it. And just enjoy. It will come.