Playing down the dusty end

[V4lve]

Hi.

Learnt a couple of pieces recently that were tabbed mostly around the first few frets (e.g. Pump it Up). Made me realise I don't really like playing down there as I am a bit of a chancer and get all confused if I run out of board because I am too close to the nut. Was wondering if there were any significant benefits of playing down there.

Ta

[wateroftyne]

I like it - it's where the bass is.

[stingrayfan]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679007' date='Dec 9 2009, 12:59 PM']I like it - it's where the bass is.[/quote]
+1 on that!

[Low End Bee]

"Play nuttin above the 5th fret" Aston Family Man Barrett.

He's got a point. I do stretch to no. 7 every now and then.

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='679019' date='Dec 9 2009, 01:07 PM']I do stretch to no. 7 every now and then.[/quote]
I do too, but only if there's someone in the audience I want to impress...

[Bilbo]

Use the whole neck as and when it is required - otherwise its like saying 'only use A to H when you write' or 'only words of one syllable' when you speak. Stay at the deep end if your instincts tell you its the musical thing to do but not because the other end is scary or complicated - that's just advocating ignorance.

[Happy Jack]

I always thought "the dusty end" was up at the 12th fret and higher, because so many bass players (me definitely included) hardly ever play that high?

[Clarky]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679022' date='Dec 9 2009, 01:10 PM']I do too, but only if there's someone in the audience I want to impress...[/quote]
I get nose bleeds above the 9th fret

[fatback]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679007' date='Dec 9 2009, 12:59 PM']I like it - it's where the bass is.[/quote]

+1

Also, seems to me I use more open strings down there, cos they're handy, and open strings sometimes sound nice.

fatback

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='bilbo230763' post='679057' date='Dec 9 2009, 01:48 PM']Use the whole neck as and when it is required - otherwise its like saying 'only use A to H when you write' or 'only words of one syllable' when you speak.[/quote]

UH

WOT U MEEN

[Clarky]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679130' date='Dec 9 2009, 02:58 PM']UH

WOT U MEEN[/quote]
Moment of clarity! WoT, you are my 17 year old son

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='Clarky' post='679133' date='Dec 9 2009, 03:00 PM']Moment of clarity! WoT, you are my 17 year old son [/quote]
Can I have 50p to go to the pictures, Dad?

[Clarky]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679145' date='Dec 9 2009, 03:12 PM']Can I have 50p to go to the pictures, Dad?[/quote]
If only, its normally "can I have £20 to go and get bladdered/stoned, Dad?"

On topic: I also thought the dusty end was at the body end of the neck

[Low End Bee]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679022' date='Dec 9 2009, 01:10 PM']I do too, but only if there's someone in the audience I want to impress...[/quote]

Me too.

I never use no.6 though. Maybe I should have it removed along with 8-20? It'd make the neck shorter and easier to play too.

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='Clarky' post='679147' date='Dec 9 2009, 03:15 PM']If only, its normally "can I have £20 to go and get bladdered/stoned, Dad?"[/quote]
Whaaat? Really?

Kids today, man.

Mark my words, we're facing a generation of tearaways who'll think nothing of playing all manner of nonsense all over the neck. It's an outrage!

Edited December 9, 2009 by wateroftyne

[BB2000]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679130' date='Dec 9 2009, 02:58 PM']UH

WOT U MEEN[/quote]


I know it doesn't take much to please an idiot, but that's really brightened up my day!

[V4lve]

[quote name='Clarky' post='679147' date='Dec 9 2009, 03:15 PM']If only, its normally "can I have £20 to go and get bladdered/stoned, Dad?"

On topic: I also thought the dusty end was at the body end of the neck [/quote]

it's the other dusty end for me..

[Doddy]

I paid for all of those frets,so I'm going to use them.

Seriously though,I play in first position a lot,especially if
I'm reading charts.

[hillbilly deluxe]

[quote name='V4lve' post='679200' date='Dec 9 2009, 03:58 PM']it's the other dusty end for me..[/quote]
WHAT ??? Two dusty ends ?

[Marvin]

I can only count to 9, so anything after that is a complete mystery.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='679007' date='Dec 9 2009, 12:59 PM']I like it - it's where the bass is.[/quote]
+1

I might wander [u][b]UP[/b][/u] the dusty end occasionally but the money is below fret 7 (or I'll allow up to 9) and usually below 5.

[The Funk]

The dusty end is where the high notes are!

[Sean]

[quote name='The Funk' post='682670' date='Dec 13 2009, 12:10 AM']The dusty end is where the high notes are![/quote]

Tis on mine too.

[Tech]

i guess it's all down to personal preference. i remember the best part of a decade ago when i was first getting seriously into playing, watching jaco's "modern electric bass" - how he'd talk about playing up in the 'mid range' of the bass because that's where he got the best tone. at the same time, i was really into the pocket playing of some country and western guys etc, who all swore by frets 1-5.

just tailor it to who you're playing with - i find if i don't think about it, my ears tell my fingers where to go and i usually slip into the right region of the bass for the job. if you are comfortable playing all over the neck, it'll pay off on the rare occasion where you need to get really high up.


but if i'm reading, i definitely cling to the first few frets