Bass Lesson – Proper Fretboard Finger Placement –> The proper way to place your fingers on the bass guitar fretboard is directly behind the frets. This is the precise location of each note on the bass guitar fretboard. By placing your fingers directly behind the frets, you will get the most precise sound and best tone out of your bass. Some people believe that your fingers should be placed in the middle of the frets. They believe that because this is the location of the fretboard markers, that this must be where they should place their fingers. However this is not good technique. You tend to get a sliding, slurring sound by doing this. Your tone is also not as precise or clear. It also requires more strength, energy and movement – which is in contrast to playing with minimal motion. Small details when playing the bass are a big deal!
When learning bass, get into the habit of placing your fingers directly behind the frets. Of course don’t overthink this and focus too much on your finger placement. Just make a conscious effort to place your fingers in the correct position. If you do this every time you play and practice the bass it will become your natural way of playing. Learning proper fretting technique as a beginner, will make everything much easier as you become a more advanced player.
Below is a video showing proper fretting technique. This video is from pro bassist Brent-Anthony Johnson as a part of his Beginner Level Bass Lessons series on JamPlay Bass. If you are interested in taking online bass lessons we high recommend their services. For more information about JamPlay Bass Lessons check out our review of their site and services. Our visit the JamPlay Bass website.
This video lesson is part of the “Beginner Bass Lesson Series” taught by Brent-Anthony Johnson at JamPlay Bass Lessons. Other lessons that are a part of this series include:
- Beginning Bass Series Introduction
- Bass Basics #1
- Bass Basics #2
- Tuning Your Bass
- The Major Scale
- Plucking Hand Technique Part 1
- Plucking Hand Technique Part 2
- Fretting Hand Technique
- Bass Approaches for Different Genres #1
- Bass Approaches for Different Genres #2
- Building Bass Lines
- Scale Intervals
- Pentatonic Scales
- Circle of Fifths – Part 1
- Circle of Fifths – Part 2
- Harmonics Part 1
- Harmonics Part 2
- Influences
For detailed information about JamPlay Bass Lessons click here for our comprehensive review of their site and services, or visit the JamPlay Bass Lessons Home Page!
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Related Pages:
- Correct Bass Guitar Positioning & Posture
- Correct Bass Plucking Technique
- Bass Guitar Fretboard Hand Technique
Bass Guitar Lessons – Main Page
Proper Fretboard Finger Placement