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Duby’s View |
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13 June 2002 To fret or not to fret? The contemporary bassist is blessed with many choices when it comes to deciding which instrument to start off with. Nowadays there are 4-, 5-, and 6-string bass guitars (available in fretted or fretless models), not to mention acoustic bass guitars and of course the warhorse of jazz, the double bass, which is actually the grandfather of the violin family and despite being tuned the same as the 4-string bass guitar is actually not that close a relative. It comes down basically to what the beginner can afford but in this regard I would suggest that for many genres of music the best choice is still the standard classic 4-string bass guitar. If you are not in a position of affording a double bass then a well-setup 4-string gives you an excellent perspective from which to grasp the important technical aspects of bass-playing such as good tone and time, scales, arpeggios and the many other elements that make a competent bassist. If one thinks of how many world-class bassists have made this instrument their own the argument becomes more persuasive. This is in no way to discourage anyone from exploring the wide range of current options available but innovation in art seems to come most securely from the background of a solid technique. I believe that the 4-string is exactly the place from which to begin developing that technique. Till next time My very best wishes and keep at it |
