A question for fretless players.

[beans]

I recently got my first ever fretless bass, I really like the tone and the mad slides you can do and all that.

However, how much should I worry about being in perfect intonation? most of the time I am roughly there except for when playing really high up the neck.

I could see it getting really annoying sitting there with my clip on tuner trying to make sure that every single note is in tune and spot on...

How much does it really matter to be in perfect tune:?:

My band has kind of fallen apart as the drummer now works saturdays, so I only have myself to play against until we get back into it or I find another band.

 

[Hardy]

Intonation is all! You have time? Then train!

 

[DiMarco]

Incorporate open strings in your licks to keep yourself in check. That way you will learn quickly.

 

[shaftbass]

The best way to practice intonation is to play along with music and, if you play with a band, substitute your fretted bass for the fretless. Let them know what you're doing. Play songs that you know and are familiar with so you're not having to learn the music whilst also learning intonation. That way, you can already know which notes to play, and you only have to practice your intonation.

It really isn't as hard as you would think it might be, and it encourages you to play perfectly, because you don't want to be the guy without perfect intonation.

Also listen to and practice songs played on fretless. A couple good ones:
- 311 - Creature Feature
- Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
- Don Henley - Boys Of Summer

As far as being in perfect tune, at least make sure the open strings are in tune all the time. Try to get the bass' intonation as spot on as you can, but due to the nature of the fretless, if you are checking on the 12th fret where the notes are shorter, you may not get it perfect, but you can get it pretty close.

When you are starting out, play lots of notes down near the head so you can get the techniques down. The higher on the neck of a fretless you play, the less forgiving the bass is, because finger movements create larger changes in the pitch, as you've discovered. Then as you get better, and used to the technique, move all over and do as you please.

Instead of sliding your finger if you are slightly flat or short, roll it. In most cases, unless you are way off, this small adjustment will get your the pitch you need.

Practice how you'll have to stretch your fingers in order to play chords and octaves.

Enjoy. I played a couple shows with my fretless basses. I can say that when you get good at fretless, it's very liberating to play live.

 

[DiMarco]

Playing in tune isn't the hardest part imho. It takes more energy to play punchy when needed, there's just so much more tone coming from the bass you feel like you gotta play very staccato all the time to make it work. Pays off tho.

Anyway lately I have been playing my fretless with a pick a lot. There is something really cool about that somehow.