The notes on the neck+

Today on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we begin a series on "What do I practice". This week...the notes on the neck. Ur probably saying this is beginner sh$t, I don't need this. Oh, I beg to differ. Over my many years of teaching I have found this skill lacking (to some extent) in students of all levels.Myself included! The key here is to know the board as NOTES, not as patterns, grids, labels, color charts or relative positions. But as notes.PERIOD. By doing this you can make your choices on the most fundamental, creative and purposeful level. The goal is to know every note, it's function and what it sounds like against the harmony. We will cover some of these other points in later installments. The woodshed is where you need to OBSESS over every note and choice so that you are ready to create on stage. U dig?  For example, ever watch those cooking shows where the chefs are given like an octopus, a bag of skittles and a shoe and have to make a 7 course meal in a half hour? None of the contestants are searching in a recipe book. They are using the fundamentals of culinary science to combine the ingredients and make a palatable meal. We do the same, but with notes. Not licks, riffs or patterns. Our ideas. Whether creating a bassline or adding to an existing one. As usual, how? First, take a note per day. Choose them randomly each time. But list so you get all of them. Find it all over the board. Don't relate it to another note or octave or fret count. That's 2 steps where there should be 1. Remember enharmonic spellings and notes above 12th fret. When you hit them all, start again! IMO, this should be your practice warmup forever. It is for me. Next, call out every note when playing a song. Try to play it in different places in the board. It is harder than you think. As you progress, you will eliminate comfort zones and unknown areas. Your playing will become more free, purposeful and creative. Next week we continue. As always, I invite your insights.  #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #laklandbass #sirstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #basslessons #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com