Posted by Tom Mason on November 14, 2002 at 18:02:41:
In Reply to: Re: e-bass technique posted by dp on November 14, 2002 at 17:27:43:
Positons; in string/electric bass situations, is referring to the placement of the left hand on the neck of the bass to access certain areas of the fingerboard.
1st position is the end of the neck closest to the nut of the instrument. If you can envision the fretter electric bass, then first position would be the area of the nut, ad frets 1,2,3, and 4.
2nd position would cover frets 5,6,7,and 8.
3rd position covers the next 4 fret positions, and so on.
These are considering a 4 finger useage.
For those who use the 3 finger approach, then 1st position covers the nut, or open string and the first 3 fret areas, and the ability to either shift the hand to cover the 4th fret area, or shift to 2nd position to start with 4th fret with the 1st finger. The 2nd, 3rd, and through 7th positions work the same way.
If, for example you were playing a D middle of the staff, then you would have the options of playing it on an open D string, or on the 5th fret, 2nd position ion the A string, or the 11th fret, 3rd position (4 finger) or 4th position (3 finger) on the E string (if I counted right).
Hope this helps.
Tom Mason