This article is written by Toru Hoshino, a jazz bassist and instructor based in Japan who teaches online lessons to students worldwide. In this article, he shares a trick for reaching high-position notes smoothly in a bass line.
Contents
A Request I Hear a Lot
“I want to work high-position notes into my bass lines” is something I hear constantly. Using the higher register really does open up your lines and add to the cool factor.
At the same time, I also hear just as often: “I don’t know how to fit it in” or “I can’t transition there smoothly.”
Use an Open String to Move Smoothly
What I usually suggest in this situation is a simple method: work in an open string. Using an open string frees up your left hand for a moment, giving you the breathing room to shift into a high position.
A Concrete Example
Say you’re playing “C–E–G.”
- C (3rd string, 3rd fret)
- E (2nd string, 2nd fret)
- G (2nd string, 5th fret)
That’s the usual way to play it. But what if, instead of playing G on the 2nd string’s 5th fret, you played it as the open 1st string instead?
Playing that note as an open string frees up your left hand for that entire beat. You can use that moment to jump straight into a high position and land cleanly on your next note. I use this method constantly myself.
Smoothly working high-position notes into a real bass line takes more than just understanding the concept — having someone check your actual execution is where a teacher really earns their keep.
Want Personalized Feedback on Your Playing?
This is exactly the kind of thing that’s hard to fix alone — and where having a teacher makes all the difference.
At Line on Bass, I offer an online lesson service where you send me a video of your playing, and I give you specific, detailed feedback — every single day if you want.
Students from around the world are using this to fix exactly these kinds of issues and steadily improve their jazz bass skills.