Intermediate Bass 21: Further Up the Neck: Gettin' Funky in the Phonepoles
By Roy Vogt
Bass Instructor, Belmont University 		Print This Lesson
RoyAfter an extended hiatus for musical endeavors, I'm happy to be back and guiding you up the neck of the bass. In this lesson, we're picking up where we left off after Mid-Neck Blues. This study will utilize 8th and 9th positions on the bass neck. Remember, where your first finger is located defines the position: first fret = first position, etc.

The Upper Deck is a position study to locate all of the notes in the 8th and 9th position. This will cover a range of an octave and a fifth. You can either use 1-1-2-3-4 or 1-2-3-4-4 for your fretting fingerings. This will give you a complete chromatic scale if you use one finger per fret.

Funky in the Phonepoles will get you used to reading in the upper register with the ledger lines (aka the "phonepoles"). I've included a slow and medium rendition with and without bass. In addition, I've included a fast version for you overachievers out there. The line is in the style of my old friend and teacher Carol Kaye - I'd characterize it as Old School Boogaloo. Have fun and don't hurt yourself on this one!

Peace and Low Notes,
Roy C. Vogt
Nashville Bassist
Bass Instructor, Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Print This Lesson | Return to Lesson Index

Roy's Bio | An Interview with Roy | Visit Belmont U. | Visit Roy's Website