Melodies we know by heart...

[AnthonyD]

I am continuing on my mission to improve my fretless playing ability - all due to the incredible tone of my Bongo which simply demands to be played! Thought I'd share my latest activity and get some feedback...

I have begun working out and playing some basic, well known childrens melodies by ear. Since these simple tunes are "programed" in our brains from childhood, I can instantly tell if I am intonating properly.

So far I've noodled with "Happy Birthday to You", "Alouette" and "London Bridges".

Anyone else do something similar? Any suggestions on similar tunes? Any other practice tips you'd recommend?

[Psycho Ward]

I was messing with "If I Only Had A Brain" from the Wizard of Oz, it's going to be my new theme song.

[bassmonkey]

Ring-a-ring-a-roses.

Humpty Dumpty.

Jack and Jill.

The main melody to "Alfie" (Jacos' favourite).

Good King Wenceslas/God Bless You Merry Gentlemen (Bassmonkeees' favourite)

[AnthonyD]

We added "Pop goes the weasel" and "Twinkle twinkle little star" at breakfast today.

[Baird]

Not a childrens song, but Tears in Heaven by Clapton was running through my head a few weeks ago and I picked up the fretless and figured out a way to play it.

Sounds very cool. If I ever could bring myself to play a crazy Stu Hamm-like solo live.... I would definately play some of this song.

[adouglas]

I was messing with "If I Only Had A Brain" from the Wizard of Oz, it's going to be my new theme song.

I whistle that ALL the time. Every single day. No kidding.

There are other songs that are programmed in, which aren't children's songs. Old standards. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," for example, or "Someone to Watch Over Me," or "As Time Goes By." These can be a bit more rewarding than playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."

[Dr Stankface]

That's actually the same thing I had to do when I took upright bass lessons. I didn't think about doing it on my fretless (also buttercream ) Good idea!

[AnthonyD]

Great suggestions guys! Keep in mind, I am looking for "exercises" - not necessarily "songs" to play (though I will probably graduate to songs later).

The commonplace of these tunes in my head gives me the instant feedback re: my playing - am I sharp or flat - and since we're talking about "snippets" here, it gives me a form or shape I can move up and down the fretboard to work on finger placement and intonation all over the neck.

Stanky-baby - glad to hear this is a "proven" technique! What melodies di you work with?

[Dr Stankface]

Let's see if I can remember them...

Twinkle Twinkle
Mary had a Little Lamb
Pop Goes the Weasel

I also did it to some commercial jingles as well. It proved to help drastically.

[bovinehost]

I always try to work silly little snippets into the random hokey cowpilot tune.

"Dixie" and "Smoke on the Water" are frequently dropped into the intro to "These Boots Are Made for Walkin". (Sometimes even "So What" makes an appearance.)

And now it's The Simpsons theme song......cool melody.

[Beth]

Anyone who can play the theme from King of the Hill will be my hero

[Psycho Ward]

Anyone who can play the theme from King of the Hill will be my hero

That was one of the first things I tried to play when I go my electric guitar. Then reality set in and I discovered I'm never going to be a guitar player.

[asianjeff]

super mario brothers theme song?

[Baird]

If you want exercises, just do simple shape patterns on the fretboard.

EG... an "X" pattern would look like 1st string 1st fret, 2nd string 2nd fret, 3rd string 3rd fret, 3rd string 1st fret, 2nd string 2nd fret and 1st string 3rd fret. Of course this can be moved anywhere on the neck, on a 5 string, etc.

Also, circles, squares and other shapes can be done.

I use this to limber up the fingers before playing.

[muggsy]

The Star Spangled Banner is a good one.