Tone Deaf with Low Notes

Xandrell

Xandrell

Aug 23, 2014
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#1
I find it easier sometimes for me to figure out notes using higher notes than the actual low note it is. A family member made a crack saying I'm playing the wrong instrument then. I've learned our 60 song set list so it's not a lost cause but it made me think.
 
#3
Whatever works. As long as you remember the lines, you're good for the band.

Fir the long term, can you think of a song you're not playing currently, remember how it goes, and then play it?
 
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#5
Did you learn those 60 songs by ear or by sheet music / tab?

Asking because you say you are tone deaf but don't understand how you are able to know the difference if that were true - not trolling disclaimer.
 
#6
5544 said:
Did you learn those 60 songs by ear or by sheet music / tab?

Asking because you say you are tone deaf but don't understand how you are able to know the difference if that were true - not trolling disclaimer.
Click to expand...

Both. But by ear, I have to sometimes fish around for low notes. Higher notes and guitar are easier.
Once I have it, it's ok. I can tell when learning a song if a note is off but higher notes are just easier to decipher.
 
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#9
Most common is for people to lose the high frequencies with age. Low frequency hearing loss is also associated with some kind of brain trauma like stroke, CVA, TBI. I know a guy who has lost almost all his high frequency range down to about 1kHz. When I ask why he has the treble up so high to the point of essing, he says he want to hear the clarity of the voice. And, he is tone deaf with low frequencies, as he can't hear the difference between a full note on some bass lines. Anyway, low sub woofer frequencies below 40Hz is often very difficult to hear even at moderate volumes. Some say below 40Hz is where we feel the bass vs hearing it. If you can make out the difference between notes down to 60Hz, you're not tone deaf. Bass frequencies on 4 string bass rarely use anything lower than 60Hz.
 
#10
Xandrell said:
I find it easier sometimes for me to figure out notes using higher notes than the actual low note it is. A family member made a crack saying I'm playing the wrong instrument then. I've learned our 60 song set list so it's not a lost cause but it made me think.
Click to expand...

It might help to do a few things to isolate the bass so you can hear it better:
- Turn down the treble
- Turn up the bass
- Try to hum the bass part, you'll know you're onto it when your singing matches the line
- Try to hear other instruments, one by one; this helps you separate them, and then you can "choose" to hear only the bass by focusing
- Do the above with all the music you listen to (when practicing at least) so it becomes natural
 
#11
Hearing low notes for me got easier with the more experience I gained as a player. In the beginning when learning songs, I would be doing a lot of pause and play to figure the lines out. It really does get easier to hear with time and experience.

Side note based on what the chord changes are it will help to narrow down what the lines are. Just keep transcribing them lines and it'll become easier!
 
#15
On a 5 string, below E, is just a rumble to me.
I go by the thud of the notes rather than the pitch when I venture below E.
I'll learn songs an octave up then move it down to the badlands.
 
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