The Putter Smith Dialogue
This is a Dialogue from Putter Smith on an intonation Etude for the D and G Strings on the bass. When asked if you should include the A string, I think his response was “No, it would take too long.” I'm pretty sure he spent the better part of 10 years mastering this exercise. I'm going to add the A string at some point, but because it is position based, it may not be necessary.
The notes under G are on the G string. The notes under D are on the D string. The numbers under each represent the finger used on the left hand.
Tune Bass.
G D
G#->E Check E against open A. Make sure it is perfect!
1 2
Bb->G Check with D harmonic and Open G.
1 4
B ->G Check with open D Harmonic and Open G.
1 2
C ->G Check with open G, and G harmonic on C.
1 1
C#->A Check with A Harmonic on D string
2 4
C#->A Check with A Harmonic on D String See fingering
1 2
D D Check Stopped D with Open D and D Harmonic.
4 X Shift back and Check C against A Harmonic.
Eb->B Check against B Harmonic on the E string.
2 4 Using 1st Finger
E → A Check E with A harmonic on D, and E harmonic
4 1 on A string.
F → D As there is no physical reference for F or for F#
1 4 Check against open and Octave/Harmonic D
F#->D On the D String and Dial in those tenths with your Ears.
2 4
G → G G against G Harmonic and Open.
At this point, the Exercise starts over in thumb position. He didnt give me the fingerings for it, but wanted me to work them out. I'll get to it in a few weeks.
The point of this exercise is not to blaze through it, but to play it slowly and to dial in every note till it is perfectly In Tune. He said you shouldnt move on to the next set of notes until you had mastered the previous set for a full week! Hopefully this will help someone else besides me.