I can play without the marks "just fine". By "just fine" it means I did some warming up first and got my fingers used to the length of the fretboard. Once I adjust to that, I can play it just fine.
It's not much different than playing in the dark or with your eyes closed. I can play behind my back, so adjusting to a fretless guitar (or bass) isn't too bad. Give me 15 or 20 minutes (ahead of time, if it's a show) and my fingers will remember. If I play fretless consistently, I don't need the lead time to practice.
I have multiple fretless instruments.
Yeah your ears will tell you if you are not hitting the note.
I have never played a fretless guitar. My brother had a fretless bass that fucked around on a very little bit but that's it.
I would think a fretless guitar would make hitting all the notes of a chord properly very difficult, depending on the chord
It's kinda easier on a fretless... Kinda? It makes moving about the board easier. You don't have to worry about inconsistent pressure. If you're precise, you're not going to be pulling it sharp or the likes.
There are other stringed instruments that don't have frets - like the violin, viola, double bass, etc...
I remember in school band class all the violin players put masking tape on the necks to mark the spots
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