Hi there!

I'm new to these forums and this is my first post. I've had an EB for a little while and I want to get serious about learning how to play, and think I would do best with a teacher. The problem is that I can't afford lessons from a private teacher. My college offers weekly private lessons in a number of musical instruments and I think this is a great opportunity... except that they offer lessons only in traditional acoustic instruments. My question is this: How much could I take from traditional string bass lessons over to electric bass? Would it be worthwhile to do?

A little bit of background for the sake of the question: I am already fairly knowledgeable in music theory and can sightread both treble and bass clefs, and was in school band for a number of years with a saxophone and had lessons with piano. I also took music theory classes. I'm not wondering about the music itself, but the mechanics. This will be my first time picking up a stringed instrument.

So... what are the specific mechanical differences in playing URB and EB? (aside from the obvious size and position differences) Will it help much for me to have URB lessons and then attempt to teach myself EB, or is there something else I could be doing that would be a better move?

Thanks for your time!

Learning to play URB will improve your EB playing in everyway. There are some who use URB fingering on EB too, but that really is no big deal you will switch back and forth without thinking about it. But the ear you develop, the knowledge of scales and arpeggios, by notes and note frets and dots is invaluable. Tons of great music that drills in ideas you can using in anytype of music. The chord studies like in Simandl I think pages 104-105 you will help you feel comfortable on any type of bass. Learning both really compliment each other. You will bring idea from each to the other instrument. Plus the sound of a URB is addicting and save on power bills. :D

Thanks for the reply, Doc. I feel very confident in my decision now. I appreciate it. ^_^

(Copied-pasted from an old post)

One thing I always tell electric bass players who want to start with double bass is: LEARN TO PLAY WITH THE BOW. No matter if you're only interested on pizzicato playing. The BEST education for a DB player is the bow. Let's say you're playing a C major scale: The notes decay really fast on the DB and, unless you're using a really good tuner, it's difficult to determine if you have good intonation. On the other hand, if you play the same scale with a bow and a metronome, making each note to last at least eight beats at a really slow tempo, you're doing a big work on intonation, tone and endurance. Again, it's up to you if after getting good with the bow you only want to use it to scratch your back, but trust me, you've gained lots of valuable assets as a DB player.

To be honest, if I understand correctly how you describe your current music theory background, I wouldn't expect you to get a lot (of mechanics as you specify) from upright lessons that will apply to electric. Maybe since you can sightread and know theory, you could find a band to hook up with. If you are near a college, there are probably many young people near as well. I have met lots of people that played tuba or viola or timpani throughout high school and start up little rocky/jazzy groups in college.

You say the lessons would be free. I'd wonder, though- how will you practice? Because if your teacher is expecting you to progress through something like Simandle, I feel your progress will be slow if you "practice" on electric and only touch an upright once a week during your lessons. In fact this would likely be physically challenging. Therefore, would you have to rent an upright? If so, the lessons are not really free.

But, it is possible you will fall in love with the upright and consider the electric just a plaything... a quaint flight-of-fancy from a long time ago!

Good luck however it works out. The important part is to just be playing.