so after a year back into playing i really want, wait no, "NEED" to take lessons. but im on the fence as to whether i should take upright bass lessons or just regular electric bass lessons.:confused:

Awesome. I like pie.

Depends on what you're focusing in. DB and EB are basically seen as two different beasts. If you're leaning towards one over the other, I'd go with that one. (Or both if you have the time and $$$! :D)

Without more information, it's basically your call. It all depends on what you're looking to further in.

(Sorry to be so vague, but coming from someone who plays EB and a starting DB, that's the best I can give. Hopefully someone can chime in with something better...)

What equipment do you have?
What's your past band/gig/playing experience?

well i used to play in high school and didnt really know much about anything back then when i was playing. but after playing over this past year and learning through some books i bought, im now playing in a friends band playing there songs from there cd's and after playing a show already with them and practicing i was motivated to take lessons.the guys are far beyond talented then i am and i just want to take my playing to the next level and start from the ground up.

Disclaimer: I've only played around on a DB in HS (like a cheapo that I couldn't take home to practice on and that I couldn't hear over the rest of the concert band).

It seems to me that you should let the type of music you want to play determine which you want to take up...

If your going to play rock clearly you want to take electric lessons. If you want to play in an orchestra then take DB. If you want to play jazz like Mingus buy an upright, if you want to play jazz like Jaco buy a fretless electric ext.... Its all going to come down to tone in the end, and what tone fits the music you want to play, which one sounds more you?

Of course there are also other considerations...like transportation of a towering amp vs. a massive hunk of wood (seems like we are always getting screwed in the carrying big stuff around department).

If you're playing both, I'd recommend taking upright lessons. Mainly because technique is such an important element in playing upright. Bad left hand form can cause hand/wrist problems, poor intonation, and poor sound production. Then there is the bow, which is a world of pain even with a good teacher. I'm not saying that the electric is an easier instrument, it's just friendlier to figure out on your own. Also, you can take the etudes and method books from upright study and apply them to the electric.

If you're really into the electric, then study that.

im mostly in situations where im playing alot of reggae/R&B with people but i also like to play rock at least i try haha. i want to have better technique be able to sight read better and be able to write my own stuff. i mean i come up with lines and stuff but i feel im not to strong in the theory side.

And you play all of this on the upright or electric? I'd say take bass lessons (upright or electric) for technique and some theory, but if you want to learn theory take a class or study with a jazz pianist.

Again depends on what you're going to be playing. If you don't own an upright and don't intent to play one, I'd take electric lessons. When I was in HS 35 years ago, I took upright lessons and did electric on the side. Really, they're different instruments technique-wise; and I don't necessarily mean "style of music," but the whole ergonomics hand-finger-wrist thing. I started taking electric lessons after all this time because I knew my body mechanics were gooned up; so I'm paying (and happy to do so) a professional to bust me of my bad habits. You can study up on music theory from a book; with some academic underpinnings, a teacher could then work on ear training and advanced theory which would be good also.

Again depends on what you're going to be playing. If you don't own an upright and don't intent to play one, I'd take electric lessons. When I was in HS 35 years ago, I took upright lessons and did electric on the side. Really, they're different instruments technique-wise; and I don't necessarily mean "style of music," but the whole ergonomics hand-finger-wrist thing. I started taking electric lessons after all this time because I knew my body mechanics were gooned up; so I'm paying (and happy to do so) a professional to bust me of my bad habits. You can study up on music theory from a book; with some academic underpinnings, a teacher could then work on ear training and advanced theory which would be good also.

The mechanics of playing electric bass are really only about 10% of the entire experience. If he studies double bass he will 1) Improve his ears significantly 2) learn the correct mechanics that easily translate to double bass 3) understands the theory and reasoning of playing on one string 4) his hands will get stronger.

Double bass has a history that is 6 or 7 times longer than the electric bass and it's tradition is well defined. He will spend a lot of time with a bow in his hand, and he will even spend a lot of time with a bow in his hand learning how to hold the bow. Electric bass doesn't have much of a legacy and the prescribed methods of study are "Do what feels good, dude. Keep your wrist straight. Floating thumb!" and you really never make a connection to the instrument or the music.

He has absolutely nothing to lose by studying music on double bass. He won't fall behind in his electric playing. I'm sure every other doubler on here will agree.

The mechanics of playing electric bass are really only about 10% of the entire experience. If he studies double bass he will 1) Improve his ears significantly 2) learn the correct mechanics that easily translate to double bass 3) understands the theory and reasoning of playing on one string 4) his hands will get stronger.

Double bass has a history that is 6 or 7 times longer than the electric bass and it's tradition is well defined. He will spend a lot of time with a bow in his hand, and he will even spend a lot of time with a bow in his hand learning how to hold the bow. Electric bass doesn't have much of a legacy and the prescribed methods of study are "Do what feels good, dude. Keep your wrist straight. Floating thumb!" and you really never make a connection to the instrument or the music.

He has absolutely nothing to lose by studying music on double bass. He won't fall behind in his electric playing. I'm sure every other doubler on here will agree.

I'm a doubler and I don't 100% agree.

You have a point, but the OP's profile doesn't list an upright. That and the fact that the OP keeps referring to styles of music that generally use electric bass. This leads me to believe that he will take upright lessons without having an upright. Plus as you said the two are different instruments and while studying upright will improve musicianship, it wont help with the technique of the electric.

I DON'T in any way, shape, or form believe that an electric bassist needs to or will benefit from studying the upright. Unless of course it is a calling they hear and want to pursue.

I know that many people approach the electric like was stated in the above quoted post and it really annoys me. It bugs me more when guys who play double bass make this generalization it only serves to discredit the electric bass and the people who consider and approach it as a serious instrument.

What are you doing to change that perception?

I'm a doubler and I don't 100% agree.

You have a point, but the OP's profile doesn't list an upright. That and the fact that the OP keeps referring to styles of music that generally use electric bass. This leads me to believe that he will take upright lessons without having an upright. Plus as you said the two are different instruments and while studying upright will improve musicianship, it wont help with the technique of the electric.

I DON'T in any way, shape, or form believe that an electric bassist needs to or will benefit from studying the upright. Unless of course it is a calling they hear and want to pursue.

I know that many people approach the electric like was stated in the above quoted post and it really annoys me. It bugs me more when guys who play double bass make this generalization it only serves to discredit the electric bass and the people who consider and approach it as a serious instrument.

What are you doing to change that perception?

You should know that an Upright is a piano and a Stand-up is a comedian. ;)

What made you think I was disparaging the electric bass in any way? Remember that the bass guitar was invented so that the double bass player could play louder, in tune and transport the instrument easier. And it was significantly easier to play. Thus, it was easier to play badly.

I think electric bass purists are missing out on a lot of musical opportunity. I should know, I used to be one. I bought the very first issue of Bass Player Magazine 20 years ago and hated the fact that those big, brown doghouse things were in there. Those don't have much business in heavy metal, funk, prog rock which at the time was my main interest. And then I started playing double bass and realized how great it was. It looks cool, it sounds cool, people love it and I get lots of gigs playing it.

I'm not doing anything to change the perception that the electric bass is a toy as it clearly isn't. But I identify myself as a musician and the instrument to me is secondary; it's just a tool. You do need to have a certain amount of intelligence to take your studies of double bass and understand how to apply them to electric which quite honestly some people don't have and that's fine. "Alex Sampsons Fretboard Formula", tablature and bass porn instructional DVDs exist so that everybody can participate.

And you play all of this on the upright or electric? I'd say take bass lessons (upright or electric) for technique and some theory, but if you want to learn theory take a class or study with a jazz pianist.

i play on an electric. never played in upright before

My only point was that in essence the "tools" are:
- Upright is a violin, albiet a large one.
- Electric is a guitar, albiet with heavier strings.
I can't say I've ever heard it suggested to a guitarist that they take up violin...unless it's in the same vein of "you ought to know banjo, mandolin and ..violin." I know several cats that can play anything (well) that has strings. Evan Johns, formerly of the "H-Bombs" (whom I played with as a kid) comes immediately to mind.
That being said, if you're a "bassist," and strive to know all aspects of "playing bass," you ought to know both instruments. Certainly there's a whole 'nuther set of experiences to be had on an upright (I personally LOVE bluegrass - funnest stuff you can do with clothes on), but for that matter, you ought to then consider the tuba, Sousaphone or Euphonium. My double-bass teacher in fact played tuba in a number of orchestras, as well as double-bass.

There are lots of lessons on TB and other places on the interweb. My suggestion is to build on what you already know. Here's a few links to check out:

Learning stuff
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79878 How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50170 How to practice

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479401 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479642 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6521582 Improve site reading
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419687 Read bass clef
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519 Intro to scale and chord theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88294 Theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473968 Theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519 Theory (from the DB side of TB)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482544 Jazz Scales


http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99676 Theory Book Links
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56761 GI links list

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=486412 Blues Turn arounds
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485421 Using modes

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=80043 Creating bass lines
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125536 Creating bass lines
http://www.talkbass.com/wiki/index.php/Bass_Line_Construction:_Target_Approach Creating bass lines

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484065 Guitar players switching to bass

Online study of music theory/ear training.
http://www.teoria.com/ Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference(dictionary).
http://www.good-ear.com/
http://www.studybass.com/
http://www.activebass.com/

Books and instructional materials
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/default.asp

Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

Free online lessons
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481548

This is a very helpful program for learning the notes on the bass clef. (as recommended by AlphaMale)
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...cdlPid=1509909
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429034 If I only knew then
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434246 Best musical advice
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481465 Things every bassist should know

i play on an electric. never played in upright before

If you don't own a double bass (upright) and never played one before, I wouldn't recommend taking double bass lessons. Unless of course you're planning on buying one. But double lessons for the sake of "expanding your musical horizons" is foolish. If you're studying the instrument once a week, then never practicing at home you'll make no progress at all. The instrument costs at least $2000.00 and that's without any set-up, the strings cost at least $100.00 a set, it's a lot of cash to spend to "expand your musical horizons." Of course you could buy a $300.00 ebay bass shaped object, but those are unplayable and fall apart.

In other words, only take double bass lessons if it is a choice YOU want to make for YOUR OWN growth. Don't listen to the idea that it will make you a better musician so therefore you should study it. Find an electric teacher who is a SERIOUS musician, possibly a doubler and you'll get everything you need musically.

Remember, the instrument doesn't make a serious musician, the player does.

You should know that an Upright is a piano and a Stand-up is a comedian. ;)

What made you think I was disparaging the electric bass in any way? Remember that the bass guitar was invented so that the double bass player could play louder, in tune and transport the instrument easier. And it was significantly easier to play. Thus, it was easier to play badly.

I think electric bass purists are missing out on a lot of musical opportunity. I should know, I used to be one. I bought the very first issue of Bass Player Magazine 20 years ago and hated the fact that those big, brown doghouse things were in there. Those don't have much business in heavy metal, funk, prog rock which at the time was my main interest. And then I started playing double bass and realized how great it was. It looks cool, it sounds cool, people love it and I get lots of gigs playing it.

I'm not doing anything to change the perception that the electric bass is a toy as it clearly isn't. But I identify myself as a musician and the instrument to me is secondary; it's just a tool. You do need to have a certain amount of intelligence to take your studies of double bass and understand how to apply them to electric which quite honestly some people don't have and that's fine. "Alex Sampsons Fretboard Formula", tablature and bass porn instructional DVDs exist so that everybody can participate.

I'm no electric bass purist, I actually have gotten back to the electric seriously in the past year. Before that I spent 10 years seriously studying and gigging on the double bass.
I see your point, but my question is this. Is study of the double bass what made you a serious musician? I'd have to say for me it wasn't, I took up the double bass because I feel in love with the sound. My first serious electric bass teacher was a doubler (actually double bass was his primary instrument). He pointed me towards Ron Carter, Mingus, you get the point. Hearing that music and that sound I couldn't resist, I was COMPELLED to play the double bass for MY OWN reasons. In fact I didn't get my first upright until several years after I studied with that teacher.

Another question is, are you recommending the OP take double bass lessons without owning a double bass? Or should he spend several thousand dollars just to "expand his musical horizons?" Or should the OP buy a ebay BSO for that reason?

Finally, don't you think that a SERIOUS musician can see past all the BS in the electric bass "education" world and seriously study music on an electric bass?

But I identify myself as a musician and the instrument to me is secondary; it's just a tool.

Only when it's the double bass?

What made you think I was disparaging the electric bass in any way?

This Kind of stuff.


"Alex Sampsons Fretboard Formula", tablature and bass porn instructional DVDs exist so that everybody can participate.