I feel so lonely . . .

Looks like, rather than being "SottoVoce" you are "Vox clamente in deserto" ? ;)

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
"Vox clamente in deserto"

Pardon?

Please, SottoVoce, don't, we're your pals.
I remember that on the 2Xbasslist there was a thread on bass and pregnancy, so it is possible to bring specific topics to these discussions...

Originally posted by SottoVoce
Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
"Vox clamente in deserto"

Pardon?

A lone voice crying out in the wilderness - I must admit I haven't seen many female double bass players, although I have met two Jazz players in the UK and shared a flat with one when I was at college. Paula Gardiner is based in Wales in the UK and teaches Jazz and has released a couple of CDs under her name as a band leader. I went to some of her bass classes, when I was at the Jazz Summerschool at the University of Glamorgan.

Paula has her own website :

http://www.hargar.freeserve.co.uk/index.html

[Edited by Bruce Lindfield on 10-26-2000 at 05:54 AM]

Here in the Big Apple, in the classical scene, where auditions are played behind screens and the competition is ferocious, female bassists are everywhere, including the Philharmonic and the Met. If you have the stuff, and they do, you get the gig, regardless of instrument.

Bluegrass has some. They usually just use one finger plucking and generally are quite precise about finger placement on the board. Not like us guys who beat the daylights out of the dog and grab the neck, using our hand to get to the note. We all play the songs though so there ain't no right or wrong way, I guess. Female bassist in Bluegrass are common and play as well as the guys, just a bit diff on the technique, IMHO. Come on down to the Birthplace of Country Music!!

hey! what do mean precise placement on the fingerboard? lol. bluegrass and country may be cool dude but jazz is still the best! anyone have any tips for getting the swing of jazz? :help: i need help badly, so if you have any idea at all it'll be greatly appreciated! thanx!
and here in nevada female bassists totally dominate! u should see the orchestras here! :D

I'm a female bassist! You're not alone!

Whatever happened KATSMEOW? Last I recall, she was prepping for a recital, while simultaneously considering selling her bass.

Hehe, I saw a death metal band last night that was a lot like cannibal corpse who had a female bassist :eek: She played fingerstyle and did some cool triplets to. Haha.. I believe she also had a grim reaper tattoo on her shoulder, that was METAL :D

Hehe, I saw a death metal band last night that was a lot like cannibal corpse who had a female bassist :eek: She played fingerstyle and did some cool triplets to. Haha.. I believe she also had a grim reaper tattoo on her shoulder, that was METAL :D

Here y'go, INSECT, happy trails....
www.mapquest.com

The international channel up here played a clip of a asian all Woman orchestra a month or so ago. My only complaint was they only showed 20 seconds, and I couldn't understand what the anchors were saying about them.

Of the two orchestras I play in, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (Sioux Falls) bass section has 4 out of 8 females, and Bloomington (MN) Symphony Orchestra has 3 out of 6.

I guess bass babes are no longer the novelty we used to be...isn't it wonderful?

I'm a girly, but I don't play DB.


Yet. :D

Hi there,

Another female bassist saying Hi. We are here. ;)

I'm another female db player. In our community symphony we had an all female section (4 of us!) for much of last season. Then we let in a single male.

For me, my age has been a much bigger concern than negotiating the
bass with female body parts or even carrying the bass around. I didn't
start playing bass until my mid-forties and had no background in
any other string instrument (well, piano.)

Hi Momamomy,

I took up DB in my mid-forties as well. I agree that the physical dynamics at first were challenging, including getting the bass from one place to another. I have been studying with a female teacher for a last few months who has taught me a lot about playing without it being a physical strain. I also play electric bass and keyboard instruments.

She's not on these boards, but one of Vancouver's most sought after (jazz) bassists is a female, Jody Proznick.

What about Prince's bass player? I thought she was all right too.

But that's just me. :D

Hehe, I saw a death metal band last night that was a lot like cannibal corpse who had a female bassist :eek: She played fingerstyle and did some cool triplets to. Haha.. I believe she also had a grim reaper tattoo on her shoulder, that was METAL :D

What the hell is "finger style"? :crying:

What the hell is "finger style"? :crying:


As opposed to a pick... slabspeak.

Brian

As opposed to a pick... slabspeak.

Brian

Can you tell I was never a slab player?

I had a hunch. :smug:

I had a hunch. :smug:

I love ya Marcus....You follow me around TBDB and buffer all my Bull****! :D

What's a slab player?

A bass-guitarist.



But then what if you only play hollow-bodied bass guitars?

A bass-guitarist.

Oh. So am I a slab player? I only play bass, but it's a BG, not a DB. :confused:

Oh. So am I a slab player? I only play bass, but it's a BG, not a DB. :confused:

Yes you are and i'm not.......

I try to play slab only to bring home the bacon. :hiding:


Maybe that banned guy was right, that joke made me sick.

Yes you are and i'm not.......

Ah. Thanks, I think. :D

I try to play slab only to bring home the bacon. :hiding:


Maybe that banned guy was right, that joke made me sick.

Damn, I leave town for a few days and look at what I miss.

i play db. but it's too scary to post in here very often :p

i play db. but it's too scary to post in here very often :p
Why do you say that, Gia?

i play db. but it's too scary to post in here very often :p

Yep - I've been playing bass for over 30 years and thought I was fearless, until I stumbled upon TB DB - it really is scary!! ;)

Why do you say that, Gia?

um, partly because i'm very scared of saying or asking something stupid and invoking wrath :p

also because my forum settings change when i come here.

I say/ask stupid stuff and invoke wrath all the time and still live to tell about it. :D

-Scot

I say/ask stupid stuff and invoke wrath all the time and still live to tell about it. :D

-Scot
There ya go Scot! That's the beauty of this Forum Gina....What you misconcieve as wrath are sometimes just little jabs to help Newbies learn new things about the DB.
On another thread, Ray Parker was talking about a club he used to go to in Toledo where the horn players were hard on bass players...just another way for them to help ya get information you'll need in the future. It's better to learn some of that stuff here, on line, than on the bandstand or stage where it could really be embarassing!
And Scot, you know there really is NO stupid stuff!
We're here to :help:

If I hadn't been playing in bands for a long, long time with "the guys" I think I'd be a little scared by all of this too. Especially trying to ask an intelligent question about DB.

Could be a girl thing. I just tell "the guys" I've heard it all by now, nothing can shock me anymore. I totally enjoy the ribbing, bantering, humor and whatever that goes on here or in any band. Would rather learn it here, rather than on stage. :)

I'm here. I'm not sure what kind of technique I have, because I haven't played with many other bassists at all. I do very little to no bowing, the bow that came with my bass isn't all that great, and I'm drawn more to BG and jazz rather than classical (probably because I'm just no good at bowing!).

Bonnie

Bonnie, practice with the bow. It's going to hurt at first as it shows up all your left hand weaknesses, but it'll make you a much better bass player in the long run.

-dh

I don't know much about theory on bowing. How is the left hand different while playing with a bow?

Right now I read chords and notes, just not with a bow.


Bonnie

Bonnie,

The first day I bought my first upright bass, I went to hear one of the top bassists in town and chatted with him. He gave me some good advice: practice bowing, it will really help with your intonation. Sounds like you have a good musical background, and I would suggest that you take a few lessons from a teacher to learn something about bowing. Think that's someone one needs to learn with an instructor

Studying with a teacher has been crucial for me, not only to learn bowing but to get a second opinion on my technique -- good stance, mainly how to play this beast of an instrument without physically tearing oneself up. I think that's kind of important for everyone, male or female, like me. Fortunately, I have a female teacher who has really got down what I would call economy of motion and I am learning to play with so much less effort, not to say a male teacher couldn't do the same, though. Now I cringe when I see others struggling so hard to play. It doesn't have to be that difficult and neither does bowing. As for bows, crummy bows are difficult to play. If there's any chance you can get a more playable bow, go for it. Even a $200 brazilwood bow from Lemur would be better than those fiberglass things. I am looking forward to doing some arco playing jazz and its been a challenge, but rewarding playing in an orchestra.

I also need to upgrade my strings I'm afraid. The ones that came with my bass have very wide windings on them. I will practice bowing though, if only to help with intonation. I know of a bassist/director that plays with an orchestra not too far from him, maybe I ought to contact him for a lesson.

The left hand wasn't so bad as the right hand (at least for me). I had horrible technique when I started two years ago ago and then when we went on an almost 2 month tour a few months ago I got quite a few blisters, and the last one ended until after I got home, and doubled in size when I tried to play at a picking party. I'm getting over it though, and I've changed my hand position drastically at the advice of a bluegrass bassist I met down in FL. Now I pluck primarily on the left side of my index finger. It turned out I played it with the peg WAY too high for my 5'4", and it was impossible to play like that with the right hand position. I play it all the way down now, and it works out much better.

Thanks for all your advice!

Bonnie

You need a real teacher!

I'll try to take a few lessons.

I was very surprised when I started bowing! Difficult it is. I'm working on the 'vomit' exercise that was described in the technique forum and my hands often get sore and I have to stop for a little while. I'm very happy that I was told to bow, because it solves the problem to my many blisters from too much pizz. all at once.

Bonnie

i've always found bowing easier than playing pizz.

probably because i went straight from the violin to the double bass, and only started playing eb a year after.

Bonnie,

Definitely try out some new strings! I just did a thread on this and there is very good info info on this forum if you do a search. I am using Thomasic Spirocores for pizz on one bass and they are ok but not great for bowing, but you can bow just fine. Been bowing on Spirocores, even in a orchestra, for quite awhile. I'm finding out they are about the best for pizz.

I was wondering if you ever have the bass set up. When I first started bass I had a rental bass that was so poorly set up it was killing my hands. Getting it set up means checking out things and getting the string height at a comfortable-for-you distance, among other others. You definitely need a teacher or luthier to check this out.

Janette

BTW, when I said BG I meant bluegrass, not bass guitar.
I'm stuck in that mode, and can't seem to get it into my head that BG doesn't generally mean bluegrass here.

Bonnie

BTW, when I said BG I meant bluegrass, not bass guitar.
I'm stuck in that mode, and can't seem to get it into my head that BG doesn't generally mean bluegrass here.

Bonnie
I was wondering about that! Blue grass is a fine place to start your playing...just try to be aware when it's time to move on....IMHO, Edgar Myer has taken that genre of music on the bass about as far as it can go. Again. only my opinion.

..."Bluegrass is a fine place to start your playing...just try to be aware when it's time to move on....IMHO, Edgar Myer has taken that genre of music on the bass about as far as it can go. Again. only my opinion."...

Perhaps this is too on-topic for the "off topic" section, but the stories and anecdotes in bluegrass songs are what take them places. Not the bass players.

I've played bluegrass and oldtime music on the DB for quite a while now, and although I love locking-in with rocking mando and fiddle players (for example), it is still the sweet/sad/ironic/humorous verse that makes me smile and keeps me coming back. To me, the power of the music is in the stories of rural life.

Z

yep i'm a female bass player and play in and out of the country on tours in fact just got back yesterday and i usually take 5 basses wiith me,,from europe and will rest 2 months and going to france in feb..yes i looovvveee bass play both double and also 4 and 5 string basses,,i just simple love playing bass
missy51633 :hyper:

Hi Missy,

Good to see you on board as another bass doubler here. Janette

yep i'm a female bass player and play in and out of the country on tours in fact just got back yesterday and i usually take 5 basses wiith me,,from europe and will rest 2 months and going to france in feb..yes i looovvveee bass play both double and also 4 and 5 string basses,,i just simple love playing bass
missy51633 :hyper:
Just curious...why five? When I used to tour on slab, I'd usually just bring one backup (I just bring one now). Different basses for different sounds?

i am glad to be on these boards where they have a faboulous tab s and also i would like to know how many ladies are on here too
we have somw very well known bass girls and they do a darn good job playing them too
so glad to say hi to you and keep up the good work jb

marcus ,will try to answer your question by saying i had a fender jazz4 srting and i played it on every gig,one night in moddle of show you got it it quit(the pickup quit and no amount of trying to fix it helpedaa0,,so i by then had auired 2 more basses and decided to take them and then i had to have my DB too and i have a small violin bass (like one other lady who is tops,)without mentionung ant names,,and so i took it,,,
but to mainly answer the question because i tune different at times and different sounds, and i love the little violin bass,and like to have 3 bows with me for the DB cause over there at times you can't get replacements,what with the crowds and ect,getting around to them to get them also,so i had custom made for my 5 basses a case ,just a little different than the 4 bass carrier and extra padding too as i dont want anything to happen to them,some are very expensive(but aren't they all)
i still have a 1972 fender precision that i take also,it has been the best and easiest to play belonged to my brother who has died i got it,,but i would like to say please tell all you see/talk to, to keep this board up it is the 1st thing i come to when i am at home,,and the people and the mods here are super
missy51633 :bassist:

Gotcha, good answer. I have a friend who got booked onto a cruise ship gig to some Godforsaken ports, and all he brought was his 4-string Steinberger, with no spare double ball strings. Somehow, he managed to break three (!) of the strings during the course of the cruise, with no music stores available. He was not popular with the keyboardist, who basically kicked bass for the remainder of the cruise.

After reading these posts I think I am going to be more careful to pack up just about two of everything for a gig. I just cannot imagine breaking 3 bass strings (never even broke one) but changes in weather, travel can all contribute to that, I guess. I keep a supply of extra cords in my car and extension cords, but think I will start taking an extra bass or at least some extra strings which I don't usually do, just in case. Good ideas here! ;)

I've never figured that one out either....the only guy I ever saw do something like that was Larry Graham. He broke two strings and blew up a rental amp...all at a sound check.

:) i guess i can reply to this as its a female question,,but marcus you know how usually we girls are we take along extras but even i can get out of practice and forget and which i did forget to tell guitar man to take 2 of everything ha ha he didn't and broke end of cord off as he jumped up playing and stepped on it and pulled the guitar up screaming the way he plays and also at same time he broke his strap boy what a time we had we finally used the belt of the rythym player,lucklie he had one on ,, so i am learning ,if you gonna play better be outfitted for anything huh lol
missy51633 :hyper:

hey,
im a female bassist too!

I was at the All Eastern Music Festival the first weekend of March. The players were selected from most of the eastern seaboard. Four out of ten bassists were female.

As a high school student I have seen lots of girls playing bass, and most of them are very good. In fact, at least at my age, I would say female bassists are on average better than their male counterparts.

So no need to feel discouraged/alone.

yes i too think that the females of the bass playing world are coming on up,.
i see a lot of male players that are good and some not sso---,but that goes for us ladies too,.
there is a need for both of us in this playing field so lets all pull together and by all means stick to learning more with practice,practice,play and practice.
had a bad time of it in ireland last month sprained my ankle but the guys in my band just got me a stool and told me ,,have at it,,ha,ha,ha, said "you can't get out of playing that easy,here you go"
thanks to every one on here, there a lot of great players here AND lot of help when we need it,advice,tabs and boy i need all i can get!!
hang in there girls,,and guys and keep on playing
missy51633

im a female bassist. have to say i prefer the blokes...as im on the conservatoire and pro orchestra side of things girls can be bitchy sometimes...whereas the guys make decent conversation and buy you a pint!

on a slightly more random note, i have just bought the most gorgeous new double bass, i paid 5k sterling for it. its unmarked, got helicore orchestral strings (my favourite! :D) and although it is unsigned has a rather distinctive marking on the top at the back where the neck joins the back...ill try to post some photos, but id love to know more about it..its actualy my baby!

good to see some sisters doin it for themselves!!!! thankfully im the only girl in a section of 8 other strapping men...means at least im the best lookin girl in the bass section!!!!!! wouldnt have much hope otherwise...

good 2 see some laydees...anyway ciao for now..
little katie xxxxxx

I'm another female db player. In our community symphony we had an all female section (4 of us!) for much of last season. Then we let in a single male.
Would you have let in a married guy? :)

In all respect to everyone, does it really matter if one if male or female? Sure we are outnumbered a lot of the time - I know I am, in the jazz world - but for me, it's about music. Not gender or age or whatever - music. I really don't think of myself as a "female bass player". I do think of myelf as a bass player. *shrug* :)

I am a female bassist too. I took up the bass at about 36 and I just hope that I'll be good enough to join a band and gig somewhere before I retire! LOL I really love it - I love it so much sometimes I practice for 4 or 5 hours - WOW. I wish I would have started younger, but at least I have some piano training, so some of the theory is behind me.
GGirl

Just chimin' in as another girlie... Been lurking about on the board for some time, just getting around to posting now.

I play upright and electric, but have pretty much neglected the ol' EB3 since I bought the EM1.

More girls are getting into the upright, I get several emails a week from young'uns looking for motherly (ahem) advice. Gotta support the up and coming girlies! :)

Another gal has joined the ranks.

I'm a DB Newbie but a seasoned musician
I figure - the best part about my DB is that she's more "statuesque" than I!