Bought my first upright bass

topper · #1 07-16-2009, 06:03 PM

It's an Engelhardt from Jerry at Fretwell Bass. Jerry was great. Very cool guy, I highly recommend him.

Now how do I play this thing?

Can't afford lessons right now. Can someone recommend a good DVD for folk/country/bluegrass kind of stuff?

JtheJazzMan · #2 07-16-2009, 06:18 PM

Let me be the first to congratulate you, but also the first to warn you, that having a teacher when you first pick up the bass is very important.

Holding the bass and learning an ergonomic technique are important to learn right from the start, as bad habits are slow to unlearn.

Your left hand needs some attention, it looks as though its supporting the bass and also the angle of your forearm and wrists isnt ideal and will lead to straining at odd angles.

Its certainly a challenging instrument so dont rush into bad habits!

Marcus Johnson · #3 07-16-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topper

Now how do I play this thing?

It's been almost forty years for me, and I still ask that question.

altruego · #4 07-16-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topper

Can't afford lessons right now. Can someone recommend a good DVD for folk/country/bluegrass kind of stuff?

Nothing beats a person as an instructor but this may help you out. It starts out with very basic stuff.
http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product...O_DVD_SET.html

M Ramsey · #5 07-17-2009, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topper

It's an Engelhardt from Jerry at Fretwell Bass. Jerry was great. Very cool guy, I highly recommend him.

Now how do I play this thing?

Can't afford lessons right now. Can someone recommend a good DVD for folk/country/bluegrass kind of stuff?

If you want folk/country/bluegrass DVDs here's a couple of places to start:

http://www.amazon.com/DVD-Essential-.../dp/B00024OR58

Todd Phillips is one of Barry Bales favorite influences and here is another influence of Barry's:

http://larkinthemorning.com/Beginnin...-DVD/p/DVD158/

Marshall Wilborn has played with several influential bluegrass bands and is currently playing with Michael Cleveland.

Tejano Bass · #6 07-17-2009, 06:27 AM

Big Mike said, "Marshall Wilborn has played with several influential bluegrass bands and is currently playing with Michael Cleveland."

. . . and . . . he lives in Winchester, VA. . . . and . . . I hear that he might be takin' on a few students. Nuthin' quite like learnin' from one of the best -

topper · #7 07-17-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tejano Bass

. . . and . . . he lives in Winchester, VA. . . . and . . . I hear that he might be takin' on a few students. Nuthin' quite like learnin' from one of the best -

Winchester is a long ways from me. Couple hours at least. I think I will take at least a couple lessons to start out with someone local (Charlottesville or Nelson County VA).

Thanks for all the great DVD recommendations!

bass_snake · #8 07-17-2009, 07:45 AM

Great looking bass! I want an Engelhardt too.

Good luck!

Fred

topper · #9 07-17-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_snake

Great looking bass! I want an Engelhardt too.

Good luck!

Fred

Fred, you should give Jerry at Fretwell a call. He ships basses all over the world. I happen to be lucky enough to be in his backyard.

pointbass · #10 07-17-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Its certainly a challenging instrument so dont rush into bad habits!

I totally agree with this .... do your very best to avoid picking up bad habits, or you'll be suffering (physically and musically) for years to come.

I recently began playing DB again after several years of slab only, and fortunately, because I was taught the proper way it was kind of like riding a bike .... a few wiggles and wobbles for the first couple of days, but I quickly fell right back into my old habits (luckily most of the old habits are good ones)

Congrats on the bass! Enjoy it!!!

KaizerWilhelm · #11 07-17-2009, 12:39 PM

Definitely don't start bad habits! When I first started playing, I luckily was taught the correct way by the very talented Todd Gowers. The left hand style I learned on DB translated to EB very well and now I can play my EB easier and I have bette control and reach. As everyone says, if you can get a private teacher, do it.

M Ramsey · #12 07-17-2009, 02:13 PM

Here's a bit more on Todd Phillips with regards to his fine bass playing and his training and background.

and Marshall Wilborn, who studied bass at Julliard.

These men know their bluegrass, but they also know some proper technique and convey this information through their respective instructional DVDs.

BTW, Barry Bales, Alsion Krauss' bassman for the last 20 years, just finished shooting video for a bass instruction DVD within the past week or so. As soon as it becomes available, I'll share the info.

Cheers. They be into the hillbilly music, but they ain't no dummies.

MT Spaces · #13 07-17-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Ramsey

....BTW, Barry Bales, Alsion Krauss' bassman for the last 20 years, just finished shooting video for a bass instruction DVD within the past week or so ....

Slim .... That's great news

.... I will have to get that one when it comes out. I sure agree with you ..... Todd, Marshall, and Barry are definitely-not double-bass dummies. Luckily I have been fortunate enough to get to watch and hear them all play some of that HillBilly music live and in-person

.

Congrats on the new bass Topper

. Is that an EC-1B? What are those strings? I know Fretwell sells Innovation UltraBlacks .... Are those them? I bet you will have fun with it. I've got a gamba-Kay and have been playing about 3 years. I should have had lessons but teachers are slim-to-none around here .... The DVD's did help me. I don't have "classical" form but that doesn't stop me from playing loud, fast, and long

. I haven't hurt myself yet .... I learn from my pains and my technique and ability to make music has improved.

tomshepp · #14 07-17-2009, 04:05 PM

Congrats on your new bass!

Feral Feline · #15 07-19-2009, 12:37 PM

Congrats Topper!

She's a beaut!

+1 for Todd Philips 2 DVDs, but as one novice to another: ++ on getting a teacher fresh out of the gate. Really helps get you started down the right track, with quick improvements on intonation and reducing chance of injury. Even just a couple of lessons is money very well spent IMHO.

wineaux · #16 07-19-2009, 04:12 PM

Nice bass, purchased from a great guy.

Do yourself a favor. Take the money you would spend on one video and shipping and get at least one lesson to learn a bit about proper technique. In C-ville, you ought to be able to find a bassist at UVA or someone else in the community to get you started.

Then follow along on some videos.

Good luck!

chris dammann · #17 07-19-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topper

Winchester is a long ways from me. Couple hours at least. I think I will take at least a couple lessons to start out with someone local (Charlottesville or Nelson County VA).

Thanks for all the great DVD recommendations!

Pete Spaar is in Charlottesville and a great teacher. He is who got me started. Charlottesville has a lot of great music. Enjoy your new baby! you'll be out playing in no time.

m0onpenguin · #18 07-26-2009, 10:14 AM

I second the comment on Pete Spaar being a great teacher. He is incredible with both technique and theory, and can teach many different styles. I'd suggest saving up for a semester of lessons with him at U.Va., which would probably wind up being cheaper than weekly individual lessons.

Word of warning, he'll likely have you learn to bow, but that's not a bad thing and can be addicting.