Is DB for me?

anyonefortennis · #1 10-17-2007, 11:25 PM

Well, that's the question? How did you know you wanted to play?

I been an electric bass player (rock mostly) for 3 years now with no formal music training but have been dying to play Jazz and Rockabilly. No real interest in arco for now.

Should I take a lesson or two to see if this is really what I want to do? Is it bad to not have interest in a technique like bowing that is widely used for DB?

Your input is always appreciated!!

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #2 10-17-2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

Well, that's the question? How did you know you wanted to play?

It picked me. I knew because when i picked it up, I never wanted to put it down.

Quote:

I been an electric bass player (rock mostly) for 3 years now with no formal music training but have been dying to play Jazz and Rockabilly. No real interest in arco for now.

Should I take a lesson or two to see if this is really what I want to do?

Sure. Why not?

Quote:

Is it bad to not have interest in a technique like bowing that is widely used for DB?

No. You may decide later that you want to study it to help your overall playing, but it's not in the least bad not to have an interest. I have an interest in bowing, but not a passion for it. When that changes, I'll bow. Until then, I'll enjoy plucking with my fingers and trying to let some music happen whenever possible.

Bottom line, if you want to play, go for it. Yes, it tends to go better with a teacher. Yes, it's probably not a bad idea to learn to bow a little. But even if not, get a bass in your hands and start making music. You can always add those other things later when you want to speed up your learning curve. As always, YMMV, WYSIWYG, YMWCB, etc...

**Matthew Tucker** · #3 10-18-2007, 01:18 AM

If you love the sound and feel of the DB then you have no choice!

No-one would willingly lug around such a huge empty box if they didn't love playing the thing and the sound that came out. People still say to me "oh, we have a bass guitar if you don't want to bring the big bass" but you know what? I always take the DB.

I was never interested in Arco. Now five years later, I am more and more inclined to have a go. It just seems the right thing to do.

thombo · #4 10-18-2007, 01:31 AM

if you play upright, learning to play with bow from a teacher will make you better (even if it is an occasional lesson).
even if you play root-five bluegrass, it aids in developing fluidity with the instrument... proper shifts, hand speed, strength, intonation, etc... and makes you that much more versitile.
after a night of chuggin' along, it's pretty boss if you bust a bow out of nowhere for a smokin' solo, or tasty supporting part.
i give bowing and a good teacher big yes... if you are going to put in the effort, you might as well do it right, otherwise, it's an expensive toy.

TroyK · #5 10-18-2007, 01:34 AM

Well put, Matthew. If you don't need to play the DB, you really shouldn't. Let me talk you out of it:

They're expensive. They're fragile. They're hard to play. They are hard to amplify. They're a pain to transport. They take up a lot of space in your home. They frequently injure you. The things you need for them are rarely available locally (no more guitar center, order from Austria). You'll go back to being a beginner again and it will bug you knowing that you could be playing better if you just put the beast down and picked your bass guitar back up.

But, if you gotta, you gotta. Sadly...I gotta.

Kevin Hsieh · #6 10-18-2007, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Well put, Matthew. If you don't need to play the DB, you really shouldn't. Let me talk you out of it:

They're expensive. They're fragile. They're hard to play. They are hard to amplify. They're a pain to transport. They take up a lot of space in your home. They frequently injure you. The things you need for them are rarely available locally (no more guitar center, order from Austria). You'll go back to being a beginner again and it will bug you knowing that you could be playing better if you just put the beast down and picked your bass guitar back up.

But, if you gotta, you gotta. Sadly...I gotta.

+1

long story short. it's the most physical, PITA, difficult instrument you could possibly choose. but if you fall in love with it, consider yourself married.

thombo · #7 10-18-2007, 02:03 AM

it also requires alot of maintenace, hence $$$.

**Matthew Tucker** · #8 10-18-2007, 02:27 AM

On the plus side ...

- you get noticed: "Oh I just LOVE those big cellos!"
- you get a really really cool looking piece of furniture for the corner of the loungeroom.
- you can sleep in the soft bag
- you don't break strings that often
- you've got something to hug when on stage
- you don't need an amp all the time
- you have a built-in percussion instrument
- you can tape your song list or changes to the upper bout
- if you have a ply bass, you have an emergency seat at the back of the stage
- you can show off at parties. How many guitarists can get a good sound out a DB?
- and they sound just fab

bassist1962 · #9 10-18-2007, 04:33 AM

Confession here - I am torn. I am a bass guitarist who wanted to play an acoustic instrument, and a DB became available. I love the sound,etc., but maintainence costs just kill me. I would be just as happy with an acoustic bass guitar, or just continue playing my Fender.

Consider Kevin's statement seriously.

And is it just me, or are the first two people who responded to this thread (ironiclly)nortoriously known for NOT using a bow?! I only picked up my bow on a whim at one rehearsal (my first with the instrument by the way), and all of a sudden the band slammed me with arco work. I went back to BG as my DB fell in need of repair. (Still in 'need' of an acoustic instrument though).

**Matthew Tucker** · #10 10-18-2007, 07:03 AM

Notorious?? I have been known to take a bow ... but never have I achieved anything useful with one!

BTW my first bass, an OK ply bass, cost me ... ooooh ... exactly nothing in maintenance over five years, except perhaps a set of spiro strings in year one. So maintenance costs won't necessarily kill you.

clink · #11 10-18-2007, 08:58 AM

In order to play Jazz it is important to read, have a good ear and know some music theory. Depending on the situation you will use at least two of those skills. I've never played Rockabilly, but imagine that some theory and a good ear are important. With BG experience you may have a good grasp of this, but it is worth an honest evaluation of your ability. The DB is tough but very rewarding if you are willing to put in the work. If you take the plunge, find a good teacher in your area and let work with him/her for at least a few months.

Ed Fuqua · #12 10-18-2007, 10:20 AM

The ONLY reason to play any specific instrument is because, when you hear music in your head, the thing you hear most clearly as YOUR voice is THAT instrument. I play DB cause that's what I hear. I stopped playing electric because I didn't hear that anymore.

I've just started doing some serious work with the bow (after playing upright for 25+ years now) and it has really opened a lot of things up for me. Primarily the sound of the instrument. There is a real depth and richness to the sound of the bass that I was simply unaware of for all these years and it has had a huge impact on my pizz sound. Just knowing that THAT sound is in the bass, having it in your ears, makes you try to get to that depth and richness playing pizz. Yeah, it's great for working on intonation, yeah it makes you work on breathing in phrasing and all that ****. But the predominant Moment of Beauty is just hearing that deep, deep singing....

adbass · #13 10-18-2007, 10:39 AM

why are you considering playing DB?

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #14 10-18-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

And is it just me, or are the first two people who responded to this thread (ironiclly)nortoriously known for NOT using a bow?!

Notorious? I've always wanted to be famous for something. I guess that'll do.

Seriously, I do plan on bowing in the future, but when I do it, I want to be able to put in enough time to do it right. As it is right now, every time I pick up a bow and play a slow scale, my cats get this look on their faces:

Bass · #15 10-18-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

Well, that's the question? How did you know you wanted to play?

Because rockabilly bassists look cool, and so does the upright. And the electric bass was losing it's charm, so I really had no choice but to learn upright.

I've only been playing a year, but play well enough to hold down the bass line in two "rockabilly" bands. And I've never touched a bow and don't plan to anytime soon.

drurb · #16 10-18-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anyonefortennis

How did you know you wanted to play?

Love. That's how. I've been in love with the sound, the feel, and the challenge for over three decades. I couldn't not play the DB. All of the drawbacks mentioned earlier I consider part of the labor of love.

Jason Sypher · #17 10-18-2007, 01:26 PM

If jazz and rockabilly are your thing I think you've got your answer. At the risk of getting flamed I don't like those musics played on electric bass by well....anyone. Ouch! What you will have to do is what all bass players have to do and that is get one and see if it's you. I was an electric player first and I felt like I had a lot going on on the instrument but when I began noodling with an upright I realized I didn't know ****. It was humbling and challenging (personal propensities). As far as the bow goes, don't worry about that yet, just use your passion for rockabilly and jazz to get you started. Once you get your blisters healed you can start deciding if you want to work out the bow. You definitely need to get a teacher right away. Don't wait, you will save yourself years of wasted time.

anyonefortennis · #18 10-18-2007, 11:18 PM

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

Do you think it would be wise to start taking lessons knowing that I probably won't be able to buy a DB untill next summer? OR should I wait untill I know I can buy one?

bassist1962 · #19 10-19-2007, 04:14 AM

What would you practice on?

Mark Perry · #20 10-19-2007, 04:48 AM

I supose you could get some lessons and simply play your teachers bass. Maybe use a few lessons to learn some of the fundamentally important physical aspects.
Ime i was struggling (just about managing) to play in a couple of bands after a year. Now, after nearly two (and a handful of lessons) my db playing is begining to sound musical. Haven't played it in any band for a while now.