HELP!! im just a begginer

[lightblue]

well ive been playing my electric bass for a year and 3 months but i learned the all by myself no teachers no nothing just me. and now im playing a double bass for my high school orchestra and im having so much trouble in it. my teacher isnt too expert on orchestra or any kind of stringed instrument he more on the jazz kind of music. so he really isnt a great teacher when it come to showing me techniques on my bass. well i know how to read notes not the best at it but i do know and im getting the timing better now. but my teacher just still complains to me. so if any1 can help me on any advice on anything 4rm how to hold it or a easier way to count the beats. i guess my biggest problem would be i get sooooooo nervous and i lose all my confidence and i dont want to play anymore. but i think thats just something nobody but me can help me with. so if, my fellow bassist can help me in anything you can. you guys would be in my heart =] really u guys are helping me out so much by just reading the MUAH!!! =]

[Andrew McGregor]

Well, there's not much we can do online. That said, if you have some more specific questions, somebody will very likely try.

The most important thing will be to find a teacher you do get on with, because so many of the basics are really easy to demonstrate, but impossible to put down in words and also impossible to video.

Confidence CAN be helped, but that you really can't do online. You need a teacher for that. One thing that might help you in the mean time is to think about this: emotions are only a cue to think about things. So if you feel anxious, all that is is a subconscious trigger to sit up and pay attention, 'cause if you don't what you're about to do is going to go wrong. Which is perfectly true if you think about it... and once you realise that, the anxiety doesn't exactly go away, but it is much easier to handle. Other emotions, like anger for instance, go away immediately once you figure out what they're trying to tell you and make a decision. So don't sit and stew in it... think and decide what you will do.

[scotty77]

As Andrew says, find a teacher. One that you want to work with. He or she will be able to save you a lot of headaches down the road unlearning bad habits that you might learn on your own. That can also save you a lot of injuries as well.
Talk to the teacher about where you want to go with the bass. Between the two of you, you will be able to come up with a lesson plan. Something that would help with technique and also what you are playing at school. That way, you will feel more confident in class.
Listen to what you want to learn as well. Try to figure it out. If you can see live performances, even better. And obviously, there are lots of great threads here to read through. And lots of people willing to help out as well. Most of them are very willing. Remember, they almost all started the same way as you did.
Good luck with it.

[sevenyearsdown]

If you aren't comfortable with the person teaching you, then you likely wont get much out the instruction. Being able to relax is an important part of playing the instrument, and if your teacher has you on edge and you are losing confidence - then they aren't the best teacher for you.

Sometimes good or even great musicians aren't great teachers. Remember that learning how to play music should be as enjoyable as it is challenging.

Good luck.

[Jake deVilliers]

Guys, the OP doesn't have a bass teacher, he's talking about the music teacher at school.

lightblue, you should find a double bass teacher and get some lessons!

[Bass Barrister]

Does your school offer options for private lessons?

Is your school part of a larger school system that may include another school with a strong string program that would allow you to participate?

Is there a community based youth orchestra or orchestral training program in your area?

Is there a university or college close by that has a "community music" program?

If you told us where you are lcoated (general area) it would help to make some suggestions. For example, if you were in the Chicago area, I would tell you to contact the Community Music Division at DePaul University or one of several colleges with similar programs, or refer you to groups like the Merit Music Program, the Music Institute of Chicago, or the Classical Symphony/Protege Philharmonic.

Involvement in such programs requires a committment of time, effort, and money (some of these programs may have scholarships available). But, if your goal is to play bass, play it well, and develop your skills, and your own school's program is weak, these alternatives may be a way to meet your needs.

Again, we don't know where you are so can't help with any specifics that may apply to you.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Originally Posted by lightblue

well ive been playing my electric bass for a year and 3 months but i learned the all by myself no teachers no nothing just me. and now im playing a double bass for my high school orchestra and im having so much trouble in it. my teacher isnt too expert on orchestra or any kind of stringed instrument he more on the jazz kind of music. so he really isnt a great teacher when it come to showing me techniques on my bass. well i know how to read notes not the best at it but i do know and im getting the timing better now. but my teacher just still complains to me. so if any1 can help me on any advice on anything 4rm how to hold it or a easier way to count the beats. i guess my biggest problem would be i get sooooooo nervous and i lose all my confidence and i dont want to play anymore. but i think thats just something nobody but me can help me with. so if, my fellow bassist can help me in anything you can. you guys would be in my heart =] really u guys are helping me out so much by just reading the MUAH!!! =]

At first I thought that English might not be your native tongue. But on second reading, I think it is, you just don't write it well.

So, you learned bg all by yourself, but now you have a teacher that doesn't know orchestra? What about your conductor/teacher for orchestra? Usually they know about strings and orchestra. They also usually know the string teachers in the area. That's how I found my bass teachers when I was young.

A good teacher will help with your confidence like no one else can, including you. Good luck!

[LeslieD]

Originally Posted by Jesse Rosenburg

At first I thought that English might not be your native tongue. But on second reading, I think it is, you just don't write it well.

Thanks! That gave me a good laugh Jesse. I think this is just how a lot of younger folks write these days. Thanks to txt messaging, the English language is changing...& we jus dont need punctuation, complete wrds or nothin

I know two linguistics teachers (both Emeritus), and one is all excited about the new changes...and one is grumpy as hell... All I know is that it's never gonna stop changing!

To the original poster--good luck w/ everything. No matter what happens, just don't quit! Also, sometimes your older friends like real sentences complete with punctuation.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Originally Posted by LeslieD

Thanks! That gave me a good laugh Jesse. I think this is just how a lot of younger folks write these days. Thanks to txt messaging, the English language is changing...& we jus dont need punctuation, complete wrds or nothin

I know two linguistics teachers (both Emeritus), and one is all excited about the new changes...and one is grumpy as hell... All I know is that it's never gonna stop changing!

To the original poster--good luck w/ everything. No matter what happens, just don't quit! Also, sometimes your older friends like real sentences complete with punctuation.

Thanks Leslie. You too gave me a chuckle. I'm all for changing language. For instance, I had not trouble with 4rm. But I was confused about her teachers. Is there a jazzer conducting her orchestra?

[lightblue]

Well my conductor is my orchestra teacher he isnt trained in it. we only have 10 people in my class. 5 violins 2 celios 2 violas 1 bass(me) thats our orchestra. well there is a advanced orchestra but i cant go in it because....not advanced enought. the 1st violinist helps me out. and i cant get private lessons i would love to but no money. i want a different teacher i hate how he puts me on the spot AND HE PUSHES ME to a limit and in music i cant play. he is soo horible in orchestra we have bows that are like 10 years old. my bass that i use there is like 20 years old and the strings are soo old. and im scared to play music in 4rnt of him or my class because im soo bad at it and i kinda want to quit but im not. i love music and i love how the bass is such a versital instrument.

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by Jesse Rosenburg

Is there a jazzer conducting her orchestra?

OK, Jess. That does it.
My Boyz are on the way over. Normally, I wouldn't go to the trouble to send 'em out for such a silly little thing, but, since you're right in my neighborhood.........

Oh, and lightblue....I know how sad it is that the bass you use at school is "like 20 years old". Bummer. Get this.....mine is like 120 years old!!!!! sooo horrible!

[Bruce Lindfield]

Get those kids offa my lawn!!

[jbo]

Where are you from? Perhaps some folks here can suggest teachers in your area that may be able to help you with some of your questions.

[lightblue]

well im just 16 and i have no money and because of this economy i cant get 1. i would love to have a personal teacher. adn my conductor is FINALLY TAKING all of our instruments to the shop for the 1st time in like 30 years!! OH 1 more question what is the average cost for db strings

[Bass]

Originally Posted by lightblue

...OH 1 more question what is the average cost for db strings

well that totally depends on the type of string they could be a couple hunderd bucks their probly metal

[lightblue]

because my teacher bought the wrong size strings for my bass and he said to put your own money in it if i can. and i want to buy strings...any idea where to get them cheap

[Bass Barrister]

Originally Posted by lightblue

because my teacher bought the wrong size strings for my bass and he said to put your own money in it if i can. and i want to buy strings...any idea where to get them cheap

Some of this just does not make any sense. If the strings are the wrong size, why not return them for credit and purchase the right osize strings? Have they already been used? Did anyone bother to READ the package labels BEFORE using them? And why are YOU responsible for purchasing strings? Do the other string players have to purchase their strings?

A full set of decent strings can be found for about $110.00 For example, that's about what you'll pay for a set of Helicore Orchestrals from Bob Gollihur. Corellis can be had for about the same amount. Quinn Violins in Minneapolis also sells strings online at good prices.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

OK, Jess. That does it.
My Boyz are on the way over. Normally, I wouldn't go to the trouble to send 'em out for such a silly little thing, but, since you're right in my neighborhood.........

Wasn't making a value judgment Paul. Was trying to ascertain whether our neophyte was.

[Steve Killingsworth]

Once again--where are you? If you would let folks know where you are, someone might be able to help. I understand you cannot afford lessons, but there is a possibility that someone on TBDB might be close by. They might be willing to spend a little time to help you get started in the right direction.

[Jesse Rosenburg]

Even I would help you out a bit.

The strings should be exchangeable if not just returnable.

I bought a used set of belcantos right here for half price.