How to stop family and friends from playing your bass.

[malicous]

It really bothers me when people play my upright just in passing, as though it is a piece of furniture or the family pet that they can touch and play with whenever it pleases them. I think that a stringed instrument is a very personal thing (next only to a wind instrument), and I want her all to my self!

How do I stop people playing my bass without sounding like a selfish child who doesn't want to share his toys with others? Perhaps I should keep it in a case? Drape an old bedsheets over it? Does anyone else deal with this?

[Time Consumer]

Originally Posted by malicous

It really bothers me when people play my upright just in passing, as though it is a piece of furniture or the family pet that they can touch and play with whenever it pleases them. I think that a stringed instrument is a very personal thing (next only to a wind instrument), and I want her all to my self!

How do I stop people playing my bass without sounding like a selfish child who doesn't want to share his toys with others? Perhaps I should keep it in a case? Drape an old bedsheets over it? Does anyone else deal with this?

I dont think your being selfish at all, im the same way with my bass, only dif is your instument probly costs as much or more than my car, howbout you state that fact next time someone wants to touch it? Is anyone else a musician? my bro plays an upright and lets me play it if I want just cuz he knows I know what to and not to do to it.

[Uncletoad]

Put it in the bag.

[Jason Sypher]

in the bag or in the bedroom...

[bassmodder]

Put it in the closet if you can... Hide it in the basement or put it in your bedroom. Company does not usually enter my room without my consent.

[drurb]

Next time a guy does that, just grab his wife and... You could say, "Well, as long as everything is considered community property..."

Seriously, you are not being selfish at all. Rather, anyone who plays your instrument uninvited is being rude and inappropriate. It doesn't matter how much the instrument costs, the point is that it's yours. I guess a few times of "Excuse me, please don't do that!" might get the point across. Geez, if anyone ever dared do that with my bass...

[pacojas]

EXPLODE REAL GOOD!!! then the word will get out. repeat after me,... "GIT YER FRIGGIN' HANDS OFFA MY BASS, FOOL!!!! then catch your breath and softly exclaim,.. don't make me go off in here.

got it? good! ... now get in there! your a tiger, grrrrrrr....

[Chunk-O-Funk]

I find if you sacrifice one of them the others will learn.

[Marcus Johnson]

[MNAirHead]

put it away when done.. they're expressing interest and curiosity..

Only damage I've had on basses (yes my upright) was from them sitting around... or in soft cases

[dbassnut]

You are not being selfish. Just imagine if anything were to happen, like someone dropping the instrument & breaking the neck, would they even try to pay for the repairs? Not to mention the hassle & the time you'd have to spend without an instrument while waiting for it to get repaired.
I folded & slid a towel between the strings & the fingerboard. It keeps all but the most of curious people from trying to pluck the strings as there won't be any sound if they did as the towel is stopping the strings from moving.
I also give very dirty looks to anyone who looks like they want to try playing. Hey, its common courtesy to ask first if you'd like to try. After all I don't jump into their car & take it out for a test drive without asking.
The only time I'd let someone else play my double bass would be if they were a friend & I trusted them with it. & even then, I'd hover nearby to keep an eye on the instrument. Its the only one I have & I'm kind of attached to it. Or if they were kids & just simply curious. I hold the bass & let them try to pluck it.

[Marcus Johnson]

Post #9....Just kidding.

I'm surprised nobody has come at it from the other side. If my parents had covered up the piano and the bass and the drums and the guitars, I might not be playing now. I leave instruments all over the house, available to play, including my DB which I use for earning my living. My family members are free (and encouraged) to play them whenever they want to. My younger daughter now plays drums and piano quite well because of it. I came into the room a few days ago to find her exploring the bass. My heart sang.

They're supposed to be played. Just make sure that everyone knows how to care for it properly.

IMHO

[Cyber Soda]

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Put it in the bag.

This. Or you could keep it in a room where everyone knows they're forbidden to go.

OR you could go the lengths! Splash some fake blood on a door and fill the room with cobwebs! Play a witch's laugh during a day and a ghost's whisper during the night! And whatever you do, make sure that the light ALWAYS flickers without fail.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by malicous

It really bothers me when people play my upright just in passing, as though it is a piece of furniture or the family pet that they can touch and play with whenever it pleases them. I think that a stringed instrument is a very personal thing (next only to a wind instrument), and I want her all to my self!

How do I stop people playing my bass without sounding like a selfish child who doesn't want to share his toys with others? Perhaps I should keep it in a case? Drape an old bedsheets over it? Does anyone else deal with this?

I think it is one thing to just touch or pluck the thing once in human curiousity just to see what sound comes out of it. For non-bassists, and non-musicians, this is a perfectly natural or understandable interest, even if/as the action itself may not be appreciated or warranted. It is of course, another thing to actually have someone playing or trying to play your instrument.

In any event...

Just ask people to not touch. Be polite, but firm. If pressed for reasons, just say that it is a VERY expensive instrument, and for most people with a clue, and who care about you, they'll get the idea.

My gear has stayed as nice as it has in part, because I don't let everyone play it whenever and however they feel like. If I've ever come across as selfish or anal about that, it's a tradeoff I've been willing to make.

If you can't get people to stop touching your bass after you've politely asked, then your only recourse, I think, is to put the bass in a case or put it away in a room out of the flow of passing traffic and so on.

[Tumeni Notes]

I would simply get a large index card and write, "Please Do Not Touch". And then stick it between the strings toward the top of the bass.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Post #9....Just kidding.

I'm surprised nobody has come at it from the other side. If my parents had covered up the piano and the bass and the drums and the guitars, I might not be playing now. I leave instruments all over the house, available to play, including my DB which I use for earning my living. My family members are free (and encouraged) to play them whenever they want to. My younger daughter now plays drums and piano quite well because of it. I came into the room a few days ago to find her exploring the bass. My heart sang.

They're supposed to be played. Just make sure that everyone knows how to care for it properly.

IMHO

Sure, instruments are supposed to be played, but even more basic than that is the recognition that asking permission to do something, particularly when it's a (potentially fragile) musical instrument, is the right thing to do. That should be learned as a child, and is as relevant at age 5, as it is at age 35. I would have loved to go up on stage last year and played Richard Bona's Fodera, but if I had thought that such an action was even remotely appropriate, I would have surely asked to do so first, before doing it. Such considerations are appreciated on multi-band gigs when backline and other gear is shared, and even at open mic, jams and other much less informal situations than grabbing Richard Bona's bass after a show. It's good habit- whether for business or pleasure.

[Cyber Soda]

Originally Posted by Tumeni Notes

I would simply get a large index card and write, "Please Do Not Touch". And then stick it between the strings toward the top of the bass.

I almost said that, but then people could just move the card. If they see a large instrument in a large black bag, they will either be too afraid or too lazy to move it.

Otherwise... you really need to chose the people into your house more carefully.

[Menacewarf]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Post #9....Just kidding.

I'm surprised nobody has come at it from the other side. If my parents had covered up the piano and the bass and the drums and the guitars, I might not be playing now. I leave instruments all over the house, available to play, including my DB which I use for earning my living. My family members are free (and encouraged) to play them whenever they want to. My younger daughter now plays drums and piano quite well because of it. I came into the room a few days ago to find her exploring the bass. My heart sang.

They're supposed to be played. Just make sure that everyone knows how to care for it properly.

IMHO

+1

I'm the opposite as the OP. I am constantly encouraging family and friends to get behind the thing and feel the weight of it and maks some sounds and even scratch around with the bow.

To me music comes second to just about only family and freinds so it seems natural to want to share my joy with them.

Sure something could happen but I don't like to live life waiting for bad stuff to happen. Besides it seems like my partner, freinds, and family are more concerned when near my instruments than I am prolly cause they know how much it means to me.

[Jack Clark]

Mine goes on its instrument stand, and I flip a cover over it that looks intimidating but is easy for me to pull off for even just a few minutes of practice. Nobody bothers what they can't see, I guess, 'cause I never have had anybody try--wife, grown kids, grandkids, etc. Maybe it's really because it sounds so bad when I play it, they don't want anything to do with it.

[D McCartney]

Originally Posted by Thunderthumbs73

Sure, instruments are supposed to be played, but even more basic than that is the recognition that asking permission to do something, particularly when it's a (potentially fragile) musical instrument, is the right thing to do.

+1 I always thought asking permission was standard policy before touching anyones musical instrument. Most musicians I know seem to abide by that no matter how inexpensive or durable it may be.