Just had my first lesson.

Kibuddy · #1 03-01-2007, 05:41 PM

As some of you may or may not remember, I was debating switching from bass guitar to the double bass.

Well, I just had my first lesson tonight, and I'm a convert.

I've never played an instrument as amazing as the double bass. There's so much power behind it, yet it's so intricate and complex at the same time. I couldn't help but smile throughout the entire lesson. It was just so much fun!

It was a very humbling experience, though. I'm so accustomed to being able to pound away at fret x and fret y without any problems. Now, though... jeez. My intonation was off, and now my wrist is sore. I loved every minute of it.

Anyways, not much point to this thread but to show off my excitement and newfound love for the double bass.

Baird · #2 03-01-2007, 09:01 PM

Hey man I just want to say congrats!
Taking lessons are the absolute best way to progress as a musician. You will get better, and you will continue to love the power and complexity of the bass!
Keep having fun!

dmperry24 · #3 03-02-2007, 07:52 AM

I've got my first lesson scheduled for Tuesday night. When I picked the electric bass years ago, I didn't take lessons or read instruction books or anything, and took to it pretty well. But the double bass is a different animal, I'm going to get very serious about it and really knuckle down. I'm just starting to learn this thing at age 63, so I've got to learn fast!!
Mike

Rayzorx · #4 03-02-2007, 01:06 PM

OK, I'm in.
I played EB with no lessons for about 15 years, then gave it up for the next 20. Two years ago, I took it up again to play along with my son and daughter (on Drums and Keyboards).

I finally got my first URB and will taking my first lesson with it tomorrow. WhoooHoooo!!

downneck · #5 03-05-2007, 05:29 PM

had my first lesson a little over a week ago and came away with a clear understanding of where i was headed with the instrument. there was a brief moment of "wow i was doing *everything* wrong" followed immediately by relief (that i'm not doing everything wrong out of ignorance anymore) and a euphoric sense of purpose. now i've got a ton of fun things to do that will improve my playing...for some odd reason i consider rudimentary exercises like bowing away at open strings for an hour or playing a 2-octave f-major scale over and over for another hour "fun"

frede · #6 03-12-2007, 12:23 PM

I noticed in the "Edit Profile" section a place to note if you were "Available for instruction: If you would like to make your services available to those members searching for a teacher, select your state/area:"

How do I access this feature? I'd like to find an instructor and haven’t had much luck. I’m interested in gospel and bluegrass.

CamMcIntyre · #7 03-12-2007, 03:26 PM

Congrats all of you guys for starting lessons. I too had a similar feeling of "uh oh" when i first started to study DB seriously.

Once i got here to school-i had to do a technique overhaul. It was obvious that i had a few lessons to get the general idea....but somewhere along the line the picture became a bit cloudy. My right hand technique needed a bit of fine tuning, but was pretty good. My left hand-let's just say it took a bit.

However, now, nearly 2 years later [i'm in my 2nd semester of my 2nd year], i'm confident enough with my DB playing where i don't feel that technique is hindering my playing so much. Thumb position is still awkward territory for me, but it is getting better.

The more i play, the better it feels. The more theory i learn-the better it sounds.

take it easy everyone.