Newbie to Double Bass

[Deadtone]

I've been playing electric bass for about 5 years and I wanted to learn how to play Double Bass so...
I just started taking a class at my local community collage to learn how to play DB but before I start I was wondering if their was any tips or things I should know about a double bass ino contrast to a fretted electric, other than the obvious
Also should I learn some classical compositions on electric or wait till I have a DB?

thx

[robbass1]

I made the conversion to DB the same way a couple of years ago. I started on trombone then to electric bass, so all those years in band taught me to be a good music reader. DB doesn't use tablature so if you can't read music, nows a good time to learn. I don't think your class will start out with you playing compositions just yet, you'll probably start working out of the almost standard Simandl method book. I would recommend doing as much listening to DBassists as you can. For classical, Gary Karr and Edgar Meyer are both excellent choices. On the jazz side of things, Ray Brown, Scott Lafaro and Charles Mingus are who I would recommend. Your going to need to use your shoulder and arm muscles more otherwise your hands will get tired. Other than that, Welcome to the wonderful world of Upright.

Rob

[7string]

I'm just crossing over myself to the double bass side of the street !!

In my extremely limited experience, DB is far more physical that electric bass and the need to correct your intonation quickly will really test your ears.

It's a great challenge and I definately agree with robbass1 to get some music reading in before you start !!

I wish you the very best in your endeavours !!!

[Pcocobass]

Having done the same thing, the best advice I can give anyone who is serious about learning upright is to be paitent. It may take a while before you feel like your really progressing, but it's worth it. It's not like the electric bass, where you can get a decent sound right away and play in tune, especially if you are using a school instrument.

I personally think studying classical technique with a good teacher (even if you want to play jazz in the long run) is invaluable, so you may want to look into that as well, if you are not doing that already.

Are you taking private lessons or are you in a group class? Private is always better. Oh, and make sure you spend a lot of time with the bow. That'll help your intonation and even your left hand finger strength. Good luck, you won't regret it!

Pete

[Deadtone]

Originally Posted by Pcocobass

Are you taking private lessons or are you in a group class? Private is always better. Oh, and make sure you spend a lot of time with the bow. That'll help your intonation and even your left hand finger strength. Good luck, you won't regret it!

Pete

Both
And since I'm still in highschool and my teacher is incredebly cool I don't have to pay for the private lessons and the group class is free; so I figure the "bass gods" are smiling upon me...

[Pcocobass]

Originally Posted by Deadtone

Both
And since I'm still in highschool and my teacher is incredebly cool I don't have to pay for the private lessons and the group class is free; so I figure the "bass gods" are smiling upon me...

Cool... you should definately take full advantage of that! Find some people to play with too!

[Deadtone]

Originally Posted by Pcocobass

Cool... you should definately take full advantage of that! Find some people to play with too!

I already play in a funk/alt. metal band, so I'm interested in the sound that adding a upright will make...

[Silversorcerer]

Welcome Deadtone;- there's no harm in learning classical tunes on EBG, but don't expect that to be real useful except to get the tune in your head. The left hand tech is totally different and the positions are pretty far apart. And at the right hand you need a bow, french or german, so there's a whole bunch for you to get worked out before the tune is real important. On the other side of that coin, I have seen Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover play the entirety of Beethoven's 9th Symphony on electric guitar and bass guitar. (There were also keyboards and drums). Approach the instrument with an open mind. All the best players that I admire, Slam Stewart, Paul Chambers, Stanley Clarke, Charles Mingus, etc. had extensive Classical training. That makes doing your own thing much easier later.

Good luck and may the bass gods continue to smile on you!