So I'm new to this.

[saxsaxsax2]

My school is finally going to have an orchestra. I want to play the double bass. I have NO knowledge of them, other than the fact that they are big [Also the only string instrument I have played is the guitar.] I am thinking about buying one...but don't know what kind to buy. Also don't know what kind of bow to get.
My price range isn't that great either.
Any recommendations?
Anything you want to say about playing the double bass?
Anything is welcome.
~Melissa

Also, I am new to this site so if I'm posting this in the wrong area, I'm sorry.

[Jake deVilliers]

If you want to play the DB, you're definitely in the right place!

Please read the Newbie Stickies at the top of the page first, to help you with general information, then you'll have a better idea of what you need to know.

Have fun.

[saxsaxsax2]

Thanks!

[Franny]

Hmmm...as far as the bow goes, it's all just a matter of preference. I for one absolutely love the German bow, and after four years of playing with one, it's really awkward for me to even try the French variation. But if you're going to try other stringed instruments as well, I would recommend going French; while this bowhold and the bowholds of the other stringed instruments are not exactly the same, they are certainly similar. Going from German bow to a cello bow for a whole semester ended up giving me tendonitis (which results from excessive and unfamiliar use). It's your call, but I'd recommend trying to keep your options open =)

If you have a school bass, I'd start off using that one first. You need to get a grasp of how the instrument works, and how to haul it around (quite an important skill, by the way) before you start subjecting a more expensive instrument to, if you'll excuse me saying this, someone rather new who is bound to have a couple mishaps. Everyone's going to, but practice sure helps in everything, and practice takes time. Of course, if the school bass is absolute crap, then I'd go and try to look for a bass to rent. You're not always going to love the instrument you start on, or the actual bass as an instrument, either.

If you have a pretty good grasp of where things are on the lower four strings of a regular guitar, then that might help. The spacing between notes is going to be quite a bit different, however...and getting your hand to get used to spreading out will take a while. But it WILL come naturally once ou really get into it! =)

Hmmm, I'd say that's about all I can give right now...you should probably ask somebody older with a bit more more experience than me. But if you have any further questions, I'll try my best to help!

But don't be afraid to use your butt when opening doors with your bass ;D

[Andrew McGregor]

Definitely rent one to start with if you can't get a school bass that's worth playing, because a halfway-decent bass is quite expensive. Often schools don't maintain instruments unless something is bought to their attention, so it might be possible to improve a school instrument quite a lot (and perhaps even at their expense).

Top bit of advice for anyone getting into bass: find a good teacher. You can injure your hands quite badly if you don't have someone to check that you're doing it right. You don't need huge hands, though, I know plenty of women who play bass (and my own hands are really very small for a guy my size… I can only just reach an octave on a piano). You build up the necessary hand strength by playing, so that will come.

Pick French or German bow with your teacher; one or the other might work better for you, and that's the main thing. I don't have a choice; the French bow grip hurts my hand, so I have to play German. If that starts to happen to you, try to fix your grip, but accept that it might not work and you might have to change bows.

[saxsaxsax2]

Thanks.
I had found the name of an instructor the other day.
It's good to know you don't need big hands, because I dont' have them.