Thinking of retiring my upright for a while

[VonCakeman]

So, I am seriously considering giving up on playing upright bass for a while. I'm curious as to your thoughts on this. I recently recovered from a hand injury, and I've had a heck of a time building my stamina and strength back up to where I would like it to be. I currently play in 4 projects, and I find myself so busy learning parts and rehearsing on the electric, that I don't have much time to spend with my upright.

I've learned that playing upright requires a lot of maintenance. I do get to play a little. However, I'm finding that when I gig, my pitch, and technique are no where near where they used to be, and it is very frustrating. I typically play one set of jazz standards per week on upright. I am often thinking that I should just do it on electric because it doesn't sound the way I want it to.

I do intend to pick it back up at some point. I'm thinking that if I'm having this much trouble after a month off, it might be even worse after 6 months or so (when my sub gig ends). Have any of you guys had similar experiences?

[Andrew McGregor]

I picked it up again after 6 years or so of no playing worth mentioning, even on electric, and it has taken around a year to get up to playing strength (mind you, that's intense classical playing; I'm working on the Bach 'cello suites). So, my advice: stay in touch with it.

[MattyBass]

Don't Stop!! You will regret it, plus it takes a long time to work back up.. Playing upright always makes me a better electric player, but not vice versa.. If anything I say practice more on DB.. : )

[chancletarock]

I know that feeling of intense regret for gigging electric all week when sour notes come out.

I don't know your entire position, but I will say I find that only practicing on upright makes every time I take out the electric seem like I'm playing on steroids - *if* I'm able to remember to adjust my touch and play lighter, etc. Maybe you could switch to practicing on upright all week? Or maybe just practice everything that you can on the upright.

If that's not an option, I think you can retire it and step back on; I've seen people do that. Longest for me was only about a month, but I'm sure as long as you take it slow and intentionally when you start back up you'll be fine. I don't know where you are in your playing, but sometimes playing an instrument that is by default (more) in-tune, your upright playing will, in the long run, benefit.

[Jim Carr]

I have been there. Fortunately for me, at age 60 I found a teacher who has set about reducing the amount of effort I use in both arms and hands—this is strictly classical study—but it has vastly reduced my left hand pain and right shoulder soreness. No squeezing, no pressing.

A big part of it is that I am sitting and using a foot rest under my left foot with the instrument totally supported. I am able to play (arco or pizz) in a way that is so much more relaxed, I can hardly believe it.

I guess my advice is find a teacher who can help. I think that the younger generation (my teacher is about 38 or so), have learned a less macho more subtle approach—in fact I am certain of it. If you are any where near a conservatory or good music school, talk to the head of bass study and ask for such a teacher. Don't set it aside.

[Marton]

^I agree there, finding a teacher to work on your technique is probably the best thing to do.

Maybe trying some of the new techniques like Laborie endpin could help you too.

[Don Higdon]

Age is a factor. When I was 32, I suffered 6 fractures in both arms and both wrists. You can't be any weaker than I was when I got out of my casts. I assumed I'd never play again. About 3.5 months later, I discovered I could still play. About 7 weeks after that I played at a "comeback" party, and returned to professional gigs. That was less than 6 months after my accident. 40 years later, I don't believe I could recover like that.
Taking the long-haul view, if you think you need time away, then you probably do. You can get it back.
If you'll pardon the commercial, I think you would benefit from lessons in the Alexander technique.

[owen_liam]

Originally Posted by MattyBass

Playing upright always makes me a better electric player, but not vice versa.. If anything I say practice more on DB.. : )

+1!