Playing backwards

[zojicka]

Hi, I've finally and very happily just purchased my first double bass - got a very very budget one - less than £400! (not sure what that is in dollars) - I'm based in the UK.

So, as one of those pesky left-handers I have read all I can find on this message board about handedness and double basses, so I know about the difficulties of re-stringing and that almost everyone advises just learning the right-handed way and getting used to it.
So don't worry, I'm not trying to start another debate about all that but I would very much appreciate some answers to my naive newbie question...... Has anyone ever played a DB in a lefthanded way without re-stringing it - ie just standing on the other side? (the equivilant of just turning a guitar upside down). I'm pretty sure that nobody is going to advise it, but I feel so much more comfortable standing with it to my right (this is how I've been playing around with it since I got it), and I'm up for the challenge!
As far as I can tell, the only real problem would be having to reach so far around for the G string, which someone told me is the string that is used the most (as you can tell I'm not experienced in playing, just love DBs and am very keen to get started). And of course having to learn all the notes in a mirror image way.

Apologies if this HAS been mentioned before, but in the 2 left-handed threads I trawled through here all I found was info on getting DBs re-strung. So I'm guessing standing on the 'other side' without re-stringing is something that nobody would ever recommend. I just want to know if it has ever worked! (and if not, then why not....)

I put this in the Rockabilly forum as that's the way I want to go with my DB.

Thanks, Z

[Jake deVilliers]

The only problem with the re-stringing approach is that normally the act of pulling on the string 'loads' the bass bar which then rebounds 'boom' and and out pops the note. If you are pulling the wrong way the bass bar and the top are much less engaged in the note production.

Arnold pointed this out in an older discussion on this topic and its pretty easy to hear the difference as you go from one side of the bass to the other pulling on the strings.

Its okay to do this to get you started but you should probably be looking for a lefty DB.

Have fun!

[TroyK]

..or just play

5 - 1
5 - 1
5 - 1
5 - 1

[zojicka]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

The only problem with the re-stringing approach is that normally the act of pulling on the string 'loads' the bass bar which then rebounds 'boom' and and out pops the note. If you are pulling the wrong way the bass bar and the top are much less engaged in the note production.

Arnold pointed this out in an older discussion on this topic and its pretty easy to hear the difference as you go from one side of the bass to the other pulling on the strings.

Its okay to do this to get you started but you should probably be looking for a lefty DB.

Have fun!

Sorry, not sure what you mean here - you say the 're-stringing approach', but I was talking about NOT re-stringing it at all - just standing on the other side.
Or is that what you meant?

Originally Posted by TroyK

..or just play

5 - 1
5 - 1
5 - 1
5 - 1

And you'll have to explain that in newbie language I'm afraid, cos it means nothing to me! Please

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by zojicka

And you'll have to explain that in newbie language I'm afraid, cos it means nothing to me! Please

You see in bluegrass, it's common to play (root - 5th, r...)...oh forget it, it's not a worthwhile joke.

[Jake deVilliers]

The joke was fine TROIKA, Z just isn't ready for it yet.

Z, if you're talking about not reversing the strings then your comment about "mirror image" doesn't apply. If you have intentions of playing the instrument in any serious capacity you'll need to have the G string on the far side and the E next to you.

[zojicka]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

The joke was fine TROIKA, Z just isn't ready for it yet.

Z, if you're talking about not reversing the strings then your comment about "mirror image" doesn't apply. If you have intentions of playing the instrument in any serious capacity you'll need to have the G string on the far side and the E next to you.

Yeah I'm talking about not reversing the strings, and ok I've now realised that 'mirror image' wasn't the right expression to use. I suppose I meant just learning the notes in a different way ie the E string would be furthest from me and therefore easiest to reach.

So now you know what I mean, could you just explain why it wouldn't work to play this way. I'd really appreciate it!

[Bass]

Originally Posted by zojicka

....So now you know what I mean, could you just explain why it wouldn't work to play this way. I'd really appreciate it!

I drew a picture, does this explain it?

[zojicka]

Originally Posted by Bass

I drew a picture, does this explain it?

yes that explains it nicely thank you

[PaulKing]

Originally Posted by zojicka

yes that explains it nicely thank you

Yeah it does doesn't it. Nice work Bass. I never knew that ... makes a lot of sense.

But Z, if you're playing rockabilly, you wouldn't be alone in just taking a righty bass, and playing it backwards. I think Jonny from Guanabatz does this (anyone confirm...?). And I expect his R hand does get tired reaching round to the G string all the time. Perhaps he only does this when he has to borrow basses on tour?? And plays a lefty when its his own .. I dunno.

But anyway, strikes me that if you're mainly slapping, the sideways component of the pizz pluck is reduced in favor of a vertical string pluck. So the bass note volume reduces anyway (even if you're playing righty style) ... and perhaps the effect Bass desribes isn't so important. Add to that the low response of a laminate top ... it all adds up to saying don't stress too much about it, at least for now. But don't expect the best tone from your bass when you're playing jazz standards...

Ultimately it's got to better to get a lefty bass. Thomann sell pretty cheap ones, made by Strunal. But for now, I'd say just do it.

Re-stringing the wrong way round .. lots of important practical reasons not to do it .. bridge shape, f/b shape, slot sizes, bass-bar / soundpost positions... but again, you wouldn't be the first to try it, think it works, but probably learn from the mistake later on.

[sXeMike]

Donald Dowdy....he plays guitar and mandolin the same way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj1hFWgc98s

I'm pretty sure Jonny Bowler plays a righty lefty too.

[Bass]

Originally Posted by PaulKing

...Nice work Bass. I never knew that ... makes a lot of sense...

Thanks! I didn't know that either until Jake DeVilliers explained it earlier in this thread.

You make a really good point Paul, especially with vertical plucking (and a pickup / EQ) it probably doesn't matter so much for Rockabilly.

[Showdown]

A friend of mine is a lefty that plays that way (strung right, played left). It is very convenient because I can play his bass and he can play mine (sometimes we take part in jams, and only one of us has to bring a bass). He also plays guitar and dobro that way.

The only problem for me is when he is playing guitar and I'm trying to follow him by watching his hands. Upside down chords are hard to see.....

[EthanTheBassist]

So i'm a lefty myself and chose not to conform because they make it sound much easier that it is when you grow up even air guitaring lefty. (and I'm stubborn) But I got my lefty DB on a site called freedomguitar.com. i can't promise that they ship to the UK though. its worth a shot. I'm pretty sure all of their basses are made lefty for $50 more. Comes out to around $800 i think. They aren't #1 quality basses, but if it is at all feasible, I'd sell the righty and get a lefty. And since its rockabilly you don't have to worry about "orchestral placement" with bows and what-not.
There's my 2 cents. Hope it helps.
Godspeed.
Ethan.

[Arnold]

Earl may played a right handed bass left handed. It didn't bother Coltrane.
http://www.jazzbymail.com/ViewArtist...&sPC=1565_4521