Softer Strings?

RedVette · #1 02-19-2009, 11:57 AM

I have been playing electric bass for several years and have recently bought an upright. It is strung with Correllis, which are supposed to be easy to play. However, my left hand strength is not adequate to play for more than a few minutes at a time.
I wonder if it might be worthwhile to go with some much softer strings (if they exist) and build up my strength until I can play longer intervals.
I play mostly country and bluegrass.

Any suggestions are most welcome

wineaux · #2 02-19-2009, 01:49 PM

A softer string won't necessarily be easier to play, in terms of stamina. Easier on the fingertips, perhaps, but some strings with lots of give actually require more effort to play.

The upright bass is physically demanding and you need to build up your stamina just as you would with any other physical activity.

Build up slowly and have a teacher or experienced player check your posture, elbow, hand position, etc. to make sure you are playing safely.

Believe me, you'll have plenty of time to change strings later!!!

Andrew McGregor · #3 02-19-2009, 02:35 PM

This sounds like a technique issue more than strings... they don't get much easier than Corellis (although it does depend which version you have).

I'm betting you're using your thumb to create your stop force, right? That's normal on BG because you have to do it that way, but it won't work on DB.

Instead, you should be hanging the weight of your arm off your fingertip, let gravity do the work. Your thumb is only there as a guide for where you are, until you start bringing it around and going into transition positions and then thumb position. Also, you must not let your fingers collapse... they should stay arched the whole time.

Finally, you do know that putting three semitones across your hand is asking for an injury? You don't do that on DB until you can do it comfortably, and that normally means just about when you get to the neck. Leave the third finger out of the picture for the moment, in low positions, and as you cross the neck switch to leaving 4th out and using 3rd.

Phil Rowan · #4 02-19-2009, 05:07 PM

See if you can find a teacher who can show you the ropes of basic technique.

Jim Calhoun · #5 02-19-2009, 06:10 PM

PM sent

robobass · #6 02-20-2009, 02:57 AM

+1 on most of the advice given, but two points:
1. There is a difference between tension and flexibility. A Flexocor, for example, is very flexible, but rather high tension, compared to a Weich. What you are asking for is a lighter string. Something with less tension will be easier to play. You could get solo strings, which are designed to be tuned a step higher, so will be softer at orchestral pitch. To get extreme, you could put use an A- string for the E and so forth. But:

2: I suspect strongly that your bass is badly set up. The action is probably too high. This is not just a matter of bridge height. The nut slots could be too high, and the fingerboard might be warped, giving it too much scoop. If you find a good teacher he should identify the trouble, but to fix it you must get to a shop which is specialized enough that they install and dress bass fingerboards.

Equal doses of good technique and good setup are the recipe for success. No matter how much you have of one, you can't do much without the other!

RedVette · #7 02-21-2009, 08:34 AM

Thanks to all for the excellent answers. I believe the entire problem is that my original teacher did not ordinarily work with total beginners and didn't show me the trick of using the the weight of the arm as the main source of power for the left hand. I was quite naturally playing the neck like I do with the electric bass and my thumband fingers would wear out quickly.

I am going to get additional instruction that will focus more on mechanics.

Note: The bass was set up by by a very well known luthier who works with many professional string players who come to our area. The action is low and the finger board was shaved several times over a six month period as the bass "settled in" to elimanate any buzzing. So the problem was totally a result of bad technique.

Thanks again for the responses

bonaventura · #8 02-22-2009, 05:37 AM

+1

The responses are right on: It isn't the strings. I had the same issue when I started out. There are probably lots of resources on learning left hand technique. One that comes to mind is Rufus Reid's book The Evolving Bassist, the chapter on "the claw". It really helped me (along with several teachers).