Strings for beginner

RedVette · #1 07-26-2007, 03:18 PM

I have just started to play double bass after a couple of years playing electric bass guitar.

I bought a very nice sounding carved bass from a local luthier and it is strung with Pirastro Original Chrome Flats.

My problem is that my left hand wears out in a very few minutes. (Compounding the problem is the fact that I had a rotator cuff surgery a few months ago and was not able to use my left arm or hand for quite a while.)

Are there strings that are very soft and easy to play with a weak left hand?

accutone · #2 07-26-2007, 03:57 PM

Correlli's come in a really light gauge as do some other strings, but you cannot expect to play more than a few minutes initially. But more importantly and before you go buying all types of strings (which is inevitable), I suggest that you get a teacher AND make sure that the bass is set-up correctly. (A good teacher will check this for you.) Especially with the rotator cuff problem, you need to be really careful. Trust me as I speak from experience.
Good luck.

RedVette · #3 07-26-2007, 05:27 PM

Thanks accutone -- I have a teacher and he believes that the bass is very well set up. Of course, the teacher has hands like a gorilla and has no problem playing the existing strings.

I was only hoping to get something a little easier so I can concentrate more on hand position, etc., and maybe minimize the strength issue.

As to the rotator cuff -- I have been in a pretty vigorous therapy program and am allowed to do pretty much anything at this stage -- even 1/2 -3/4 golf shots. So far, so good.

I might try the Corelli 370M for a while they seem to be highly recommended in a number of quarters.

Jim Calhoun · #4 07-26-2007, 05:40 PM

Who's your teacher, if you don't mind me asking?

alanbarnosky · #5 07-26-2007, 06:05 PM

redvette,

I'm relatively new at bass also (4 months). I've had the same problem with left hand strength, and put a post up as well at bluegrassbassplace.com about it. Their response was keep with it, your strength will improve. And it has. Its not even so much strength, but that hand position your talking about. Where is your hand hurting? Is it your fingertips? Than you just need to build up your calouses. Is it the lower thumb region, almost in your palm? Then you are "squeezing" too much, don't use as much pressure with your thumb. Lean the bass against your body for support, press with your fingers, and try not even using the thumb. After doing this for a while, bring your thumb back in but use with less pressure than before. If your pain is found somewhere else, then I assume it might have something to do with your surgery.

Sorry, I know your post was about strings! But I don't know if its really strings that are the answer. Another suggestion - if you are working primarily in half position try moving up the fingerboard. The strings are easier to hold down.

Hope this helps. Again, I am a newbie to upright too so hopefully some other more advanced players can comment on my suggestions.

Alan

DocBop · #6 07-26-2007, 06:25 PM

After ages of playing BG I got a DB a week or so ago and what others say about more breaks is working for me. I play till my hands tire take a little break and then go back to it. I had a lot of finger stiffness the first few days and sore shoulder, but finding a comforable position and things are getting better everyday.

accutone · #7 07-26-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedVette

Thanks accutone -- I have a teacher and he believes that the bass is very well set up. Of course, the teacher has hands like a gorilla and has no problem playing the existing strings.

I was only hoping to get something a little easier so I can concentrate more on hand position, etc., and maybe minimize the strength issue.

Great, just wanted to make sure that you had that piece in order. I took years off and started with a set of the Correlli 370M and then moved on once I regained my strength. They are really soft and bow nicely. They are small in diameter though so you will notice a difference in feel. Also, you may find that they buzz a little if your bass is set-up for wider diameter strings. I had Spirocores and when I went to the Correlli the slots on the nut were a little wide, but nothing that couldn't be fixed or lived with for a while. Good luck!

bassplayer57 · #8 07-26-2007, 06:52 PM

I never had a problem with my Right hand when I started, it was my bow hand!! I would tire out after a 12 measure song, because my bow hand was very weak.
Now that I have been playing for two and a half years, I have no problem doing a 200 measure song!!

JoeyNaeger · #9 07-27-2007, 10:04 AM

Try stretching before you practrice. I focus on my hands, arms, back, and shoulders when I stretch, and I feel it allows to play much longer.

RedVette · #10 07-30-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Calhoun

Who's your teacher, if you don't mind me asking?

Steve Fain

RedVette · #11 07-30-2007, 01:19 PM

Thanks for all of the interest. I am going to install some Corelli 370M strings and work on the hand strength from there.

I think part of the problem is that I already know how to read and basically how to play the instrument (based on bass guitar experience), but I'm just to weak as yet to really get going. Probably more frustrating than if I were starting from scratch.