DB or EB for beginners

[Ruinth]

Hey there guys. First post since I registered here, so let's see how this forum operates.

Someone wanted me to show them some pointers on double bass playing, and I was debating whether or not to start them off on an electric guitar just to get started, as they've very limited experience with string instruments in general.

I realise the two are different animals in quite afew respects, but for the purpose of orienting one with a fretboard and string playing and whatnot, I thought perhaps an electric might be an alright start. The transition's whacky between the two instruments, though, so I wasn't really sure where to go.

Your thoughts, bass enthusaists?

[Dave Muscato]

I don't play DB, but I do know that if you're just getting started, an electric bass is 1) easier to play physically and 2) much cheaper. You might try an electric bass, take some lessons, and see how it goes.

[DocBop]

After years err decades of playing BG I recently started learning DB. I wish I had done this ages ago. I now think it would benefit bass players to start on DB first, because it develops such good left hand technique and right hand strength and wrist flexibility (yes, should be bowing.) It requires knowing your scales and fingerboard not just learning a grid of fingerpatterns.) It develops the ear for intonation. Has 100's of years of developing how to teach the bass and music and build a solid foundation that a bass player can move on to any kind of music and BG.

[theshadow2001]

If your friend wants to play double bass then he really should be playing a double bass. It might take a little while longer to grasp what the note names are relative to your fingering position than on the electric but he also won't be getting any of the strength building or technique to play the double bass properly. If you post this in the double bass forum I'm sure most if not all would agree with me.

As a side thought the only real benefit of playing electric first is the visual aid of having frets and its physically less demanding (although that's not a benefit when switching over to double bass since there will be no real strength built). So maybe putting strips of tape on the fingerboard might be a better compromise.

Also
upright to electric -> easy
electric to upright -> Hard

[Mingus]

I, having recently switched from electric am somewhat grateful. I learn theory on the electric, since its much simpler and I can focus more on thinking than actual technique. In moving to the upright, I have a good idea of where all the notes are and don't have to start from scratch. I can spend more time on technique when playing the upright as opposed to the electric.

[mutedeity]

I really think you should start with double bass personally. Developing a sense of intonation as early as possible is important. The trick with double bass though is that you might need a secondary instrument like a piano to show intonation. Technique wise aslo I don't think you should be sparing the rod, so to speak just for the sake of making it easier. Look at it this way, if you start with something that is physically more demanding and incorporates developing a sense of intonation you are going to make the transition from one instrument to another easier if they decide to do so later. On the other hand if you teach electric bass first you are going to have to go through a whole new learing curve later. I personally have limited experience playing upright on the other hand, so take me with a grain of salt here.

On the other hand you might consider teaching both at the same time, maybe dedicate on lesson to upright and one lesson to electric bass and alternate back and forth.