finger tips or pads?

x15 · #1 08-07-2008, 01:37 AM

I'm having a little bit of trouble here.. I play double bass and i've been playing for a while now I guess, here's the thing:
There aren't really any other double bassists in this city/country so lessons are out of the question, i'm going with books and *thank you* youtube..

okay when i look at pictures of left hand technique, i cant really make out whats going on.. do you use your finger tips or your pads - (especially in reference to the G string).. when I watch videos of people i can't really make out too well because
well, partly, i have small fingers unlike most double bassists i really see online, so things look a really different..

how pointed is the arc of your fingers, say when you play the G string.. i feel like maybe i lose a little leverage and fretting strength.. are your fingers really as up in the air is it looks?
please help !

sonix · #2 08-07-2008, 06:33 AM

I really doubt there are no double bassists in your country. Looke here.

http://www.soimumbai.in/orchestra_mem.asp

Well, here's the info I have. You ought to play the bass with a natural grip. Pretend you are holding an orange in your hand. Look at your hand. Your thumb and middle finger should be opposite each other. Now take away the orange, and grip your bass with the same grip, and you should still have your thumb opposite your middle finger. In other words, you should play the bass with the natural grip of most primates. The hand and wrist should be relaxed, but you should think about using your arm to bring the strings down to the fingerboard. To reach different strings, use your wrist to change the angle of your hand. Same grip, just different angle.

So in response to your question, think fingertips.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 08-07-2008, 07:28 AM

Fingertips will produce a clear, ringing tone in the LH, while flattened fingers/pads will produce more of a buzzy, "growly" kind of sound. While it's good to be able to do both depending on the sound you're after, most teachers would insist that you learn to play with your fingertips and rounded LH fingers. One of the most important lessons about LH technique regards where the power to press down the strings comes from. Ideally, it should come from the weight of the arm rather than from squeezing the neck between the fingers and thumb. Rounded fingers are better at facilitating this transfer of weight than flattened ones. i also like to practice without the thumb at times to check my LH technique.

hdiddy · #4 08-07-2008, 09:16 AM

And to add, your left hand should form a "C" shape with your fingers and thumb. Also when a finger lifts off the string, you keep it as close to the strings as possible - ready to fire out and hold down another string. Always keep the finger tips as close to the fingerboard as possible.

damonsmith · #5 08-07-2008, 10:26 AM

Like Chris says, I learned and use both. Peter Kowald said to always have an "eagle claw"
in both hands, I like that visual and his sound was huge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyqdy...eature=related

x15 · #6 08-07-2008, 10:54 AM

thanks for all the input guys.. my hands start to tremble when i make an extreme shift towards exclusively the tips.. but i guess that's a little lack of strength etc and itll hopefully
pass with time.. (runs a little bit in the family too.. yuck)
cheers!

hdiddy · #7 08-07-2008, 11:26 AM

Yeah, your hands tremble because the finger strength is weak. Take your time, do arco and go slow and the finger strength will build. Don't be in a hurry.

Yeah, and the "eagle claws" is great. I totally forgot about that one.

nathanmcnathan · #8 08-07-2008, 12:21 PM

I usually use a combination of both, sort of the 'in-between' area from pads to tips. It lets me get a clear enough sound, but with enough growl for what I do. Of course, sometimes (eg, sustaining a low note w/vibrato) I'll use more tip than pad and others (eg, softer part of a song, or short glissandos) I'll use just the pad, getting a growly, but subdued sound. It's best to experiment to find what works best for you, although I'd reccomend taking Mr. Fitzgetrald's sound advice.

Dr Piggery · #9 08-10-2008, 11:40 PM

Chris Fitzgerald said...
"One of the most important lessons about LH technique regards where the power to press down the strings comes from. Ideally, it should come from the weight of the arm rather than from squeezing the neck between the fingers and thumb."

To help achieve this, make sure the bass is leaning into you i.e. not vertical. If necessary, take a half step backwards, leaving the end pin in the same spot. With practice you should be able to lift your thumb off the back of the neck, for at least a few notes.

Jason Sypher · #10 08-11-2008, 04:07 AM

Yeah man, and look at how relaxed Kowald's hands are! You only get that by working your muscles up slowly with patience and care. Nice playing in that clip...

x15 · #11 08-15-2008, 11:07 AM

thank you again.. i've been working at it for a while and the trembling on the finger tips has stopped and im feeling better about it.. but i guess the key is to be slow and not impatient and irrational.
i'm usually irrational.. actually i think my playing is almost entirely driven by neurotic energy.
funny thing that : ).