New to upright

[Chris_AtariDoll]

I currently play elecric bass guitar and i am thinking about moving on to upright, i was just wondering how step the learning cure is, how dificult will it be? I have played a little fretless electric if that helps. I will probably buy a electric upright to learn on.

[Sam Sherry]

Originally posted by Chris_AtariDoll
I currently play elecric bass guitar and i am thinking about moving on to upright

Good going!

I was just wondering how step the learning cure is, how dificult will it be?

You're entering another world. It bears some resemblance to the place you're used to. However, you may find that you're a "natural" and it's not difficult at all.

I have played a little fretless electric if that helps.

Not really.

I will probably buy a electric upright to learn on.

Why? That's like saying, "I want to learn about sailing so I'm buying a canoe."

Here's a discussion on your topic:
converting to upright?

Good luck!

[GiveUpTheFunk]

its an easy transition, i play electric bass in jazz band at my high school. i decided to play upright in concert band, and my director put me on it the next day. an experienced electric bass player will have no problem with the transition. (except its alot more work, OUCH)

[olivier]

Originally posted by GiveUpTheFunk
its an easy transition, i play electric bass in jazz band at my high school. i decided to play upright in concert band, and my director put me on it the next day. an experienced electric bass player will have no problem with the transition. (except its alot more work, OUCH)

Originally posted by GiveUpTheFunk
how do you apply rosin to the bow?

Welcome to TB, please...

[arizonabass]

[quote=Sam Sherry]Good going!


You're entering another world. It bears some resemblance to the place you're used to. However, you may find that you're a "natural" and it's not difficult at all.

Sam, you and others emphasize the importance of getting a teacher. How would I ever know that a teacher I select is the right one for me? For example, on electric, I wouldn't choose anyone but Carol Kaye or her 'clones,' as I trust her implicitly. The technique she teaches for holding the electric has saved my left hand; I was holding it incorrectly for some 37 years, and hurting and tiring as a result. I'd want to start out on the upright correctly, of course.

I don't yet have an upright; I'm in the thinking stages.

Howard

[Sam Sherry]

Originally Posted by arizonabass

Sam, you and others emphasize the importance of getting a teacher. How would I ever know that a teacher I select is the right one for me? . . . I don't yet have an upright; I'm in the thinking stages.

Sounds like a fair question. But first:

What you see 'round these parts is a mix of reason, passion and whatever else is lurking. Most of us play the double-bass because we love it. Period. If we were more thoughtful we'd probably play the radio.

While thinking is something to be encouraged at all times, I'm going to urge to stop thinking for a moment. Go up to somebody or some store who has a bass. Ask him or her if you can play on it for a moment. Does it move you? Do you want more? Is this the sound you hear in your head?

Now, back to your question. "The right teacher for you" is the teacher who inspires you to do the hard work necessary to move forward with the instrument and the music you seek to master, and who can help you to do that without hurting yourself. Here's one lengthy thread on the topic:

To Fellow DB Newbies: You DO Need A Teacher!!!

In closing: You can learn something of value from almost anybody if you let yourself. Whether you've made "the Most Right Choice" is something which can only be seen in hindsight if at all. Whether you're inspired and not too sore is more immediately apparent!

Good luck, hombre.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by arizonabass

How would I ever know that a teacher I select is the right one for me?
Howard

How do you know if anything is right? You gotta try it. There are clues:
does the teacher teach every student the same thing the same way or do they find different ways of imparting the necessary fundamentals of music and approach for each student?
does the teacher teach from materials prepared personally or predominantly with material from other sources?
does the teacher try to get you to mimic their physical approach or try to find the physical approach that gets each student to address the instrument inj the most relaxed way, with the least stress?

And countless other things. It's great that you would trust one of Carol's clones (personally a teacher would have to have more going for them than just adhering to someone else's methodology), but physically the upright is a whole nother ball of wax. Almost every legit cat has come up under a well developed methodology for the physical approach to the instrument, find out who the symphony players in your area recommend. It doesn't matter if you don't play classical and want to play Bulgarian Death Klezmer, they aren't going to move the notes around. If physical approach is the most important thing to you, find a good classical teacher.

And do it the same way you'd find a good mechanic or plumber or contractor.

[arizonabass]

[quote=Sam Sherry]Sounds like a fair question. But first:

What you see 'round these parts is a mix of reason, passion and whatever else is lurking. Most of us play the double-bass because we love it. Period. If we were more thoughtful we'd probably play the radio.

LOL! GREAT answer! I've "always" wanted to play/be able to play the upright - I love the sound; it thrills me to hear it. Electric, while 'easy,' rarely does that for me. I am fortunate to have Southwest Strings in my neighborhood. I visited them on Monday just to see if I could "handle" a 3/4. I can. But I didn't want to bother them too much at the time, as I was "just looking," and not yet serious about looking. I really do want to spend more time there, but I'll have to ask them to set one up so that I *can* try it for some period of time. They also have a rental program - something to consider, too.

One thing I realize, if I do want to pursue this, is I will have to seriously study music, rather than just fart around as I do on electric.

Thanks, Sam.

Howard

[arizonabass]

[quote=Ed Fuqua]How do you know if anything is right? You gotta try it. There are clues:


Ed, thanks for your answers. I appreciate them a lot. This is just my second or third day reading posts on the DB forum. You guys are a breed entirely different from the "bass guitar" forum posters (Hi Chris F!) -- and that's a GOOD thing.

Howard

[olivier]

Originally Posted by SMASH

I just got off the phone discussing EUB vs. acoustic as I plan on getting one shortly. I'm led to believe that practice on an EUB is in the ballpark of acoustic. Or is it really more canoe unto sailboat as Sam said above?Like, say a decent Yamaha EUB with proper action/scale ... or should I just go the doghouse route?Thanks.

The DB vs EUB topic has already been discussed thoroughly on TB/DB, use the search tool. It boiled down to:

A DB has an - often beautiful and subtle - acoustic sound which is difficult to amplify, while an EUB has no acoustic sound and must be amplified to try to emulate that sound. Go figure.

[anonymous0726]

There's no comparison. Playing EUB will teach you little on how to produce a sound from the bass.

[McBass]

Originally Posted by SMASH

Thanks, but I meant more along the lines of the physical approach and how well learning physically/spatially on an EUB translates to acoustic rather than differences in sonic properties.

I got an acoustic today in any case.

Congratulations on choosing the acoustic. Now when a situation where you have to play an EUB come up, you can whine along with the rest of us.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by GIVEUPTHEPLANK

its an easy transition, i play electric bass in jazz band at my high school. i decided to play upright in concert band, and my director put me on it the next day. an experienced electric bass player will have no problem with the transition. (except its alot more work, OUCH)

Cough.

Coughcough *sniff*

Coughcoughcoughcough *SNORT*

coughcoughcough *sniff* coughcoughcough *WHEEZE* coughcoughcoughcough *Haaaaaaacccckkk!!!*




Doggonnit, just when I thought I was getting over that cold, too...

[McBass]

Originally Posted by GiveUpTheFunk

its an easy transition, i play electric bass in jazz band at my high school. i decided to play upright in concert band, and my director put me on it the next day. an experienced electric bass player will have no problem with the transition. (except its alot more work, OUCH)

I had a similar experience. I started on middle school on e-bass and picked up the acoustic in high school and a mere 17 years later I feel like I've almost fully made the transition.

[Marcus Johnson]

Originally Posted by GiveUpTheFunk

its an easy transition, i play electric bass in jazz band at my high school. i decided to play upright in concert band, and my director put me on it the next day. an experienced electric bass player will have no problem with the transition. (except its alot more work, OUCH)

That's nice...now that you've got the DB down pat, you can start building that particle accelerator out of that old clothes washer in the back yard.

[LM Bass]

Gotta talk to some of these band directors!
Man, don't they do any string training anymore?
That's like saying,
"Oh, you play flute, cool. Well I want you to switch to bass trombone, in one day!"