Standing position - what am I doing wrong?

[mcnaire2004]

Essential elements is a great series. I used the 4 books through my first 3 years playing. Good stuff but disregard any pictures it shows you on how to do anything. I don't think a standing position needs to be taught. It can be learned naturaly. Just pick the bass up and play any note at all without even thinking. You'll probably be in a good position right then and there.

I actualy met Robert Gillespie one of the 3 writers of the books. He conducted for the Tennessee all-east last winter. I think he lives in columbus or something like that. He's a interesting guy. I kinda was embarised when (at the all-east hotel) I yelled walk when the elevator was full (they were always full) I then laughed and let him on. I later found out who he was and felt bad.

[JazzDude]

Some questions about this method:

How many years should it take?

I'm usually busy Fridays - will other nights work?

Do I need to bring a teacher?

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Funny - I never had a problem with this when I started - although I couldn't explain it in words to another person - I believe this was down to going to Jazz club every Friday night for many years and seeing loads of great DB players at a distance of a few feet and seing how they do it!!

[mcnaire2004]

Originally Posted by JazzDude

Some questions about this method:

How many years should it take?

I'm usually busy Fridays - will other nights work?

Do I need to bring a teacher?

If your talking about essential elements it doesn't take long. I went through 4 books in 3 years because It was required in middle school orchestra. I didn't really care back then. Don't try and learn the Bass by yourself. Essential elements isn't anything hard. The first book is just the basics. It has letters in the notes to help you learn to read and it's basicaly quarter notes with a few eighths at the end. It goes all the way to a goldish book that attempts to teach tennor and trebble cleff. (not a good way to learn em)

[Peaceful]

Remember to push that little peg-leg thingy all the way back in before you tuck the bass under your chin. Otherwise it hurts like anything.

Only kiddin'!

I had no trouble holding my double bass until I read this thread... Are you just thinking too much about it?

[Dave Whitla]

+1 on getting a teacher.

But since we're similar body sizes I'll throw my 2 cents in (you'll have to do the conversion from Euros).
IMHO the back right corner of the bass should sit in between your left hip bone and your belt buckle, with the bass at an angle of about 10 o'clock (straight ahead is 12). Then you have to find where it balances by moving the neck forward until the weight is too much in your fingers and backwards until you're holding it too much in your hand/thumb. The balance point is somewhere in between. The place you want to find is where the bass is just behind the balance point, resting slightly on your thumb but not with any real weight. Then you can bend at the hips or knees to allow the bass to come in to you more, especially to allow the neck closer to your head so your left wrist isn't too bent.

How's that for wordy? Get a teacher!