| It took me a while to figure out how to play on different instruments. I think you have to train yourself to think of them as being totally different. Playing the same piece on both instruments gets confusing because you lose concentration and fall back to the familiar - whichever instrument you played that piece on first. Once I learned different repertoire on each instrument it was easier to keep them separate in my mind. It's almost like a little switch in the brain - I can feel it move when I change instruments. Try and lock into the physical differences of each instrument, too. How the neck feels in your hand or the shape of the body, or even the tone. Keep reminding yourself which bass you're holding. Having a warmup that you do specifically on that instrument helps, too.
Having said that, I still get in trouble playing pieces I've done on both instruments. It just takes one brief lapse of concentration and then it's "what instrument am I playing today?"
__________________ Robbie Link: Double bass, cello, viola da gamba, violone, electric bass.
Performer, instructor, luthier.
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