Is there really a advantage to double bass

leakepeter · #1 08-09-2011, 12:18 PM

I'm currently practicing electric bass and piccolo bass, fretted and fretless. I also practice piano to help with my composition and sound design.

I want to take up guitar to help me out with chords and song writing, This means I wouldn't be able to practice double bass because of lack of time and I was wondering if its really worth it.

I play with a light touch and use techniques very similar to classic guitar, whilst it seems that double bass is very aggressive and it isn't very relevant in modern music.

Is it worth playing?

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 08-09-2011, 12:23 PM

Definitely worth picking up.

Stev187 · #3 08-09-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakepeter

...it seems that double bass is very aggressive and it isn't very relevant in modern music.

Hmmm. Before somebody gets mean and jumps on you, I will politely and kindly ask: define relevant; define modern. How would you define "worth playing?"

Given what you've written, it seems that DB might not be a good use of your time; if you don't like it and can't see how it fits into what you consider to be "modern," then your time would be better spent on other pursuits. That said, there are a bunch of highly relevant and modern players who would disagree with you. And I mean strongly disagree with you.

One last point. For the years I have been a bass player, I've really tried to blur the lines between what I have always called "string bass" and "electric bass guitar." At the end of the day, we bassists play a ROLE not an INSTRUMENT. I tend to think we make too big of a deal about the distinction between the two.

Follow your gut. If you don't see a reason to go DB, save yourself the time (and the cash) and do your other thing, whatever that is.

--Steve

leakepeter · #4 08-09-2011, 12:49 PM

By modern I guess I mean music such as experimental, electronic, modern rock and etc. And by worth it I mean if its worth learning if I have no intention of playing classical or old school jazz as a primary goal.

Don't get me wrong I think its a amazing instrument, but I cant figure out if its going to be useful to me, there is not enough time to practice so much.

I want to be a session bassist so I focus on electric bass and that is where most of my practice goes to. I also work with sound design and composition for film, games and music, for that I use piano, electronics and piccolo bass.

So I was wondering if I should add guitar to help with my composing, which means that I wouldn't have time to practice double bass, so I am wondering if its worth sacrificing, if it really is essential to a bass player or just a bonus.

Marial · #5 08-09-2011, 12:54 PM

I think you've already answered your own question: No.

**jmattbassplaya** · #6 08-09-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakepeter

By modern I guess I mean music such as experimental, electronic, modern rock and etc. And by worth it I mean if its worth learning if I have no intention of playing classical or old school jazz as a primary goal.

Don't get me wrong I think its a amazing instrument, but I cant figure out if its going to be useful to me, there is not enough time to practice so much.

I want to be a session bassist so I focus on electric bass and that is where most of my practice goes to. I also work with sound design and composition for film, games and music, for that I use piano, electronics and piccolo bass.

So I was wondering if I should add guitar to help with my composing, which means that I wouldn't have time to practice double bass, so I am wondering if its worth sacrificing, if it really is essential to a bass player or just a bonus.

The number one way to have yourself overlooked if you want to be a session bassist is by saying, "I don't own or know how to play an upright." They want the whole package out of a player, and they want a guy who is equally skillful with both instruments because both get used quite often. The upright is still a go to for folk, bluegrass, country, and jazz music.

**VincentSalizeri** · #7 08-09-2011, 01:00 PM

Upright bass is a great instrument, there's nothing else that can really get that kind of sound. It has a lot of techniques and sounds that just don't work as well on bass guitar. That said, I'd have to say electric bass is a little more versatile with a wider variety of tones within easy reach.

Also, while either would probably suffice for any genre, each is usually seen more often is specific types of music. If you're going for rock, pop and such, electric will do just fine. Maybe you can still find spare time to keep your upright skills fresh, because it doesn't hurt to be able to do more.

Feral Feline · #8 08-09-2011, 01:17 PM

... it probably isn't for you.

An advantage is that it opens up worlds of opportunity to play with other people. For example: Going to a party hosted by/for musicians? How many guitarists will be there? Mandolins? Fiddles? If it's an acoustic-only situation, and you bring an ABG, will you be heard?

A sound reason for double bass: sound. It sounds good, it feels good when you're playing it.

As for "aggressive", it is not any more aggressive than any instrument.

Its relevance in "modern music" ... seems like more people are taking it up now than there were during the 90s and early 2Ks. Just my observation, an opinion, no hard data.

Ask the following bassists who play in a variety of genres/styles (jazz, pop, metal, 'billy, country etc) whether double bass is relevant any more: Stanley Clarke, Esperanza Spalding, Linda Oh, Miles Mosley, Scott Owen, Justin Meldal-Johnson, Chris Minh Doky, Simon Fisk, Kevin Stewart, Adam Ben Ezra, Shannon Birchall, Jim Creeggan, Djordje Stijepovic, Ben Allison, Drew McConnell...

Is it worth playing?

paganjack · #9 08-09-2011, 01:23 PM

well, it's a double bass, so yeah it's worth twice as much.

Melik · #10 08-09-2011, 01:46 PM

I'd say that pickin' up DB would give a lot of possibilities of proceeding on your career. I can't say the same thing 'bout guitar. If you're good on electric bass and double bass, you'll get a lot of more work than if you were good on electric bass and guitar. But this is just my opinion!