Starting on double bass

fatgoogle · #1 02-12-2009, 12:55 PM

Hi there

this is my first venture in to the Db forums.

So background.

As it goes ive been playing trumpet for 7 years, and now im getting to a low with it, im not enjoying playing and dont enjoy my lessons, i have no drive. I play in orchestras and love the music im playing, but yet..
Ive been playing electric bass for 4 years now and love it and play anything and evreything i can.

Now as a mixture of improving myself as a musician and a bassiest, i was thinking of starting the Double Bass. I was mainly thinking of it as my trumpet playing is going no where, and there are bairly any Double bass players, in any youth orchestra's around me, so getting a position wouldnt be too difficult.

But i have never had a bass teacher and know of none in my area for lessons. I was going to give a proffesional violin player a ring and see if she new of any, that could teach me.

So first main question are there alot of resources out there for a self learning double bass player. I Understand that the DB uses different muscles and i would of course have to learn the all difficult bowing etc. Can you give me some advise.

Also as it goes, im no way rich enough to afford a Db, but from what ive seen and heard all the orchestras around me would have one i could borrow to play on in the orchestra. So would an electric upright give the same feel, and give ,me the ability to get the correct tehniques on a true? DB.

My parents were always more interested in my classical playing ie trumpet or jazz etc over my rockish etc bass playing that i do with my band and sort of thing, so they would defiantly help me a cheap electric upright.

So can you give a young player some advise on this. Also is this in the right forum.

Thanks
Sam H

fatgoogle · #2 02-12-2009, 03:35 PM

Anyone?

bassist14 · #3 02-12-2009, 03:45 PM

dear fatgoogle,
when i was in your age i played trumpet too. then i started playing bassguitar, then doublebass. now im 44, i am a proffesional musician, and i like it. i can´t imgaine doing something else.
you could do that too!
work hard, get a teacher, get a bass, ask your questions here.

do it. now.

good luck!

fatgoogle · #4 02-12-2009, 03:58 PM

So my first question, i dont think theres one abss teacher in Ireland, in my area anyway.
Would a violin player be able to teach me bowing? Also stupid question but a DB is tuned to EADG aswell or is it different.

Any reference to the second question i asked.

Thanks

bassist14 · #5 02-13-2009, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatgoogle

So my first question, i dont think theres one abss teacher in Ireland, in my area anyway.
Would a violin player be able to teach me bowing? Also stupid question but a DB is tuned to EADG aswell or is it different.

Any reference to the second question i asked.

Thanks

a violin player can teach you violin bowing. some aspects of bass bowing are similar, some are different. try to find a bass teacher. you can ask a specific question here, there are some forummembers from ireland here. you can ask a an orchestra next to you, i´m sure they will help you.

the bass is tuned EADG (low to high)

electric upright is a different instrument, start with the "real one", your teacher will help you getting a good instrument. don´t buy a doublebass without professional help, you would waste money, time and motivation.

there is usually more traffic in the "basses" forum, you could start a new thread there.

TroyK · #6 02-18-2009, 11:39 AM

You really are going to need a teacher or at least some really good method DVDs. Your other musical training will help and some very good players had to switch instruments before they found their voice. So, if your muse is telling you to play doublebass, then listen to him/her.

In my experience, I don't think that you will save money by buying an electric upright bass. There are reasons that people prefer to own them sometimes, but I don't think that entry level economy is one of them. Someone else may know better than me.

It's tough to find the right instrument, but give it an honest look and some time and sometimes your instrument will find you. Same with teachers. Asking the vilon teacher who she knows is a good way to go. Inquiring with the orchestra leads in your area might lead you to someone too. And who knows, if you're patient, they may have a bass to sell you.

I hope it works out for you and I hope you find that those sweet low notes are what your ear has been longing for.

mpm · #7 02-19-2009, 09:12 AM

I think Tom Barrett is in Galway now, he would know of multiple bass players as he is a master bass repairer and spends half the year over there...

fatgoogle · #8 02-22-2009, 03:18 PM

Ok thanks, I have seen very Db in Ieland, in shops of any sort, and i will get onto the violinist and ask her about teachers. Im not the richest person so that is why i was considering an EUB, and i have just made my new bas rig, and made the cabs, mybe i should make a DB ha ha.

Is Tom barret a member or is he just someone you know MPM.

Also how does the quality in DB change from ones that are 500-600 euro to ones that are 1500-3000, for a begineer, anyway, does acutal usage of tcnique change a whole load in them. I know these mught seem stupid questions, but im really interested in learning this.

Paul Warburton · #9 02-22-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatgoogle

i will get onto the violinist and ask her about teachers.

Just a little suggestion from an older guy, fat. Before you attempt to "get onto the violinist and ask her about teachers"....I would try a bit of small talk first.
Better yet, ask her about her teachers first and maybe then get onto her.

fatgoogle · #10 02-23-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Just a little suggestion from an older guy, fat. Before you attempt to "get onto the violinist and ask her about teachers"....I would try a bit of small talk first.
Better yet, ask her about her teachers first and maybe then get onto her.

Ha, dirty DB players twisting my words.....

fatgoogle · #11 03-15-2009, 05:40 AM

So i have my first dis friday double bass lesson this friday should be good.

bassist14 · #12 03-15-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatgoogle

So i have my first dis friday double bass lesson this friday should be good.

great! and thanks for reporting back!

Aaron Saunders · #13 03-15-2009, 09:57 AM

Awesome to hear you're starting lessons. Out of curiosity, did you pick up a DB or an EUB?

Eric Swanson · #14 03-15-2009, 01:10 PM

Bass is a fun, versatile instrument. 16 is a great time to start. How was your lesson?

fatgoogle · #15 03-16-2009, 06:09 AM

Nothing yet, im just going for a chat really and will find out what would be best from him.
And i meant this friday coming. ill rfeport back when ive been.

bassist14 · #16 03-16-2009, 06:44 AM

[quote=fatgoogle;7122736...and will find out what would be best from him.
...[/quote]

and before you meet him, think what will be best for YOU = prepare yourself

marvin spangles · #17 03-16-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatgoogle

So my first question, i dont think theres one abss teacher in Ireland, in my area anyway.
Would a violin player be able to teach me bowing?

Thanks

There are quite a few double bass players and teachers in Ireland. There is definitely one in the Cork School of music.
Lessons from a violin player would not be a good idea. A cellist possibly. The bow hold for the double bass is fundamentally different. If you are serious then you should get a teacher. Stentor make playable basses for 500 sterling. It would do you till you get to about grade v or VI. You could then trade up. Join your local credit union and get loan of about 1000-1500. you should get something half decent for that. pm me and I'll get you Tom Barret's email. He might have more information to help you.

fatgoogle · #18 03-17-2009, 06:56 AM

Well, of a teacher now, stentor, so there decent, im 6'1 so would i play a full size.

marvin spangles · #19 03-17-2009, 07:16 AM

No when I say decent I simply mean it will serve your purposes to get you started as you say you are on a budget. You would be best to get either or an experience player to go with you to buy an instrument. The Stentor I played had a reasonably playable neck. It sounded better pizz than arco. If you do decide to go down the bass road then you can upgrade later. Re the height thing. I am sure that that an extended end pin on a 3\4 bass will be adequate for your needs. 3/4 is the standard size. it is unlikely that you could buy a cheap 4/4 anyway but others on this forum will know better than me. As I've said you should contact the Cork school of music. There should be someone there to advise you. Cork can't be more than an hour from Wexford? I know there are bass players in that area and at least one teacher connected with the School of Music. Who knows they may even have something for sale. I am selling my second bass but it is outside your budget range.

fatgoogle · #20 03-17-2009, 08:45 AM

I ve found a teacher from the gorey school of music. Well, i dont know if your in Ireland, but may be youve heard of yvon collier, who i first asked, then to ruth millier and then to William mcglin, i believe hes called. And cork is a bit far to travel, for a lesson, if it had come to something like that dublin would have been easier to get to.

If i can find someone to buy my to cornets, and my guitar, thats some more money in a fund anyway.