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Double Bass Beginning DB Help

M

Musik Meister

Mar 3, 2002
31
0
Fayetteville, Georgia
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#1
My school is lending me their double bass over the summer so I can learn how to play it. I've already tried looking for teachers and they're aren't any that will teach me in the summer, only when school start again. So I need to learn how to play DB. I've been play EB for about 5 years now and I think I'm pretty good. So all I need to know is what are some begginer books to buy. I also need books to help my music reading, since I never really used it with EB. Thanks.
 
#2
Generally alot of bassists use Simandl's New Method for Double bass to start out, and chances are your teacher might use this too. But this technique does have some detractors.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37391

Other techniques include Rabbath, Bille and Nanny.
you'll find the method books for sale from http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37391

But though you will have the bass through the summer - it might be wise not to actually start on it yourself, because you might just only build bad habits and this will set you back a step instead of giving you a head start.

What I might suggest is that if you really really can't find a teacher for now, then try to get a hold of Simandl's book, and play it on your BG - this is to get an idea of hearing what the etudes sound like. It'll be really basic - but it'll train up your music reading, which is the main point, really. Use the summer to practice reading music, and then get to the real technique only under a teacher's guidance.If you're good at BG, you can read the advance techniques at the back of the book - those orchestral excerpts etc etc...Weber's Euryanthe overture is kind of fun.

Also, you can check out Ray Parker's fingering discussion thread in this same forum, and use those fingerings on your BG.

Well, just my 2c worth.
 
#3
How many teachers have you talked to? If someone could just spend a few hours with you to make sure you're playing in the correct position it would help a lot. I'm sure you know a lot of scales and if you had someone to help you a little you could use the summer to learn some scales on the DB (believe me you'll have to relearn them!) and practice reading them.
 
#5
another way to solve your rural dilemma-
there are several videos out on the market that teach basic physical hand positions. you have the doublebass, you want to be with it, then play it! Mark Schatz, to me, has a wonderful instructional video. Yeah, I know he isn't a classical player. So what. I've been in a master class of his, and his physical approach is firmly rooted in tradition. He has great time and great tone. If you are brand-spankin' new to the DB, get it. You won't have to unlearn anything when school gets back in session. The books are great, but a video would really complement them well.


I wish I could tell you the publisher of the video... I'll look around the Net and try and find it.
 
#6
here's the publisher's website. they also have a video by Todd Phillips. definitely more oriented for all around technique. check them out!
BTW- is your "setup" in good order? trying to learn positions while fighting high string height is a real drag. school basses, on the whole, don't receive much TLC.
 
#9
I am sorry that I have not replied. You see, I don't own a computer at home so I must use a computer at a friends house. I live in Fayetteville, Georgia, which is about an hour south from Atlanta. I've tried looking for teachers and have had no luck. If you know of any teachers close to me, that would be wonderful. And by the way, what's a good string height? Thanks.
 
#11
could I use the exercises in there as pizz instead of arco?
Click to expand...

No problem. Check regularly your intonation with a chromatic tuner or a keyboard. Focus is on proper fingering and proper left hand position. Widen 1-2 and shorten 1-3 spaces. Play along with a metronome to strengthen your sens of time. Do not underestimate the melodic quality of these exercises, they sound good when played well.

GET A BOW, FIND A TEACHER, they will pay off.
 
#12
I saw that video called "Essential Techniques for Acoustic Bass" by Todd Phillips, that is supposed to cover this - on "homespun" video.

Anybody got any thoughts on this or Todd Phillips? I've never heard of him or homespun, but there don't seem to be many instructional videos for Double Bass, (any at all?) so this one stuck out in the shops in London.
 
#14
Even if you just drop $50 on a Glasser fiberglass (real hair, not synthetic) it will be worth it. For intonation and just learning to get the sound out cleanly the bow is the thing. You'll also probably get hooked on it and want a better bow later. So, the worst that would happen is that you'll have an extra beater bow to take on combat zone gigs.
 
#15
Originally posted by Klimbim
Generally alot of bassists use Simandl's New Method for Double bass to start out, and chances are your teacher might use this too. But this technique does have some detractors.
Click to expand...

I am one of those detractors. F. Simandl's method gets too hard too fast in my opinion. I suggest you try Essential Elements.
 
#16
Originally posted by Executor666


I am one of those detractors. F. Simandl's method gets too hard too fast in my opinion.
Click to expand...


I have never heard this complaint about Simandl. Rabbath? Sure. But Simandl? I think that if anyone found anything in Simandl getting too hard too fast I would advise the person with the complaint to simply slow down. As always, YMMV.
 

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