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Double Bass Adult Beginner Double Bass
- Thread starter MaidenVT
- Start date
Start by renting. Your teacher should know a place where you can rent a double bass.
If it works out, the shop where you rent will likely have an affordable plywood bass. Also make sure to pick up a decent student bow.
FYI, new affordable basses are basically imported from China, and there may still be lots of shipping delays.
If it works out, the shop where you rent will likely have an affordable plywood bass. Also make sure to pick up a decent student bow.
FYI, new affordable basses are basically imported from China, and there may still be lots of shipping delays.
Hey Heavymetal...great post!
This is my first post, after lurking/searching for info as an upright bass player wanna-be. I've read the FAQ's and done forum searches, but some experienced thoughts may be helpful.
My wonder is similar as a beginner, but genre wise more Americana/BG oriented. We live in a rural area, far from teachers/shops, etc...so I'd probably be more self and collaborator taught realistically. I'm more of a buyer than renter type, and just looking for a used plywood decent used bass to plink around on.
After searching here, realize I do not want what more experienced call a "BSO" (bass shaped object) that's unplayable, and while I know guitars/mandolins, and a little about fiddle set-up, I know nothing about basses. Likewise don't want to spend a small fortune either.
Lots of questions I know, but curious what more experienced players have to say.
Best wishes on your search!
Nate
This is my first post, after lurking/searching for info as an upright bass player wanna-be. I've read the FAQ's and done forum searches, but some experienced thoughts may be helpful.
My wonder is similar as a beginner, but genre wise more Americana/BG oriented. We live in a rural area, far from teachers/shops, etc...so I'd probably be more self and collaborator taught realistically. I'm more of a buyer than renter type, and just looking for a used plywood decent used bass to plink around on.
After searching here, realize I do not want what more experienced call a "BSO" (bass shaped object) that's unplayable, and while I know guitars/mandolins, and a little about fiddle set-up, I know nothing about basses. Likewise don't want to spend a small fortune either.
Lots of questions I know, but curious what more experienced players have to say.
Best wishes on your search!
Nate
gollihurmusic.com/ has a teacher directory. That's how I found mine.
The George Vance method books are a great place to start, they are an offshoot of the Rabbath ideas and concepts. He starts you in a comfortable place on the bass and you begin by playing nursery rhymes and folk tunes, stuff your ear already knows very very well which makes it easy to translate to your fingers, because you already know when it sounds right and when it’s off. It aims to be a very natural and easy way to start bass. The Simandl method is the most traditional method which starts you playing exercises and learning the traditional positions beginning with the lowest notes. It works and is effective, many generations of bassists have used it. I’m biased toward the Rabbath/Vance stuff, but Simandl is good too. Best of luck!
Thank you. I heard of Simandl and I will look into George Vance that sounds like a fun method.
Not intending to be a jerk, but I think "What is a good beginner bass?" is probably among the 5 most common thread titles. I've likely said what little I know/believe in many of those threads. You might enjoy searching, and then coming back w/ specific questions.
In short - upright basses are not cheap. Or easy to resell. You'll likely be looking at quality plys catndahats, or hybrids HeavyMetalLord. Figure on spending an absolute minimum of $1k for a ply, and $2k for a hybrid. You'll face challenges finding basses to try depending on your location. I'm sure there are plenty of Americana resources in Austin (unless I'm mistaken about where TX Hill Country is).
But as a general matter, renting (espec. w/ option to buy) is the best option for most people.
In short - upright basses are not cheap. Or easy to resell. You'll likely be looking at quality plys catndahats, or hybrids HeavyMetalLord. Figure on spending an absolute minimum of $1k for a ply, and $2k for a hybrid. You'll face challenges finding basses to try depending on your location. I'm sure there are plenty of Americana resources in Austin (unless I'm mistaken about where TX Hill Country is).
But as a general matter, renting (espec. w/ option to buy) is the best option for most people.
Renting is great advice. It’s not expensive to rent, you’ll get a well maintained decent instrument, and if you don’t like it or don’t take to it, return the rental and you’re done. If you do like it, then you’ll have experience and informed opinions and a better sense of the market to choose a bass to purchase.
Thanks for the direct response, EdS.
All the above that you posted, including top 5 threads are helpful....for me laminate, good set up is where my focus is. I'm new here, new to bass, and so far the posts I have read in searches point out some builders NOT to buy---the good ones I have not come across yet--but today is a new day. I know a good instrument makes learning easier and more fun, and how important set-up is from guitar/mando experience...those threads I appreciate as I don't want to make that mistake, especially buying used. There are a lot of resources within 2-3hrs (Austin) from where I live as in shops/some teachers but realistically that is a long drive for lessons. The individual ads listed on the usual sites (CL, FB, Reverb) consist of most of those instruments are listed on the what not to buy posts, or are in poor shape however. Again, thanks for the input.
All the above that you posted, including top 5 threads are helpful....for me laminate, good set up is where my focus is. I'm new here, new to bass, and so far the posts I have read in searches point out some builders NOT to buy---the good ones I have not come across yet--but today is a new day. I know a good instrument makes learning easier and more fun, and how important set-up is from guitar/mando experience...those threads I appreciate as I don't want to make that mistake, especially buying used. There are a lot of resources within 2-3hrs (Austin) from where I live as in shops/some teachers but realistically that is a long drive for lessons. The individual ads listed on the usual sites (CL, FB, Reverb) consist of most of those instruments are listed on the what not to buy posts, or are in poor shape however. Again, thanks for the input.
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$75/month, seems about right to me. A lot of shops will also credit you a portion of the rental fee toward a purchase or some similar type program.
That seems reasonable but rental prices can vary wildly depending on what market you live in.
+1 on Vance's "Progressive Repetoire" but I can't overstate the importance of getting with a teacher in person and learning a proper physical approach to the instrument so you can keep making music for the rest of your life without hurting yourself. A teacher will help you navigate the specifics of the relationship between your bass, bow, and body.
I believe they do. I played bass guitar for years before starting double-bass lessons, never thinking much about fingering. Applying some of those fingering concepts has helped me get around on BG more efficiently.
My personal experience as a bass guitarist who picked up DB later was that there was a weird transitional period before DB studies helped my electric playing. Fortunately it didn't last long. I think in the end, DB technique has been really beneficial to my electric playing.
They can. Most bass guitarists never think of “positions” in the double bass sense and there are far few physical limitations/landmarks on a bass guitar. But they can definitely inform each other, especially when it comes to note choices, whether or not to go up the string or across the fingerboard. Also in double bass land in the lower register fingering in a lot of these methods and systems, for instance, F to G on the E-string you would use finger 1 on the F, finger 2 on the F# and 3+4 on the G. I use that 1-2-3+4 fingering all the time on electric bass to finger octaves and stuff, it keeps my hand nice and relaxed and easy. I’ll switch to one finger per fret when necessary, but if not, I’m cruising like that with 3+4.
1234 is not practical on an instrument that will have a 40+" string length. Other than the tuning, very little of bass guitar technique is transferrable.
Yeah, it’s largely a one-way street. The only real bass guitar technique that’s transferable is the right hand, plucking with individual fingers at a right angle to the string as opposed to the traditional method of plucking parallel to the string with the side meat of your index finger. But that’s more of a special effect type thing for solos and when you need a burst of speed than an actual standard technique
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