Double Bass Adult Beginner Double Bass

[MaidenVT]

Can you post a video of yourself playing this page that is making your hand hurt? There is a certain amount of strength building that’s required but a reasonable amount of daily practice should not result in hand pain. You may be doing something incorrectly or inefficiently which members of this forum could help you with. I recently lowered my end pin length and am experiencing less wrist fatigue than I had before. Sometimes a small adjustment can make a big difference. Are you working out of Simandl?

It just hurts when I play. I can only play maybe 30 minutes. Yes I'm working out of Simandl page 9. This thing is like a workout. It's really not fun to play at all. I'm probably just going to return the rental and stick my guitar.

 

[ClusterFlux]

I've been playing for a month now and my left hand still hurts. I been playing the same page for a month in half position. I'm 49 I think I'm told old for this. I don't need to get carpal tunnel.

I don't know your particular circumstances, but I don't think age is an impediment. 8 year olds can learn to play DB. Ron Carter is 85, and still plays all day long.

Learning DB is a long and slow process. Part of that is learning how to play properly without injuring yourself, and part is building the physical and mental endurance to play the instrument.

DB may not be the instrument for you, and that's perfectly fine. But I'd check with your teacher before packing it in.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

It just hurts when I play. I can only play maybe 30 minutes. Yes I'm working out of Simandl page 9. This thing is like a workout. It's really not fun to play at all. I'm probably just going to return the rental and stick my guitar.

I remember thinking that way. I didn’t sound like music. It was so strenuous. But I kept thinking “how did all these other folks manage to become proficient and so expressive on this thing?” That kept me going. A sort of stubborn pride. But it also helped knowing that I had a legit instrument. It was ready for orchestral and Jazz work when I got it from a premier bass shop. That told me the problem was me and not the bass. I can’t vouch for the rental you have. I do know that an inferior instrument is not conducive to such a challenging process. Has your teacher evaluated this bass?

 

[MaidenVT]

I remember thinking that way. I didn’t sound like music. It was so strenuous. But I kept thinking “how did all these other folks manage to become proficient and so expressive on this thing?” That kept me going. A sort of stubborn pride. But it also helped knowing that I had a legit instrument. It was ready for orchestral and Jazz work when I got it from a premier bass shop. That told me the problem was me and not the bass. I can’t vouch for the rental you have. I do know that an inferior instrument is not conducive to such a challenging process. Has your teacher evaluated this bass?

Yeah he looked it over. It's a nice rental the action is good.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

Yeah he looked it over. It's a nice rental the action is good.

Fair enough. Well, at least you gave it a shot!

 

[VictorW126]

It's really not fun to play at all. I'm probably just going to return the rental and stick my guitar.

My opinion - do not force yourself. If you are not enjoying yourself and your activities are unpleasant for you, stop. I spent six years learning the accordion and then for twenty-five years I never picked it up! I myself chose to study the accordion and practiced with pleasure for more than a year, but then I lost all interest. It took me a year to realize that I didn't want this. I continued to study because I was sorry for the time already wasted. Now I feel sorry for those extra five years that I could have put to better use. It was in childhood and a lot depended on the parents. Understanding what you want to do often comes with experience.
Dbass is a different story. For more than twenty years I can't refuse it! My profession is not related to music, I live in a remote place and do almost everything myself. I have no education in double bass. I stopped several times, but always came back. This is something I can't fight. That's why I'm here.
Accept yourself, you don't have to learn double bass if you don't want to. If the DB turns out to be your love, you will understand it.

 

[s0707]

One tip that may help: if you're squeezing your left hand to hold down the note, try instead using more of your upper arm (i.e. your triceps) to pull back on the string. The arm/tricep muscle is stronger than the hand muscle used in squeezing.

 

[MaidenVT]

I'm not going to give up. I think I'm just too hard on myself. People say I sound good for just starting out.

 

[MaidenVT]

Can you post a video of yourself playing this page that is making your hand hurt? There is a certain amount of strength building that’s required but a reasonable amount of daily practice should not result in hand pain. You may be doing something incorrectly or inefficiently which members of this forum could help you with. I recently lowered my end pin length and am experiencing less wrist fatigue than I had before. Sometimes a small adjustment can make a big difference. Are you working out of Simandl?

I think the end pin might be too eye. I took a picture and the nut is level with the top of my head.

 

[Ed S]

As others have said, maybe bass just isn't for you. I kinda went the other way, trying to convince myself that I wanted to play mando, guitar, etc., before renting a bass and acknowledging that I was a bass player. And this all took place in my late 40s.

I've never taken many lessons, and never really gotten into Simandl, but if lessons aren't possible, you might want to just try major scales, or 1/4/5 patterns, maybe playing along with some music you like.

Gotta admit - even 12 or so years in, 1/2 position ain't my fave. The space between the notes is a little large, and the tension a little hard. I live in 2d, w. my middle finger on the low G. But I sure ain't gonna contradict Simandl. And like others have said - at least you gave it a shot.

 

[MaidenVT]

As others have said, maybe bass just isn't for you. I kinda went the other way, trying to convince myself that I wanted to play mando, guitar, etc., before renting a bass and acknowledging that I was a bass player. And this all took place in my late 40s.

I've never taken many lessons, and never really gotten into Simandl, but if lessons aren't possible, you might want to just try major scales, or 1/4/5 patterns, maybe playing along with some music you like.

Gotta admit - even 12 or so years in, 1/2 position ain't my fave. The space between the notes is a little large, and the tension a little hard. I live in 2d, w. my middle finger on the low G. But I sure ain't gonna contradict Simandl. And like others have said - at least you gave it a shot.

I woke this morning and decided I'm not going to give up this soon. I think need to make some adjustments and not be to hard on myself. I love the tone of the Bass that's why I chose it.

 

[Ed S]

What does your teacher say about this? He/she really ought to be your primary resource as to technique.

I'm sure I do all manner of things wrong, but I never experience PAIN from playing. (Tho our group plays a couple of aggressive tunes in F and Bb - which do tend to fatigue me. Like I said, 1/2 ain't my fave!). Gotta imagine you need to tweak your technique.

 

[MaidenVT]

What does your teacher say about this? He/she really ought to be your primary resource as to technique.

I'm sure I do all manner of things wrong, but I never experience PAIN from playing. (Tho our group plays a couple of aggressive tunes in F and Bb - which do tend to fatigue me. Like I said, 1/2 ain't my fave!). Gotta imagine you need to tweak your technique.

Did you ever have any pain in your hand when you first started? I hear its very common to have some pain in the beginning until your hands get stronger.

 

[Ed S]

Did you ever have any pain in your hand when you first started? I hear its very common to have some pain in the beginning until your hands get stronger.

I don't recall it, but for 10 years or so, I was all about bluegrass/oldtime. The classic "I know 3 notes, I'm ready to gig!"

You are fortunate to have a teacher you respect. Talk to them.

 

[MaidenVT]

I don't recall it, but for 10 years or so, I was all about bluegrass/oldtime. The classic "I know 3 notes, I'm ready to gig!"

You are fortunate to have a teacher you respect. Talk to them.

I do he says it takes time and don't get frustrated.

 

[Ed S]

I do he says it takes time and don't get frustrated.

You sure he didn't say, "Ask a bunch of folk on a message board"?

Good luck. Keep us apprised.

 

[J_Bass]

I swtiched to the DB a few years ago.

Everything you say in this thread, I went through it, too.

The pain, the 5 minutes and have to stop, the lack of confidence, the giving up.

But I stuck to it, and know I can play all the time I want.

I'm not really sure when the shift happened, but it did.
I think it was when I joined the Jazz group and started to play more. And at the rehearsals I just kept going.

I know I tweaked my left hand technique, I just can't explain what it was.

I press with the thumb. Everybody does.

We played a tune this season, Seven Steps to Heaven, and I couldn't play through the track for more than a couple of minutes. It was too fast and both my hands got fatigued really quickly.
So, I played it hundreds of times at 50% speed. Then at 75%.

And then I just could do it, at full speed and even faster. And then, I could play a full set. And then more than that.

What I know I did:

Played every day.
Didn't let the pain affect me. When it hurted, I played something else. But kept playing.

When I got fatigued playing Miss Jones, or Seven Steps (lots of half position and 1st position), I played Footprints, or Mr. Lucky.

But I didn't stop. After some time, I went to a work medicine appointment, mandatory for work. I was asked to press a ball, and they measured the psi. My left hand was stronger than my right hand. And I'm the most right handed person in the world. The doctor even asked me if I was a lefty.


Make sure you don't injure yourself, sure. But the change will come.

 

[MaidenVT]

I swtiched to the DB a few years ago.

Everything you say in this thread, I went through it, too.

The pain, the 5 minutes and have to stop, the lack of confidence, the giving up.

But I stuck to it, and know I can play all the time I want.

I'm not really sure when the shift happened, but it did.
I think it was when I joined the Jazz group and started to play more. And at the rehearsals I just kept going.

I know I tweaked my left hand technique, I just can't explain what it was.

I press with the thumb. Everybody does.

We played a tune this season, Seven Steps to Heaven, and I couldn't play through the track for more than a couple of minutes. It was too fast and both my hands got fatigued really quickly.
So, I played it hundreds of times at 50% speed. Then at 75%.

And then I just could do it, at full speed and even faster. And then, I could play a full set. And then more than that.

What I know I did:

Played every day.
Didn't let the pain affect me. When it hurted, I played something else. But kept playing.

When I got fatigued playing Miss Jones, or Seven Steps (lot's of half position and 1st position), I played Footprints, or Mr. Lucky.

But I didn't stop. After some time, I went to a work medicine appointment, mandatory for work. I was asked to press a ball, and they measured the psi. My left hand was stronger than my right hand. And I'm the most right handed person in the world. The doctor even asked me if I was a lefty.


Make sure you don't injure yourself, sure. But the change will come.

Thank you for sharing that, very encouraging and inspirational. I'm going to keep going. The weekend is here that's when I seem to play the best when well rested.

 

[sean_on_bass]

I've had all the trials and tribulations as well when i got my first bass as a rental. My only advice is to give it time. Also, make sure you are not just running Simandl exercises, as i think if i started doing nothing but bow Simandl i would had quit myself. Spend a little time on Simandl but also have some actual musical excerpts or full pieces to work on. To use a sports analogy, Simandl is like lifting weights and running drills to prepare to play a sport and be strong at it. Playing actual pieces is getting on the field to actually play the game. The latter is much more fun

I worked on some of these when i got started with the bow:

String Bass Online - Free Bass Sheet Music

 

[J_Bass]

Thank you for sharing that, very encouraging and inspirational. I'm going to keep going. The weekend is here that's when I seem to play the best when well rested.

I was at this state for more than a year.

Play some tunes.

Get the iReal pro app, and pick some slow tunes. Have fun, man. Enjoy the sound of the bass. The sound of the notes.


It will come.

I want to suggest a tune for you. One of my favorites and you can enjoy the sound of the bass and forget about the effort.

Iceland, by Carlos Bica:

Play the bass, the viola, and the melody. Enjoy. You can taste the sound of the notes, with this tune.

Here are some versions:








When you get tired, play this. I will send you the chart via pm.