Thanks to the OP and everyone elsewho contributed so far. A very good, very timely read for me.
My first DB is on its first way to me as I type.
My first DB is on its first way to me as I type.
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Double Bass Adult Beginner Double Bass
- Thread starter MaidenVT
- Start date
I have to thank you all for your sound advise and encouragement. You really inspired me to keep going and not give up on this wonderful instrument. I'm glad theres enough forums and youtube information out there when you can't talk to your teacher. I made some adjustments and have been playing more relaxed. Also I haven't had any pain so far in my left hand. This morning was my best practice session so far. Maybe after a month of playing my left hand has finally gotten the strength to play more on the E string. I also have been working out of a new book called Enjoy the Double Bass by Gerd Reinke and it seems to be helping.
I posted earlier in the thread and am also new to DB after decades on BG. Just be too stubborn to quit! I’m just assuming the hand strength will come with time and proper technique. Although I want to get some lessons, I signed up for the beginner double bass course through DiscoverDoubleBass.com and it seems like a solid into to fundamentals. Discover Double Bass
Well it finally is here. A seam popped during transport so it had to be sent back for repair.
It's nothing fancy but it's mine and my newest journey begins...
That’s higher than necessary, in my opinion. I’ve experimented with different heights over the years and now I have what seems to be the best for me. The nut is roughly at the level of my eyebrows. I mistakenly assumed that if I had the bass higher up (the note A on the G string at eye level), it meant I would be leaning over less. But I had pain in my left wrist. A new teacher I’m working with (a titan in orchestral bass) had me lower the pin. No more left wrist pain and I don’t need to bend over as much as I thought. I can get the bass to come to me and still maintain a relatively healthy posture.
Nut at top of head is WAY too high. You'll have to balance the requirements of your own anatomy. I have two bad shoulders, so holding my left arm up over my head for extended periods isn't going to happen. Basically I have the bass as low as I can go and still have the bow in the right place between the end of the fingerboard and bridge (German). Because I have long arms I'm able to pizz down at the bottom of the fingerboard.
I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. I ended up getting covid and stopped playing. But I'm happy to say I started up again and I got a new rental. It turns out the original rental I had wasn't properly setup and was causing me a lot of left hand pain. What a huge difference. I play with ease and I can play a lot longer without any pain.
I just started teaching a new adult student who wants to improve on basic playing to more complex styles. She has a pretty-much playable instrument, which is a relief, and a willingness to learn and take instruction, which is not always the case with adult students. My approach, which seems to work most of the time, is to concentrate on left hand first: proper balance of the instrument, good hand and arm position, relaxation while performing preliminary shifting motion while playing one octave scales where applicable. I don't start with the bow, even if that is a goal. I believe that using pizz at first can keep things progressing faster, which helps the psychology. Adults seem to get frustrated more quickly if they feel they are progressing more slowly than they think they should be. Often there is also the issue of overcoming bad habits from self teaching or bad instruction from somewhere. When a certain level of competence has been achieved, I will start with the bow and go from there. If the person is motivated there can be fairly steady progress and both teacher and student can feel satisfaction. I try to emphasize steady progress and positive feedback and hope it takes.
