Double Bass Basic left hand position question

[Ed S]

If I'm playing 1-5 for a tune in F (or Bb), ought my hand simply be positioned with my index finger on the E-string F, and my other 3 fingers on the A-string w/ the pinkie on the C, so that I play the F and C w/o moving my hand?

My tendency is to rock my hand slightly between the 2, but I often see what I assume are classically trained bassists who hold their left hands in a beautiful, unmoving position. I'm comfortable doing that playing in G or C, but it seems a bit of a stretch down in F - compounded by the extra pressure needed right next to the nut. Moving my thumb a tad lower on the neck seems to make it somewhat more comfortable.

 

[turf3]

I play with standard left hand position and for what you're describing I would as you call it "rock" the hand back and forth a bit between the F and C. Among other reasons, lifting up off the F and C will act as a mute so the strings won't ring over each other. Also the leverage is better if you move a bit. Think of it another way - what if you were playing alternating low F and Bb on the G string? You sure wouldn't leave your hand in a fixed position unless you were playing a double stop.

Your string height at the nut may be too high.

 

[Ed S]

... Think of it another way - what if you were playing alternating low F and Bb on the G string? You sure wouldn't leave your hand in a fixed position unless you were playing a double stop.
...

Man, go ahead and blow the mind of this old thumper. I'm trying to expand my toolkit, but I never thought of going from a low F to a Bb on the G.

When I commented on this to my classically trained cellist yesterday (the one who chose to play this tune in F) I commented on the beautiful LH positions I admire, she said, "And do you know how many hours they've spent doing THIS?" (demonstrating a simple pinkie movement.)

It is a continuing challenge as an amateur player, trying to figure out where one's effort is best spent, what is reasonably attainable and what is not, and what will confer the greatest payback.

 

[AGCurry]

For the low F and Bb, your hand position is correct, and rocking back and forth is perfectly acceptable... although the rocking can possibly lead to unintentional muting.

If I'm playing 1-5 in F, I will typically use the F on the D string. Easier on the hands, and easier to hear. In Bb, I'll use the low Bb and the higher F as well.

 

[Ed S]

...

If I'm playing 1-5 in F, I will typically use the F on the D string. Easier on the hands, and easier to hear. In Bb, I'll use the low Bb and the higher F as well.

Yeah, I tried it an octave up, but I really like the sound of the low F - on this song at least.

Isn't it funny, how you develop habits? And just hear things certain ways? I've long known that I prefer playing the lower 1, going up to the 4/5. I often see others playing it the other way, which I do for variety, but like I said, my go-to preference... Just sounds "right" to my ear more times than not.

If I played a lot in F or Bb, I suspect I'd seriously reconsider that preference!

I've been working A LOT on my hand position - all over the neck, and working on more precise intonation w/ the bow. In the process, I found I was a little sloppy down in 1st-2d position, playing sharp w/ my index finger nearest to the nut, and flat with the other 2. I have pretty much made sense of it in G or C - and I've been working a lot up near the heel. So moving back towards the nut to play in F kinda threw me.

Man, this instrument can be humbling!

 

[Ed S]

And to give myself a break, I just spent a couple of hours working on my extremely raw clawhammer. Trying to develop some chops for a decade or so down the line when I don't feel as much like hauling this bass around.

Man, why do I DO this to myself?! I'm gonna make a point of spending some time doing something I'm GOOD at! (As soon as I figure out what that might be!)

 

[AGCurry]

If I played a lot in F or Bb, I suspect I'd seriously reconsider that preference!

Yes, not a lot of bluegrass in flat keys. But when you get horns involved, it's the other way around.

I've been working A LOT on my hand position - all over the neck, and working on more precise intonation w/ the bow. In the process, I found I was a little sloppy down in 1st-2d position, playing sharp w/ my index finger nearest to the nut, and flat with the other 2. I have pretty much made sense of it in G or C - and I've been working a lot up near the heel. So moving back towards the nut to play in F kinda threw me.

Man, this instrument can be humbling!

I can relate!