Double Bass Beginner-ish (re-beginning?) double bass book/course recommendation

[jacoby75]

Hey guys,

I am very excited to soon be inheriting a double bass from a relative. Double bass was the first instrument I played way back in the fifth grade . . . which was a loooooooong time ago. I played it all of the way through high school, but haven't touched one since. That was 28yrs ago (good grief, I'm getting old). I switched to bass guitar, and have played that continually ever since, even professionally full-time for a while. So I do know quite a bit about bass, reading bass music/notation, some theory, where the notes are on an electric bass, etc. But now that I am switching back to an upright after such a long hiatus, I could use a good book to reacquaint myself with the upright bass. Some technique (how to bow, how to hold the bass), and how to find where the notes are, relative to the electric bass. For example, I started watching some upright videos the other day in anticipation of having the bass soon, and I forgot just how different it is. One finger per fret on the bass guitar vs 1-2-4 on the upright bass, and switching positions, for example. I'm going to be somewhat lost on the fingerboard. While there are some good basic videos on Youtube, it seems one would be hard-pressed to actually find good, extensive lessons there. They're more like snippets or teasers for a course you can purchase. At least from what I've found so far. I can't really justify spending a bunch of money on this, since I doubt I'll ever have much opportunity to play the upright professionally. It will be more about playing for fun, playing in church, and doing my best to honor the relative whose bass it was.

Thanks

 

[Rama Temmink]

Welcome!

Check out the book "New Method For The Double Bass" by Franz Simandl.

It has PICTURES and descriptions on all the very basic how-to's.

Have fun and try to get a in-person teacher that manages to motivate you to practise instead of having a "BIG |)!(|<" competition.

 

[JBarz]

This is the one that my esteemed sensai started me on. It’s a great way to learn the positions using the open strings as a tuning reference. I think it’s out of print, so you’ll have to hunt down a copy on eBay, but also I’d be more than happy to send you some scans if you wanna contact me via private message.

 

[jacoby75]

You can tell by the mustache alone that the man means business. I love it.

 

[JBarz]

Check out our Chris Fitzgerald’s contribution to the YouTube double bass pedagogy world, too. His channel is an invaluable resource and isn’t aimed at selling a subscription to anything - a pure labor of love.

 

[TroyK]

... I think it’s out of print, so you’ll have to hunt down a copy on eBay, but also I’d be more than happy to send you some scans if you wanna contact me via private message.

Can you hook me up with a pair of those pants?

 

[DaDo625]

View attachment 4547746
This is the one that my esteemed sensai started me on. It’s a great way to learn the positions using the open strings as a tuning reference. I think it’s out of print, so you’ll have to hunt down a copy on eBay, but also I’d be more than happy to send you some scans if you wanna contact me via private message.

You can buy it from Ron Carter...(I just did)

https://roncarterjazz.com/products/ron-carters-comprehensive-bass-method

 

[gogogergie1]

Get a teacher. They'll help you progress properly so much more than working from a specific book and youtube videos. Make sure you start with a bow.
Also the Progressive Repertoire for Double Bass series by George Vance is a great starting point.

 

[Ryan in PDX]

Welcome back to double bass! My suggestion is to find a teacher first, even if it's just for a couple of lessons. I would add "injury prevention" to the other arguments in favor of lessons you've gotten so far. A teacher will have book recommendations for you.

 

[Wasnex]

There is some good upright bass material on this channel: Thomas & George Martin Violin Makers - YouTube

In particular, I enjoy the videos with: Giuseppe Ettorre - YouTube

 

[jacoby75]

Welcome back to double bass! My suggestion is to find a teacher first, even if it's just for a couple of lessons. I would add "injury prevention" to the other arguments in favor of lessons you've gotten so far. A teacher will have book recommendations for you.

Yes, a teacher no doubt would be ideal. But I live in a small rural town in Michigan, and I am the only bass player I know. I doubt there is a teacher nearby, and I don’t have any money for lessons anyway, lol. Best case scenario I expect to maybe get passable again at the upright bass someday so I can play for fun or with quartets in church or something. Maybe the local musical theater. I don’t anticipate becoming a Mustachioed Maestro myself one day at this age.

 

[DaDo625]

I'm a little ahead of you - EB for 5+ years, recently found an instructor and rented a DB.
And since I already have grey hair - one of my asks is to correct my form to prevent injuries.

Your inbound family DB may be in need of a luthier.
At the very least to check it out, make sure that it is set up and if need be address any repairs.
Just like EB, if the Bass is not set up learning is going to be frustrating at best.

And make sure that you share pictures...

 

[jacoby75]

I'm a little ahead of you - EB for 5+ years, recently found an instructor and rented a DB.
And since I already have grey hair - one of my asks is to correct my form to prevent injuries.

Your inbound family DB may be in need of a luthier.
At the very least to check it out, make sure that it is set up and if need be address any repairs.
Just like EB, if the Bass is not set up learning is going to be frustrating at best.

And make sure that you share pictures...

Oh, don't you worry. I know the rules. Pics or it didn't happen, lol. If nothing else, the bass should be in fantastic shape. My uncle played it all the time and played occasionally in the Jackson (MI) symphony orchestra. I'm sure (I hope) that he maintained it. So if I stink terribly there will nobody to blame but myself and my 28yr old rusty technique. But I did pretty well when I played back in the day. I took lessons from a guy in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra myself while I was in school. So I'm hoping it will come back to me relatively quickly. Like riding a bike.

On a side note, I learned a few years back that the expression, "It's like riding a bike - you never forget," is actually erroneous at best. One year for our anniversary my wife and I decided to treat ourselves to good bicycles to tool around in. I probably hadn't ridden a bike in like 15yrs by then. And sure enough I really did forget how. For the longest time I could only turn left. I still struggle turning right. I have to make three left turns to make a right and just tell my wife I'll catch up to her on the straightaway.

 

[AndersLasson]

There is some good upright bass material on this channel: Thomas & George Martin Violin Makers - YouTube

In particular, I enjoy the videos with: Giuseppe Ettorre - YouTube

I agree!

Also, check Seth Gamba, e.g.

 

[AndersLasson]

Also the Progressive Repertoire for Double Bass series by George Vance is a great starting point.

+1 to this

You may use Rabbath’s first book together with Vance to get aquinted w half position.

 

[Ketbass]

I keep suggesting it: Rufus Reid’s Evolving Bassist. Another great starting place. I also found a teacher locally that really has helped and Chris’s videos are fantastic

 

[DaDo625]

I keep suggesting it: Rufus Reid’s Evolving Bassist. Another great starting place. I also found a teacher locally that really has helped and Chris’s videos are fantastic

+1 - I just started taking lessons (fits and starts due to my travel and a teacher who is a working musician) 1st book that my teacher asked me to get was Rufus Reid's Evolving Bassist.

 

[jacoby75]

A big thank you to everyone who has offered suggestions thus far. It’s funny. As I noted above I have played bass for decades, and have followed the bass guitar threads for about 12 years. So I am very familiar with most things bass guitar related. Anytime somebody drops a name over there, I usually know what you’re talking about. But for the overwhelming majority of this thread, I have had no idea what or who many of you guys were talking about, lol. I don’t recognize any of these names related to the upright bass, except maybe Rufus Reid. Which makes sense, since I have been out of it for so long. I definitely have my work cut out for me, now exploring this whole new world of double bass. Of course, the last time I picked up an upright bass, there was no Internet. But we won’t talk about that.

 

[gogogergie1]

Something to keep in mind is that all of the options listed require the ability to read music.
The Vance is a good one to start learning to read bass clef as you only do a few notes at a time. I also liked it because you’re playing songs from the very start. And he sends you into thumb position 5 pages in.
I’ve been working through the Rufus Reed book lately- it’s great but it is a total churn and burn. Lots of great rhythmic open string exercises and chromatic scales for a while. Don’t expect to play anything melodic for quite some time.

 

[Anthony White]

I'd recommend the courses at Discover Double Bass
They make really good video courses. Really valuable stuff. There is a library of free lessons, which are useful. And then full courses are in the region of $100-120, which can give four or six hours of video material sliced into six to ten minute slices, that amounts to you several months worth of practice.