Double Bass Beginner technique questions

[Wesker11]

Hey all, first post and a little background about myself. I just bought my first upright bass after playing the electric for a couple of years. Also like to give a quick shout out to Nick Lloyd at nicklloydbasses.com. I got a beautiful Shen SB90 and his service was remarkable. He even answered some beginner playing questions for me over the phone. Highly recommend his work.

Anyways, I am definitely going to be getting some lessons from a teacher eventually. However, I was wondering if anyone knew of some good online videos, articles, or tips that discuss the technique of plucking the strings with the right hand. Especially when using triplets and quick runs. Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

 

[jacopnut2]

I would reccomend the Barry Bales dvd A solid foundation to the acoustic bass.It is a good dvd for bluegrass and he talks about the right hand quite a bit.I have found good videos on youtube as well.Food for thought good luck.

 

[colliningram]

The Barry Bales DVD is a great idea. Mark Shatz (sp?) also has a great DVD out. As far as doing quick runs and whatnot start by getting them in your head. Once you do that they will transfer to the instrument quicker than you would ever imagine. IMO Mike Bub is the master of the right hand so try to find some recordings that he is on. (It shouldn't be that hard lol).

LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN!!! PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! You wont go wrong. Trust me.

 

[Wesker11]

Cool, thanks for the idea guys, I will look into them. I did manage to find a teacher however and I start lessons this weekend. I can't wait!

 

[Matt Ides]

Not specific to blue grass, but if you plan on doing practicing with the french bow - Andrew Anderson -

Let us know how the first lesson goes.

 

[Wesker11]

Not specific to blue grass, but if you plan on doing practicing with the french bow - Andrew Anderson -

Let us know how the first lesson goes.

As of right now I'm not gonna focus on a bow too much.

First lesson went pretty good. He seems to be a pretty knowledgeable guy, one concern though. Being completely new to the UB, I thought he would start me out with some Simandl and really work with my technique. He didn't seem to be too concerned with it though. He looked at my hand positions and said "ya, that looks pretty good". He showed me a few things regarding hand positions, but I was under the impression that technique was something that really needed to be studied to become an accomplished UB player.

I told him I wanted to study Jazz figuring whatever I learned there I could transfer over to Bluegrass easy enough. Anyways, he said Simandl is more for classical music and wouldn't really help me for Jazz. What do you guys think about this?

 

[duckyincarnate]

As of right now I'm not gonna focus on a bow too much.

First lesson went pretty good. He seems to be a pretty knowledgeable guy, one concern though. Being completely new to the UB, I thought he would start me out with some Simandl and really work with my technique. He didn't seem to be too concerned with it though. He looked at my hand positions and said "ya, that looks pretty good". He showed me a few things regarding hand positions, but I was under the impression that technique was something that really needed to be studied to become an accomplished UB player.

I told him I wanted to study Jazz figuring whatever I learned there I could transfer over to Bluegrass easy enough. Anyways, he said Simandl is more for classical music and wouldn't really help me for Jazz. What do you guys think about this?

Did he suggest another method, like Bille, Nanny or Rabbath?

I am sure people who teach will chime in quite soon, but from the point of view of someone who has started playing about two years ago, I am VERY thankful that I studied with a bow and Simandl right from the start (and I am still working on this). I feel that all other stuff has come much quicker because of a solid grounding in systematic fingering and intonation.

I think your initial assumption was a wise one, and that you should find a teacher who shares that view, if at all possible.

 

[Matt Ides]

Did he suggest another method, like Bille, Nanny or Rabbath?

I am sure people who teach will chime in quite soon, but from the point of view of someone who has started playing about two years ago, I am VERY thankful that I studied with a bow and Simandl right from the start (and I am still working on this). I feel that all other stuff has come much quicker because of a solid grounding in systematic fingering and intonation.

I think your initial assumption was a wise one, and that you should find a teacher who shares that view, if at all possible.

I share these comments as well. Regardless of what you want to play doing arco work with a prescribed method from a teacher will do wonders for your playing, no matter what you want to play now or down the road. I was always amazed when I took random lessons while in NYC just how accomplished "jazz" bassists are with arco and so many other things. It really goes to show a good player is a good player.

Find a good teacher that can help lead you to where you want your playing to go. When I first started, classical teacher, I think the first few lessons were nothing but: how to hold the bass, standing/sitting, bow technique, left hand technique, elbow up, and understanding that you use your entire body to play the bass.

Take is slow and enjoy. Where are you located?

 

[bassist1962]

As of right now I'm not gonna focus on a bow too much.


I told him I wanted to study Jazz figuring whatever I learned there I could transfer over to Bluegrass easy enough. Anyways, he said Simandl is more for classical music and wouldn't really help me for Jazz. What do you guys think about this?

It seems like most of the Jazz guys on here have studied Simandl, and some even swear by it. I am starting to practice arco more, and am using an edition of Simandl. I haven't really looked that far ahead, but in one of the first few exercises, the instructions say to play the exercise pizzicato, then use the bow; I figure this can only help develop playing the instrument in general. BTW if no one has said it to you yet, the bow will help tremendously with intonation.

 

[Wesker11]

Did he suggest another method, like Bille, Nanny or Rabbath?

Had my second lesson this past weekend. Unfortunately due to our busy schedules we are only able to meet once every two weeks. He actually brought in his Simandl book and let me borrow it for the time being though.

Take it slow and enjoy. Where are you located?

I'm in Kansas, my options for teachers seem to be pretty limited at this point. However, I really liked some of the exercises he put me through in the last lesson. I definitely have some good stuff to work with. So far I feel like I'm rolling along at a good pace and I'm having fun too! Gonna look into getting a bow and start working through this Simandl as well. Thx again for all the tips.

 

[jacopnut2]

Check out the book first position by Chuck Bianchi,It has completely changed how I play.It will open your eyes on how to play any style of music.It does focus on first position like the title says but don't under estimate having command of the instrument in first position,I'm sure there are many player that would agree.

 

[ttreppa]

Thank you for the fine information. I live in Westland, MI which is in SE Michigan. Finding a bass fiddle teacher is a challenge especially for bluegrass. I appreciate all leads.
Thank you.
Terry Treppa

 

[Dr Piggery]

If your aim is to be able to play bluegrass ASAP, and you don't have much of a musical background then I would suggest the following priorities.
1) Stance and posture
2) Right hand technique (pizzicato)
3) Left hand technique
4) Getting to know the fingerboard (positions 1/2, 1, 1&1/2 & 2)

While doing all of the above, you should be building your strength, stamina and speed.

While I agree that Simandl and arco are worthwhile pursuits for classical and jazz, they are low priorities for most bluegrass bassist, especially beginners.

A lot of bluegrass bass players are self taught and they have techniques that would be considered totally awful by classical players IMHO. Despite this, some of them have incredible tone, timing and intonation - they just have to work a lot harder because of their poor technique .

Good luck.

 

[Jack Clark]

4) Getting to know the fingerboard (positions 1/2, 1, 1&1/2 & 2)

If you're talking about classical double bass left hand positions, there is no "1&1/2" position. I think you meant to say h.P (half position), I, II, II/III (aka II-1/2), III, III/IV (aka III-1/2), IV, V, V/VI (aka V-1/2), VI, VI/VII (aka VI-1/2), VI, etc. But, as you said, many bluegrass bassists are not classically trained. In his book, Ed Gately just numbers the positions with fret numbers, beginning with his 1st position at the first fret. I don't know why that wouldn't work just as well, except that it might be difficult to talk left hand positions with a classically-trained teacher, especially over the telephone.

 

[damonsmith]

If you're talking about classical double bass left hand positions, there is no "1&1/2" position. I think you meant to say h.P (half position), I, II, II/III (aka II-1/2), III, III/IV (aka III-1/2), IV, V, V/VI (aka V-1/2), VI, VI/VII (aka VI-1/2), VI, etc. But, as you said, many bluegrass bassists are not classically trained. In his book, Ed Gately just numbers the positions with fret numbers, beginning with his 1st position at the first fret. I don't know why that wouldn't work just as well, except that it might be difficult to talk left hand positions with a classically-trained teacher, especially over the telephone.

Actually, there used to be I have an old Simandl book with the 1 & 1/2 pos. in it. There are all kinds of position numbering systems, I find them all to be useless. Mingus talked about just knowing what notes were in any given position - more like piano. I find that more useful.