Double Bass Bluegrass upright "training" similar to Jazz/Classical?

[juuzek]

Damon-
100% correct. Very well written post!

 

[powellmacaque]

Always in hope of forbearance, I suffer fools gladly. The OP, by his own admission didn't practice because it wasn't enough fun. That isn't foolish, it is willful self-defeating arrogance, IMHO.

How you define schooling is your business. For me, I have to practice now.

Alright Dr. Pot, care to call this kettle black some more? Some people, such as myself, have other things to concern themselves with than practice an instrument that is a hobby for me. I don't plan on becoming a professional string bass player, I already play electric bass professionally and I am doing very well for myself in that regard. Excuse me for wanting to do something for fun, but maybe you've forgotten that concept; try looking for that concept behind the large amount of pretension consuming your brain. I don't care who you are, what you've done, or how much clout you have on this board. Your crap smells just as much as mine.

You know, I was once again dumb enough to post a question in the presence of the great masters of life, the Double Bass players. Forgive me for my unbearable questions that must be oh so troublesome for you; and for my lack of desire to achieve the same level of pure amazingness that you have achieved, good sir. Forgive my trespasses, I understand why I never come to this side of the forum anymore: it is not for plebes such as myself.

I posted this question to ask for the best way to approach bluegrass bass. Many of those who responded to my question responded with great answers that were actually of value to the topic. I do understand that with any art form, there must be quite a bit of time and dedication devoted to the craft in order to achieve any sort of positive praise from an audience or peers. I also understand that any genre of music has aspects that can be more complex than others. I play country, rock, jazz, and hard rock professionally and each style has their own respective challenges and players who are outliers as far as skill levels (on both the high and low end of the spectrum). I just wanted to find out the best way to become a moderately good bassist who plays bluegrass for fun.

Once again, thanks to those who responded. I will take that advice and run with it. But if I offended anybody or wasted anybody's time, I'm sorry for taking up valuable DB forum webspace that could have been used otherwise for more worthy individuals.

 

[powellmacaque]

If you can already play some root-five, and can hear chord changes, maybe you could try some jam sessions to see if you like bluegrass? Or if you can't find a jam session nearby you can get a play-along CD. The instructional camp idea mentioned above is also a good idea. Or just playing along with mp3s or CDs and see if it's fun. Some bluegrass and/or country bass players you might like in no order: Dennis Crouch, Marshall Wilborn, Jason Moore, Jake Tullock, Bob Moore, Barry Bales, Missy Raines, Roy Huskey Jr., Junior Huskey (Roy's dad), Ernie Newton, Todd Phillips, and many more.

As you know bluegrass bass is deceptively simple; it's easy to learn to make the notes you need to play along, but it's a real art to be able to play the notes in time, with a good 'pull', and a good tone and even volume across the strings. It's a lifetime pursuit if you want it to be.

I second the idea of getting a teacher, especially one who can teach you the correct 'classical' left hand position but who does not look down on the less-than-perfect left hand position(s) that are useful when you are playing straight root-five stuff for extended periods.

I might leave the bow until later, but I would definitely learn it (again from a good teacher) because it's fun and it's good for your intonation and left-hand stamina.

Two more cents to throw in. Good luck!

Pete

Thanks for the suggestions.

I actually recently played at a rather informal bluegrass gig earlier this week and had a lot of fun doing it. The guys I played with liked me a lot, and on a few songs I even ventured out of the root-fifth format and played some tasteful walks and fills. I even got free pizza and $10 in tips out of the deal (the gig was within walking distance from my house in our town square).

I do have very good intonation (when I practice pizz I practice with a tuner or my brother who has perfect pitch). I also have been using my string bass in my school's Concert band and String Ensemble where I have been doing very well.

All I need to do now is to expose myself more to the bluegrass songs that I'd be playing, and I think I'd be well on my way to playing bluegrass adequately enough for my tastes. I would of course love to be great at it, but since I'm playing so much electric bass (for money) I don't have the time to give to double bass. Hopefully one day the 90% electric to 10% upright could change to a more even ratio.

 

[bloograssbass]

If you want to be accepted and know your upright, before you start the "etudes", put a tuner on the bass (where it is visible), turn it on and learn where the fingers go to play in tune. There is a bumper sticker in the Bluegrass Bumper sticker Hall of Fame that says "TUNE IT OR DIE". Thus, the first thing you need to do when weening yourself from the electric, is make sure you play in tune and don't get killed. It will really make your playing sound better and make you a disciplined player......which matters even in bluegrass. Welcome to the club.
Bloograssbass

 

[martinc]

powellmacaque:

I would agree with the comments from Mike Ramsey and Damon...and especially Jake's thoughts about taking it seriously.
But above all I would suggest you need first of all to become a strong and authoritative player, even if it's only using root fifth stuff. This requires daily practice over several months. Jam as often as possible.
Practice scales and play along with standard bluegrass songs and instrumentals until your left hand becomes strong and your right hand can fluently pull out the best tone your bass is capable of producing. Then you can start walking and creating a nice bass line with your basic root fifth stuff. But don't get too fancy. It's all in the timing and tone.
Find a recorded bass player who's style you like and try to duplicate the feel.
But it all needs to be played with authority and on top of the beat.
It won't happen overnight but make sure you have fun while you are developing the strength in your hands. You ain't gonna be making much money playing bluegrass bass so you might as well enjoy it.

 

[bass4art]

just go to jam session and there is where you will experience the songs that you would normally do in old time country and bluegrass.

I have a ton of experience in the early part of the last decade playing bluegrass. But now I am focusing on becoming an all around Bassist that can play any genre of music. Which includes my training both in classical and jazz bass. I am amazed how much you learn in one genre can cross over to the other genres. in fact on friday night i went to jan session and there were a couple songs i played my french bow in.

Even the purests loved the sound especially when there was a celtic flavor bluegrass song that was song.