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Double Bass Book for double bass positions!
- Thread starter Reinholds
- Start date
Positions? Pshaw! Don't you just read the numbers on the little lines, and count up the frets? Works for me pretty well, though I've wondered why my index finger is so sore and my other fingers have atrophied.
The oldest way is to start on the G w/the 1st finger on Ab. If you use the closed hand position (1 to 4 = 1 full step), the 4th falls on Bb. If anytime the 4th falls on an accidental - Bb, C#, Db, etc. - that's a half position.
The 1st on A (4th on B) = 1st position. 1st on Bb (4th on C) 2nd position. Etc right up the fingerboard.
The problem is, at a certain point in one's development, you stop thinking about positions. It's the 1st on Eb, or maybe the 2nd on G, etc.
When I did my Practical Studies for DB, I added the name of the note as the position. Ex;
1st finger on A? That's marked A (I) meaning A position or I Simandl.
1st finger in C = C (III) position. By thinking of the note name rather than a roman numeral and THEN the note name, it eliminates one mental step in the process. And at fast tempos, it works better.
If anybody out there has used the Practical Studies, please jump in.
Tom Gale
ASODB.com
The 1st on A (4th on B) = 1st position. 1st on Bb (4th on C) 2nd position. Etc right up the fingerboard.
The problem is, at a certain point in one's development, you stop thinking about positions. It's the 1st on Eb, or maybe the 2nd on G, etc.
When I did my Practical Studies for DB, I added the name of the note as the position. Ex;
1st finger on A? That's marked A (I) meaning A position or I Simandl.
1st finger in C = C (III) position. By thinking of the note name rather than a roman numeral and THEN the note name, it eliminates one mental step in the process. And at fast tempos, it works better.
If anybody out there has used the Practical Studies, please jump in.
Tom Gale
ASODB.com
There seems to be 2 different ways to mark positions when I was learning them.
The Simandl I, II, III, down the string and the I= first string II=second string ect...
The Simandl I, II, III, down the string and the I= first string II=second string ect...
There are a lot of threads on this. My advice is to start with one or more of the standard methods (Simandl, Nanny, Billie), then check out all the other more modern approaches.
I had one of my students work over the same problem in Simandl, Billie and Rabbath the other day. It does not take long to get through these exercises.
I had one of my students work over the same problem in Simandl, Billie and Rabbath the other day. It does not take long to get through these exercises.
