Cello Player Trying Electric Bass

[JRA]

you will pick up bass in no time and be better than 90% of us here in no time.

(fretless player here ) i respectfully disagree: while both instruments require your 'ear', the muscle memory issues, previously mentioned, may require some attention (brain training). there is no 'easy' way: two different instruments, generally for two different purposes: learn bass = suck it up. have fun in either case.

A few years ago, I started playing in an Alt Country/Americana type band (still do). I decided to pick up mandolin - for the band, and just for my own amusement. It was very challenging to move from bass to such a small sized instrument (also tuned in 5ths), tiny doubled strings and picked rather than finger style. Now, I am not going to give Chris Thile or David Grisman any worries, but after a year or so, I could definitely hang in there on a gig just fine. I also think it helped my bass playing out too, as it made me rethink some things as far as my ear, and left and right hand techniques. I know I definitely became a better pick player on bass (traditionally I have been primarily a fingerstyle player).

learning different instruments to accomplish musical goals = fun, hardship, frustration, fun, frustration, fun....that's why we practice!

the whole ethos of the instrument and the role it plays is different

^ this! it's this!

Learn to play in standard tuning, as everyone says

^ this! if you're going to be a bassist (even part time for shitz and giggles) then you have to commit to the bass part of 'bassist'.

The fact that you can already read music gives you an advantage over anybody who started on electric bass

speak for yourself! not reading music has nothing to do with the OP's stated issues (as i understand them).

OP: do yourself a favor: if you want to be a bassist: learn bass! if anything transfers from cello --- lucky you --- but, take nothing for granted. they are not the same, no matter any similarities.

i agree with all posters who advise having fun! life is too short.

 

[Matthew Fisher]

I don't know how to play cello. But every fret is a semi-tone so intervals form fingering patterns on a fretted instrument. There are a variety of strings so it's very possible to tune the bass nearly anyway you want. Nylon wrapped strings are the lowest tension and most flexible strings and metal flatwound strings are the highest tension and least flexible strings. Round wounds are in the middle. The core also impacts the tension/flexibility of the string. Hex core is more tense/stiff than round core. I have one bass tuned ADGCF using La Bella 1954 strings. Rotosound Jazz 77 works for this too. But, my fav strings are D'Addario Chromes, for E and Eb standard which are fairly tense/stiff. Keep in mind that my ADGCF bass is tuned an octave lower than a cello.

Another alternative is a capo, although I would use it sparringly because I've heard that capos tend to increase fret ware.

Basses can also be had in a number of scale lengths which increases your chance of finding a comfortable bass.

But there is also technique to consider to make bass doable for you:


In my opinion, you're over thinking this. If you can afford the instrument, you can take advantage of it to expand your musical horizons. You can transpose what you play on the cello to bass. It's not a matter of should you get a bass, but which bass and strings would work for you.

Great post, and +1 on this video. Scott Devine's got some great video lessons on basic technique for bass guitar, and this looks like another good one.

By the way, Max Marsh, if you're wondering why he wears gloves, it's because they give him significant relief from a Invalid Link Removed.

 

[interp]

Red Mitchell and a number of other jazz bassists played bass in 5th tuning, with excellent results. I see no reason you couldn't do the same.

 

[Max Marsh]

Max - I was a cellist through middle and high school and initially registered for college as a music performance major on cello. I had begun to play bass as well in high school and by the time I hit the summer after my senior year, I knew I was bound to be a bassist.

Luckily for me, the University of Texas needed bass players more than it needed cellists at that point. Especially in the jazz program. I hit the woodshed hard and did an audition to switch my scholarship - and amazingly, it worked. I kept a cello for a while in college but quickly because a bass player because of the dramatically more and varied opportunities to play.

SO - it's not too hard to switch. It's fourths and not fifths obviously, and the whole ethos of the instrument and the role it plays is different. If you work at it, and in particular if you create opportunities to play bass in groups with other humans, you can absolutely make the transition. Don't bother with alternate tunings, IMO. Just learn the bass.

I love the cello and it is one of my favorite instruments so I wouldn't give it up but would I still be able to play it alongside and adjust/play

Interesting topic and welcome to Talk Bass! I was thinking about learning Cello. They don't take up too much room like a double bass and being close to Berkley School of music, they are readily available and inexpensive (at least entry models). I never knew they were tuned in 5ths.

greT in

Interesting topic and welcome to Talk Bass! I was thinking about learning Cello. They don't take up too much room like a double bass and being close to Berkley School of music, they are readily available and inexpensive (at least entry models). I never knew they were tuned in 5ths.

To cope with that large fret spacing you often plant your thumb on the back of the neck and use it as a pivot, swinging your hand up or down the neck to reach notes. Sorry if you already knew this....

new to me thanks

 

[Robert Sperling]

I also played cello, and moved on to electric and upright bass. I didn't find the transition difficult at all. I've always felt that as a string player it should be relatively easy to
transition from one stringed instrument to another (though I admit I find violin/viola a bit more difficult) you just need to figure out the tuning differences and apply
some music theory to figure out where the notes are on the fretboard. I would say if you're curious then try it out.... I've taught myself several different instruments and
look forward to learning more....it expands your ability to create.

 

[SteveCS]

My main bass is fretless and has been for over 30 years. My daughter is a cellist so we have a couple of celli in the house. I also play the Chapman Stick, which is tuned in ascending 5ths like the Cello (C, G, D, A, E) but has the same 34" scale as most 'long-scale' electric basses. I find transitioning between the two tunings quite natural, largely I think due to the totally different feel of the instruments - the minute I have a Stick in my hands I immediately adopt Stick techniques and not bass technique.

So what skills might be transferrable or common to all three?

I'm not proficient with the Cello by any means (no arco skills) but

• I know where the notes are (thanks to playing the Stick);
• I can play a good pizzicato (thanks to playing the bass);
• I always play the Cello in tune (thanks to 30+ yrs of fretless bass);
• I know what notes to play (thanks to a good theory base).

I also think knowledge of stuff like the how a developed and controlled vibrato should sound or how to vary the tone of a vibrating string through the hands (contrast e.g. Sul P. and Sul T.) are as applicable to the bassist as they are to the cellist.

@Max Marsh I say - what are you waiting for? Incidentally, for what it's worth, the fret spacing on a 34" bass above 4th position is identical to the half-step spacing on a 27" Cello, so for example the distance 0-½ (C-C#) on the Cello is the same distance between frets 4 and 5 on the bass.

 

[Ant Illington]

(fretless player here ) i respectfully disagree: while both instruments require your 'ear', the muscle memory issues, previously mentioned, may require some attention (brain training). there is no 'easy' way: two different instruments, generally for two different purposes: learn bass = suck it up. have fun in either case.


learning different instruments to accomplish musical goals = fun, hardship, frustration, fun, frustration, fun....that's why we practice!


^ this! it's this!


^ this! if you're going to be a bassist (even part time for poopiez and giggles) then you have to commit to the bass part of 'bassist'.


speak for yourself! not reading music has nothing to do with the OP's stated issues (as i understand them).

OP: do yourself a favor: if you want to be a bassist: learn bass! if anything transfers from cello --- lucky you --- but, take nothing for granted. they are not the same, no matter any similarities.

i agree with all posters who advise having fun! life is too short.

I respectfully say that for a self-described psychologist (per your profile) you sure put a lot of discouragement and lack of promise in your evaluation of his endeavor, especially considering that there are a few actual cellists in here who said the transition was pretty easy. People with refined ears can simply find the right notes, whether it's on a 27" scale or 42" scale. Perhaps you are imposing your own limits on him, I don't know.

Victor Wooten says something along the lines that if you can play one instrument then you can almost immediately play any. Now, don't bend that rough paraphrase into suggesting that I said that one can be great in 5 minutes. However, I daresay that if one can intone a damn cello in a classical environment then one can rock a fretted bass mighty quickly.

Carry on OP. I look forward to a video of you putting the goofballs to shame within a year.

 

[RedVee]

Have a look at zander zon. He started on Cello and now plays a baritone bass guitar mostly. Sometimes he records using an electric cello and a variety of BGs. I enjoy his stuff for the most part.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

If you want to do alternate tuning, do not buy a $75 bass. Alternate tuning would be great for creating your own style. If you are an accomplished cellist, I see no reason why you cannot pick up standard tune bass guitar fairly quickly if you put in the work.

 

[Revolver]

An ex gf of mine played cello and anytime I could, I'd give it a try just for fun. Surprisingly, it didn't take long for me to start to getting some decent sounds out of it. The bowing was (naturally) more challenging than the transition to 5ths and a shorter scale length. Obviously position is another difference, but I really don't think you'll have a very hard time adjusting, especially if you go with a fretless bass (I know frets can seem odd to string players who have never used them).

 

[Worldeeeter]

I say get a fretless and tune it just like a cello, then go crazy!

 

[JRA]

I respectfully say that for a self-described psychologist (per your profile) you sure put a lot of discouragement and lack of promise in your evaluation of his endeavor, especially considering that there are a few actual cellists in here who said the transition was pretty easy. People with refined ears can simply find the right notes, whether it's on a 27" scale or 42" scale. Perhaps you are imposing your own limits on him, I don't know.
Victor Wooten says something along the lines that if you can play one instrument then you can almost immediately play any. Now, don't bend that rough paraphrase into suggesting that I said that one can be great in 5 minutes. However, I daresay that if one can intone a damn cello in a classical environment then one can rock a fretted bass mighty quickly.
Carry on OP. I look forward to a video of you putting the goofballs to shame within a year.

i agree with victor. i also understand: "few actual cellists in here who said the transition was pretty easy." none of them apparently stated or inferred that it was 'automatic'. which was my actual point. my apologies to the OP (if offended by my post) for lack of clarity: "sucking it up" = although lots of skills may 'generalize', treating each instrument as 'it's own' is probably best practice. i would offer: relying on those 'generalized' abilities might not get anyone passed 'the mediocre'. i say this from both personal experience ---playing multiple instruments, and from the shared experiences of a few others who have picked up other instrument skills along the way.

Ant Illington --- seems i encouraged the OP to have fun with it...all of it! your interpretation that i "put a lot of discouragement and lack of promise in your evaluation of his endeavor" seems pretty critical...maybe even gloomy. do you think/feel that psychologists should be bound to paint the rosy picture? or, do you think it's OK for me to continue posting as a bassist/musician with opinions? or, both? or, neither? or, one, but not the other?

"if one can intone a damn cello in a classical environment then one can rock a fretted bass mighty quickly" --- wouldn't that be great!?! i hope it goes that way for the OP!

 

[Max Marsh]

i agree with victor. i also understand: "few actual cellists in here who said the transition was pretty easy." none of them apparently stated or inferred that it was 'automatic'. which was my actual point. my apologies to the OP (if offended by my post) for lack of clarity: "sucking it up" = although lots of skills may 'generalize', treating each instrument as 'it's own' is probably best practice. i would offer: relying on those 'generalized' abilities might not get anyone passed 'the mediocre'. i say this from both personal experience ---playing multiple instruments, and from the shared experiences of a few others who have picked up other instrument skills along the way.

Ant Illington --- seems i encouraged the OP to have fun with it...all of it! your interpretation that i "put a lot of discouragement and lack of promise in your evaluation of his endeavor" seems pretty critical...maybe even gloomy. do you think/feel that psychologists should be bound to paint the rosy picture? or, do you think it's OK for me to continue posting as a bassist/musician with opinions? or, both? or, neither? or, one, but not the other?

"if one can intone a damn cello in a classical environment then one can rock a fretted bass mighty quickly" --- wouldn't that be great!?! i hope it goes that way for the OP!

What does op mean exactly? I'm new

 

[JRA]

What does op mean exactly? I'm new

OP = original post, original poster. the person who starts the thread topic. or, in this case: you!

welcome to talkbass! and for what it's worth: good luck on your exploration of the electric bass. i hope you have fun with it if you should decide to get one. with all due respect: i'd advise that you learn with standard bass tuning EADG. others have alluded to issues with alternate tuning. but whatever you do, enjoy.

 

[khutch]

I'm not a cellist, but if you're going to tune it alternately, I'd make sure that your lowest note is at least an E. That's kind of the minimum threshold for most bass music. You could start with low B and go up in 5ths and you cover about the standard range of a 5 string bass in a 4 string instrument.

I agree, mostly. The "standard" fifths tuning for BG is CGDA one octave below the cello and that means your low C is just a half step above the low B of the standard five string BEADG tuning, so that most definitely qualifies as a bass tuning! Plus, your A string is one whole step above the fiver's G string which is kinda neat, you get five string's worth of range from four! That was my initial reason for trying fifths but I quickly fell in love with the tuning for its own sake and have never looked back. There are a couple of other fifths tunings that are suitably bass like and which might be used on a short scale bass if the low C is a problem for it or the bassist. One is GDAE, same as a violin but two, three, or more octaves down (I'm too lazy to check which right now). A lot of times I find that I have to force myself to use the C string because you can do a LOT of good bass work on just the GDA strings so GDAE is a perfectly plausible fifths tuning for a bass. If you want to get a little closer to the standard four string fourths tuning then FCGD would also be a good choice.

What does op mean exactly? I'm new

As I was typing this reply I see a notice that there are more replies to the thread since I started typing so at the risk of repeating another post, OP means Original Post or Original Poster. It refers either to the post that started the thread or the person who started the thread depending on the context. In this thread that would be you or your first post.

And, on edit I see that JRA has already answered the OP question. You should feel lucky, you've only been on TB a brief time and already you have gotten two TB members to agree on the answer to a question. Enjoy that but don't get too used to it because it don't happen very often!!

 

[MrLenny1]

Main challenge IMHO is playing a bass tuned in 4ths vs the cello tuned in 5ths.
I tried cello several years ago and could not get use to the 5ths tuning.

 

[Mushroo]

Welcome to the forums, and good luck in your bass studies!

Lots of good points above. The only original thought I can add is this: I switch back and forth between 4ths and 5ths tuning all the time. It is no big deal. E string drops a major 3rd to C, A string drops a whole step to G, D string stays the same, and G string goes up a whole step to A. Then I am in CGDA tuning, same as a cello except an octave down. This tuning is great for practicing music like Bach cello suites, Manring style harmonics/chords, metal, etc. Then I just reverse the process to put it back to EADG tuning for the traditional bass repertoire. It is really no big deal, doesn't harm the instrument, and only takes a few seconds. So I would encourage the OP to definitely learn standard EADG tuning, but don't be scared to try other tunings too. Playing familiar cello songs in CGDA for example would be a perfect stepping stone in my opinion.

 

[SteveCS]

...

You should feel lucky, you've only been on TB a brief time and already you have gotten two TB members to agree on the answer to a question. Enjoy that but don't get too used to it because it don't happen very often!!

That's TB gold right there!