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Double Bass different sitting positions

Les Fret

Les Fret

Sep 9, 2009
7,212
6,916
nextlevel-slapbass.com
#1
This week my teacher showed me how to sit with my bass. Before this I was always playing standing.

He has a cello like sitting position with the stool pretty low.
It was a bit akward at first but now I begin to see some advantages. It is easier for the bowing hand because you automatically have more weight because of the gravity. And also it is easier to go in and out thumb position.

I am still experimenting with the sitting position. Also I don't have a proper stool yet. Now I am using a kitchen stool with some pillows. For the higher sitting position you will need a higher stool.

I have two questions:
1) are there any good pictures of the different proper sitting positions for DB?
2) do you prefer the cello like sitting position or the (more usual ?) higher sitting position? and why?
 
#3
I used to sit very low, but I ended up developing a massive knot in my right shoulder blade which cut off circulation to my arm. When sitting that low, my bow arm was almost parallel to the ground when playing on the G string, which my and my teacher think is what caused the knot. I sit much higher now (or stand) and haven't had any problems since
 
#4
Bill Bentgen said:
I sit high. I have a discussion about it on my website:

http://www.billbentgen.com/bass/playing_position.htm

What works for me may not work for someone else.
Click to expand...

Thanks for link, great pictures.
Are there any pictures somewhere on which you can see the cello like sitting position?

I don't have a high (bar)stool to try out the higher sitting position. I think most players use this position and not the cello position?

I didn't have any problems with standing so I am very careful not to develop any problems with my sitting position.
Just trying to find out the advantages and disavantages.

My teacher uses a low drum stool but that will not be high enough for the other sitting position. I will have to see what stool I am going to buy so that is also a reason why I have to find out what works for me.

Is there any stool which can be used for both positions?
 
#6
Much depends on your size and shape, also the size and shape of your bass.

There are previous threads discussing this issue. One from "bassistpatrick" dates from
05 - 20 - 09. In this I give my approach based on my height (5' 8") and shape (distinctly chubby!!)

Cheers......

DP
 
#10
Les Fret said:
Does anyone have any experience with this stool? Is it solid and comfortable enough?

Invalid Link Removed

I am still experimenting with both the cello position and the higher bar stool like position. I don't know for sure yet which I prefer.
Click to expand...

I've been using it for about half a year now. In those respects it's fine; I don't find it uncomfortable and I never feel like it's going to collapse on me (though, I'm fairly short and very skinny). It can be a little awkward to carry though.
 
#11
Square Bear said:
i know a guy who does the same thing. i bet it's the same person, he's from ashland oregon.
Click to expand...

Small world lol, are you from the west coast originally? He's a really good orchestral player but to facilitate a cello like position he has a pretty long endpin.

As far as that stool is concerned, I know a player who uses one and I sat on it a few times. It is very stable and pretty comfortable but I really find a round stool to be better for me. If you turn the stool differently it can give you a real range of leg positions that are useful for different instrument sizes\playing positions. A round stool also gives you the option of putting both legs up on the rungs and supporting the bass that way. I use a $20 wooden stool but you can buy some very nice ones that are comfortable and well built.
 
#13
I use the cello style sitting position with a relatively low stool, a style I adopted from my tutor's. It works well for me, no worries about dropping the instrument or propping it up with the thumb of the left hand.

I'm 5'10" tall; my tutor is a bit taller. My arms are quite a bit shorter than his, however, and after quite a bit of experimentation I have found that arm length is the key to being able to use this position. Because of my shorter arms the constraints are a lot tighter and it took some time to find the optimal position without straining anything. If they were much shorter I don't think it would be workable - bowing on the G string becomes too much work.

Jennifer
 
#16
still experimenting with the sitting.

I have tried the cello position for about two weeks now. What works best for me is to move the endpin completely in. Then just holding both feet to the ground. My left leg is more at the back of the bass.
In the cello position you have more control over the upper region of the bass and the thumb position. The lower positions are a little bit harder because they are more behind your head. Just a thing you have to get used to.

The higher position is also comfortable. It is an easier transition when you used to play standing because the bass is positioned almost in the exact same way, maybe a little bit flatter, which is good for arco.
 
#18
Les Fret said:
Does anyone have any experience with this stool? Is it solid and comfortable enough?

Invalid Link Removed

quote]

I have been using this stool for a couple of years now. I find it a lot easier to carry than a bar stool, and it is quite stable and comfortable. I use it in a lower position for my guitar gigs, too. My only complaint is that I would like a little more padding in the seat. On long gigs, my butt goes to sleep (you can hear it snoring).
Click to expand...
 
#19
Sitting position:
There is some videos at Silvio Dalla Torres website with talented double bass pupils that play sitting in a low "cello-like" position. Perhaps something to gain inspiration from. I try myself to sit like that (being a converted cello player myself).
Link: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Stool:
I have a stool that I like. It is "transportable", although Gollihurs stool might be lighter. My stool is sturdy, stable and adjustable, with upholstred seat and back in fabrik (black color). It costed me approximately 180 USD including footrest and VAT. The Danish manufacturer has a link: Invalid Link Removed
The stool is on page 13.

I bought the stool from a Swedish firm: http://www.bagatell.se/

Best Regards, Anders
 

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