Double Bass Does size matter?

[TheAngryPocket]

Could my hands actually be too small to play upright???

 

[drurb]

Could my hands actually be too small to play upright???

Yes. Not likely, though. How 'bout a bit more information?

 

[El Thumpo]

If your hands are child-sized, you may be better served by a 1/2 or 1/4 sized bass, but that's about it as far as physical limitations go.

Perhaps you are trying to finger your bass as you might an electric one? I.e.; one finger for each "fret"? For the third "fret" (I'm using the term to communicate here), we tend to use our fourth finger, not our third.

Does that help?

 

[TheSuzie]

In addition to the instrument, technique can also be modified to suit. A lot depends on your goals. I no longer can stretch enough to use traditional technique in the low register even on smaller than 3/4 instruments. I have to shift my hand even using 1-2-4 in the lower register and no longer can play octave and fifth double stops down low (or even higher...). We each have to compensate for our limitations.

My goals are modest. Mostly to just keep my mind from deteriorating and pass some time doing something better than watching TV. Even on bass guitar I can only play a few minutes here and there but I try to do what I can and spend more time with ear training and study instead. For someone with serious goals, it is a whole different story.

 

[Shakin-Slim]

Could my hands actually be too small to play upright???

Oh, what a well worded post which, in conjunction with the title, made me and my immature self have a good laugh.

 

[jstiel]

My hands are very small but I play a 3/4 even though I use the electric -bass fingerings I carried over from electric.

 

[John_Madere]

I had a student who had to shift between F and G in half position. His hands aren't very big, but after some time he could play the whole step without shifting. I guess his hands stretched out after a while?

 

[Stev187]

Could my hands actually be too small to play upright???

As was said before, it's possible but probably not. Just try it on a bass. If you have no bass, try this: If you can locate a ruler, do a little experiment. Place your fingers on the ruler and measure the width of your 4 fingers close together from pinkie to index. Mine are about 3 inches, and I don't have large hands. Now try to spread them apart just a bit without stretching them. Traditional "half position" on a bass with 42" string length will require that you spread them out to about 4.5 inches. A teacher will need to show you how to do this properly--you'll want your thumb between your ring and middle finger and your hand in the shape of a claw or "c" clamp. Your third finger won't be used in this position. But that's as wide as your fingers will need to spread; they'll get closer and closer together as you move up the fingerboard. A bass with shorter string length will require less of a "spread" between your fingers.

--Steve

P.S. To continue the ruler experiment, here are the approx. half position "spreads" for 1/4 and 1/2 basses. Best to do this on a real bass, though, and with a teacher to guide you.

3/4 bass: 4.5"
1/2 bass: 4"
1/4 bass: 3.75"

 

[PocketGroove82]

Could my hands actually be too small to play upright???

No

 

[drurb]

As was said before, it's possible but probably not. Just try it on a bass. If you have no bass, try this: If you can locate a ruler, do a little experiment. Place your fingers on the ruler and measure the width of your 4 fingers close together from pinkie to index....

...and remember, if you choose a skinny neck, then it will be more difficult to spread your fingers.

 

[spoonido]

...and remember, if you choose a skinny neck, then it will be more difficult to spread your fingers.

Ooo - That's interesting. Why is that so?

 

[Bass]

Ooo - That's interesting. Why is that so?

Just try it.

Mimic the shape of "the claw" as though you were holding a neck, with your palm facing you, and look at your hand. Place your thumb about 1/2" from your middle finger and spread your index finger as far away from your pinky as possible. Now move your thumb about 1" away from the middle finger, and spread your index and pinky further. Repeat at 2", etc...

Notice that as your thumb moves further away from your fingers, your fingers can spread further apart.

 

[drurb]

Just try it.

Mimic the shape of "the claw" as though you were holding a neck, with your palm facing you, and look at your hand. Place your thumb about 1/2" from your middle finger and spread your index finger as far away from your pinky as possible. Now move your thumb about 1" away from the middle finger, and spread your index and pinky further. Repeat at 2", etc...

Notice that as your thumb moves further away from your fingers, your fingers can spread further apart.

Thank you for chiming in to explain. spoonido-- use a pencil as the "neck" of a bass and see how far apart you can get your fingers!