Double Bass - I don't really get it

[Freebase]

Hey.
I've played bass for a number of years- electric only- mostly R and B, blues, rock....

I like to play jazz standards for fun and have often toyed with the idea of joining a small trio. However, most want up right acoustic and I just don't dig the sound. Or the size!

At the risk of being a jerk, not sure why anyone would play one of those. Cause it looks cool? Often the sound is so dull most will not be able to tell if the player is a half step off a chord tone on beat one. (Mic'd on stage is a bit better but seems rare)

I know I've pissed someone off by writing this. But I need to be enlightened on this instrument. Please explain.
Thanks!

 

[spanndrew]

I play it because it is fun. It's more challenging than electric, it has more history, it's applicable in a ton of situations an electric isn't, it sounds lovely with a bow, it's the best way to play "acoustically" with friends, and yes... I do also like that it looks cool.

 

[bholder]

It's a whole lot louder not plugged in than any electric or acoustic bass guitar.

 

[GretschWretch]

The double bass just moves the air differently than a speaker or even an acoustic bass guitar. In some genres it is the default bass, just like a Fender Precision is on the EB side. In some instances it not only is the expected sound (or look), it is the *required* sound.

And provided it is well set-up, a DB is not all that difficult to play, outside an orchestral context (reading and bowing up the ante).

 

[jmpiwonka]

Hey.
I've played bass for a number of years- electric only- mostly R and B, blues, rock....

I like to play jazz standards for fun and have often toyed with the idea of joining a small trio. However, most want up right acoustic and I just don't dig the sound. Or the size!

At the risk of being a jerk, not sure why anyone would play one of those. Cause it looks cool? Often the sound is so dull most will not be able to tell if the player is a half step off a chord tone on beat one. (Mic'd on stage is a bit better but seems rare)

I know I've pissed someone off by writing this. But I need to be enlightened on this instrument. Please explain.
Thanks!

if it sounds dull then it's probably because you don't have proper technique
double basses can sound plenty bright with just about any type of steel string

 

[Febs]

Hey.
I've played bass for a number of years- electric only- mostly R and B, blues, rock....

I like to play jazz standards for fun and have often toyed with the idea of joining a small trio. However, most want up right acoustic and I just don't dig the sound. Or the size!

At the risk of being a jerk, not sure why anyone would play one of those. Cause it looks cool? Often the sound is so dull most will not be able to tell if the player is a half step off a chord tone on beat one. (Mic'd on stage is a bit better but seems rare)

I know I've pissed someone off by writing this. But I need to be enlightened on this instrument. Please explain.
Thanks!

If you think that the sound of an upright bass is "dull," and if you can't hear the pitch of a note played on the upright, then you probably haven't played a decent bass with good technique (or heard a good player with good technique playing a decent bass). Upright bass certainly has a different sound than an electric bass, with more of a thump on the initial attack, but a good bass sound is not "dull." You should certainly be able to tell whether a note is a half step off, and in fact, you should be able to tell whether a note is off even by a few cents.

 

[carlos840]

Listen to John Butler trio, the album called Sunrise Over Sea, using good speakers/headphones.

If that doesn't change your mind about double bass nothing will. Every time i listen to this album i tell myself i need to buy a double bass and learn to play it.
Then i remember that i don't have the room in my flat to store it, and i don't have the patience to learn to play it in tune.

I love the tone he has, "Company Sin" and "Peaches and cream" are the perfect double bass tone!

 

[MrLenny1]

Don't knock it till you've tried one.

 

[Mushroo]

Double basses are a lot like curvy women (or curvy men depending on your orientation).
Not everyone "gets" the appeal, but those of us in the fan club wouldn't have it any other way!

 

[buldog5151bass]

It is an entirely different instrument, and the sound is part of jazz's history. If you think it is dull, check out Paul Chambers (or the Bad Plus, if you want an edgier example).

But I agree it is a pain in the @$$ to transport, play, and amplify compared to a bass guitar. I play jazz, and wish I had the time and money to buy and learn to play one.

 

[samson3382]

Just having one in a band, or even just on the stage, completely changes the whole look/vibe of a band.

It catches the eye.

The "muwaaa" sound sounds good on an upright.

Certain gigs/situations are more feasible without a drummer.

Fingerboard rattle or growl, and slap.

I find walking more fun and natural on an upright for whatever reason.

Pluses everything everyone else has said.

 

[Jay Corwin]

troll thread

 

[radioripster]

I have a love / don't want to deal with it- kind of a relationship with them.

They're big and if you gig with them, that opens up some challenges at times. You have to have something it will fit in to carry it around.

Being down south on the US east coast, you have the high humidity along with the temperature differences that affects it probably more so than other parts of the country.

After you have one for a while, you really understand and appreciate what Leo Fender was thinking way back when.

On the other hand, when it's right, the upright is good and satisfying. The purity, the approach and sound is like nothing else.

If it's quiet in the house, you'll hear it make its little noises during the day..just sitting there from expanding and contracting.

Sometimes, you get the feeling that the thing is alive in a manner of sorts.

Most of this has been said already.

That's just my short summary.

yep...

 

[FourBanger]

I wanted to join a jazz trio but they wouldn't let me even audition with my drum machine.

I know, it sounds like I am just being a jerk to OP, but think about it.

 

[buldog5151bass]

A different instrument makes you play differently. The keyboardist in my jazz combo usually plays an electronic keyboard, which gives him all sorts of different voices (the guy is amazing). Friday we played at a place with a 100 year old grand piano - totally changed the way certain songs came out.

 

[carl h.]

troll thread

Toyed with joining a group that wants upright?

I suspect they were looking for a kind way to say they don't want you. You play bass guitar and they want a bassist. There is a difference between the two.

 

[jasonrp]

You should've brought a jazz bass.

 

[samson3382]

You should've brought a jazz bass.

A jazz bass or a jazz bass?

 

[yodedude2]

Hey.
I've played bass for a number of years- electric only- mostly R and B, blues, rock....

I like to play jazz standards for fun and have often toyed with the idea of joining a small trio. However, most want up right acoustic and I just don't dig the sound. Or the size!

you will need to start your own jazz trio.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I was given (as a birthday gift) three introductory lessons on Double bass at a music store in South Orange County. It was fun, but REALLY physical compared to my electrics, and although the sound was cool, In the end, it was just TOO MUCH WORK for me, lol! I get it, but it's just that I'm a spoiled wimp I guess.

Leo put up with quite a bit of guff (apparently) for his "plank" bass, but thank God he persisted.

And there are some very thoughtful responses on here outlining the DB's appeal. Very good!