Double Bass - I don't really get it

[madbass6]

Wow just when i thought I've heard it all before along comes freebase with whats got to be the dummest comment of 2016 so far! Sorry dude but you hit a wrong chord with that one!
Bass community or not that comment was just a plan stupid comment..
Here it goes
"Quote"
IM NOT SURE WHY ANYONE WOULD PLAY ONE OF THOSE ? Wow dude serious! ! Now I respect every body's opinion! & i believe in everybody is entitled to there opinion ! but then theres that thin line of an opinion or if it's just a Dumm ass comment!

Ok.. the uprite Bass It's a totally different monster in itself! Not for every one! Need dedication / time and patience to master it! But onece you do your only regret will be not getting into it sooner! Not to mention it opens a lot more doors for you as a musician!
What im trying to figure out is how can you enjoy playing jazz even for fun (as you say) and not appreciate an upright Bass !! Especially being a Bass player ? I mean dude the instrument is not only a master piece constructed , it's an icon in jazz!! BTW your you're Not sure why anyone would play one of those comment says a lot about you.. ?

 

[Rib 13]

What im trying to figure out is how can you enjoy playing jazz even for fun (as you say) and not appreciate an upright Bass !! Especially being a Bass player ? I mean dude the instrument is not only a master piece constructed , it's an icon in jazz!! BTW your you're Not sure why anyone would play one of those comment says a lot about you.. ?

I enjoy playing jazz (mostly contemporary jazz and *cough* I even like playing Smooth Jazz which, of course, the Jazz community at large mostly frowns upon -- but it is what I like). I don't care to play upright either. I guess the difference for me is that I do enjoy the sound of Upright, especially in the right hands (Mingus) but I'll probably never go out and buy another one ( I had two in the past -- a '58 Kay and a Stagg Electric Upright)

 

[Remyd]

Not for everyone. The physical requirements to play one are like being a pro athlete. If you are not in shape, they beat you up pretty good.

A pro athlete who drinks beers as a warm-up is playing my sport!

Although the DB really is pretty physical, much more than the slab. I went on vacation for two weeks (did one sit-in even) and had to work on my mechanics for THREE weeks afterward to get back up to par. I can absolutely tell if I've been away from the instrument for more than a couple of days and callouses are a requirement.

 

[Megalon]

There was a reason why the Precision Bass was invented and was successful across the board when it came out. The Double Bass is unwieldy and is very hard to play in tune. These thing haven't changed and you can emulate an upright sound on a fretless bass guitar. I think people are more forgiving for the sounds/tone/clarity that come out of upright basses. Let's listen to one of the all time greats on upright Ray Brown:

And,let's listen the one of the all time greats on electric bass guitar.


When Brown plays in first position,his notes turn to mush, when Jaco is playing up there,you can hear every note cleanly, they are both on fretless instruments. There is a reason why Miles went electric didn't want live in the past and have yesterday's sounds.

The reality is that the upright bass is an anachronism, a relic that was dethroned by the Electric Bass Guitar

 

[jasonrp]

Next you'll tell me my horseless sleigh is worthless

 

[lamarjones]

I tend to piss on tradition a lot in life. But I'm not ignorant as to why it exists. Nor do I not get respecting the people who tradition has value.

Find an electric jazz combo. They do exist.

 

[preside]

The reality is that the upright bass is an anachronism, a relic that was dethroned by the Electric Bass Guitar

 

[SteveCS]

I'd like to see the original question posted in the DB forums then take bets on how long the OP would survive. Not unlike the opening of Die Hard With A Vengeance...

 

[aprod]

I'm with you on this subject. Its like riding a horse when an automobile is now available. Its old and antiquated.

 

[Fat Steve]

I'm with you on this subject. Its like riding a horse when an automobile is now available. Its old and antiquated.

Until one wishes to play where and when there's no electricity, like on a camping trip or at a festival. Eventually batteries die.

 

[Febs]

I'm with you on this subject. Its like riding a horse when an automobile is now available. Its old and antiquated.

You could make the same argument about the electric bass, now that keyboardists can cover it with their left hand and there are samples that sound just like electric bass.

 

[aprod]

An upright bass is a different instrument with a different sound than an electric bass guitar (which is really a proper description of an electric bass.)

Playing it is a tactile and audible challenge that is different than playing an electric. It is a different experience. I suppose the OP could ask a similar question about playing clarinet vs. a soprano or alto sax. (Or maybe mandolin vs. ukelele.) Both are in the same family, both play in similar pitch sets, but they are different instruments.

No. Electric bass is the proper terminology. A bass is not a guitar. Total different techniques are required.

 

[Remyd]

These thing haven't changed and you can emulate an upright sound on a fretless bass guitar.

They've changed hardly at all since the (US) civil war (amplification methods obviously excepted) and only a little since the (US) revolutionary war. When I play bluegrass, I'm playing the exact same notes as my fore bearers did 100 years ago on an instrument that was made from molds that are just as old. It's a connection with the history of, well, most of western music since about the 15th century - Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Debussy, and hundreds of others wrote amazing music with the under-thunder held down by the DB (of whichever style). BG was invented like 60 years ago and it's a COMPLETELY different animal.

I can't make an upright sound like a fretless (nor would I want to) and I've never heard "emulated" bass noises that come anything closer than "in the ballpark" of a DB. The easiest way to make a DB sound like a fretless is to slide into every note, then use way too much vibrato and a giant amp, while making sure that you're always at least a little out of tune.

 

[lamarjones]

No. Electric bass is the proper terminology. A bass is not a guitar. Total different techniques are required.

No he was right. Where are you citing this from?

 

[Joedog]

Oh boy, another "I play/like X so why would anyone play/like Y or Z. Insert your choice of bass, # of strings, type of strings, size of speakers, type of music....ad nausium. Just because I play/like certain things doesn't mean I can't admire, appreciate, and respect different things (like DB). I certainly do! The world would be suicidally (is that a word?) boring if we all were into the exact same "stuff". It does seem to be human nature to defend one's "turf", but I think when taken to extremes, demonstrates some insecurity. Relax, and enjoy the diversity. Isn't that what (in large measure) makes the music world so great? Heck. If all I had to play was a one string washtub bass, while certainly not my first choice, I'd joyfully rock it!

 

[Dbassmon]

For those who concur with the OP, I am was sent to tell you open your ears and learn something.... Double Bass Sounds clear and articulate in the hands of the right player. Take a few moments and listen to both of these videos from start to stop. These are virtuoso bassists - you don't make this sound on anything be a double bass. Any issues with the intonation? I think not.

 

[bassliner50]

I play regularly in a jazz trio. Reeds, piano and bass. Traditional jazz repertoire. I play a Fender precision exclusively. I am sometimes complemented on my tone. Occasionally I am called by other jazz combos, I might get "the skeptical eye" when I show up with an electric. In every case however, once we are musically under way, total acceptance, no problems at all. There have been a few times I was overlooked and they chose the other guy with the DB instead. Appearance is a big factor. I love to hear a DB played arco. That is a big advantage. DB has a wonderful history as well as someone already pointed out, and yes they look cool. IMHO, it is completely reasonable for the properly voiced electric bass to fill the musical role of a DB. Don't even think of using a pick. Incidentally, when a good acoustic piano is available, we use it. If not, we roll out the digital piano and most folks do not notice or care. Same thing right?

 

[jasonrp]

It's not really a big deal. You don't like the sound and want to play jazz so find a band that doesn't mind an electric bass.

Are there any other problems you would like me to assist with?

 

[madbass6]

This post is freaking me out ! lol..

Please guys and gals enough with comparing an upright Bass with anything that's electric!
Fretless/ P Bass/ EUB/
It will never be the same!!! period!
Some masters out there will probably get away with it but even they'll tell you it's NOT the same!
Uprite Bass is an uprite Bass! & everything is just everything else!! Apples are apples , oranges are oranges! both fruits, but different in so many ways!!

 

[miggychunt]

I play it because it made me a much better electric player. Given, I minored in bass for my undergrad, but the technique definitely transfers well. Plus it refined my ear.

The biggest reason I like upright is the sound, and you can not duplicate it. People have gotten close, but it's just not the same. I agree that it is often a very muddy sound, but that's because a lot of people who play upright don't know how to EQ it properly or get good tone with their hands.