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Double Bass Double Bass Video Lessons from DiscoverDoubleBass

@ Thanks Chris. Your videos have really set a high standard so it's great you enjoy them! I have got a lot out of watching yours.

@ Zon6c-f I guess it's Simandl based, but I don't really think of it that way. I only use 3 fingers below the g harmonic, but I don't think of positions the conventional numbered way. I have had some great classical teachers who have really helped me fine tune a system that works for me (as well as some amazing jazz ones too!)
Thanks for your great feedback. :-)

@thanks bassadder. I'm planning to do some more detailed videos soon, there's just so much to cover, but thumb position and bowing techniques are on the list as well as more advanced improv lessons. Thanks or your comment.
 
geoffbassist..

I asked because Simandl employs use of 3 fingers only..no ring finger until 8th/octave position..again only 3 fingers..this time its index middle ring"..if I am not mistaken in 'thumb position'??

I believe 4 fingers is better for jazz..I understand how Simandl is good for learning the neck ..never looking at finger board while reading music..but for Electric playing??..Simandl Method still confuses my fingering on electric after decades of not using Simandl.

Still I enjoy your teaching approach on your videos..wishing you greatest success.
 
geoffbassist..

I believe 4 fingers is better for jazz..

This may work for you on bass guitar, but is not a good way to play functional jazz double bass for most people. The amount of strength and endurance required to succeed in the bass role would be hard to come by with an open hand 4 finger technique. A recipe for big physical problems, IMO. For soloing, another matter.
 
geoffbassist..

I asked because Simandl employs use of 3 fingers only..no ring finger until 8th/octave position..again only 3 fingers..this time its index middle ring"..if I am not mistaken in 'thumb position'??

I believe 4 fingers is better for jazz..I understand how Simandl is good for learning the neck ..never looking at finger board while reading music..but for Electric playing??..Simandl Method still confuses my fingering on electric after decades of not using Simandl.

Still I enjoy your teaching approach on your videos..wishing you greatest success.


Yes I use that 3 finger method as you describe. There are some people who use all four fingers at differing points below the harmonic, but its pretty rare.
I only mention it in the video as there in the interest of balance are some players who do. Some just near the neck heel and a smaller number throughout the full range of the bass. I agree with Eric that it would be hard to employ as a regular technique.
Thanks for the great feedback, cheers Geoff
 
Here's a new video lesson looking at playing funk on the upright bass. I look at a few techniques and talk though different options for fills and developing your lines. Cheers Geoff
http://youtu.be/C1md271yJCE

That was excellent! The only aspect that could have been clearer, in my view, was to discuss right hand technique a little more. It seems like in this segment your right hand middle finger got involved along with your index finger. This is an area where I'd like to improve, esp. in comparison with bass guitar where it's so easy to use multiple fingers (or thumb) of your right hand.
 
Thanks Geoff.

Really great lessons! very well explained and filmed.
Really liked the funk lesson. There are many lessons on the internet and most of them are focused jazz playing. It is good to have more lessons in other styles of double bass playing as well. So I hope you go more into that territory. There is a gap to be filled!

I have one question: I see that you rest your ring finger on the E string most of time when you play with alternating fingers. I see more players do this. Is there a special reason for this? and was there a specific teacher we told you to do this? to me it feels unnatural because I am not used to that.

Thanks again for the nice lessons!
 
Hey guys, just to let you know I have a new lesson out today. It's about how to use the neck heel to play across the fingerboard, rather than just moving up and down the G string. This really helps with intonation issues in the middle of the neck.

There's also a pretty easy blues piece in there to give you something fun to practice the technique with.

I hope you enjoy it.
Cheers Geoff



this one is very instructive. Kind of links together the parts of the neck in a different way than I've ever looked at it. Good stuff. :bassist:
 
That was excellent! The only aspect that could have been clearer, in my view, was to discuss right hand technique a little more. It seems like in this segment your right hand middle finger got involved along with your index finger. This is an area where I'd like to improve, esp. in comparison with bass guitar where it's so easy to use multiple fingers (or thumb) of your right hand.

Hey Jake,
that's a great point and I have actually already filmed a lesson looking in detail at the way I use those muted notes. It should be out in the next month. I also have a proper thumb position lesson planned for release soon. I'm glad you enjoyed it, cheers Geoff
 
Thanks for your feedback Joe and MR PC. I'm really pleased you enjoyed it and I've got loads more lined up for release I hope you will like.

Hey Les Fret, I wasn't quite sure what you meant and had to pick the bass up to check. As soon as I did I saw you are right that I do rest my ring finger on the E. I wasn't even aware I was doing it! It's great you picked up on that and I now wish I had spotted it for my right hand lessons. I have some more to add to that subject so may cover this in future lessons.
Here's what I'm doing:
I do it to help with muting and perhaps to a point it helps with stability of the hand when playing with 2 fingers. I wouldn't worry about adding it in if it doesn't feel right, but I'm really into getting as focused a sound as possible so always use as much muting as I can when I'm playing with both right and left hands. I think I picked up the idea from John Patitucci's electric bass right hand technique where he mutes with the 3rd and 4th finger. I find that really useful when playing 5 string bass guitar and think I must have carried it over. I honestly wasn't conscious I was doing it until you pointed it out. :-)

I hope everyones having a great weekend :-)
 
Geoff, your videos are amazing! I've realize a lot of mistakes I've been making while playing, and I know what I need to correct. I've gone from BG to DB without help from anyone else and was doing what I felt was right(but actually wrong), but it's nice to see what to do :)
 
Geoff, your videos are amazing! I've realize a lot of mistakes I've been making while playing, and I know what I need to correct. I've gone from BG to DB without help from anyone else and was doing what I felt was right(but actually wrong), but it's nice to see what to do :)

It's great to hear you enjoyed the lessons. I also started on bass guitar and both instruments really complement each other once you have the differences in technique ironed out. Good luck with your practice :-)
 
Here's another lesson, I hope you guys enjoy it. It's a simple soloing method for beginner jazz double bassists... and happy thanksgiving to everyone in the US!
Cheers Geoff

http://youtu.be/kHN5554nn7w

that's great stuff Geoff! Very helpful. I'm signed up by e-mail. (Not sure how that works, but I am.)

BTW, there's a concept here on TalkBass of a "bass face," and in the opening clip you sure put one on.

I'm sitting in next Saturday night with a jazz guitarist at a small club in the Hudson Valley of New York - no amp for me, just going old school on the upright. This lesson was very helpful. It actually calms one down to think about soloing this way, that is, with the arpeggios.

p.s. Still could use more information on the right hand. I think I need to reverse my index and third fingers from how I use them on bass guitar.
 

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