Ive been playing stand up bass for about a year in my jazz ensemble but finally this summer im getting my own, one of the techiqnues i definatily want to learn is thumb position but i dont understand it at all... i try to do what i see other people doing but it just feels painful on my thumb.. is my thumb weak and needs to get stronger or am i doing it wrong? from what i see you just use your thumb sorta like a capo and push the strings down with the side of your thumb
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Double Bass Help! Thumb position!?!
- Thread starter thtbassloser
- Start date
It's great that you're getting into playing double bass, congrats! You'll get the most out of it if you can find a private teacher. If you have a symphony in your area, you can probably find one of the bass players that teaches, or if one of them can't fit you in, they can probably recommend someone to you.
It's amazing what a difference a one-on-one lesson makes in your playing, and you'll find the best answers to your technique questions that way. Good luck with your bass playing, and keep it up!
Laurence
It's amazing what a difference a one-on-one lesson makes in your playing, and you'll find the best answers to your technique questions that way. Good luck with your bass playing, and keep it up!
Laurence
Getting a teacher is good advice. You need to build a callus on the side of you thumb just like on your fingertips. There is some pain in the process, but be carefull.
I worked through (and continue to practice) Simplified Higher Technique by Francesco Petracchi. It isn't the only book, but it is a good one.
I worked through (and continue to practice) Simplified Higher Technique by Francesco Petracchi. It isn't the only book, but it is a good one.
Like Laurence said, a teacher is the most valuable resource when learning the doublebass - I certainly wouldn't have wanted to do it without the help.
But your thumb kind of hangs out where the octave harmonic is and acts as kind of a reference point for your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers (you're fourth finger is out of commission at this point, because if you are positioned correctly, it won't be able to comfortably reach the fingerboard).
My thumb used to go through hell when I first started - it just takes getting used to (especially after playing the bass guitar for years!). Also, the second best thing you could do is watch guys with killer technique. Pulling up videos of Gary Karr playing a bass concerto is like a free masterclass on technique.
Best of luck!
But your thumb kind of hangs out where the octave harmonic is and acts as kind of a reference point for your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd fingers (you're fourth finger is out of commission at this point, because if you are positioned correctly, it won't be able to comfortably reach the fingerboard).
My thumb used to go through hell when I first started - it just takes getting used to (especially after playing the bass guitar for years!). Also, the second best thing you could do is watch guys with killer technique. Pulling up videos of Gary Karr playing a bass concerto is like a free masterclass on technique.
Best of luck!
Thumb position is one of my goals this year. I took a couple of lessons, and this was one of the first things I asked about. Once I learned one on one what I was supposed to do, it started coming together. I am no virtuoso, nor do I care to be, but I want to know the full range of my instrument, and TP is part of that. Yes, you will go through a bit of pain developing the callous on your thumb, but it is well worth it.
well here is the funniest thing, ive actually never callused my hands, i mean ive been playing for almost two years, i played like 4 hours a day for two months when i first started, no caslsues, and i play on average 1h a day id say, i play tons but ive never callused, other then blisters my hands have never hurt, nor my right thumb from slapping the crap outta my bass, but for some reason my other thumb its just so awkward, it sorta hurts in a like "thats not good pain" not a "over time that will be better " pain, i think i will look more seirously into a teacher tho for sure
Thanks guys
Thanks guys
