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Double Bass I'm Lost

R

ronniepunx

Feb 25, 2007
13
0
45
Philly Area, PA
www.myspace.com
#1
I have been playing bass guitar for a few years now and have always wanted to play a double bass. I know this is a super general question and I apologize in advance. How do I get started, is this somthing I can apply my guitar knowledge to? I also am not sure what would make a good starter bass. I would be greatful for any help with this topic, I just really have no idea where to start.

Thank you
Ron:confused:
 
#2
ronniepunx said:
I have been playing bass guitar for a few years now and have always wanted to play a double bass. I know this is a super general question and I apologize in advance. How do I get started, is this somthing I can apply my guitar knowledge to? I also am not sure what would make a good starter bass. I would be greatful for any help with this topic, I just really have no idea where to start.

Thank you
Ron:confused:
Click to expand...

You might want to start here and see how many of your questions are answered.
 
#3
I played bass guitar for about seven years through school, and switched to double bass about five years ago. It seemed to me that the only thing that translates is the fact that the strings are tuned the same way, and the notes are in the same place relativel to each other.

Pizz is very different on an upright than on a bass guitar, and if you play arco, it is a completely new skill. The strings are higher off the fingerboard, the position you hold it is obviously different...

I found bass guitar to double bass to be as different as a guitar to a violin. It is totally worth it, as it is ten times cooler to play DB than BG, but you've got some work ahead of you.
 
#4
Start with a teacher. That probably sounds obvious, but that is most necessary. Proper technique is critical to avoid repetitive stress injury. Other than that, you've come to the right place. Read all the information you can. Bob Gollihur's 700+ links about double bass is also very educational. Read all of them.
 
#6
Technique differs almost completely. Knowledge, however, doesn't. If you understand some theory and have applied it to bass guitar, know how basslines work under chords, what notes to highlight, etc. (aka the bass's role) the only thing you really have to worry about is the new technique. You won't go through the whole mess that beginning musicians must learn, but just the technique of the instrument, and with your experience it should go quicker then a beginner. It doesn't matter how much different upright is from electric --- you could be learning oboe, the fact that you understand how the muscle coordination works is a huge plus.

I had played bass guitar for years, along with classical guitar, electric and acoustic guitar, and lute. 2 months ago I got an upright because I love bass and it is a very marketable instrument. Things are now coming together, I can play coherently, in pitch, loud enough, and with decent tone. Now I only play electric bass if it is necessary (like if I'm playing for a rock musical, which I am doing next month). I am sure that if you get into upright, you will fall in love with it and not want to go back (this is a positive, not a negative!).


Best of luck.
Alan
 
#7
Think about renting a bass for a while to see if you really dig it. The bigegest hassle, in my experience is guitarists learning to play fingering of 1 2 And 3&4 together. There are 4 finger bass techniques but it's best to start 1, 2, and 3&4 together with the thumb directly in the middle of the back of the neck.
The thumb being in a straight line with the middle finger. No 'grabbing' the neck.
Get a Simandl Book 1. Yes do get a teacher!
 

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