Double Bass Intonation Problems While Sitting

[SirFunk]

Hi everyone,

This past year has been a real tough one for me with bass. I won't repeat the whole story, however. Around last Jan/Feb after a couple lessons with a _good_ teacher I finally started to get a grip on my intonation problems. I found I was able to hear my tuning problems and began to get better at correcting them.

I used to stand but since January I've not been going to school ( part of the rough year thing) and since March, I've been working full time. After working 9 hours I just don't have the energy to play standing for another 2-3... so, i sit.

I'm certain I know what is causing the problem. I can't consistently hold the bass while I'm sitting. Every time I sit, while the endpin height is the same, the angle forward/back or left/right may vary a bit and therefore my fingerboard is never in the same place.

Does anyone have some kind of way to gauge how far forward the endpin/bass should be? .. same goes for left/right tilt.

Conversely, should I not bother trying to fix the setup issue and instead try to train myself to "feel" the "distance" of a shift rather than the "position" relative to my body (which is what i guess I'm doing now)

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Cory Palmer]

There are a few few things to look for. One thing is that whenever you are playing the nut is basically at eye level. It can be slightly above or below but not by much.

The other thing is when you stand straight up let your hand fall straight down and the middle knuckle of your middle finger is where the bridge should be. This goes with the height of the stool basically being the same as your inseam.

I let the corners of the bass rest on my knees so that the bass sits close to the way that a cellist would sit.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Do you practice with a mirror? Doing that should show you where you need to make changes.

 

[SirFunk]

There are a few few things to look for. One thing is that whenever you are playing the nut is basically at eye level. It can be slightly above or below but not by much.

Ok, got that good.

The other thing is when you stand straight up let your hand fall straight down and the middle knuckle of your middle finger is where the bridge should be. This goes with the height of the stool basically being the same as your inseam.

My inseams is about the height of my stool (a little hard to tell with baggy pants nowadays.. but it's close)

But...

!!!!!! Holy Cow... If you mean _when standing_ if i let my arm drop straight, my knuckle should be about where the bridge is on a horizontal scale? it's not, it's a good 5 inches off. ... Actually I just measured myself, and from knuckle to eyebrow i'm 35" tall and my bass from nut to bridge (straight, not along the angle of the neck) is 39"

Does this mean my bass is too large for me?

 

[Cfederle]

I know when I first starting playing seated I felt that I wanted the bass in the same place all the time as well. One thing that helped with that is getting a strap type anchor, not really to keep the bass from slipping but to keep the distance consistent. Over time now I have moved away from these devices in preference for a really sharp end pin and being able to have a bit more freedom. I also sit on the very edge of my stool and have noticed where I want certain parts of the instrument to be.

 

[Cory Palmer]

But...

!!!!!! Holy Cow... If you mean _when standing_ if i let my arm drop straight, my knuckle should be about where the bridge is on a horizontal scale? it's not, it's a good 5 inches off. ... Actually I just measured myself, and from knuckle to eyebrow i'm 35" tall and my bass from nut to bridge (straight, not along the angle of the neck) is 39"

Does this mean my bass is too large for me?

When you get the height of the bridge right with your middle knuckle once you sit down your bow will sit in a good spot on the string. I doubt that your bass is too large for you.