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Double Bass Left hand problems

#23
Oh dear. I suppose I should have known better than to start a flame war. My apologies.

I don't think I'm going to continue with this, as it's probably already quite apparent I'm talking out of my ass. It's clear that I've been living in a shell, and just haven't seen that many jazz bassists with stellar technique. I don't want to list any names, because they are by and large people I continue to work with and generally admire. It's not that I don't dabble in jazz myself, but I have not been exposed to any real training in the area, and have thus only encountered bassists who haven't the slightest clue. I don't know the big names, nor have a studied with them, so of course I can't tell you what their technique is like. But when I hear bassists going on about some "big name" who they seem to think is worth emulating, when in fact their mimicking results in a terrible posture and left hand grip, then I get the idea that these guys don't know what they're doing.

And I'm afraid I can't meet you in New York, unless you'd like to foot the bill.
 
#24
I'm with Ray about the posture. I also stand straight with my wieght evenly distributed between both feet.

My bass is pretty much vertical too, and once I am settled into my position, the bass will stand without my holding it. I can even bow all four open strings without holding the bass with the left hand (though it gets difficult on the E string, and I can't do it while playing forte).

The point is the bass can be balanced so as to put virtually no weight on the thumb.
 
#25
PaulCannon said:
Oh dear. I suppose I should have known better than to start a flame war. My apologies.

I don't think I'm going to continue with this, as it's probably already quite apparent I'm talking out of my ass. It's clear that I've been living in a shell, and just haven't seen that many jazz bassists with stellar technique. I don't want to list any names, because they are by and large people I continue to work with and generally admire. It's not that I don't dabble in jazz myself, but I have not been exposed to any real training in the area, and have thus only encountered bassists who haven't the slightest clue. I don't know the big names, nor have a studied with them, so of course I can't tell you what their technique is like. But when I hear bassists going on about some "big name" who they seem to think is worth emulating, when in fact their mimicking results in a terrible posture and left hand grip, then I get the idea that these guys don't know what they're doing.
Click to expand...

Well, there ya go. :)
 
#26
Woah... I missed alot...

so whats the verdict on all jazz bass players? :eyebrow: (man Im going to over use that smily)

BassMan257 said:
The professor basicly looked at me playing, and said that if it felt fine, I was doing it right...
Click to expand...


The only time ive heard a teacher say something to the like of "no pain no gain" was when we were talking about the right hand... and blisters...(which i dont get anymore, because Im not a wuss..) and nothing like "yeah, its supposed to hurt" which is what it sounded like the verdict was there for a secnond..

Im sorry, Im not sitting down... everyone on the face of the earth would laugh at me, and even if they didnt i would want to shoot myself.... its just not worth it :rollno: ...

and believe me, Im pretty sure Im not your steriotypical jazz bassist.. and If I am, I definitely dont want to be...

heres a pic of my instuctors hand positioning... cant see much of it though

jim.JPEG


well, have fun... i still dont know what to do...lol :help:
 
#27
BassMan257 said:
Im sorry, Im not sitting down... everyone on the face of the earth would laugh at me, and even if they didnt i would want to shoot myself.... its just not worth it :rollno: ...

and believe me, Im pretty sure Im not your steriotypical jazz bassist.. and If I am, I definitely dont want to be...
Click to expand...

David Friesen sits when he plays and he's not your stereotypical jazz player and I've never heard anyone laugh at him.

The pictures of Paul Warburton that I've seen shows him sitting and we all know how great he plays!

Paul - Does anyone laugh at you?

heres a pic of my instuctors hand positioning... cant see much of it though
Click to expand...

Since we can't hear him it's hard to comment. I like more space between my index and middle finger. But if he's in tune with good facility then it's working for him.
 
#33
Sit or don't sit...if the bass isn't balanced it's gonna hurt sooner or later. If you want to play standing, try what Ray and Hector are saying. It's not such a bad idea to practice holding/balancing the bass as well as playing it. Have your teacher spend some time on this, it may as important as anything else you're studing right now.
good luck

jk
 
#34
BassMan257 said:
no... its totally concievable that I dont know what to do, but i have my mind made up to not sit... makes perfect sense to me...
Click to expand...

I don't see how you'll improve your playing with that mindset.

Have you tried sitting while practicing in the privacy of your bedroom just to see what it might have to offer you as far as learning more about how to play the double bass? You don't have to go public with. Your secret is safe with us.
 

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