Hi. I'm an adult beginner on DB and am planning on picking up my first instrument next week. I've played electric for a long time and am excited to start my journey into acoustic double bass. In preparation, I've picked up a couple of method books based on information I've read online. One is Simandl and the other is the first book in George Vances's series Progressive Repertoire for Double Bass. I spent a while going through the first parts of each book and so far the Simandl book makes a lot more sense to me. Is it just me, or does the Vance book seem really sparse on information about fingerings and positions? It talks about and starts in "pos. 3" but nowhere can I find any information on where position 3 is, what notes are contained in it and how it relates to the exercises on page 11. Simandl has me up and running right away. Reading through the introductory chapter seems really concise and I have no questions as to what or where I'm supposed to be playing, what fingers to use and where on the fingerboard I should be playing. However, I'm finding a lot of tricky accidentals that really slow down my otherwise good progress (I'm just using my Fender Jazz Bass to check out the method books right now). I guess my question is, is there a method book based on Simandl that has slightly easier exercises for the beginning adult DB student? Actually, the exercises aren't difficult, it's the way they are written that I find difficult. For someone like me who doesn't have a ton of sight reading experience, throwing a bunch of cleverly written enharmonics at me early on is annoying if not downright frustrating. Haha! So if you have any method book suggestions, I'm all ears. If not, I'll probably stick with the Simandl book and just take my time with it. I just don't get the Vance book. So many people rave about it online but I must be missing something. I just can't get started with it. ;-) Thanks! -Mark
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Method Book For Adult Self-Teaching
- Thread starter markcr
- Start date
You already answered your own question. Simandl is the best for self teaching. Even better if you do ever decide to pursue lessons. There's some good stuff in Vance I will admit, but it's only useful with a teacher who is well versed in the Rabbath school of playing. Stick with Simandl and also consider adding Zimmerman's A Contemporary Concept of Bowing Technique, the Storch-Hrabe etudes (a great addition to Simandl), Petracchi's Simplified Higher, and Joel Quarrington's Daily Warmups for 4ths tuned bass.
I would suggest starting with the Vance book, just to get playing in all parts of the neck very early. Vance's positions are based on Rabbath’s approach. There should be a diagram of a bass at the beginning of the book that explains the positions. (I can post a photo of the page if you can't find it.)
The Simandl thing leans heavily on playing the lowest positions on all strings then running up the G string. However, I do think it's a good method for getting your reading and intonation together.
The Simandl thing leans heavily on playing the lowest positions on all strings then running up the G string. However, I do think it's a good method for getting your reading and intonation together.
Simandl is a very good reference but Vance/Rabbath is probably a more musical way to start. They are very different approaches, and you may want to look up Hans Sturm, professor at Nebraska for integrating Rabbath methods, too.
IME , a really useful online resource Jason Heath's double bass blog and podcast "Contrabass conversations" . Today's email-for-the-faithful for instance he gave a link to just what you need - a chart comparing the various schools of fingering , put together by Nicholas Walker of Ithaca College. Here's the blog link :
Nicholas Walker's Simandl and Rabbath double bass position comparison chart - Jason Heath's Double Bass Blog
IME , a really useful online resource Jason Heath's double bass blog and podcast "Contrabass conversations" . Today's email-for-the-faithful for instance he gave a link to just what you need - a chart comparing the various schools of fingering , put together by Nicholas Walker of Ithaca College. Here's the blog link :
Nicholas Walker's Simandl and Rabbath double bass position comparison chart - Jason Heath's Double Bass Blog
I think the biggest beginner issue is to find the right stance, use ergonomical movements and learn to play relaxed. It takes long time with a teacher, and YEARS longer without. If you want to learn on your own - there are pros to that - definitely learn what you can about these 'non-musical' issues.
There are many threads about this problem here, including these:
What should I start with?
Which Fingering Method for Jazz?
There are many threads about this problem here, including these:
What should I start with?
Which Fingering Method for Jazz?
Once you have your DB in hand, it might be very possible that (as a beginner on DB) you start playing the exercises very slow anyway. So, figuring out the accidental might not be a problem at all. I would recommend to try it first before you spend more money on method books.
First of all: just realise a DB is not a BG, then get a teacher.
I can't recomend the 'Bass is Best' books by Emery enough; yes there are very simple songs and yes it is aimed at children, but it is very step by step, and introduces new concepts very comprehensively. Another plus; you'll be able to play some songs very quickly, thus motivating you to dig deeper.
Others worth concidering: 'Contrebasse pour tous' by Jean-Loup Dehant, the methode books by Edouard Nanny.
I can't recomend the 'Bass is Best' books by Emery enough; yes there are very simple songs and yes it is aimed at children, but it is very step by step, and introduces new concepts very comprehensively. Another plus; you'll be able to play some songs very quickly, thus motivating you to dig deeper.
Others worth concidering: 'Contrebasse pour tous' by Jean-Loup Dehant, the methode books by Edouard Nanny.
Vance provides Repertoire, not method.
However, especially early on, the preparatory exercises and tunes are designed to work on specific things, "shifting from 3rd to 1rst position" for example. Careful observation of the picture in the first pages of the book will explain fairly clearly what those positions mean. The preparatory exercises are worthwhile. They clearly state what the INTENTION of the piece is. Often, they are exercises on the harmonics that designate the position and will generally move similarly to the actual piece (in terms of shifting for example). There is little text, and it is human nature to just skip right to the music, but what little is there tells you a lot.
Nonetheless, regardless of what book you use, a teacher is highly recommended.
However, especially early on, the preparatory exercises and tunes are designed to work on specific things, "shifting from 3rd to 1rst position" for example. Careful observation of the picture in the first pages of the book will explain fairly clearly what those positions mean. The preparatory exercises are worthwhile. They clearly state what the INTENTION of the piece is. Often, they are exercises on the harmonics that designate the position and will generally move similarly to the actual piece (in terms of shifting for example). There is little text, and it is human nature to just skip right to the music, but what little is there tells you a lot.
Nonetheless, regardless of what book you use, a teacher is highly recommended.
Thanks for all the great responses! "The Biz", right on. I realized after looking over both books a lot more that Vance's material isn't a method but a collection of etudes/exercises. I'm still planning to stick with Simandl, though. I'm working slowly through the exercises in 1/2 and 1st position and the accidentals are no longer tripping me up the way they did the first time through. I guess it's why they call it practice. 
I'll also be looking for a teacher but being a full time dad, husband and working, it's not so easy to do. There are some online courses I'll probably sign up for as an alternative solution for now.
I'll also be looking for a teacher but being a full time dad, husband and working, it's not so easy to do. There are some online courses I'll probably sign up for as an alternative solution for now.
The big thing that Vance has going for it is the rapid transition into thumb position. Pretty much all the 1rst position exercises are reprised in thumb position. In a Week you will be playing where many bassists never venture.
nah, pretty sure watching just one more YouTube vidoe will make me better.
A mantra for TBDB if I've ever heard one
My opinion: Simandl knows what he was talking about. But if there's a "best" time to have a good teacher, it's right at the beginning. Even one lesson with someone who really knows. Get your habits in the ballpark and you're set up for success, they can also tell you if your instrument is setup properly. Both are important not just for getting farther more quickly, but for not injuring yourself, which can definitely happen if you aren't instructed properly (speaking from experience..)
A fine reason, for those us who aren't Rabbath fans, to not go that route.
The ABC's of Bass has done very well for me with students both young and old.
-S-
I will say that while I still mainly am rooted in Simandl as a player and a teacher, I’ve been using some songs from the Vance books with kids in middle school to add some more pleasing melodies to learn good technique from. Sometimes the Simandl exercises get a bit dry for really young students. Storch-Hrabe though is a great melodic addition to Simandl, and an excellent butt kicker too.
For self teaching Simandl is the way to go. It is proven and historical. Every bassist should have the Simandl books for the history alone.
Avoid the Ray Brown and Rufus books (fun books by great players, not real method books). Avoid the Vance and Rabbath - both are very cloudy without a teacher also, both require two hours of scales each day to get the best results.
The unmusicial argument is a bad one. A bass method needs to teach to play the bass. An adult understands this. Simandl is a fast way to get to playing the music you want.
Simandl not being super musical is also a great reminder that you are practicing and not playing. A distinction you will need to make to get anywhere with this thing.
Don't try to multi task. One thing at a time go slow and also: don't try to teach yourself. Get a teacher.
Avoid the Ray Brown and Rufus books (fun books by great players, not real method books). Avoid the Vance and Rabbath - both are very cloudy without a teacher also, both require two hours of scales each day to get the best results.
The unmusicial argument is a bad one. A bass method needs to teach to play the bass. An adult understands this. Simandl is a fast way to get to playing the music you want.
Simandl not being super musical is also a great reminder that you are practicing and not playing. A distinction you will need to make to get anywhere with this thing.
Don't try to multi task. One thing at a time go slow and also: don't try to teach yourself. Get a teacher.
I use it some, but as studies, not as a way to learn something for the first time.
-S-
Simandl is fine, Vance is fine, first Rabbath book is fine. That first Rabbath book is the same as Simandl fingering. Not much difference in that respect. Just plain old 1-2-4. No higher science.
