Oobie Doobie...I'm a Newbie!

They are afraid they will have to be real musicians and actually use dynamics.

 

For the musicians I play with, its just the opposite. They'd much rather have an urb on the stand than an eb.

For some strange reason, they think the electric doesn't sound as good or have the same feel as a double bass.

Personally, though (depending on the situation of course), if I had to hire a mediocre upright player versus an excellent electric player...I would...uh, that is to say I'd,...

I can't bring myself to say it.

 

This is a very intresting question! I too have found this to be true. when I used to play BG exclusivly, I was happy hanging out with these guys and doing 60's through 80's rock and blues stuff and everything was fine.

But when I started playing DB and my tastes changed to wanting to do more challenging material (jazz standards), their heads would spin off if the chart called for a Gmaj7b5. So they would NOT want to play that stuff and stick to the Neil Young and Eagles covers.

Now I have found a much better (more trained) group of guys to play with and I can't understand why I kept myself in the dark for so long. It is far more rewarding to play a challenging tune than to root-V the same stuff i've been hearing on the radio for 25 years.

 

Guess they thought you just wanted to inform that you play bass standing in an upright position, not sitting, lying down or standing on your knees. Call it "Double bass" instead to avoid misunderstandings like that.

 

Ahhh, not so quick there EII. If you use the term "double bass" than there is always some spandex-clad clown that thinks you play a Spinal Tapesque two-necked bass.

 

Where I play now the DB rules but I used to play at a dance club where the EB was the rule. That is until I brought my DB. There would be 3 or 4 different bands that would play each night 3 nights a week. The wife and I had our own band so I got to play one set every night. But after a while other bands wanted me to play bass with them until I was playing all night with every band. There were always other EB players and equipment available so that wasn't the reason. I think the reason was the sound. They resisted change at first but after they got used to the DB then they had to have the sound of the DB in their band. Be persistent in seeking jamming buddies and once they see and hear that you can hold your own with any EB they will change. The DB sound is addictive and can't be reproduced on an EB. Once they get hooked to the sound your problems are over.

 

Ooo... I didn't think of that. And there is also that double bass drum thing those guys are used to... Well, to minimize the risk of total confusion, I guess you should just draw a picture.

 

eII, now you're on to something!

 

Andrew - I recently had the same thing happen to me, and I had mixed feelings about it. Sure, it's a cool feeling for a music store to basically stop down in order to come and check you out, but is the double bass that much of a mystery to other bassists? If the average non-musician is blown away by the instrument - that's somewhat understandable. But other bassists?

It seems that for many people, there is a huge wall separating the two instruments and I don't think that wall needs to be there. I know that it's probably playful fun, but I get a bit annoyed when I see "toybass" on these boards. Seems kinda snobby to me (IMHO).

In my experience, I have found that many people really prefer the DB. If I ever have to bring my EB to a jazz gig, I can see the disappointment in the band's face. Too bad - exhaustion and/or hernia surgeries happen.

 

hehe, you said oobie doobie, hehe

 

doobie = joint/reefer/spliff

at least with a UB you can use it to prop yourself up if the doobie becomes a bit too oobie...

 

I think maybe you just need to find different people to play with...or let them find you. I bought my present upright back in March, and have been pretty busy with calls from folks I'd never played with. Haven't done a single electric gig since then (with a new Lakland sitting in the closet...), and I continue to get lots of calls to play upright. Been meeting lots of new players and moving in new circles.

Seems like in my area that there's much demand for a competent upright player and not many who can fill the bill. Maybe I'm just lucky.

 

But they are very different instruments, and while going from DB to BG is relatively simple, the opposite direction is not so easily accomplished.

-dh