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Double Bass Play high or play low?
- Thread starter DILYSI Dave
- Start date
+10,000
"...I use the open G and D like God's gonna take them away tomorrow. Love the tone of those open strings..."
Unless I am amplified, I rarely go low (except open E string) because it just can't be heard in the mix. If I use my small amp, then I don't mind playing low - knowingthat I will be heard! The G note on the E string gets especially lost for some reasoon.
"...I use the open G and D like God's gonna take them away tomorrow. Love the tone of those open strings..."
Unless I am amplified, I rarely go low (except open E string) because it just can't be heard in the mix. If I use my small amp, then I don't mind playing low - knowingthat I will be heard! The G note on the E string gets especially lost for some reasoon.
BassDoc, I agree with your experience, except my DB experience is so limited that I have yet to try to amplify mine.
I have noted, playing on some other people's basses, that their low G and C were better, although they seemed to pay by having quieter low F# and B notes. I need to get the amplification sorted out though if I am going to keep gigging with the DB.
I have noted, playing on some other people's basses, that their low G and C were better, although they seemed to pay by having quieter low F# and B notes. I need to get the amplification sorted out though if I am going to keep gigging with the DB.
I tend to stay low for the most part. I do use an open G a lot, and I like to go up to 5th "imaginary fret" D string for that G quite a bit. Also the open D, A, and E.
The A string C note-all the time.
I use the A note on the G str a lot. (2nd imaginary fret, sorry I never studied double bass and I really don't know "positions", just my positions). But almost never go higher than that.
I almost never get up in the "A/D/E box" on the low strings in the middle of the neck like I would on a slab, too much work.
The A string C note-all the time.
I use the A note on the G str a lot. (2nd imaginary fret, sorry I never studied double bass and I really don't know "positions", just my positions). But almost never go higher than that.
I almost never get up in the "A/D/E box" on the low strings in the middle of the neck like I would on a slab, too much work.
I don't know how else to describe where I'm at. I'm not real sure where each official "position" starts or stops or which finger you go by. Plus most likely My fingerings would make a trained player cringe.
I come from the "Darlin" school of playing. " Andy do you strang? This ones missin a strang just wrap yer thumb around that and grab a piece and hang on!"
Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
I do it as well, as none of the people in either of my bands are band geeks with regards to strings. Now horns on the other hand... yeah we've got band geeks in that arena.
I like to stay high...waitamnnit that don't sound right 
In bluegrass I use the open G a lot, the A and Bb a little, not many other notes on the G string though. When slapping, the upper registers and open strings definitely work better to my ear.
So in the key of G (sticking to root/five...it's bluegrass!) I'll use open G, D and A and fret the C on the A string.
In C, open G and D, fret C on the A and F on the D.
In D, open G, D and A, fret the E on the D...open E can sound too muddy.
In A, open A and D, fret B on the A, E on the D, maybe A on the G now and then.
In the old Oak "Bluegrass Bass" book Roger Bush mentioned detuning the (gut) E string to get a stronger click when slapping and not playing pitched notes on it! That requires using the D and G strings for E-F-F#-G-G#.
In bluegrass I use the open G a lot, the A and Bb a little, not many other notes on the G string though. When slapping, the upper registers and open strings definitely work better to my ear.
So in the key of G (sticking to root/five...it's bluegrass!) I'll use open G, D and A and fret the C on the A string.
In C, open G and D, fret C on the A and F on the D.
In D, open G, D and A, fret the E on the D...open E can sound too muddy.
In A, open A and D, fret B on the A, E on the D, maybe A on the G now and then.
In the old Oak "Bluegrass Bass" book Roger Bush mentioned detuning the (gut) E string to get a stronger click when slapping and not playing pitched notes on it! That requires using the D and G strings for E-F-F#-G-G#.
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
Hey Brian, the 'upper register' of an instrument is the higher notes. So on a double bass the upper register is above the neck/body join.
Sounds like you're playing in the lowest register of your bass, which is where the money notes live!
Sounds like you're playing in the lowest register of your bass, which is where the money notes live!
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
Jake,
I always thought that in bluegrass anything above the D string was "upper register"
Perfect!
I listen closely to the soloist and the type of solo. If it's a driving banjo, loud and in-your-face, then I use the sweet spots on my bass for volume and punch...G on E string.
But when there's a more delicate solo going on...say a fiddle in a love song or maybe a very quiet guitar, I'll play up the G a bit.
If the moment is light and airy, don't spoil it with a big boom on the bottom end. Be aware of what other instruments are doing, and how you can best highlight their efforts, be it thumb position or open E strings, slapping....even harmonics/overtones can be nice at the right time.
But when there's a more delicate solo going on...say a fiddle in a love song or maybe a very quiet guitar, I'll play up the G a bit.
If the moment is light and airy, don't spoil it with a big boom on the bottom end. Be aware of what other instruments are doing, and how you can best highlight their efforts, be it thumb position or open E strings, slapping....even harmonics/overtones can be nice at the right time.
Hey Brian, the 'upper register' of an instrument is the higher notes. So on a double bass the upper register is above the neck/body join.
Sounds like you're playing in the lowest register of your bass, which is where the money notes live!
Ain't no money past the 5th fret.
I think it was Ray Brown who said something like "It's a bass. Play the low notes".
But for Bluegrass, even within the first three or four positions on the DB there is lots of room to go high or low for the same note and make your bass playing more musical. I found myself using the A on the G string far too much many years ago. It was just a bad habit so I practiced using the open A instead until I was just as comfortable.
Sometimes the position you play the note in (eg A on the G) is dictated by the need to cut through better. My bass responds very well to the low Bb on the A string so I am not afraid to use that full sound whenever I need it. Sometimes the lower open A just sounds better for the song/tune you are playing.
As a bass player I think one of the basic abilities you need (in addition to great time) is to be able to play any song/tune in three or four different keys....and be able to switch note positions as the music or other instruments dictate.
Root/5 will get you through most traditional Bluegrass material. But these days many of the newer songs have become more complex and require a more musical approach on the bass. But I still try to heed Ray Brown's advice!
But for Bluegrass, even within the first three or four positions on the DB there is lots of room to go high or low for the same note and make your bass playing more musical. I found myself using the A on the G string far too much many years ago. It was just a bad habit so I practiced using the open A instead until I was just as comfortable.
Sometimes the position you play the note in (eg A on the G) is dictated by the need to cut through better. My bass responds very well to the low Bb on the A string so I am not afraid to use that full sound whenever I need it. Sometimes the lower open A just sounds better for the song/tune you are playing.
As a bass player I think one of the basic abilities you need (in addition to great time) is to be able to play any song/tune in three or four different keys....and be able to switch note positions as the music or other instruments dictate.
Root/5 will get you through most traditional Bluegrass material. But these days many of the newer songs have become more complex and require a more musical approach on the bass. But I still try to heed Ray Brown's advice!
In the key of G I like the open G. In the key of D my bass loves the open D and just fills the room with a warm D note.
Other than that I play according to the needs of the music. Of course I like to try different approaches during each song in a jam. I love jams because I can try different patterns.
Terry Treppa
Other than that I play according to the needs of the music. Of course I like to try different approaches during each song in a jam. I love jams because I can try different patterns.
Terry Treppa
