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Double Bass Playing on a stool

#41
I just played a studio session yesterday where the studio had a stool the height of a barstool, but with a seat shaped like a really comfortable drum throne seat. It was...well, really comfortable. It also weighed about 50 lbs. Has anybody ever tried mounting a drom throne type seat on a regular barstool? That might be the best of two worlds: rungs for both feet, and a comfortable seat.
 
#42
First, let me say this: I have done both with religious zeal. That being said, learn to play from a stool without radically altering your body posture (in other words, sit basically the way you stand). I play a very large 4/4 5-string (David Gage insists it's really a psuedo-5/4), and am at times forced to sit due to space considerations in the pit (if the opera builds an over-hang, my bass won't fit under it unless I sit) or to allow the performance of very long works ( Messiah, anyone?). I also am a recent convert to the Laborie endpin ( graphite angled model, but I started with the bent one), and am amazed at the relief granted my back. Best of luck in the low life.
 
#43
I sit on a 24" stool I believe, and put both feet flat on the floor with a nice straight back and I need no rungs to place my feet on. I prefer the lower stool than sitting up almost as I high as I would be playing bass standing. My teacher uses a drum stool with a bicycle shaped seat and he loves it. I prefer it to standing. Especially since I broke my arm a few years ago pretty bad and it doesn't extend all the way straight. It seems like sitting I have better access to the strings when playing arco. Wheras playing german bow like I have been standing I tend to lower my shoulder.
 
#44
As if one more person needed to sound off on this...
I sit on a stool I bought from Mr. Barstool in Philly that cost a little less than $50. It's metal, with a 6" thick cushion on top covered in leather, that swivels 360 degrees. It's just about as heavy as portable stools come, but it really is indestructible. The worst I'll have to do is reupholster the top every few years as cats claw the leather and the little barbs on door frames wear it away.
As for my technique, I put my left foot on the lowest rung and place the bass into my pelvis on the right side of things, creating a notch where my left leg supports the back and my right leg holds it in place. I have no problems with angles, and in order to play comfortably on all strings, I adjust the angle at which I bend from the waist, rather than any parameters on the bass. I have very free access from half position to harmonics three octaves above the open string and a good visual of any problems I might be having.
I have never felt uncomfortable with this stool, although the height of the stool is extremely important. Mine is just below my waist level (probably just short of 24") and the cushion compresses so I have no problem putting my right foot on the ground. The main problem with high stools is trying to put that foot on the ground when you just don't reach, and you add tension to your body by straining.
Just one more opinion...
 
#48
Jake said:
I am considering buying a regular wooden barstool and cutting the legs so the seat is at an angle. From what I've heard it helps the lower back ...Have any of you folks tried this?
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It can be a disaster if it alters the curve of the lumbar spine or compresses vertebrae.
I say this on every stool thread - at every level of bass competence, most players that I have seen playing seated misuse their spine.
 
#49
Conor MacCarthy said:
The height is fully adjustable, from as low as you'd need (almost kitchen chair height) to really really high. Don't have the stool at home but I'll measure if I remember, but really, you don't have to worry about it, unless you are 10 feet tall or like to sit on the floor!

I have it without the backrest, and never felt like I missed it. It's so comfortable that you really don't miss it. The top of the seat isn't flat, the back of the seat is raised slightly, in kind of a 'bucket seat' design, so it feels to me like there's as much support for the lower back that you'd need. I have played on the same stool with backrest, and didn't really use it. I also played on the round seat (intead of bicycle type) and much preferred the bike seat.

It will not fit in the mooradian delux, and the stool is heavy. This is the only drawback. However, I bring it around in a luggage bag with wheels, so i don't have to schlep it anywhere, except stairs. The luggage bag is really handy, for stuff that you normally wouldn't take to a gig/rehearsal because it's too big, or for putting your tux etc in. I don't have a foot rest on my stool, so I can't comment on that, but the seat at the top is removable, and the legs fold up against the central tube. This way it doesn't take up much space. i have seen one with a footrest folded up, and although i can't picture it, i think it did fold away in a smart way.

Like I said, this is probably the best thing I have bought for the bass.:)
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thanks for all the info!

it looks really comfortable and everything. i ilke playing on a stool a lot more than standing, i just really want to find something that will be easy to transport. my locker at the university is on the first floor, and my teachers office is on the fourth floor, and the elevator is often not working, which, you can all imagine, is really crappy and makes me feel pretty out of breath by the time my lessons start.

the search continues, i guess.
 
#51
low.eadg said:
Don, would you please elaborate? I'm getting my first DB soon, and I think I might use my stool (Jumbo model, infinitely adjustable). How does one not misuse one's spine?

Thx,
Michael
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Sorry for the delay; my computer crashed. But my wizard was able to save everything.
By maintaining the integrity of the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical curves; by not compressing the vertebrae.
How to do that invites a commercial from me. The teacher will influence your use.
 
#52
Let me second Don's modest non-commercial - I'm working with a pilates/gyrotonics (another form of dance-rehab-based physical therapy) teacher who has me doing a set exercises for ribs, spine, neck etc on the stool before I pick up the bass (OK, so some days I don't do the warm-up). It's all about lengthening and supporting, which is also central to Alexander work (as I understand it).

Find a teacher, and (they really love this with the polished wood floors in their studios) talk him/her into letting you bring the bass and stool to a session.

Then do what your told -- every day... and eat your veggies, too!

Louis
 
#57
I'm a 64 yr. old jazz bassist, and have been using a stool for the last 30 some years of my pro career. IMO, in the short run, it's a wonderous thing....in the LONG run, for me, it can be tragic. Like lots of youse guys, I tend to lean on the bass, or, even worse, drape my whole body around my large bass. This, in time , has made my body's skelatal frame a mess.
I won't go into detail...and this is just a warning for those of you who are considering stool use.
Like Dono, on every stool thread we have, I try to warn players that there are right and wrong ways to use a stool. And as I always say,if I weren't as old as I am I would,at least, try the Rabbath stance with the bent end-pin.
As it is, thanks to Dono, i'm getting in touch with my nearest Alexander Teacher in hope of saving some of what i've done to my poor old bod.:bawl:
 
#58
I recently added a short bent endpin to the low stool regime - it helps keep the "slouching/leaning on the bass" thing from happening, and, Paul, didn't take that long to get used to. (I'm 57!). I'm just using one of George Vance's bent metal rods at the moment and will decide about Eggpins or Laborie/Rabbath drilling later.

But I found that the shift in the weight/center of the bass, plus the Pilates etc exercisesn do work as an antidote to the bad posture. And, I believe, with work (Alexander, Pilates, yoga) some of the spinal issue can be addressed and improved.

It's never too late.

louis
 
#59
For anyone using the Cello seating method (two feet on the floor, bass centred), i recommend the pearl roadster drum throne D2000. It's excellent. It goes up to 25.5 inches in height. It was recommended to me from Silvio Dalla Torre, really great comfortable stool.
 
#60
Hi guys ,
I think ive found my favourite stool now ..
Just a random drum seat ...
Ive always played with a stool , but never this low , but i really like it ....

/ Ale
 

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