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Double Bass Possible To Play Using One Finger On Left Hand?
- Thread starter marco_e
- Start date
Yeah, that's my plan. If I get to the point where I'm able to play decently I'll try learning to stand.
I wouldn't even really be considering this if I hadn't saw that lefty demarco guy. That really inspired me to give this a shot.
I wouldn't even really be considering this if I hadn't saw that lefty demarco guy. That really inspired me to give this a shot.
I'd say it's entirely possible. You just need to be dedicated.
Two things: On a full DB, you don't need to use the left-hand thumb for anything, really -- it's more of a guide. I'm a beginner, and the first thing my teach told me (besides all the other basics) was that I was grabbing the neck WAY too hard. You're supposed to push back against the neck and let the instrument's size do the rest. That means that you could do it without a thumb, let alone a hand.
Similarly, depending on the type of condition you have, you may want to look into a single or dual finger attachment, with a firm rubbery tip. It would probably get you playing sooner, be more comfortable, and you could essentially have 1-3 fingers for chords and more complex arrangements in the future.
I'm finding that string instruments really are some of the more accomodating instruments to learn to play on, due to the technique and their responsiveness overall. So yes, you can do it. You'll have to be creative about it, but it sounds like you've had no problem accomplishing that in other parts of your life, so I don't see why double bass would be any different!
Two things: On a full DB, you don't need to use the left-hand thumb for anything, really -- it's more of a guide. I'm a beginner, and the first thing my teach told me (besides all the other basics) was that I was grabbing the neck WAY too hard. You're supposed to push back against the neck and let the instrument's size do the rest. That means that you could do it without a thumb, let alone a hand.
Similarly, depending on the type of condition you have, you may want to look into a single or dual finger attachment, with a firm rubbery tip. It would probably get you playing sooner, be more comfortable, and you could essentially have 1-3 fingers for chords and more complex arrangements in the future.
I'm finding that string instruments really are some of the more accomodating instruments to learn to play on, due to the technique and their responsiveness overall. So yes, you can do it. You'll have to be creative about it, but it sounds like you've had no problem accomplishing that in other parts of your life, so I don't see why double bass would be any different!
when i started reading this thread the first thing i thought of was a slide guitar and how its tuned to play so that you can do things more with your right hand. with different tunings on your bass you could do all sorts of harmonies and partial chords. its really awesome to hear about someone who wants to play despite such a handicap. theres a keyboard player ive heard about that lives in the nor cal area who was in a car accident and his hands are paralised into weird positions but he is one of the best pianists ive ever heard. good luck and keep us all updated on your progress.
This is always something I've wondered about, logistically, if I were to ever lose a hand in an accident or something. My first thought is to learn trombone one of these days as a back-up, but secondly, you could string a bass up left-handed (upside down as it were) and use your right hand to finger the strings and your left could prolly pull off a pretty good pizz if you had your strings set up high enough and far apart. An interesting thought, that I'd like to put out, I tried playing bass once with very thick fingerless mittens on, and I was able to do a pretty convincing job. You could play a normal right-handed strung bass if you were comfortable using the end of your wrist and pivoting from one side to the other with a small shift to approximate a 1-4 sort of fingering. I'd give the reversed-string left hand a bass a try, first, that sounds like a really cool idea.
I'm just waiting to get up to a music store in the city where I can try out a bass. If all goes well, I may end up coming home with one.mpoppitt said:
I still haven't gotten a chance to try out a bass, but it'll happen soon.
I was thinking, though. What about bass guitar? I mean, just because of the frets I know I'd have an easier time playing, plus it's smaller. Are their more chords (more than one string played at a time, right?) used in bass guitar playing? I know I can't play left handed because plucking would be a problem and I really don't want to have to rig up some sort of plucking device if I don't have to. A bass guitar is also a lot cheaper so if things didn't work out it wouldn't be that big of a deal. BG is also used in more music I listen to so that would also be a plus, but if I'd have an easier time playing DB then that's not really a concern.
Any input would be very much appreciated.
I was thinking, though. What about bass guitar? I mean, just because of the frets I know I'd have an easier time playing, plus it's smaller. Are their more chords (more than one string played at a time, right?) used in bass guitar playing? I know I can't play left handed because plucking would be a problem and I really don't want to have to rig up some sort of plucking device if I don't have to. A bass guitar is also a lot cheaper so if things didn't work out it wouldn't be that big of a deal. BG is also used in more music I listen to so that would also be a plus, but if I'd have an easier time playing DB then that's not really a concern.
Any input would be very much appreciated.
I'm sure that bass guitar would be easier. Frets help in a lot of ways, not only do they help you play in tune, but they also help form a clean, crisp union between string and "fingerboard" for lack of a better word. Put a little pressure on the string behind them and they do a lot of the work for you.
Plus, as you mentioned, they are smaller, less weildy and can be considerably less expensive. Bass guitarist don't necessarily (or usually) play chords, but both bass guitarists and doublebassists can and some people choose to more than others. Not necessary, though.
They're also easier to amplify. Get a good sound out of a doublebass is a considerable amount of work on it's own. You can always turn a bass guitar up and model the sound and tone with electronics.
Not to talk you out of doublebass. We're all on this side for a reason, if that's what's calling you. But, in direct answer to your question...yes, I think your logic is right, an electric bass would likely be less of a hurdle in every way, assuming that playing one would make you happy.
Plus, as you mentioned, they are smaller, less weildy and can be considerably less expensive. Bass guitarist don't necessarily (or usually) play chords, but both bass guitarists and doublebassists can and some people choose to more than others. Not necessary, though.
They're also easier to amplify. Get a good sound out of a doublebass is a considerable amount of work on it's own. You can always turn a bass guitar up and model the sound and tone with electronics.
Not to talk you out of doublebass. We're all on this side for a reason, if that's what's calling you. But, in direct answer to your question...yes, I think your logic is right, an electric bass would likely be less of a hurdle in every way, assuming that playing one would make you happy.
electric bass can probably be played just hammering on and off with one hand while muting other strings if you really work at it.
You could get a lefty electric bass and hammer with your right hand. Heck, you might be able to develop a slap with your left wrist. 
I was thinking just using my left wrist to press down on the strings and plucking with my right hand instead of hammering. I can do this on an acoustic guitar, so I can't see it being a big problem for a bass.
I would think that double bass would be easier to sound good. I saw Lefty (Kevin actually) last night, and his intonation was right on. The longer scale length and radius of the strings I would think make it easier.
fcleff said:You could get a lefty electric bass and hammer with your right hand. Heck, you might be able to develop a slap with your left wrist.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4XzPzoLHvFw&search=one handed bass player
This guy is awesome. I, too, would recommend bass guitar.
Sorry for bringing back a 10 day old thread but...
I'm about to buy my bass (guitar). I went to the music store and although they didn't have a db in, the bass player I was talking to told me that I would be better off with a fretted bg than a db becuase with the db it makes a big difference just how you press down on the strings and using a slightly larger surface will make things difficult. My question now is, before I run out and get a bg, does the method to which you push down on the strings affect sound a lot? Like do you have to try and use the tips of your fingers? The side of my wrist is small, but not as small as a finger tip. I just want to make sure I'm not making a mistake by ruling out the db.
Thanks.
I'm about to buy my bass (guitar). I went to the music store and although they didn't have a db in, the bass player I was talking to told me that I would be better off with a fretted bg than a db becuase with the db it makes a big difference just how you press down on the strings and using a slightly larger surface will make things difficult. My question now is, before I run out and get a bg, does the method to which you push down on the strings affect sound a lot? Like do you have to try and use the tips of your fingers? The side of my wrist is small, but not as small as a finger tip. I just want to make sure I'm not making a mistake by ruling out the db.
Thanks.
