• 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 Self Teach?

W

Waltjie

Mar 15, 2009
100
2
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
#1
Hi all,

Has anyone here taught themselves to play the DB? I've just recently moved to a small city and I've not managed to find anyone who plays DB, let alone teach.
I used to play the cello, and I am considering to get myself an instrument and teach myself... I think I can say that I know the basics, such as bowing for example, since I played cello. I'm more than prepared to learn the fingerings myself and also posture etc.

You think it can be done?

Thanks!

Waltjie. :cool:
 
#3
rob7 said:
throw the bow,away though...
Click to expand...

-100


Waltjie, if you absolutely can't get yourself to a teacher for at least a lesson or two, you might try some lessons via Skype. I seem to remember some TB'ers posting that they've given/had lessons this way. While not as ideal as an "in person" lesson, it would at least be more interactive than going through a method book/video (which isn't to say you can't learn anything from those, but the book won't give you feedback or advice).
 
#4
Having studied the cello for several years, I thought that learning DB would be a no brainer. That thought was dispelled very soon. The bass is much larger, the strings are much thicker, the bow is heavier and stiffer. The mechanics of holding the instrument, using the left hand, and use of the bow arm are quite different. I also thought I could learn DB without a teacher. In my opinion, this is highly not recommended, especially for classical players (you did post this in the Orchestral sub-forum).

Have you checked with your local high school, community college, or university? Do they have a music program or know of one? Is there a community orchestra in your town or anywhere close to it? You may have to travel abit but you can make arrangements to have a lesson every two or three weeks, saving some travel time and cost.
 
#5
Phil Rowan said:
-100


Waltjie, if you absolutely can't get yourself to a teacher for at least a lesson or two, you might try some lessons via Skype. I seem to remember some TB'ers posting that they've given/had lessons this way. While not as ideal as an "in person" lesson, it would at least be more interactive than going through a method book/video (which isn't to say you can't learn anything from those, but the book won't give you feedback or advice).
Click to expand...

I agree, also try to get a lesson whenever you travel to larger cities. Make sure you are using the bow.
 
#6
Phil Rowan said:
-100


Waltjie, if you absolutely can't get yourself to a teacher for at least a lesson or two, you might try some lessons via Skype. I seem to remember some TB'ers posting that they've given/had lessons this way. While not as ideal as an "in person" lesson, it would at least be more interactive than going through a method book/video (which isn't to say you can't learn anything from those, but the book won't give you feedback or advice).
Click to expand...

Bassius.who post here on TB used to give online lessons, give him a shout.http://www.talkbass.com/forum/member.php?u=19138


John
 
#7
As a bass player who spent a few semesters playing cello as a minor instrument the bad news, is as stated above. The strings are heavier, and of higher tension (approx. 60 lbs of pressure depending on gauge and brand), the bow hold tends to be more condensed (helps with transfer of arm weight), and the stroke tends to be much more from the larger muscles such as the shoulder and back (schools of thought on this differ).

heres the good news:

a lot of stuff transfers. The basics of sound production and vibrato work much the same way, and much of the work you've done in thumb position transfers well. the ear you've developed will come in handy. You can sit down to play the bass, so you don't NEED to learn standing up. You can even tune the thing in 5ths if you want to (there are some articles regarding this on the site, or just look up Joel Quarrington's website), though this may hinder a 4ths teacher from helping you in some ways, such as giving fingerings.

I also give a definite +1 to finding a teacher. You'd be surprised what public school teachers will do for someone willing to learn. Of course, a Double Bassist is the best option, but a strings teacher at a local middle school or high school can help, and so could a local jazz bassist (some of them are more on the ball when it comes to technique than super old school classical profs).

Good luck man, Let us know how it turns out.

Eerbrev
 
#10
rob7 said:
sounds ok your on the right road...throw the bow,away though...
Click to expand...

Any DB player will tell you--even if you always play pizz, the bow is essential to practicing intonation.

This is PRECISELY why you cannot teach yourself on upright. It is too different from BG, and much less forgiving physically if you apply the wrong technique.

Get to a teacher until you at least understand enough about the physical production of sound from a DB and can intonate reasonably well.
 
#14
I played 'cello as a kid and switched to bass as a teen. I was self-taught for about a year.

Then I got a great teacher. Turns out that most of what I had been doing was just wrong enough to be a big waste of time.

A great teacher will save you that most precious, irreplaceable commodity; time.

Nothing like hearing somebody play beautifully and easily five feet away from you. Don't miss the experience! Just my opinion...
 
#15
Just had my first lesson. I'm glad I found a teacher, as there are not only one or two things, but a few little 'bad habits' I had picked up somewhere. In the long run, those would've probably caused me loads of frustration, and worse, injury. Luckily, my teacher has agreed on doing lessons on an ad hoc basis, since I can't commit to eg. weekly lessons right now.
I'm very happy!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back