Double Bass SHORT THUMBS

[brianna545]

I have this thing that makes my thumbs half as short as normal thumbs. This doesn't really hurt my bowing hand, but my short thumbs (and since I'm a girl I already have small hands) really messes me up on fingering!!! I have a half size upright bass and I can barely hit fourth finger. Don't even get me started on thumb position!!!!! What should I do?

 

[SVT4001]

Hi,

Are you using an accepted fingering method, like Simandl, Rabbath (et al)?

Do you have a teacher?

The thumb should serve as a guide- I can play without my thumb coming into any contact with the neck at all if need be- not that I would need to very often, if at all...but I digress.

I guess my point is that excluding thumb position, it shouldn't matter if you have a thumb at all if the rest of your hand is positioned correctly...this is a difficult thing to discuss over the internet, but a live "in person" teacher should be able to help you with this in short order- if you will forgive the pun.

YMMV- and all the usual disclaimers.

I am curious to see what other responses you get! I wish you the best of luck in finding resolution to your problem!

Respectfully,

Joe

PS: Filling out your profile- especially your general location and experience level will greatly aid those trying to assist.

 

[Paul Barsic]

I don't think you meant to put this in "Bass Humor". Ask a moderator to move this to the pedagogy category so that it gets the attention of some teachers.