Double Bass Stamina

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[Marc Piane]

Diet effects me. I try to eat food that is not hard to digest right before a gig (no beef or lots of cheese).

I used to let the sound situation mess with me but there are so many gigs where the sound is less than perfect I just try to tune it out and not let it effect me. I have also learned how to make different amp adjustments to compensate for different problems (boominess, hard to hear, etc).

For me this used to happen to until I had a month where I had a ton of gigs. Needing to pay bills I took as many as I could fit into my schedule. I remember on day I had a three hour gig followed immediately by a four hour gig. Needless to say it was rough but I came out stronger. I think part of being able to hang on long gigs is to be super conditioned like a Tour de France guy.

I don't think my technique is very efficient either. I use the 'hook' method sometimes and I pull pretty hard. I try to get as much acoustic sound out of my bass as possible. I'm not sure technique can be a substitute for sheer conditioning.

 

[Jason Hollar]

When I first started - I was getting killed on 4 hour gigs.

I asked my teacher what was wrong -- and he said, how much do you practice each day?

I said, about an hour...and he said -- there's your problem!

Conditioning is key.

 

[Mr. Eastman]

Also ...Your instrument has allot to do with it
I first started on a $500 plywood bass....would never recomend it to anyone.....And now I play an Eastman 305
Night and day...
I play at this restaurant with my Jazz Band and always had to bring my electric fretless to "finish the gig" and go home with finger cramps
The Eastman changed all that...4 hrs with it and I'm ready for another 4
I think the instrument makes a big diference..

 

[Michael Case]

Conditioning has a big role. Also learning to pace your self, my first steady gig was a four hour bar/restaurant gig, the first set I would come out with both guns firing. Needless to say by set three I was almost useless for anything except a ballads, eventually I caught on that I had to pace myself. Start the gig at a medium energy level and keep that going and you'll last all night. Last summer I was playing 5 hour (2 hours playing, 1 hour break, 2 more playing) gigs in Central Park without an amp and lasting. The key is not to spend all of your energy in the first 5 tunes.

Also, you should try to weed out an unnecessary body movement as that will sap lots of energy too.

 

[MatthewS]

Diet effects me. I try to eat food that is not hard to digest right before a gig (no beef or lots of cheese).

I totally agree.
I noticed recently, I have been working alot, practicing and recording, needless to say my hours of sleep have gone way down, so the coffee went way up.
So in turn I drank way less water and way more coffee, I dont have much time to eat well balanced meals cause I am on the go, and havent taken time to figure out a eating schedule. But my arms have been cramping alot.
I talked to a doctor, its the acids from the coffee and caffiene that effect the muscles so much.
So drink lots of water.