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Double Bass Starting bass without a teacher

#2
I played electric bass semi professionally for 33 years. I thought for sure I could teach myself. Three weeks into it I gave up on that idea and found a teacher. I am glad I did. I am now struggling my way through Simandl, like most here probably did.

Now you have the advantage of an orchestral background on the viola, but still, I would not recommend going at it without at least a few lessons to get you started correctly on the mechanics of the instrument.

Just my opinion
 
#3
Everyone here will tell you to get a teacher and you should. Short of that, get a method book. Simandl or Nancy is a good place to start.

You could get away with a few things on the 1/2 size that you won't when you go up to 3/4. Learn and practice correctly.
 
#4
The reason WHY you should get a teacher is quite subtle, though.

The bass is extremely physical, and it is very easy to seriously damage your hands. It is also pretty much impossible to learn the correct form of physical approach to the instrument from a text description, pictures, or even video... because it all depends on your own hand geometry, and you can't see it happen. An experienced teacher can see what will be the right form for you, and help you get it right.

You can learn where the notes are, what notes to play, how to read bass clef, and in fact pretty much anything else about the instrument, for yourself, but that physical approach is necessary and it isn't going to come without some coaching.
 
#5
Andrew McGregor said:
The reason WHY you should get a teacher is quite subtle, though.

The bass is extremely physical, and it is very easy to seriously damage your hands. It is also pretty much impossible to learn the correct form of physical approach to the instrument from a text description, pictures, or even video... because it all depends on your own hand geometry, and you can't see it happen. An experienced teacher can see what will be the right form for you, and help you get it right.

You can learn where the notes are, what notes to play, how to read bass clef, and in fact pretty much anything else about the instrument, for yourself, but that physical approach is necessary and it isn't going to come without some coaching.
Click to expand...

+1 to that! You can quite seriously hurt yourself if your technique is not proper. Luckily I've had some incredible teachers but I started out trying to teach myself and then saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Definitely get a teacher; it will be the best decision you ever make.
 
#7
Yes, that seems reasonable. Learn everything you can about the bass in the meantime, and see if you can find a few lessons anyway... if you look long enough, you should be able to find someone who can start you off. There ought to be a symphony orchestra around, ask them if any of the bass players give lessons, etc.
 
#8
You really should get a teacher, trust me. It is my 3rd year, and I am in the highest orch in my school. I also recently HAD to go to what's called region auditions, and I got 3rd chair for the full orch. When I started my teacher took paper and tapped them to the front of the finger board going all the way across, those helped sooooooo much. You should start with classical and after you don't need the tapes anymore you can find some other styles, but still play classical. I hope this helps you, good luck.
 

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