switching from the double bass

[infernostrike]

Ive been playing the double bass for about 6 years now and have been thinking of learning how to play the bass guitar as well. I was just wondering if there are any real differences between playing the double bass and the bass guitar. Any tips for switching over would be greatly appreciated as well.

edit: I did most of my playing at the public schools i attended and I was pretty much the only db player in the distract so I don't know a lot of terminology.

 

[onlyclave]

Nope. Notes are notes. Your fingerings, positions and shifting are all identical.

 

[Big B.]

I am the opposite. I started on electric and moved to upright. I would suggest not changing your technique any more than you have to. 80% of the time I use the same fingerings on either bass. IMO the key to switching to electric bass is learning to play with a lighter touch. Especially in the left hand.

 

[infernostrike]

Nope. Notes are notes. Your fingerings, positions and shifting are all identical.

so its pretty much just the way i hold it thats different then.

 

[infernostrike]

I am the opposite. I started on electric and moved to upright. I would suggest not changing your technique any more than you have to. 80% of the time I use the same fingerings on either bass. IMO the key to switching to electric bass is learning to play with a lighter touch. Especially in the left hand.

I figured it would be something like that. the bass i used to play had a high bridge so the strings were always pretty far from the fingerboard.

 

[Big B.]

I think if you have some experience on upright you should be fine. Doubling makes a lot of gigs available that wouldnt be otherwise. I thinks it helps with flexibility on the DB as well.

 

[dalconthenovice]

people who start out on upright learn alot of fundamentals that those who start on electric don't learn right off the bat, you'll be set bro

 

[Sam Evans]

Ive been playing the double bass for about 6 years now and have been thinking of learning how to play the bass guitar as well. I was just wondering if there are any real differences between playing the double bass and the bass guitar. Any tips for switching over would be greatly appreciated as well.

A couple of questions before I respond:

Are you planning on switching to fretted or fretless electric?

Did you use the Simandl method do DB?

 

[So Low Bass]

Another question... do you bow?

God or Leo Fender made the electric scale length 34 inches for a reason.

I use the "classical" double bass fingering of 3 and 4 as a unit. I use one finger/one fret on electric. It's a waste of 25% of your fingers to use double bass fingerings on electric, and impossible to use electric fingerings on a double bass, unless you're 7 feet tall.

If you're REALLY coming from the double bass to electric, stay away from roundwound strings and active pick ups.

 

[fryBASS]

If you're REALLY coming from the double bass to electric, stay away from roundwound strings and active pick ups.

I disagree. I came from 5 years of DB playing and have been playing both for 6 years now and I HATE flatwounds on bass guitar. Roundwounds all the way. If I wanted to get an upright sound, I'd just play my upright When I'm playing bass guitar, I want to be playing bass guitar.

Although, I must admit I'm not a fan of active electronics.

 

[infernostrike]

A couple of questions before I respond:

Are you planning on switching to fretted or fretless electric?

Did you use the Simandl method do DB?

I don't know all that much about bass guitars so i came here first before i spent any money. Whats the difference between the fretted and fret-less basses. is it just sound quality. and to the second part I'm not sure. I did most of this playing at schools where the teacher just showed me how to do things and didn't tell me the names of every technique. sorry if i sound like a noob answering your questions about my questions with more questions.

 

[infernostrike]

Another question... do you bow?

not sure exactly what you mean by that. If you are asking if I use a bow when i play db then the answer is yes most of the time. I was taught classical bass not jazz bass.

God or Leo Fender made the electric scale length 34 inches for a reason.

I use the "classical" double bass fingering of 3 and 4 as a unit. I use one finger/one fret on electric. It's a waste of 25% of your fingers to use double bass fingerings on electric, and impossible to use electric fingerings on a double bass, unless you're 7 feet tall.

If you're REALLY coming from the double bass to electric, stay away from roundwound strings and active pick ups.

not sure what those are exactly either. sorry . If u=you elaborate then i can answer your question.

 

[chuck3]

It would be helpful to readers of this thread if you said what kind of group or type of music you plan to play.

I play upright and bass guitar about equally. I play in several groups requiring everything from rock to jazz to bluegrass. I play upright, fretted or fretless BG depending on the type of music. I think you're in good shape having started on upright, and presumably you can read which is a plus. But there is a lot to playing jazz and rock that isn't apparent from classical training. I'd listen to bass guitar players that you like and try to play their lines, then develop your own.

Flats vs. rounds - don't try to settle that debate on this thread. TB has 1,000 threads on that subject.

 

[OmnitzGarima]

80% of the time I use the same fingerings on either bass.

Maybe more. In fact I try to keep the position of neck of the BG as close as I can to the position of the neck of the upright. It'll be an adjustment, but it will work out.

 

[Throckmorten]

Hello Inferno and welcome.
Some tiime ago a fellow posted here who was making the switch from DB to slab and he mentioned his surprise and frustration with the amount of finger noice he got when changing position on the fret board with an electric bass.

I susptect you will notice it too and it is probably why an earlier post warned you off of round-wound strings and active electronics because they can highlight the problem. It's a common problem for anyone starting out on electric though it may take DB players by surprise. It's a technique thing you will master quickly enough.

I've met few players proficient on both instruments who prefer a fretless electric. 'Dunno why, but some of the best switch hitters out there (Bob Cranshaw for one, bass for Sonny Rolliins for decades) grab a fretted electric. (I'm not hinting at any advice, just registering my own surprise).

At anyrate I'm sure you'll enjoy playing EB and I hope you will let us know how it goes.

 

[Danho]

I bought a bass guitar a few years into playing upright. The biggest challenge for me was the fingering. Both hands giving more pressure than the instrument needed, and also not being able to hold the neck totally vertical was an odd switch. My wrists hurt until I figured that part out, and my callouses were nuts from the round wound strings (and too much pressure.) I seldom play bass guitar anymore, but the added perspective really made me a better player.

 

[infernostrike]

It would be helpful to readers of this thread if you said what kind of group or type of music you plan to play.

I play upright and bass guitar about equally. I play in several groups requiring everything from rock to jazz to bluegrass. I play upright, fretted or fretless BG depending on the type of music. I think you're in good shape having started on upright, and presumably you can read which is a plus. But there is a lot to playing jazz and rock that isn't apparent from classical training. I'd listen to bass guitar players that you like and try to play their lines, then develop your own.

Flats vs. rounds - don't try to settle that debate on this thread. TB has 1,000 threads on that subject.

I was going to switch to jazz bass guitar. I was trained in classical double bass so it will be a bit of an adjustment. I was originally switching because the local jazz band needed a new bass player and I was asked if I could do it. One of them knows how to play the bass guitar and said he would help me switch but he has to play a different instrument during performances.

 

[ThumpPlunkJunk]

I was going to switch to jazz bass guitar. I was trained in classical double bass so it will be a bit of an adjustment. I was originally switching because the local jazz band needed a new bass player and I was asked if I could do it. One of them knows how to play the bass guitar and said he would help me switch but he has to play a different instrument during performances.

Personally I think the bass viol has the advantage in jazz. Play "Tricotism" on an upright and it sounds like ear sex. Play it on the e-Bass and it sounds like ear rape. That is, if you're not using a fretless, but still.

Anyway, I digress, and all bias aside: If you've got a teacher, go for it! Classically and Jazz-trained bassist here, and making the switch from upright to electric was difficult. They play differently and being caged up by frets made me want to smash large objects together sometimes. If I had a teacher to ease that transition I'm sure I wouldn't have been nearly as frustrated.

 

[Big B.]

I bought a bass guitar a few years into playing upright. The biggest challenge for me was the fingering. Both hands giving more pressure than the instrument needed, and also not being able to hold the neck totally vertical was an odd switch. My wrists hurt until I figured that part out, and my callouses were nuts from the round wound strings (and too much pressure.) I seldom play bass guitar anymore, but the added perspective really made me a better player.

Good post. I think the lightness of touch that BG requires can have very positive carry over to the DB as well. Having a lighter touch allows for quicker and more energy efficient shifts.

 

[Jim Campbell]

Ive been playing the double bass for about 6 years now and have been thinking of learning how to play the bass guitar as well. I was just wondering if there are any real differences between playing the double bass and the bass guitar. Any tips for switching over would be greatly appreciated as well.

edit: I did most of my playing at the public schools i attended and I was pretty much the only db player in the distract so I don't know a lot of terminology.

play both......no sense losing your db skills,and it increases the amount of work you can pursue.....a classical training is a good place for an aspiring jazz guy to be from.....