absolutely agree with Jim Campbell!!
I started on double bass in grade school and gave it up in high school. Biggest mistake of my life!! Tried to relearn in college (I stayed out of school for 3 years) and it was a monster challenge beyond my skills even in that short time. To play it well anyways! Keep on playing standup - it is a very cool instrument and, as mentioned above, will give you more options when it comes to gigging!
I play jazz, rock, country, originals, fusion and a little funk. Have been playing pro for almost 40 years, although am semi retired now (means I don't play out every week).
I play fretted and fretless, passive and active.
Fretless has it's own sound and feel. Very smooth and can roll into and out of notes. Requires good intonation, which I'm sure you've developed playing in orchestral groups. Allows one to be very expressive, almost like a human voice, because one can control the intonation. Listen to Tony Levin, Pino Paladino or Percy Jones (Brand X) to hear good fretless playing.
Fretted are easier to play as far as intonation, but the skill is to avoid playing on or hitting the frets. This causes buzzing, clanking and unwanted metallic noise. Hit the note directly behind the fret playing firmly - not too hard.
Passive basses are warm in tone and very forgiving as far as finger noise. I've found I need to play the notes a little more firmly to get the initial presence of the note. A little bit like the way a note "blooms" on a standup bass. The kind of attack also depends where your plucking hand plays a note, closer to the bridge for a more sharp attack - towards the neck for a fuller, mellower sound. Unless you play with a pick/plectrum - then you can get a lot of attack no matter where you pluck.
Active basses are GREAT, but they pick up every noise and sound either hand makes. This is what makes them so great for funk slapping. Requires a lighter touch. They can be very aggressive sounding. But with a little practice they are super versatile. The tone knobs are super sensitive compared to passive basses and many come with filters and other options.
I recommend try playing everything and concentrate on what sounds best to you!!
But never stop playing standup! I wish I hadn't!!
signed, One Old Dog
peace
I started on double bass in grade school and gave it up in high school. Biggest mistake of my life!! Tried to relearn in college (I stayed out of school for 3 years) and it was a monster challenge beyond my skills even in that short time. To play it well anyways! Keep on playing standup - it is a very cool instrument and, as mentioned above, will give you more options when it comes to gigging!
I play jazz, rock, country, originals, fusion and a little funk. Have been playing pro for almost 40 years, although am semi retired now (means I don't play out every week).
I play fretted and fretless, passive and active.
Fretless has it's own sound and feel. Very smooth and can roll into and out of notes. Requires good intonation, which I'm sure you've developed playing in orchestral groups. Allows one to be very expressive, almost like a human voice, because one can control the intonation. Listen to Tony Levin, Pino Paladino or Percy Jones (Brand X) to hear good fretless playing.
Fretted are easier to play as far as intonation, but the skill is to avoid playing on or hitting the frets. This causes buzzing, clanking and unwanted metallic noise. Hit the note directly behind the fret playing firmly - not too hard.
Passive basses are warm in tone and very forgiving as far as finger noise. I've found I need to play the notes a little more firmly to get the initial presence of the note. A little bit like the way a note "blooms" on a standup bass. The kind of attack also depends where your plucking hand plays a note, closer to the bridge for a more sharp attack - towards the neck for a fuller, mellower sound. Unless you play with a pick/plectrum - then you can get a lot of attack no matter where you pluck.
Active basses are GREAT, but they pick up every noise and sound either hand makes. This is what makes them so great for funk slapping. Requires a lighter touch. They can be very aggressive sounding. But with a little practice they are super versatile. The tone knobs are super sensitive compared to passive basses and many come with filters and other options.
I recommend try playing everything and concentrate on what sounds best to you!!
But never stop playing standup! I wish I hadn't!!
signed, One Old Dog
peace
