Double Bass Switching to DB from electric

[ramrod]

Well, I originally thought I could teach myself from a book. Heck, its just like a fretless bass, just bigger, right??? Wrong!!!.

I picked up playing badly intonated bass quickly, using my EB mindset. Intonation eluded me and injuries dogged me.

My first DB instructor was an superb jazz musician, but really didnt stress technique. So I eventually switched back to EB to study with him for several years. The DB languished in the closet.

My second DB instructor was a university prof. with several students placed at Julliard. A wonderful musician but I could never make it past drawing the bow with him. Now that I mastered the rudiments I really wish I could get back into his graces again. I left without ,uch progress (my fault entirely) plus I could not shake bad habits (left thumb) and mindsets (thinking fretless, not position-based). The DB languished in the closet

My third DB instructor was a working symphonic player who had taught DB in High Schools for many years. He promised me he would get me going on firm ground on the DB and he did. Simandl and bow. No compromises. He taught me posture, hand position and the zillion things that go with the bow. I really don't plan to seriously play bow, but if one wants sincerely want to develop intonation, strength and tone from your left hand, the bow illuminates all the flaws of improper technique like a halogen lamp.

My $0.02

so I just contacted a bassist at the local the university and she is willing to teach me...what is the going rate for lessons?

 

[Freddels]

so I just contacted a bassist at the local the university and she is willing to teach me...what is the going rate for lessons?

Rates are going to be all over the place. Many factors will go into it (e.g., qualifications, locale, famous, etc.). I was paying $75/hr two yrs ago.

 

[NoobOnRoad]

My first DB cost $2000. $1000 for the bass, $1000 for lessons.

My second DB cost $6500. $5000 for the bass, $500 for the bow, $1000 for lessons.

I need more lessons.

Oooff, I am glad that i'll have lesson at my college in my music concentration. Man I barely can afford a new amp.

BTW, i was just hijacking the thread because i'll start DB in September =D.

 

[ramrod]

Like Freddels said.

What is very important is to find the instructor that a) is qualified and b) can teach effectively at your level.

My very first DB lesson was with an instructor at a music store who was very inexpensive but coinfided to me he only know the rudiments and steered me to a much better teacher. I had a $75/hr teacher but he was geared to intermediate and advanced students. I paid $60/hr for the teacher who got me going on the DB, but $40/hr for the DB player who was an absolutely superb instructor in jazz and music in general.

Money does not guarantee results.

I am sure some will disagree, but I don't think you can go wrong starting with Simandl, a bow and a patient teacher for your beginning lessons.

thanks..what is Simandl?

 

[drurb]

thanks..what is Simandl?

The Simandl method books are a set of venerable texts that teach double-bass techniques (especially fingering) from the ground up. The "new method" as it's called is actually decades old. I "grew up" on Simandl some 30+ years ago. There are other well-respected methods as well. Let your teacher decide.

 

[400$Bass]

so I just contacted a bassist at the local the university and she is willing to teach me...what is the going rate for lessons?

I really only got quotes from two teachers: ( I live in a cornfield)

15.00 to 20.00 a half hour

25.00 to 30.00 an hour.

My Teacher gets her degree in Music Education next month. Bass is her major instrument and she had been playing seriously for 8 years. And, she has a TEACHER, also.

I figure if a person gets a teacher who is a real-whiz-bang-by-golly on the Bass they will pay a good bit more for their lessons.

 

[drurb]

For fairness, here is an opposing viewpoint...

Thanks for that but whose words are those? Please cite the source.

 

[TroyK]

It's very specific to the individual. Great players aren't always good teachers, but sometimes they are. My main teacher is great at teaching everybody, beginners, advanced players, everyone in between, but I think that's rare. Find someone you're comfortable with, who seems to have a method and good technique of their own.

Cost is relative to location, market saturation and the price as set by the individual.

Almost everyone has a teacher, even professional symphony players. That realization surprised me many years ago, but it makes sense now. I'm sure the nature and maybe frequency of the lessons change, but it's always helpful to have a mentor watching you play and making adjustments.

 

[Freddels]

I studied with Santi DeBriano and he pretty much detested Simandl. He wouldn't use it to teach with and didn't have very much any good to say about it.

 

[Paul Warburton]

Say what you will about "old man Simandl", as ZonGuy refers to him, but in my day that's all we had.
I taught myself to play with that book. So did a plethora of other jazz bassists of the era.

 

[Freddels]

Say what you will about "old man Simandl", as ZonGuy refers to him, but in my day that's all we had.
I taught myself to play with that book. So did a plethora of other jazz bassists of the era.

I used Simandl too. After being away from the DB for years, when I went to my first lesson with Santi, I brought along my Simandl. He told me we would not be using it.

 

[Bass]

...where the thumb is placed behind the neck behind the first finger...very bad for upright.

I usually try to keep my thumb curled in pointing towards my middle finger. Where is the thumb supposed to go?

 

[Tom Howland]

It is different.
Both physical, and mental.
I bought an old Kay C 1 an just went for it.
I've been playing upright for a little over 3 years. (electric for 25 )
I consider myself more and electric player, than upright.
The DB is fun.

 

[Paul Warburton]

I do the old thingy...Look at your left hand from your playing pos...side view. Thumb in middle of the neck, pointing up at about 2 0'clock. Tips of fingers on string..should imagine a straight parallel line drawn from thumb to second finger.
As you move up the board, the first finger goes where the second one was in the prior pos.
Due to the lack of meat on the very tips of the fingers, most good players reach a happy medium allowing more meat on the string.
This applies to most bassists except Dono's fav.....Charlie Haden.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

This applies to most bassists except Dono's fav.....Charlie Haden.

And Christian McBride. Talk about chokin' the chicken.

Seems to work for him, though.

 

[Paul Warburton]

 

[Gearhead43]

This has probably already been covered, but here goes. Ive been playing electric for many years and want to give DB a try. How hard is the switch?..Do I need to hire a teacher?..Thanks

Don't do it. It ain't worth the trouble. Turn around and run!

 

[ramrod]

Don't do it. It ain't worth the trouble. Turn around and run!

why do you say that?

 

[400$Bass]

why do you say that?

BECAUSE THEY CAN! Keep visiting this forum and you will see.