Double Bass Sympathetic Vibrations

[jimconklin]

I am just learning double bass. Mine is tuned in fifths. On many notes, other strings vibrate, too. This phenomenon is probably also present on basses tuned in fourths. Is it ever a problem, and if so, what do you do about it? Conversely, some notes do not stir up sympathetic vibrations, or only very weak ones, and sound weaker. Can this be a problem, and if so, what do you do about it?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Mute the strings you aren't intentionally sounding.

 

[Tommy el Gato]

It really shouldn't be a problem at all. Hell, that's one of the ways in which you know that you're in tune.

 

[Thumpie]

It really sounds like you need to get a good teacher. I think the majority view here is that a teacher is essential when beginning, and that this instrument is completely different from the bass guitar and requires a different technique.

 

[ole Jason]

This occurs on all stringed instruments but can be more pronounced on basses since we're dealing with such large bodies and strings.

Sometimes you want it, sometimes you don't. For example, you can vibrate your open C string by applying vibrato to a stopped (but unplayed) C on your G string because they will both be resonating.

 

[drurb]

This occurs on all stringed instruments but can be more pronounced on basses since we're dealing with such large bodies and strings.

Sometimes you want it, sometimes you don't. For example, you can vibrate your open C string by applying vibrato to a stopped (but unplayed) C on your G string because they will both be resonating.

What am I missing? Both strings are unplayed and one resonates?

 

[ole Jason]

What am I missing? Both strings are unplayed and one resonates?

Huh? If you bow an open string and vibrate the same note an octave higher you can produce a light vibrato. Bow your E but stop the E on the D string and vibrate it.

Your finger is essentially creating a second 'E' string and will vibrate sympathetically with the open string.

It also works the other way around... if you stop the G on the E your open G will also resonate.

 

[drurb]

Huh? If you bow an open string and vibrate the same note an octave higher you can produce a light vibrato. Bow your E but stop the E on the D string and vibrate it.

Your finger is essentially creating a second 'E' string and will vibrate sympathetically with the open string.

It also works the other way around... if you stop the G on the E your open G will also resonate.

Oh, I get that for sure but it didn't seem to be that that was what you were saying. Now I see that what you meant was that it you play your open C string and apply vibrato to a stopped, but unplayed, C an octave above, you will create the vibrato. Yup, all good.

 

[Damon Rondeau]

Hell, that's one of the ways in which you know that you're in tune.

This is a pretty significant point, IMO, and not one easily appreciated by people coming from the fretted guitar world.