Now, don't knife me, but are there any decent web resources for DB instruction? Yessir, I know a teacher is probably the most important thing, but i'm one of these arse-backwards types that would rather do it the hard way! I'm a self-taught EB'er, and really don't have the time or money to invest in a teacher (when I finally buy a URB), but do have a few URB friends who offer advice when i'm stuck (one who's a bit anti- his teacher as well, due to the teacher expecting full ability to read music before he can instruct)...
....and HERE IT COMES!!! So, you don't have the time for a teacher, but you do have the time to "do it the hard way"? Mmm-kay. I don't care if you're a self-taught SCUBA diver, get a teacher. Have a good day. I'll put my knife away.
If you don't have time for a teacher when will you have time to practice? Money as a problem I can understand, but not time. The standard texts for double bass instruction all use standard notation, so you need to be able to read at a BASIC level to use them, teacher or not. Forget online instruction, just buy the standard text: Simandl New Method for the Double Bass Book 1 (it's only about $25). If you work through this diligently you'll learn the neck pretty well.
You might check the archives (or SHERLOCK FITZGERALD can point you directly) for an amusing series of threads by our own dear supporting moderator who started his DB career with precisely the same approach. After his various injuries healed he did what ? ...........got a teacher. Look, if you want to play root - 5 simple bluegrass stuff you'll probably do okay. Beyond that you will run into a technical wall real fast. At least get someone to show you the proper physical approach to the instrument. Play your URB friends' instruments for an hour sometime. You'll discover that this beast will hurt you if you don't handle it correctly. DURRL - give the gentleman the links for your excrutiating start?
Ask and ye shall receive. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9453&perpage=20&pagenumber=1 (there are probably more, but it's a busy day and this one gets the point across) SWILL, If you read the thread from the above link and still decide to go without a teacher, may I respectfully recommend that you not lag behind on your health insurance premiums? DURRL
ChrisFitz : ouch! No pus-filled sores here. At least you'd never need FastFret! DaveGr8house : what thickness pick would you recommend for speed-picking on a DB? rablack : No pain whatsoever while playing. I've actually noticed that I tend to play the EB a little DB-like...long fingers and all that means I play on me fingertips a bit. Playing an EB upright feels too comfortable and fluid! I've gotta stop using my ring finger though (it's easy 'cause I can span frets that most would need their pinky for)... Eventually i'll get a teacher, but at the moment, since EB is my primary concern, the DB would be more for fun...