Upright Bass

[DaybeD]

Hey justin I just wanted to know if you could answer a few of my questions. I have been playing electric bass for a long time and i'm barely getting into upright. I was wondering if you had any technique to get the notes right? Normally I plug into a tuner via my pickup. I feel like i'm cheating. I mostly play by ear when i'm with my band mates but i was wondering how to accomplish this with a similar situation when I'm handed sheet music with actual notes. PHEW! Sorry if that was long. One more once i got your attention I'm having a huge amount of trouble getting used to playing with the bow? Is it a practice makes perfect thing or is there a method I should be using. Thanks alot justin for taking the time off to read this.

P.s. That bass sounds sick on "Banged and Blown Through" sounds Fantastic.

Thanks.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Hello,

I suck on upright. I don't see that as cheating at all, plugging into a tuner, that's probably a good way to start referencing pitch. Another idea is to just play along to records with the upright, getting your tuning together. That has helped me a little bit.

You could also record scales with a piano sound in very good quality, then play along to that to get your pitch together.

Don't worry, you're not alone - I need lessons like a motherf*#$er. My bow technique is completely hack. But I sure love playing it. And ironically, I've done a lot of recording with it too. Speaking of which: I might recommend "Stray Age", the new Daniel Martin Moore album on Sub Pop. I played exclusively upright on there, and it was a real joy. An example of just trying to keep it simple.

You may want to post in the Upright forum (I think that's what it's called). I'll bet some peeps could help you out over there, beyond my feeble tips.

Good luck!

Oh - and thank you for the tone complement. I love that song.

JMJ

 

[JimmyM]

Methinks JMJ sells himself a little short

 

[DaybeD]

Methinks JMJ sells himself a little short

I think this too, I think he is a great player but thanks for all the tips. I appreciate it alot. I'll keep practicing....

By the way may I ask what kind of wood is your upright? I got a cheap one for starters off ebay for 500 bucks. Nothing special but i just didn't want to spend a couple grand without giving it a test to see if i could at least accomplish something.

 

[JimmyM]

All King basses are made with maple and/or spruce plywood. I forget which model Justin has, but they're all made with plywood.

And I know you asked Justin about intonation, but I have a pretty good tip for it, too...practice without looking at your neck. I used to turn off the lights in my practice room until I tripped once and collapsed my bridge Now I just turn my head away. I play in tune way better without looking at the neck. Also, if you're playing a song or an exercise, stop at random points while you play and check your intonation against your open strings. That, to me, works even better than a tuner. Tuners can be annoying.

 

[DaybeD]

well why thank you sir. It sure is nice belonging to community where someone can help you out, unlike the idiots at my local guitar center.