What makes a Bassist Adaptable to different Basses?

[Jim Carr]

...fingering technique of upright bass, proper technique (classical/jazz), is completely different from how you play an electric bass guitar.

Good technique, and proper scale length for the player, allows us to comfortably play in first position without any issues, with ONE FINGER PER FRET, without having to move our hands - we should be able to have each finger in the correct fret position comfortably at the same time...

...Upright technique is designed to let you play effectively, despite the fact that you cannot play with one finger per semitone (fret distance) on such a long scale length...I am never as comfortable on 35" as I am on 34"...

There are different schools of fingering on double bass (including 1-3-4 and even 1-2-3-4 for semitones in low positions on D and G strings), just as there are on bass guitar. I don't consider 1 finger per fret to be the "proper technique" if neck position and scale length make it impractical or impossible. We all have different hands and instruments.

I often mix Simandl fingering (fingers 1-2-4 as semi-tones in lower positions on DB) into my electric playing when on 35" scale in the lower positions. I also use a lot of Simandl fingering on my fretless 34" scale 5-string.

Yes, my 10 year-old DB students used 1-2-4 fingering ala Simandl, but they also used that on my Fender Jazz, which I had them play ampless while waiting for their lesson time. Scale length can require a technique or it might simply allow it.

For those who find a small change like going from 34" to 30" to be a shock, consider going from 42" to 34", which a number of my students did when switching from DB to electric bass. They often would ask to try the smaller double basses (smallest was 36" IIRC), and then want to try the same things on a 42" scale bass (my ancient Tiroler). For some, the size of the body and the sheer height of the instrument was more of an issue than the scale length or string spacing.

I'd suggest anyone adapting to a longer scale try sprinkling in some Simandl + shifts. I also do something I call micro-shifts on longer scale electric basses—simply a leaning of the hand. Having a hand position that keeps the palm of the hand off the back of the neck much of the time can help.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

... How adaptable are you when it comes to different basses?

Very, I guess. I have no real idea what I'm doing. I know what notes are where (in B|EADG|C tuning) for the first 7 frets, and what "boxes" go where, and that's about it. It's simple maths, not algebra. This tetris/lego mediocrity translates well to just about any (bass/scale length/string spacing) that's tuned in 4ths, although I have reach issues on the low frets of extra long (35"+) scales.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

I don't adapt. Subtle differences in neck dimensions, fret height, string tension, and even strap positions can really annoy me so I tend to play one bass until the strings die or I just get sick of it. All my basses are 34" with either 1 5/8 or 1 1/2 nut.

 

[dkelley]

There are different schools of fingering on double bass (including 1-3-4 and even 1-2-3-4 for semitones in low positions on D and G strings), just as there are on bass guitar. I don't consider 1 finger per fret to be the "proper technique" if neck position and scale length make it impractical or impossible. We all have different hands and instruments.

I often mix Simandl fingering (fingers 1-2-4 as semi-tones in lower positions on DB) into my electric playing when on 35" scale in the lower positions. I also use a lot of Simandl fingering on my fretless 34" scale 5-string.

Yes, my 10 year-old DB students used 1-2-4 fingering ala Simandl, but they also used that on my Fender Jazz, which I had them play ampless while waiting for their lesson time. Scale length can require a technique or it might simply allow it.

For those who find a small change like going from 34" to 30" to be a shock, consider going from 42" to 34", which a number of my students did when switching from DB to electric bass. They often would ask to try the smaller double basses (smallest was 36" IIRC), and then want to try the same things on a 42" scale bass (my ancient Tiroler). For some, the size of the body and the sheer height of the instrument was more of an issue than the scale length or string spacing.

I'd suggest anyone adapting to a longer scale try sprinkling in some Simandl + shifts. I also do something I call micro-shifts on longer scale electric basses—simply a leaning of the hand. Having a hand position that keeps the palm of the hand off the back of the neck much of the time can help.
View attachment 3695111

yes, exactly.

Longer scale, different technique. That is how it works - technique changes. Of course your details are details, I was summarizing the same thing.

 

[JimmyM]

Mindset and health level are the only drawbacks to adaptability. Which is fine by me...everyone should play what they want. An older friend of mine just switched to medium scale because of health issues. He's still awesome, too.

 

[Glennbassmann]

Switching to medium scale has been a revelation inspiration for me.....

 

[bearfoot]

There is a personality trait of Openness, and people are not equal in that capacity. Along with Openness tends to follow Creativity. Those who lack in those categories, tend to be stronger in things like Organization and Conscientiousness. The patchwork of traits, varying wildly but following trends, makes up individuals, who are never equal, but nor is one superior to another.

To paraphrase Mohammed in his earlier philosophical period, "Allah loves glorious variety".

I believe what makes a musician adaptable to other instruments is their Openness.

 

[logdrum]

I just don't play just bass guitar, so the variations of bass guitar don't bother me so much. I have a 6 string 19mm 36 inch scale bass, various 34 scales, 1 30 strung with piccolo strings as well as a UKE bass that my wife gave me. 3 uprights (I only won 2 BTW) with different string lengths.

But I do understand folks that need everything to be exact and won't play anything outside those boundaries. I do not judge or get bothered by those people a bit and actually respect that they have standards that they adhere to. Just don't impose it on me.

 

[bassbrad]

IMHO it is all a matter of taking the time to teach your hands and mind to adapt to different instruments, spacings, tunings and such. This applies to musical instruments, languages, or any other skill or knowledge. Having a resistant mind, throwing up barriers and excuses are self defeating.

We find a certain instrument spec more comfortable because we have spent them most time with that particular spec, the 10,000 hour rule as Gladwell covers in his book Outliers.

I used to teach Adult Literacy and so many times i encountered people who said they couldn't read because they had some diagnosis or another disorder. Usually they were mis-diagnosed by someone not even qualified who didn't use the proper criteria to come to the diagnosis. If we took the time to administer the test at best it was inconclusive but most often it was not positive. My general process was to find a subject they were interested in and simply start our lessons as normal. With proper guidance and simple empowerment tools they all mastered reading skills quickly, usually to their amazement.

 

[bassinplace]

No, it's not.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I listen to people talk about not being able to adjust to fives or narrower string spacing. Some really can’t take 35” scale. Some hate short scale basses.

I love fours or fives, I can play sixes, but I feel the C string gets in my way more than I actually use it. 32”,34”,35” scales are fine for me. I like short scales, but I would not want one as a main player. 19mm at the bridge is my favorite spacing, but I can do 17mm spacing if a bass has a pretty fat neck.

My guess is that I am pretty versatile because my chops are quite modest. I remember Stanley Clarke saying how he got lost when he tried to cut loose on a five. I will never have that problem.

How adaptable are you when it comes to different basses?

Other than 6 strings, give me about 10 or 15 minutes, and I can adapt and play well. As for 6ers, I don’t play chords, and frankly, I’d much rather go up the finger board than playing higher notes in the first position.

 

[HeavyDuty]

I used to be very sensitive to nut width, but over the years I’ve lost that - thank the Goddess!

 

[two fingers]

I can survive on any bass. For me, it's about comfort and joy. Playing a 35" 5 string is comfortable, and FUN, for me. But you could hand me a narrow fretless shorty 4 banger and I'll be just fine.

 

[Jhengsman]

As a child I played reeds. As such besides different spacings between pads and levers from a piccolo to a baritone sax and bass clarinet there was also the same fingerings, until they weren't the same when you changed octaves, to contend with you also had to transpose to different pitches on the fly.

Just saying there is nothing bassist specific in the minor differences between bass guitars it is well within proven human capabilities to adapt to them. A little time for extra or missing strings and even a simple change like down tuning is an easy adaptation. Perhaps drop tuning or some other alternate tuning takes a bit more time

 

[chris_b]

What makes a Bassist Adaptable to different Basses?

Experience, confidence, a good technique and a couldn't care less attitude.

 

[GretschWretch]

If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.

 

[zubrycky]

I believe that the ability to adapt quickly to any available instrument is one of the most important skills that a musician can have.

After all, you never know when you need to change instruments at the time of a recording or a gig. It happened to me a few times...

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I believe that the ability to adapt quickly to any available instrument is one of the most important skills that a musician can have.

After all, you never know when you need to change instruments at the time of a recording or a gig. It happened to me a few times...

The same goes for rented backline. Knowing how to dial in the EQ on the house amp has saved my bacon dozens of times...

 

[Watchootognbout]

What makes a bassist adaptable?
Nothing more than the will power and determination to do so.

Some play one type of bass for a long while.
Then go try a five or six string bass and expect it to immediately be comfortable.

 

[zubrycky]

The same goes for rented backline. Knowing how to dial in the EQ on the house amp has saved my bacon dozens of times...

Amen to that, bro.

This is another important skill to master. I did it so many times that today it became second nature to me (I rarely gig with my own bass amp and, when I play guitar, I use any available amp... I don't have a guitar amp and I don't plan to buy one).