Double Bass Whats wrong and right about a half size?

[damonsmith]

You haven't met me.

Obviously not. Since there is no information on your profile you are not really adding anything to the discussion. The advice is about a middle aged person who wants to get gigs in commercial contexts.

Excuse me for interupting. but I'd like to know what is meant by "Simandi" technique if possible please? (I'm also noticing that is left elbow is very low)

Franz Simandl wrote a bass method in the late 1800s that is still used today as a basis for technique on the double bass. It is one of a few other proven methods, it is best when the musician continues to build on it with the ideas of other methods and contemporary playing techniques.

Agree. I can't even believe this conversation is going on. "The bigger ,the better"? Well, I have seen some Really big basses.

It is not so much about the size but the quality of most 1/2 & 1/4 size bass as well as the scale. Amping a small bass up and using bass guitar technique isn't really playing double bass.
Also, a normal adult is going to starting out on a small bass will end up with weird, no-transferable technique. Not a great recipe for starting late in life.

Excuse my interupting, but I'm a newbie. Plesse explain the term "OP".

"Original poster" often used to re-focus the discussion on the original question.

 

[web824]

Obviously not. Since there is no information on your profile you are not really adding anything to the discussion. The advice is about a middle aged person who wants to get gigs in commercial contexts.


Franz Simandl wrote a bass method in the late 1800s that is still used today as a basis for technique on the double bass. It is one of a few other proven methods, it is best when the musician continues to build on it with the ideas of other methods and contemporary playing techniques.


It is not so much about the size but the quality of most 1/2 & 1/4 size bass as well as the scale. Amping a small bass up and using bass guitar technique isn't really playing double bass.
Also, a normal adult is going to starting out on a small bass will end up with weird, no-transferable technique. Not a great recipe for starting late in life.


"Original poster" often used to re-focus the discussion on the original question.

Thank you.

 

[p wigle]

Obviously not. Since there is no information on your profile you are not really adding anything to the discussion. The advice is about a middle aged person who wants to get gigs in commercial contexts.


Franz Simandl wrote a bass method in the late 1800s that is still used today as a basis for technique on the double bass. It is one of a few other proven methods, it is best when the musician continues to build on it with the ideas of other methods and contemporary playing techniques.


It is not so much about the size but the quality of most 1/2 & 1/4 size bass as well as the scale. Amping a small bass up and using bass guitar technique isn't really playing double bass.
Also, a normal adult is going to starting out on a small bass will end up with weird, no-transferable technique. Not a great recipe for starting late in life.


"Original poster" often used to re-focus the discussion on the original question.

I know all this. I felt one of the guys was being slightly picked upon.That was a while ago.I am about to finish 1/2 bass and will see what you mean.

 

[damonsmith]

I know all this. I felt one of the guys was being slightly picked upon.That was a while ago.I am about to finish 1/2 bass and will see what you mean.

Actually, people were pretty polite considering how an inexperienced and uninformed poster walked in and tried to re-invent the wheel while willfully disregarding any and all advice from experienced players and teachers.

 

[p wigle]

Actually, people were pretty polite considering how an inexperienced and uninformed poster walked in and tried to re-invent the wheel while willfully disregarding any and all advice from experienced players and teachers.

Actually, people were pretty polite considering how an inexperienced and uninformed poster walked in and tried to re-invent the wheel while willfully disregarding any and all advice from experienced players and teachers.

I am sorry you feel that way even if it is inaccurate. That is your opinion; I believe Talk bass is a site for the experts and those needing to learn.

 

[logdrum]

I just got me a 1/2 size Czech carved bass for 1500 with a bag and a very nice French bow. It has a 38 scale and is an E neck instead of D or Db on a regular bass. I did not have a problem adjusting to the fingering at all, but I switch between cello, 36" inch scale 19mm electric, 32" scale electric, a plywood 3/4 and an oud without even thinking about it. You can't really get dogmatic on 1/2 will kill tone and intonation. Maybe you just need more ear training. It is loud enough acoustically. I have to admit the fundamental could be louder. But with an amp, just a bit of compensation and it sounds fine solo or in a combo. I am not a classical player anyway but for solos, it has a nice midrange voice. I am 5 7 and have mid size hands and no issues with getting tired on the gig. I set the action accordingly and use lower tension or medium tension.

And I have done the Simandl method when I was learning back in college (not a music major). So you just have to rethink 6th position and thumb position and the transition between them because of the E neck. I am really thinking to get this to 40 inch scale but I have to talk to a luthier and see. But I am keeping it for the tone and that it fits in my Jetta Sedan because the front seat folds and I can still have one passenger in the back seat. I can also do a pass through to the trunk and now I can have 2 passengers.

BTW - I do not play in any chamber or classical group, Cello is for fun, although I have tracked in a few singer song writer demos and use it on my avant garde new music group.

 

[slappin sammy]

I play A 1/4 in a blues trio sitting down and a 3/4 standing for everything els and like them both. I will say the 1/4 is just too small to stand with at 5/11 but the other band members like the fact that I can sit with them and be close with the trio and we all ride in the same suv with that bass ,with the other I take the big truck and pay the price in gas $$$ lol

 

[PauFerro]

At 5'3" or so, I find a smaller sized instrument is just fine for the local jazz settings I perform in regularly with decent players, some of them former full-time musicians. I am pleased with the results. You do have to amplify in almost all situations -- even quite ones , and that is a bit of an art. I found it was a long search to play several basses to get acceptable tone, which is a hassle. I have gone through several electronic devices to get it to work for me from an amplification perspective, which is a downside. But a year into it now, and a ton of gigs behind me, the choice I made works fine. My advice is to play what chooses you, and then let the musicians you play with and your heart decide. People will then reach different conclusions about what size is best for them.