thisnameistaken

[quote name='Greydad' post='758597' date='Feb 26 2010, 08:30 PM']I played my first short live gig with the db at a local acoustic club last night and found myself doing this and changed my thumb position part way through, felt much better. A friend took some video of it so I can see all the other mistakes I'm making too: left hand not curled enough so playing with the pads of my fingers not the tips, some missed notes (normal for me), bad intonation a few times (although I could hear that at the time I played it), needs more feel and expression, etc. 3 weeks is clearly not long enough but I enjoyed it immensely, had a lot of comments about it afterwards and two more offers to play with other people - they must all be deaf too [/quote] Awesome. You're brave! I was due to use it for a practice this Sunday with my regular band but they've cancelled. Wouldn't dare gig it yet though, kudos to you.

[quote name='endorka' post='758826' date='Feb 27 2010, 04:21 AM']Interesting - does this boominess manifest itself even when the instrument is unamplified? Jennifer[/quote] I don't have a pickup at the moment, so I haven't amplified this bass. It's mostly the A and E strings, they are very bassy and thumpy, and when I pick with the side of my finger it seems to make the tone even deeper. I think the strings are Pirastro Evah Pirazzi.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='758613' date='Feb 26 2010, 08:47 PM']Quite true, you'll find that if you employ the db fingering technique on your electric, you'll end up a faster and much more economical player. Are you playing mainly by ear or reading, btw?[/quote] Totally by ear at the moment. I can't read (I know the stave and key sigs and basic stuff but I've never been any good at reading timing), but I am intending to learn as I learn this instrument. [quote name='endorka' post='758706' date='Feb 26 2010, 11:00 PM']Just to check: are you still using bass guitar technique to pluck the strings, i.e. the fingertips? On double bass it is more typical to use the side of the fingers to get more "meat" onto the strings and give a stronger/fatter sound. I'm sure there are plenty examples, but the following is one approach, courtesy of Ray Brown;[/quote] I've tried that but I don't know if it's my bass or my strings (hybrids) but it sounds well boomy when I play like that. So yeah I'm playing with my fingertips and tugging quite hard I think judging by the blisters I'm getting on my index finger. At least I can switch to the side of my fingers when it starts to hurt. I also have a bit of trouble (due to the boominess) hearing the intonation well on lower notes when I use the fat of my finger, I think that's why I'm naturally avoiding doing it like that.

OK well I'm still trying to concentrate on good technique habits, and things are coming along gradually so I'm pleased with that. Stamina is improving quickly now that I'm making sure I get an hour each day on the bass. Having a right-hand issue though: I've found I'm anchoring my ring finger on the E string whenever I play any of the higher strings. I've tried to stop doing it but I end up with a bad sound when plucking the A because my finger comes to a stop quite hard against the E and makes a loud thump that interferes with the attack of the note. Is anchoring my ring finger like this a bad thing to do - should I strive to not do it? I think I do it on bass guitar too, I think that's where it's come from and why I'm having trouble not doing it. It's hard not to do it without curling my third and fourth fingers into my palm (which of course makes moving the other two quite difficult).

Oh, and: There really isn't any reason not to use a "guitar" delay on bass. Analogue delays tend to decompose the repeats, so if you'd prefer to keep your echoed bass frequencies (or treble) then it'll be worth shopping for one with a voice that you like, but ultimately any delay is suitable for bass.

I don't like maple fingerboards, they seem to feel sticky to me, look dirty often, and I don't think they look right on most basses (too bright). I've only ever owned one bass with a maple board - an old Yamaha I had. Everything else has been rosewood or ebony.

The Boss RE-20 might be worth a look (it's basically a modeled RE-201 Space Echo). I think on bass you really need tap tempo to make good use of time-based effects.

I always find those little 'starter' practice amps to be worse than useless. You don't get to hear what your bass sounds like and you can't really sell them on because nobody wants one. I would avoid bundles like that, personally.

[quote name='Bilbo' post='758050' date='Feb 26 2010, 11:47 AM']There is also my 1999 aborted double bass experience that should have turned out differently. I am doing something about that now but do regret the wasted decade of not playing the instrument. Would love to have that back!![/quote] Yeah I really regret not trying harder the last time I decided to take up double bass (15 years ago). Should've got it set up properly and it wouldn't have scared me off so easily.

That is cool, and the coolest thing about it is how much the audience enjoyed it. Singing is the ultimate feel-good activity.

I took a pair of scissors to an old neoprene mouse mat. Cut one strip so it just wedged nicely under all the strings, then cut another one the same in case I wanted super-thumpy. I usually just use the one strip though, right infront of the bridge on my Jazz. I don't know if a nylon sponge would be stiff enough but give it a go anyway. If not mousemats are two or three quid.

I don't let randoms touch my basses (except this old orange Jazz I had years ago but I'd butchered that thing) but I don't mind other bands using my amp, especially if they're younger guys - I remember when I couldn't afford a half-decent amp and having to take my 1x15 combo to gigs on the bus.

[quote name='Musicman69' post='755727' date='Feb 24 2010, 01:36 AM']I think if it suits the music and the other musicians, particularly the guitarists, it can work. Best with a guitar on clear and maybe the other with modulated effects or even an acoustic. 3 distorted instruments playing at once probably wont sound like much unless youre slightly deranged.[/quote] +1. I used to use a lot of fuzz in a band where the guitarist preferred playing around with delays and filters, it worked very nicely. Listen to Ed O'Brien's sound on Radiohead's Exit Music (For A Film), although we were a lot more beat-driven and electronic than that.

Thanks Jake, I may well do. Yeah Chris is a good guy to know and I'm really keen to get some proper lessons with him now, he's obviously very disciplined in his approach and hopefully some of that will rub off, he's been very supportive ever since I first called about buying a bass and I think I was really lucky to bump into him last year. The left-hand technique is the hardest part for me I think, because I taught myself bass guitar, never played any other instrument, never had any formal music education. I've found that the technique you both recommend feels right when I'm doing it but predictably my concentration drifts and I find I slip into bad habits. It's hard to keep all that in mind while still getting used to the scale length, concentrating on intonation and so on. Still enjoying myself though so it won't be hard to stick at it. I think it will improve my bass guitar playing in a few different respects too. Great instrument and I wish I'd taken it seriously earlier.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5-1H7R-6-w"]Big Muffed bass FTW[/url].

Well my prospective teacher's just been round and I've been sternly reprimanded for my sloppy fingering (unorthodox third finger usage) and had a few other things explained to me. Going to try to get a lesson in next week if he can fit me in, he's also going to bring round a bunch of written material for me to work from. He also thinks he's found a bow for me which he'll be bringing next week if he thinks it's up to snuff. Top guy - so glad I bought from him now and not some random seller I don't know. He also said Jake's left-hand technique is bang on and exactly the way I should be doing it, so thanks for that Jake. I'm going to have to be much more disciplined about this than I am with bass guitar that's for sure.

I've pretty much always sung harmony in all the bands I've done. The quality of my voice isn't that nice but it doesn't matter so long as I'm not the only one singing. My current band does occasionally do the odd Toots & The Maytals song in rehearsals if we feel like it (but we don't gig covers), and the one I like singing on most is the silly falsetto part on [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_St8Kbo4uwU"]Sweet & Dandy[/url].

[quote name='silddx' post='754897' date='Feb 23 2010, 12:37 PM'] I was talking about [b]inspiration [/b]not getting a good deal. Even so, I am not at all clear on the point you are trying to make.[/quote] I think it's like that strange thing the Americans believe about how giving tax breaks to the richest people makes everybody wealthy.

Yeah my index finger's throbbing a bit - haven't had that since I used to play BG with a bad amp... Looks like little and often is the answer then. I'll have to try getting 2 short practises in each day, see if that accelerates things a bit.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='754047' date='Feb 22 2010, 04:56 PM']also, check out this thread for more pics and general advice on the same: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=67545&pid=741820&st=40&#entry741820"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry741820[/url][/quote] OK mister I've tried doing my thumb like what your thumb does and that. It's hard, and it gives me a bit of a crampy feeling in the fleshy bit at the base of my thumb after a while. Originally I was pointing my thumb upwards and it was behind my first finger, which felt more natural. BUT... I noticed after persevering that my bicep was starting to ache from practicing, so does that mean I'm doing it right (and I have girls biceps)? Is this my arm doing more of the work like you suggested? I've also found I can only use my thumb like that with my wrist straight which I suppose is a good thing too. [quote name='slobluesine' post='754387' date='Feb 22 2010, 09:11 PM']2. get a Powerball... [url="http://www.powerballs.com/music.php?m=Benefits"]http://www.powerballs.com/music.php?m=Benefits[/url][/quote] I always figured those were just snake oil filled injury-making devices, are they actually good for something? [quote name='guyl' post='754340' date='Feb 22 2010, 08:35 PM']You might find that you are approaching DB in the same way that you play BG. It's easy to try to be too busy on upright. That big bull will sound cool with 1 note a bar. Take it easy! Relax![/quote] Nah I figured that out early on. Just need to develop good taste now. I don't seem to hurt as much if my arm keeps moving, it's playing repetitive figures (rocksteady basslines for example) that really make me ache, which is unavoidable because my band wants to go out and do some old rocksteady tunes. Ho hum. And I think I've figured out that the back ache might be from... dancing! I can't seem to stand still while I'm playing this thing.

[quote name='macmellus' post='754222' date='Feb 22 2010, 06:53 PM']I really feel like I'm playing it as a musical instrument now, rather than it being this gym workout machine that i'm obliged to go on, because it cost me so much money.[/quote] Hahaha [quote name='macmellus' post='754222' date='Feb 22 2010, 06:53 PM']Don't be dis-heartened if you don't seem to be making any progress. Once you can relax, you'll love it, and everyone will love you, because you play double bass, and they'll want to give you lots of money too.[/quote] The love of everyone in the world will be a decent reward I suppose. Hopefully that also includes physical acts of love from several ladies at once. Thanks for your post, it's nice to hear from someone who's done it.

[quote name='jakesbass' post='754047' date='Feb 22 2010, 04:56 PM']I don't want to be alarmist, but you have no frame of reference coming from BG as to whether or not your posture is correct, this could lead to injury so caution is required. I think it's safe to assume that if the pains you are getting are anything over and above tiredness then your posture and technique are [i]at least[/i] sub optimal. I use that terminology because optimising is exactly what you want to do to get the most out of your muscles and of course this is a new set of tasks for them.[/quote] I think my arm is definitely just tired/cramping but I will look into it. Any other thumb position I've tried seems to mean more effort is required to stop notes but maybe I'm missing a trick. My lower back is pretty weak to begin with and it doesn't like having to constantly adjust to balance out upper body movement (I often get the same aches from doing the washing up). I am standing straight through, leaning the bass in towards me a little rather than leaning over to it. [quote name='jakesbass' post='754047' date='Feb 22 2010, 04:56 PM']In a nutshell... Get some lessons.[/quote] I do intend to, it's just finding the time at the moment (and my choice of teacher is even busier it seems). [quote name='TPJ' post='754049' date='Feb 22 2010, 04:56 PM']When I recently got back into DB, I just played 10 mins a day every day for a few weeks to build strength. It helps if the bass is set up correctly for you too.[/quote] I don't think I can blame the setup, it's quite low (I can wedge my fingertips between string and fingerboard at the bridge end). I think I'll just have to try what you did - short and frequent practise times. It's frustrating though because I often have to go away for a couple of days and I feel like I end up back at square one. Grr. Edit: Jake I will have a proper look at your left hand position photos this evening, thanks for that.

I'm really enjoying the sound and feel of DB but I am currently disappointed that I'm not physically up to the job of playing it. I'm struggling with left arm stamina (either my hand starting to cramp a bit from the stretch in lower positions or my whole arm getting tired from holding it up), and I've found that I often get aches in my lower back, not from leaning over or bad posture particularly but I think from being tense and constantly adjusting my stance as I get used to holding the thing. Any advice for getting over these bugbears or is it just a case of practicing until I can play for longer / get more comfortable with it? The guy who sold me the bass suggested we have a little jam today and I had to turn him down because I just can't play it for more than a couple of minutes at a time without having to stop and rest either my arm or back briefly.

[quote name='chris_b' post='753347' date='Feb 21 2010, 10:51 PM']I think you need a 500 watt amp and a 410 cab.[/quote] I think 500W heads are nice, no worries about being loud enough or distorting or anything. But there are alternatives to 410 cabs now that are smaller and lighter and do a surprisingly good job.

[quote name='silddx' post='752892' date='Feb 21 2010, 03:47 PM']Because I got turned down for a job at Netto.[/quote] Me too, said I was underqualified.