ubassman

Looks like you were in your element Pete!

[quote name='mtroun' timestamp='1376753649' post='2178732'] You'd have to pry most of my favourite books out of my cold, dead hands! [/quote] .... !!

...Id like to know who sweet talked Edicson Ruiz to play in the quintet !

Have you ruled out that theres not something else 'postural' going on other than just playing for long periods of time ? I only say this in that I regularly have double 3 hour long rehearsals split with a 2 hour lunch break. Great for growing calluses on both hands but so far to date I haven't had the misfortune to suffer from aching tendons . I do sit when I play and it means that I don't support any weight at all with my hands - the instrument is supported on my knees and body leaving my hands completely free to do what they want. One of the hard issues standing for a long time is keeping the instrument still, upright and vertical such that the hands aren't doing any work to 'lend a hand' ...could it be that that is going on?

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1376645616' post='2177196'] The string game is a tough one, based on how particular players sound on particular basses, [/quote] Too true Hector! The challenge is that each bass has its own unique fingerprint in terms of engineering, construction , set up , craftsmanship , tone, playability, sound etc. Strings on the other hand are produced in factory conditions to give a reliable and repeatable product. The difference in the mensur alters the tension and sound of a string, the quality of the bridge affects the tone, the height of the bridge affects string tension and loudness, the thickness of the top can produce a mellow rich tone or a more brittle sound ....no two basses are alike ! but you got to have a starting point and I think recommendation from fellow players is as good as it gets !

Interestingly I play no18 very differently - starting in 3rd position rather than 1st !

The virtuoso stuff is all inspirational to listen to Found this link to Mark Urness who has covered the first 21 exercises of Bottesini's Method books no 1 - heres no 18 [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_uCBXZcU8s&feature=c4-overview&list=UUrPG-KiJer9VlMvG_SXpz_Q"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_uCBXZcU8s&feature=c4-overview&list=UUrPG-KiJer9VlMvG_SXpz_Q[/url]

...if you visit this thread don't leave without voting !

If this is something that you want to try then what you will need is to go to your local Decathalon ( or search on line) and visit the swimming section. Its an aqua aerobics float with a connector. Total price £5.00 plus a bit of dowel which works to get the exact distance and tweak the set of the rig. I have put some black marks so that the whole thing can be dismantled and reassembled and the Stagg sits robustly and stationary . Most importantly it feels 'invisible' and mimics where I hold my DB . I took some time to take some measurements with the set and angle of my DB ( where the points of contact are ..for me the left knee carries most weight, how far the fingerboard was from my shoulder socket, where the ebony nut comes above my left ear, I lined up an imaginary point where A string would project to if it carried on extending to the floor - all helps to get the angle of the Stagg fingerboard and make adjustments to the end pin height to get the instrument in the right position. Works perfectly for me although I imagine that I am a minority of bass players who sit ! Heres what you need - no cutting needed !!

So heres the solution for anyone who is also trying to mimic a DB bass and sits down ! The angle is a bit distorted and may look strange in the photo but the 'rig' holds the Stagg in exactly the place where it needs to be ( everyone will be different).

i.e. it needs to be more like in this position but there is no support to do that :

The Stagg lies flat across the lap which makes the angles really very very different and means that you have to lift the instrument vertically into place and use the left hand to support the instrument whilst playing i.e. its not freestanding when you are seated.

Ok heres the problem ...I can support my Double Bass so that its freestanding when I sit down ( my hands are free to move up and down unrestricted).

Just been playing around with comparing and trying to get the Stagg fingerboard into the same plane and angle as my DB when sat down. Because there is a good 300mm of body with the DB and only 75mm in the Stagg there are some adjustments to make. The outriggers that are supplied are fine for if you are standing but not much use when seated ....I sense another modification coming on !

...not sure on the content being orchestral . The summer masterclasses were all about the solo repertoire and I suspect that the formula will be the same .

[quote name='Owencf' timestamp='1376681747' post='2178081'] Seeing as im starting to amass a fair few books why not. its alway good to get a loan of a copy of something before you want to buy it. [/quote] It was reading your thread that inspired the idea!

Don't know how many BC-ers have seen the "PASS IT ON" part of the recycling thread? What are peoples thoughts to replicate the idea here but specifically for DB ? The concept is simple - if you have a DB method book that you would be happy to donate ( say Simandl or Ray Brown for example) or piece of music ( Grade 3 ABRSM piece for example ), or even have found a link to a free pdf set of exercises, they can be made available to other members in a dedicated DB library area . If you want to borrow the Ray Brown to see what its like for example, you put your name down in the Ray Brown thread of the library and whoever has the book will pass it on when they are done. All books get passed on from member to member. The Double Bass library could possibly be pinned like Daff's Innovation Strings as a sub forum . ...if theres enough interest then this could be put into motion subject to speaking to the powers that be ( I have run this past one of the Mods who says in principle that yes this could be done but would like to gauge interest from members ). So, vote now in the poll !

I just thought it would show a bit of love to restore the frets so that the Bass is be fully playable - nothing more than that.

not only that but also... [b]Who: [/b][color=#0000FF]Edicson Ruiz[/color] [b]Why: [/b][color=#0000FF]Bassist with the Ber[/color]lin Philharmonic Orchestra and soloist [b]What: [/b][color=#0000FF]Masterclass[/color] [b]Where[/b]: [color=#0000FF]Royal Academy of Music, London on Thursday 17th October , 6.30pm - 9.30 pm[/color] [b]How much:[/b] [color=#0000FF]Free but tickets required.[/color] More info [url="http://www.ram.ac.uk/events?event_id=2032"]about the event [/url] More info on [url="http://www.edicsonruiz.com/"]Edicson Ruiz[/url]

[b]Who: [/b][color=#0000FF]Dan Styffe[/color] [b]Why: [/b][color=#0000FF]Principal bass of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and Professor of the Norwegian Academy of Music[/color] [b]What: [/b][color=#0000FF]Masterclass[/color] [b]Where[/b]: [color=#0000FF]Royal College of Music, London on Friday 4th October , 2pm [/color] [b]How much:[/b] [color=#0000FF]Free but tickets required.[/color] More info [url="http://www.rcm.ac.uk/events/listings/details/?id=216833"]on the event[/url] More info on [url="http://www.danstyffe.com/"]Dan Styffe[/url] Anyone else going?

[quote name='MandShef' timestamp='1376596802' post='2176716'] Alina is Rinat's daughter - she's obviously inherited his musical talent. [/quote] oops! ( ....quickly thinking of a way to save face) ......still, notwithstanding that, ....must be something quite extraordinary to have a wife who can play like that !

I wonder if theres anyone who might be able to donate some fret wire and perform the necessary to restore life above 12th fret?

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1376582105' post='2176458'] Am I doing this right? I'm a jazz guy. [/quote] shhhh no one will notice ! ( ...not seen that version of the Gran Duetto - absolutely brilliant and stunningly good playing ! ...enjoyed that !! )

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1376589168' post='2176585'] If you want a posh string damper: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160704-accessorise-your-eub-with-this-seasons-must-have-string-damper/"]http://basschat.co.u...-string-damper/[/url] [/quote] ...so there are advantages after all to being the only bloke in a house with 3 women* . Mint idea * Wife + 2 daughters !

...must be something quite extraordinary to have a wife who can play like that !