timbo1978

Took these last night at the filming of a short promotional video we are making. Was a lot of fun

Hope your enjoying the new bass

[quote name='Rabbie' timestamp='1375313734' post='2159779'] I will not get any good at arco any time soon: my wife doesn't let me practice with the bow because she says it scares the baby...possibly only scary when I play it... [/quote] I'm with you there. I've spent the winter practicing in the garage, although it's hard to get the full range of movement while wearing 14 layers.

Keeping a portion of your budget for luthier is a wise idea. I play a bosey & hawks laminate that cost me £600 15 years ago. A new bridge, strings, a preamp (if your gigging), makes a major difference. Owning a double bass is a beautiful thing

I just bought this kindle book by John Patitucci, which claims to present arpeggios in a more engaging way than John has experience in using bass guides . Anyone else used it, any good?

Definitely try for second hand kit rather than cheap and nasty. With a pick up and preamp the PA can sound fine. With amps it seems to be either pay out for an expensive one designed for upright, or pour through the bass guitar amp specs to find one the right input level for a piezo pickup. **in my limited experience that is!**

All the best with your travels. I'm sure it'll all be worth it

Are the flights cheap? I have an old Rufus Reid book that shows how to bring a bass onto a plane (upside down with shoulder on seat, head towards the floor) if you could get the cheapest flight with a budget airline it might work? Living near Belfast I have often wondered what I'll do when I graduate to a decent bass. Watching this thread with interest!

Sounds great I play a few of those tracks with a trio I'm in so it's nice to hear what you do with them.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1389627648' post='2336268'] I have a 'trick' gleaned from amateur theatrics... I will learn a piece, piece by piece, backwards. That's to say, I'll choose a 'chunk' at the end (maybe a line or two, or a page...). I'll get that down 'pat'. I'll add a second 'chunk' immediately preceding. In mastering this, I'll continue naturally into the ending, which I have already done. Once these two under my belt, on the the preceding chunk... Rinse and repeat until all is done. Each time, one is moving into one's 'comfort zone', and repeating more and more towards the end of the whole piece. This means being increasingly confident as the piece progresses. Works for me... [/quote] That really makes sense! Thanks Dad3353

Would love one of those basses! Enjoy! Pics welcome

Wow, apart from the Guinness one I don't really warm up at all. Does it make a big difference? Great advice guys. Tim

A couple of posts here mention warming up - what do you normally do before playing?

Ubassman, I think it was you, posted a link to a kindle book on AT for the double bass which I've been reading. It seems a very well considered approach and has been a great introduction/prompt to release tension while playing. I have been a bit confused as the book seems to discourage using arm weight in terms of left hand technique, in favour of clamping the string against the finger board between the fingers and the thumb. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alexander-Technique-Approach-Double-Bass-ebook/dp/B004JKMSSE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389133147&sr=8-1&keywords=Alexander+technique+for+double+bass Would be interested in any other resources out there?

Nice clean sound.

Might even go for a bit of yoga!

Hector, that sounds good. My new years resolution is definitely to get my practicing in order, and I think a longer session made up of 20 minute stints on the various areas might work best. Definitely with an overview on awareness of tension, posture etc, as I am learning from the Alexander technique book.

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1387321149' post='2310794'] Hasten to add that the title is :- [b] An Alexander Technique Approach to Double Bass Technique[/b] [/quote] Got it!

Thanks for all your comments! Yes, I can see how playing the bass is the best exercise for bass playing. I guess because it is the bass that is causing the discomfort I was looking for something else for a solution. I have heard of the Alexander technique but will read into it some more, and will try those exercises in the first instance. A good motivator to practice more frequently if nothing else!

Just wondering if anyone has employed any particular methods for building strength in their wrists/arms/hands? Was thinking of getting one of those power ball things? I still get achy after playing for a couple of hours, despite trying to improve my technique - really want to start the new year by shaking off this problem!!!

Good job mate. The more double bass on the tele the better!!!

My best tip is to use one of those guitar tuners that clip onto the guitar head, clipped onto my bridge. It's clip is padded so it makes no sound and can stay in play during gigs and be quickly turned on if I need to check my tuning. Works a treat.

I'll keep a note of your email address for next year (really can't spend any more on my bass this year). +1 on wondering if it will improve the tone/volume of my Boosey Hawkes ply.