started learning to play double bass... thoughts

[jbn4001]

Hi,

I'm normally a lurker round these parts, but I thought I'd post thoughts on my quest to learn to play doublebass. I'm in my 30s and have played electric bass since my teens. In the last 4years or so I've got into playing jazz and jazz fusion... so I guess it was only a matter of time before I felt myself being drawn towards DB.. it's such a lovely sound.

Before getting stuck in, I did have a good read on the DB forum here. I have the beginnings of an inflammatory arthritis which sometimes makes my joints (wrist in particular) painful. Hence, I have been very careful in approaching playing a DB. There is some good advice on how to physically approach DB here:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=67545&hl=pain+no+gain"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...hl=pain+no+gain[/url]


This thread inspired me to get in touch with Bilbo and subsequently Jakesbass. I think Bilbo had similar concerns to myself in not wanting to incur any injury and/or unneccesary pain in playing DB.

I have had 3 lessons at this point.. 2 of which occurred BEFORE I even got a DB! The reason for this is so that I didn't go nuts trying to play the thing and picking up bad habits which I would then have to correct.

Last weekend, I picked up a DB for rent. The only one I'd played previously was the teacher's for 2hrs in his house. I thought I'd rent one initially to simply get used to DB (and also, if it proved impossible to play due to my arthritis problems, I could simply return it). I live in Essex, and rented one at a reasonable price (£30/month) from Thwaites in Watford:
[url="http://www.thwaites.com/"]http://www.thwaites.com/[/url]

IMHO, I think it was right to have guidance in advance. A double bass neck is usually approx 105cm (approx 41 inches I believe).. which is HUGE - at least I think so compared to electric bass! The string tension compared to electric bass is much greater. Therefore the effort to press one of these strings (the E string in particular) to the fingerboard can be considerable. BUT, if done correctly, one can reduce the effort required in order to minimise strain on hands, wrists and arms. The trick is not to squeeze/clamp the neck between fingers and thumb like a vice.. see the thread above for a better description than I can give and check out Jakesbass's screenshots.

Due to issues with my wrists as mentioned previously, I'm taking my time in building up stamina .. you can get a few aches and pains where you didn't expect .. posture/stance is equally important to left /right hand approach. But the great thing is, because I was shown the most ergonomic/safe approach.. I'm already playing notes cleanly and (relatively) in tune. My wrist /arm still tires easily, but I'd expect this due to just starting out. I'm really not playing for much more than 15-20 minutes at a time at the moment, just slowly building up.

... and I'm loving it because it sounds great If you are thinking of taking up double bass, don't let my cautious approach put you off. However, I would really echo the sentiments of Bilbo, Jakesbass and others on here [b]to learn the basics of playing the instrument correctly[/b] . Sure, I have existing issues which have caused me to be more careful.. BUT I say, why risk injury, even if you start out on DB with no prior physical problems. It's a lovely instrument, but it's sheer size and scale means it should be treated with respect.. I don't think it's something one can just "pick up" like electric bass or guitar. Just sayin'

[i]So finally, I want to say a big thankyou to [b]Bilbo[/b] and [b]Jakesbass[/b]. Both gave me guidance and advice over PMs on basschat.[/i]

I also went over to Jake's house to have a very useful and thorough lesson in the basics of DB. Jake tailored the lesson to my needs, and really homed in on proper stance, left hand/arms etc. in great detail to ensure that I walked away with the info retained in my head to practise at home with. So I'd certainly recommend a double bass lesson (I believe he also teaches electric) with Jake if you can get to /live near Aldershot. I had a 2 hr lesson as it was a fairly long drive to get there.. but I can say it was well worth it.

If you got this far, thanks for reading, and hope the above may be of use if any of you are thinking of starting with DB. Once I get more proficient with this thing, I may even post a recording. Haven't progressed from 1st position at a fairly humble slow tempo as yet.. so don't hold you're breath for that

Cheers,
jbn4001

[Bilbo]

Glad to have been of help.

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='jbn4001' post='967226' date='Sep 24 2010, 10:53 PM']Last weekend, I picked up a DB for rent. The only one I'd played previously was the teacher's for 2hrs in his house. I thought I'd rent one initially to simply get used to DB (and also, if it proved impossible to play due to my arthritis problems, I could simply return it). I live in Essex, and rented one at a reasonable price (£30/month) from Thwaites in Watford:
[url="http://www.thwaites.com/"]http://www.thwaites.com/[/url][/quote]


Thanks for that I have just given them a call, I should be picking one up on Saturday.

[jakenewmanbass]

Thanks for the kind words... jbn4001.
Wayne, nice one you'll have fun...