Cat Burrito Posted July 9, 2009 Posted July 9, 2009 Finally after a 15yr wait, I've got a bass to be proud of! My wife agreed I could get one in 1994 & finally the time was right for me to pick one up. I've been warned about tendinitis & I have to say having played it all afternoon my forearms are a little tender already! What one piece of useful advice would have helped you in your road to learning? I've had no double bass lessons & have done little more than pick up a cheap Idiots Guide DVD on EBay. I hope you all like the pictures... they don't do it justice!!!! Quote
dougal Posted July 9, 2009 Posted July 9, 2009 Post the same question in the Double Bass / EUB section of the site. Get a lesson so you know how to play the thing without damaging yourself. Get a powerball to warm down with: I was having some trouble with stiffness. Five minutes (slow) on the powerball after playing (both wrists, bowing's quite a work-out too) really helped. Don't give up, it's so worth it. Quote
OldGit Posted July 9, 2009 Posted July 9, 2009 [quote name='dougal' post='536905' date='Jul 10 2009, 12:06 AM']Get a lesson so you know how to play the thing without damaging yourself. Get a powerball to warm down with:[/quote] +1 on those. Just back from a gig on skinny electric upright and it's hard work compared to a bass guitar but so right for that band.. A lesson with a good upright teacher (well not such an upright guy but a double bass teacher ...) got me started, pre-empted a few problems and was reassuring. The Powerball is good too. I'd not thought of warming down with it. Good idea. Best tip was the chicken wing right hand movement for plucking .. did your DVD cover that? Also it's not wimpy to use two fingers crossed as one to pluck. Quote
Cat Burrito Posted July 10, 2009 Author Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='OldGit' post='536941' date='Jul 10 2009, 12:41 AM']+1 on those. Just back from a gig on skinny electric upright and it's hard work compared to a bass guitar but so right for that band.. A lesson with a good upright teacher (well not such an upright guy but a double bass teacher ...) got me started, pre-empted a few problems and was reassuring. The Powerball is good too. I'd not thought of warming down with it. Good idea. Best tip was the chicken wing right hand movement for plucking .. did your DVD cover that? Also it's not wimpy to use two fingers crossed as one to pluck.[/quote] Thanks guys. Is the powerball this? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NSD-PowerBall-Gyro-250Hz-Amber-Classic-Power-ball-UK_W0QQitemZ130311021753QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Sporting_Goods_Exercise_Fitness_Fitness_Accessories_ET?hash=item1e572464b9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NSD-PowerBall-Gyro-2...%3A2%7C294%3A50[/url] I only ordered the DVD today so I haven't got it yet. Everything has been bluff so far (my wife has fallen for it though). I may well look into lessons (or a lesson at least - there is a credit crunch going on). Quote
OldGit Posted July 10, 2009 Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='BurritoBass' post='536960' date='Jul 10 2009, 01:12 AM']Thanks guys. Is the powerball this? [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NSD-PowerBall-Gyro-250Hz-Amber-Classic-Power-ball-UK_W0QQitemZ130311021753QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Sporting_Goods_Exercise_Fitness_Fitness_Accessories_ET?hash=item1e572464b9&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A15%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NSD-PowerBall-Gyro-2...%3A2%7C294%3A50[/url] I only ordered the DVD today so I haven't got it yet. Everything has been bluff so far (my wife has fallen for it though). I may well look into lessons (or a lesson at least - there is a credit crunch going on).[/quote] Yeah that'sit. There's a few flash (and flashing) variants but the basic thing is the same. Quote
dougal Posted July 10, 2009 Posted July 10, 2009 Powerball: I got mine from Maplin: [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=99237"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=99237[/url] Looks like the same thing. What sort of music are you going to play on said beast? Quote
Cat Burrito Posted July 10, 2009 Author Posted July 10, 2009 [quote name='dougal' post='537180' date='Jul 10 2009, 01:05 PM']What sort of music are you going to play on said beast?[/quote] Originals in an Americana / alt.country band - think retro ala Dylan / The Band or modern like Bright Eyes or My Morning Jacket. I'm happy to learn some country / bluegrass stuff as well. Quote
timloudon Posted July 10, 2009 Posted July 10, 2009 That's a lovely bass. I like the dark bridge! Get some lessons! I had one for a while and couldn't really play it properly, after a few lessons I was pretty much getting the hang of it. It takes a while, and a fair amount of discomfort but it's worth it. Quote
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