Double bass anyone?

GeddyBass2112 · 02-10-2011, 03:57 PM

Damn, I seriously want a double bass, especially since someone lent me a few jazz CDs containing Charlie Mingus tracks (Goodbye Pork Pie Hat is a personal fave I've got on right now).

Anyone here play? I'm an electric bassist normally, but I have a pretty decent skill with violin and cello.

Burning Down · 02-10-2011, 04:45 PM

I play a little bit - I'm learning it in a strings class at school. It's strung and tuned exactly the same way as an electric bass (E A D G, from left to right). It's a little harder on the fingers (if you want to play it that way) because of the flatwound strings but you get used to it. As for finding the placement of notes, there's plenty of charts available on the internet and in music stores. The internet ones are usually free though

. Since you have some experience with violin (I know cello is closer in size but it's tuned differently), you might not have too much trouble finding the notes. Just rely on your ears (and maybe have a keyboard or piano at the ready so you can be sure your playing the note in tune), then mark the spot with some fret tape

GeddyBass2112 · 02-11-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

I play a little bit - I'm learning it in a strings class at school. It's strung and tuned exactly the same way as an electric bass (E A D G, from left to right). It's a little harder on the fingers (if you want to play it that way) because of the flatwound strings but you get used to it. As for finding the placement of notes, there's plenty of charts available on the internet and in music stores. The internet ones are usually free though

. Since you have some experience with violin (I know cello is closer in size but it's tuned differently), you might not have too much trouble finding the notes. Just rely on your ears (and maybe have a keyboard or piano at the ready so you can be sure your playing the note in tune), then mark the spot with some fret tape

Ah, it's like learning violin all over again...

I believe there's some mathematical formula for working out note position for basses....except I'm not very good at math.

Burning Down · 02-11-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeddyBass2112

Ah, it's like learning violin all over again...

I believe there's some mathematical formula for working out note position for basses....except I'm not very good at math.

I think it's more about using your ears, which is why it's nice to have a piano or keyboard around, or at the very least, a tuner of some sort.

GeddyBass2112 · 02-12-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

I think it's more about using your ears, which is why it's nice to have a piano or keyboard around, or at the very least, a tuner of some sort.

If push comes to shove, I will take the bass down to my church (which is virtually silent during the week) and work with the pianist there to match the pitches. I'm hopefully going to be accompanying this pianist during performances anyway, it's a good chance to practice.

Howard the Duck · 02-12-2011, 11:53 AM

i've played one before but it all came out very Beefheart-ish

(I don't think that's a good thing)

GeddyBass2112 · 02-12-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

i've played one before but it all came out very Beefheart-ish

(I don't think that's a good thing)

You should have said you were playing atonal music...

Howard the Duck · 02-12-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeddyBass2112

You should have said you were playing atonal music...

more like microtonal music

GeddyBass2112 · 02-12-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

more like microtonal music

Haha!

Burning Down · 02-12-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeddyBass2112

If push comes to shove, I will take the bass down to my church (which is virtually silent during the week) and work with the pianist there to match the pitches. I'm hopefully going to be accompanying this pianist during performances anyway, it's a good chance to practice.

Hey, whatever works for you! Plus you'll have another set of ears to help you

02-10-2011, 03:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
GeddyBass2112 Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Posts: 165	Double bass anyone? Damn, I seriously want a double bass, especially since someone lent me a few jazz CDs containing Charlie Mingus tracks (Goodbye Pork Pie Hat is a personal fave I've got on right now). Anyone here play? I'm an electric bassist normally, but I have a pretty decent skill with violin and cello.

02-10-2011, 04:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	I play a little bit - I'm learning it in a strings class at school. It's strung and tuned exactly the same way as an electric bass (E A D G, from left to right). It's a little harder on the fingers (if you want to play it that way) because of the flatwound strings but you get used to it. As for finding the placement of notes, there's plenty of charts available on the internet and in music stores. The internet ones are usually free though . Since you have some experience with violin (I know cello is closer in size but it's tuned differently), you might not have too much trouble finding the notes. Just rely on your ears (and maybe have a keyboard or piano at the ready so you can be sure your playing the note in tune), then mark the spot with some fret tape

02-12-2011, 11:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
Howard the Duck Live by the Sword Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 9,075	i've played one before but it all came out very Beefheart-ish (I don't think that's a good thing)