Upright Bass Advice???

[Bad Intentionz]

Hi. I'm hoping some people can offer some advice for me.
I've recently been interested in learning to play the upright bass. I have looked at regular electric basses in the past but much prefer the sound of the upright.

What is the best way to go about learning such an instrument. Should I start with a standard electric bass to learn chords etc since they have a fretted neck or can you get lessons straight off on an upright?

I know this may sound like a silly question but It's just to get an idea on how to go about it all.

Thanks
James

[IvanSC]

lecky bassist who has an upright.

Get lessons or teach yourself from books and internet on upright straight away.

I bought a knackered old upright cheaply and have quite a lot of fun making thuddy noises on it.

Totally different technique for everything from hand positions to note production.

[Steve Hill]

I agree with Ivan - no point really learning electric bass first as they are chalk and cheese. I'd probably get at least a few lessons too though - just to make sure you're holding things right etc. (And don't forget you have the additional option of bowing notes on an upright, once you've learned how).

[Bad Intentionz]

Thanks for the help. I've done some looking into music schools in my area. I've found one that thats not too far away that has a guy who teaches the upright bass. I think they said it's £25 per hour for lessons.

When i spoke to them they asked if i would be interested in learnig to read music. They went on to say that there is quite a shortage of session bassists that can actually read music. Is this true?

While talking to them they recommended hiring one first to see how it goes. I found a shop that has a rent to buy option that seems a good idea since there is no commitment to acually buy the instrument.

[IvanSC]

Whether it is true or not, I somehow doubt you`ll be ready for session work in the immediate future.

Good luck and have fun.

Be careful to warm your hands up before playing - I spent years just grabbing my bass and playing & am now suffeng the consequences.

[Bad Intentionz]

Thanks Ivan.
I too think it'll be a while till im up to session standard. Couple of years at least im guessing.
A few friends seem quite suprised that I've chosen to leaarn this instrument. I think they see it as more of an orchestral instrument and dont seem to realise some of the various uses it could have.

I've heard a few people mention how painfull it can be playing the upright compared to a bass guitar.
How would I go about warming up by the way?

James

[IvanSC]

Start by rubbing them together to get them physically warm, then start doing GENTLE stretching exercises to limber up the fingers.

Also very gentle stretching of your thumb as well. Remember most of this relates to the left hand, but do both.
You`ll find this gradually eases you into the more contorted finger positions you have to get into an just about any stringed instrumrnt.

I now have osteo arthritis pretty bad in my left thumb,index, middle and little finger through not doing this over the years.
Oh and trigger finger in my right middle and index, as well.

[Bad Intentionz]

I now have osteo arthritis pretty bad in my left thumb,index, middle and little finger through not doing this over the years.
Oh and trigger finger in my right middle and index, as well.

Ouch! not good, hope it doesn't affect your playing too much. Can imagine it's quite painfull at times.
That'll definately be me warming up first!

The shop I spoke to today has no uprights for hire at the moment whats your opinion of the cheap (chinese I assume) basses from places like this

http://www.djmmusic.com/items.asp?Cc=DoubleBass&CatMoveby=0&Nbm=&Pbm=&FromNav=

http://www.gear4music.com/String_Instruments/Double_Bass.html?gclid=CLPH5byb3ZgCFQxHQwodthULdg

Are they any good for starting out on or should I hold fire till I can hire one?
Also when looking at the sizes I know the most common size is the 3/4. Im about 6' 1" (quite lanky!) would it be worth looking into maybe a 4/4 size bass?

James

[Dan LB]

They all should have a spike so you can get them up to a height that's good for you, so 3/4 size should be fine.

I used to have an upright that I bought from www.thomann.de It was fine for a beginner and actually sounded quite good. I spent about €800 on it at the time. I've long since sold it as I didn't really have the space to keep it and I never really got to grips with playing anything constructive on it anyway. Mainly just faffed about with it for 'that' sound! Maybe I was holding it wrong, but I found it an absolute bugger to play for any length of time over 5 mins. My left hand started to cramp up. Perhaps I should have got some lessons.

Anyways, I just saw on thomann that they have THESE for sale. It would be a fair bit smaller than a 3/4 size acoustic so I might have room for one! Just another option to throw out there. I've no idea if they'd be any good though.

Dan

[Bad Intentionz]

Thanks Dan

Had more of a look on the net and no one seems to bother with anything but the 3/4 sizes.

I've had a think about it and decided to hang on till I can hire one. I think it would be better to see how lessons go and then spend more on one if I do take to it. I have a tendacy to get an idea like this then get board quite quickly. I'm pretty sure I want to learn the upright though.
I've wanted to play the bass guitar for a while but not got round to getting one. The more I've heard the upright the more i've wanted to learn it.

Im not too sure what the electric uprights are like. They do seem like a very good product for the musician who travels a lot or is limited to space. Not sure if they would still have such a warm sound as an acoustic though. If you get round to hearing one it would be interesting to know what they're like.

James

[IvanSC]

I have played a Clevinger, a Baby Clevinger, a NK4 and a palatino.
OH! and an pld hofner one from the fifties/sixties

The longer scale ones (40"+) actaully play like a regular upright but all the fcheaper ones soudned like flabby bass guitars.

The NK4 was especially nasty, bass guitar scale length and sound.

Get a proper upright.
Even my crapola one sounds like a proper upright.
The electric ones don`t until you are paying into the mid to high four figures.

[ROLO46]

Was recording acoustic and electric upright bass today
The acoustic sounded fab when on the stage (large resonant enclosure to excite)
But when they moved to the floor of the hall so they could hear one another better this sound expired
The electric now excelled, a direct output from the amp on XLR was exceptionally clean and detailed with finger noise much reduced
However the acoustic ensemble preferred the acoustic bass for its bloom, this was not borne out at the mixer
I am a convert.
Roger

[Dan LB]

Ivan, I've also played a nice Clevinger. Thought it sounded very good for an electric but I would also agree that only a true acoustic can achieve 'that' sound.

Dan

[Phil Ward]

James,

There's loads of good advice here but I'd suggest you also go and post over at basschat.co.uk

Phil

[Madman_Greg]

If you need help spreading the finances (interest free) do not forget about this.

http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/takeitaway/index.php

Even if you have the money in the bank, always worth using someone elses

[jrbcm]

I too think it'll be a while till im up to session standard. Couple of years at least im guessing.

I do hope you're joking.....

[Bad Intentionz]

Sorry I haven't been online for a while.
Thanks for all the advice too. I'll definately look into the arts council site. Cash isn't great at the moment and would rather spent a couple of thou on one rather than a cheap horrible sounding bass.
I am still thinking about holding on to see if i can hire one for a year or so first. See if I stick with it before spending out on a new bass.

The more I've looked into things I now doubt I'll be anywhere near session standard for well over 2 years. I can only get a one hour lesson each week. I think I was being a bit optimistic on that one!