Watch The Video Lesson

This is lesson DB-8, How to Hold the Bass, and is a continuation of my journal of things I have learned as a beginning adult double bass student.  Be sure to check out my Double Bass Lessons page for a complete list of all of my lessons!

Unlike the bass guitar, or violin you don’t actually “hold” the double bass. It just stands there! Michael Klinghoffer has a nice video on the subject that was helpful to me. It all seems pretty simple and natural. As Kenny Werner says, you need to become one with your instrument. Once you have found a comfortable position, either standing or sitting, it will become second nature to you. On the other hand, if you want to get technical about it, Franz Simandl in his “New Method for the Double Bass” has this to say:

The Position of the Player
In taking his position next to the instrument, the player must stand in such a way that the weight of his body will be born principally by the left foot, the right foot being advanced for the distance of a short step, and in an outward direction. The body must be held as quietly as possible and in a perfectly upright manner. The instrument is placed in front to the left, in such a way that it will incline somewhat, but very slightly, in a backward direction towards the player, and allowing the back right edge of the instrument to fit into the left thigh of the player.

Watch The Video Lesson

About Accessories for the Bass

This is lesson DB-7, “What Kind of Accessories Should I Get For the Bass?” and is a continuation of  my journal of things I have learned as a beginning adult double bass student.    Be sure to check out my Double Bass Lessons page for a complete list of all of my lessons!

OK…..What kind of accessories should I get?

Rosin

I know this is a very subjective and passionate subject among many folks and I am certainly no expert.  All I can say at this point is that I know that each rosin is different and what works best for one person’s style and instrument may not work for another.  In the past year I have already tried four different types of rosin:  Pop’s Upright Bass Rosin, Nyman Bass Rosin, and two different grades of Kolstein rosin — Kolstein Ultra Formulation Supreme Bass Rosin Soft and Kolstein Supreme Formulation Rosin Bass All Weather.

Today I am using the Kolstein soft rosin as it seems to have the right grip for my black horse hair bow and Zyex strings.

Electronic tuner

I use and recommend the Korg AW2 Clip-on Chromatic Orchestral Instrument Tuner.

• Clip-on chromatic tuners that attach directly to a wind instrument or string instrument for cable-free tuning
• AW2 includes two clips (large and small) to accommodate a variety of orchestral instruments
• Double ball-joint allows multi-angle positioning with far greater mobility for the display section
  Internal backlight ensures excellent visibility even on a dimly lit stage
• Energy-saving Auto mode automatically switches to the low-power Soft mode when no sound is present

Soft Cloth

If you have kids, a cloth diaper works great for polishing and cleaning your instrument.  For use at a gig or orchestra, I have a black washcloth that is inconspicuous when used on stage.

A Bass Stand

If you want to keep your bass safe from damage while it is not being used and not in a case, use a stand.  It also makes it handy to grab the bass when you get the impulse to start practicing.  I use a stand by Ingles: Ingles Adjustable Cello and Bass Stand

Padded Bass Bag

Get one with wheels if you don’t like to carry it.

Edge Protectors

One of the first accessories I bought were these leather edge protectors from Gollihur Music.  I put them on both sides of my bass to make sure the edges don’t get chewed up from sitting on the ground.  Due to its size, it’s hard to not bump and ding the bass, but I wanted to do what I could to prevent damage.

A Stool

If you play in an orchestra setting it is traditional to sit on a stool while playing.  The size and height of the stool will depend on your height and the size of your bass and your personal preferences.  There are specialty bass player stools on the market that you can spend a lot of money on, or you can get something on the cheap like I did.  My stool is a bamboo rattan one and the nice thing about it is that it is very light, which my body appreciates when I have to carry it any distance.

Fingerboard markers

If you are crossing over from bass guitar or any fretted instrument as you are starting out it is helpful to have a visual reference on the fingerboard as to where certain notes and intervals are located.  Often you will see beginner string players with tape on the fingerboard.  I didn’t want to be that obvious, so I opted for some discrete dots on the side of the fingerboard which only I can see when I am playing.  I used “white out”, which can be easily removed, to make some small dots along the side of the fingerboard that is closest to me to mark what on the bass guitar would be the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th and 24th frets.

Heavy Duty Binder Clip

This is a great idea for hanging your bow on. Also good for securing music, or keeping a worn out music stand from shrinking.  Look for them at an office supply store.

A bag

Use it to put all your little things in. Like music, tuner, rosin, cloth, etc. A bag like this one works really well. The shoulder strap comes in handy when your hands are full.

A music stand

Unless you want to tape your music to the wall, it’s a must.  I have a folding stand made by On-Stage that is very sturdy when set up and a cinch to fold up.

A music stand light

For those dark winter days when you have nothing to do but practice get a light you can clip on your stand such as the Manhasset 1000 School Music Stand Light Lamp.  Also, get a battery operated LED light to keep in your bag in case you are at a gig and it is too dark to see like this Mighty Bright Duet Music Stand Light.