This is lesson DB-12 Left Hand Form and Fingering on the Double Bass, and is a continuation of my journal of things I have learned as an adult double bass student. See the video for a few pointers about the unique aspects of left hand positions on the neck of the double bass compared to electric bass. Be sure to check out my Double Bass Lessons page for a complete list of all of my lessons!
Key Points:
Use your finger tips, not the flat part.
Be careful to not bend your wrist too sharply. Excessive playing with a bent wrist can result in physical problems like carpal tunnel syndrome.
Finger spacing. Due to the distance between notes on the bass (except when you get to thumb position) the left hand can only cover three semi-tones without shifting. Keep your fingers spaced as shown in the picture.
Thumb location. Don’t hold the neck like a baseball bat. The thumb should about opposite the second finger.
Angling the bass backwards helps gravity apply your arm weight to the fingerboard.
This is lesson DB-11 Position Numbering on the Double Bass, and is a continuation of my journal of things I have learned as a beginning adult double bass student. See the video for a few pointers about the unique aspects of left hand positions on the neck of the double bass compared to electric bass. Be sure to check out my Double Bass Lessons page for a complete list of all of my lessons!
Being a convert, coming from electric bass and guitar world, to the double bass, I had a tough time understanding the Simandl position numbering system. It seems illogical and hard to remember to me. I decided upon a compromise. Since I expect that I may come across Simandl numbering in some orchestral arrangements, I studied his system enough to know the major landmarks, half position, ……etc.. But when I am playing, I still think in half step terms and visualize the fret arrangement on an electric bass. See the video for more info!
This is lesson DB-10 Playing Your First Notes on the Bass, and is a continuation of my journal of things I have learned as a beginning adult double bass student. See the video for a few pointers about beginning to play your first notes. Be sure to check out my Double Bass Lessons page for a complete list of all of my lessons!
For making progress in orchestral playing I am using the big “orange” Simandl bass method book and a book of bowing techniques called, “Mastering the Bow”. (I’ll talk more about jazz, blues and pop playing later.)
You can find both books on Amazon, or probably at your local music store.
F. Simandl, “New Method for the Double Bass”, published by Carl Fischer
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about Franz Simandl:
Franz Simandl (August 1, 1840 – December 15, 1912) was a double-bassist and pedagogue most remembered for his book New Method for the Double Bass, known as the Simandl book, which is to this day used as a standard study of double bass technique and hand positions.[1]
His approach uses the first, second, and fourth fingers of the left hand (the third and fourth operating together as one digit) for stopping the strings in the lower register of the instrument and divides the fingerboard into various positions.
The bowing book is called, Mastering the Bow, Studies for Bass, by Gaelen McCormick, published by Carl Fischer.
Much of what I present will be drawn from these books and I think having this grounding in technic and theory will pay off when you play pop/jazz/blues.
For this lesson, I am looking at page 6 in the Simandl book.
For now play using full bow strokes.
These are the symbols for down bow and up bow.
Bow position on strings:
Keep bow parallel to bridge and edge of fingerboard. Tip the bow slightly towards you as you play.
This is lesson DB-9, How to Hold the Bow, and is a continuation of my journal of things I have learned as a beginning adult double bass student. See the video for a few pointers about holding the bass bow. This is for the French bow. Be sure to check out my Double Bass Lessons page for a complete list of all of my lessons!
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.
