Mike

Just want to add my excellent experiences with Mark at Bass Direct ordering online, and how he replaced a TC gig bag that broke way too easily! Hope i can visit in the flesh sometime.

Hi all, looking for a black leather quiver. Thinking of this; [url="http://www.bassbags.co.uk/shop/34_22/string_accessories/double_bass_bow_quiver_black_leather.htm"]linky[/url] Any other ideas/favourites? Or someone selling something similar? Cheers! Mike

Great discussions here. I would always prefer not to see tab, and if I'm frank, am sometimes put off where I see it. I see the benefits for certain players but from where I am, I would tend to avoid books with tab.

[quote name='ElCapitan' post='1053453' date='Dec 9 2010, 10:20 PM']Maybe its the only reason people buy his albums?[/quote] Harsh and unfair, but quite funny!

Wow, I've been on jazz courses with both Nick and Dudley as tutors. Nick's bass is absolutely stunning! He let me have a quick play recently. Love it! Tell him I'm getting on really well with Tony Hougham, a teacher with whom he studied!

Interesting. I would probably want to stand as I'm planning on playing jazz. But I'm learning classical technique from a classical teacher who always sits to play. He is happy for me to do whatever I want. Thanks for alerting me to this, I'll talk it over with Tony.

[quote name='endorka' post='1037590' date='Nov 26 2010, 11:40 AM']Do you sit to play arco and stand for other gigs? Jennifer[/quote] Hi Jennifer, that is the initial plan. Saying that, I'm quite enjoying sitting so perhaps I'll be one of those guys. Not sure yet really. Will update when I have more experience! [quote name='27 frets' post='1039895' date='Nov 28 2010, 01:31 PM']Hi Mike We have a lot in common. I too live in Chelmsford and took up DB a couple of years ago, after years on bass guitar, having lessons with Tony - he's an excellent teacher, and he will really help with your technique: it's better to learn it right than 'unlearn' poor technique. I've lacked time for lessons recently, which has been a pity. I've also joined a local orchestra - nothing too serious, but great for developing ensemble skills (and counting bars rest!). I'm on my own there on DB, so some company there would be nice once you're feeling confident enough! It would be good to meet up sometime - send me a PM if you're interested. Regards Peter[/quote] Sounds great Peter, I'll be in touch - thanks for sharing your experiences! [quote name='27 frets' post='1049884' date='Dec 6 2010, 09:14 PM']What kind of bow are you using? I guess French type if you're learning with Tony, as he doesn't seem too into German bows, but what's it made of, and how heavy? Yep, just a cheap Frenchie, carbonfibre but it seems a little heavy, or I'm just going to have to get used to it![/quote] [quote name='NDH' post='1051175' date='Dec 7 2010, 11:58 PM']I collect the new bass at the end of the week - mildy excited. Nigel[/quote] Exciting, what have you got? I look forward to when I can upgrade in a few years to something nice!

[quote name='Sibob' post='1053242' date='Dec 9 2010, 07:28 PM']"Always listen to music you don't like, you might learn something"........can't remember who said that, but quite true I think. Si[/quote] Janek Gwizdala is a great believer in this.

I had a similar budget. I decided to get a cheap Zellor second hand and spent around £600/700 on getting it properly set up by a top luthier and have things like the bridge and sound post replaced - now it's extremely playable and sounds great!

3rd position?? Hark at you!! I completely agree - bowing is so new to me, to also think about reading (not difficult at this moment as it's straightforward Simandl exercises) and left hand fingering (including intonation) is really causing some mental strain!

Thanks for the interesting and supportive comments! I feel like things are going well. I has my third lesson and Tony taught me some good exercises for improving my left hand and also for switching strings while bowing. It is ||: Eb Bb B Bb E F :|| and repeated from Bb and F , all in half position. We also started on first position. Since the lesson I have done the Simandl exercises and now feel very comfortable playing in both first and half position, but have not yet put them together. I'm sure the shifting between positions is regimented and Im scared of getting into bad habits by trying to do it myself. For nostalgia purposes I tried to play it like i used to, fresh from bass guitar, using two fingers on my right hand and 'finger per fret' on my left and I was very pleased to see that it was almost completely alien to me. Not using the third, and supporting the fourth all the time has been easier to get used to then I feared. I have had a new end pin fitted as mine was rattling a lot and buzzing, and also bought a nice new padded case as the previous one was way too big. I've now spent almost twice the cost of the bass on repairs and upgrades! However having a nice a big rubber foot instead of a bent metal blunt pin is much nicer! Something I'm struggling with is the bowing. I find the bow quite heavy and have to keep putting it down after each excercise which lasts a few minutes. Sometimes I don't get a good sound which I think I'm putting down to not enough pressure on the strings. I'm now comfortable sitting which before felt quite strange. I actually really like it. I found a great height adjustable stool in argos (rrp £40 but reduced to £26.66). Anyway, more as I progress!

So I see, didn't realise! Working through them now. Thanks.

I'm definitely going to sign up. Wish you could download the videos though.

[quote name='SaxxyBass' post='1043941' date='Dec 1 2010, 03:37 PM']Sorry to hear this - I do know that it is a problem for some woodwind musicians too with their hands and their embouchures. Wasn't there someone on this forum who has it and wears a silk glove? He put up some youtube tutorials but I can't remember who it was.[/quote] Scott Devine - think he's "devinebass" or similar.