Mike

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.

I am really impressed by "Transcribe!" software - free 30 day trial then costs about $50.

Sounds good - paypal ok? Let me know an email address if so!

Hi all I thought it might be interesting to chronicle my journey into the murky world of double bass. I am primarily an electric player who plays corporate/wedding functions, theatre shows (not west end (yet) but things like Les Mis, We Will Rock You, Sweeney Todd, Follies etc) and jazz gigs. I also teach music tech, composition and bass as a peri. I would really like to learn double bass as I enjoy jazz and because I started losing the odd gig where electric was less appropriate. Plus, on all the West End shows I've sat in on, they've said you really need to play both. Even in shows like Avenue Q require it, which is interesting. So, working on advice, I purchased a 30year old Zellor for £525, and spent as much again getting new strings, new soundpost, adjustable bridge and a good set up by an excellent luthier near me called Martyn Bailey. I went on a jazz course over Summer with bass monster Mark Hodgson (Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham et al) which really highlighted how little I knew about playing double - I had just jumped in and was playing it (with enthusiasm) with horrible technique. The whole experience, while good over all knocked my confidence a bit, so I've now started regular lessons with a gentleman near me called Tony Hougham. Tony is the principal double bass of the Covent Garden Orchestra and a thoroughly nice man, treading the difficult line between friendliness and the teacherly respect. I have had two lessons so far. The most difficult thing for me initially was the change of fingering from electric bass - instead of using the third finger, it's been difficult for me to use it just to support the fourth. So playing something as simple as a one octave scale is all a bit different. I am also finding it difficult to keep my thumb in position without it wanting to slide around towards the fingerboard, especially when I'm playing on the E string. I am working through the half position exercises in Simandl and looking forward to moving to first position with Tony next week. I'm trying to learn properly and get my technique down from day 1 to avoid any annoyances later on - I've also bought a stool now so can sit down and play arco. It's also awakening my interest in classical music, which can only be a wonderful thing. More after our next lesson....!