MrCrane Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Looks like Danny's now extending his internet presence https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialDannyThompson 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Thanks for that. I’ve had a quick look at the 2 videos from ‘88 and Danny has his bass height very low compared to what I’ve seen as the recommended height (I’m new to upright and recently acquired my first EUB), I might give a lower setting a go (good enough for DT and all that). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 Danny T is a pretty big bloke, he's standing up and his bass isn't huge; he already has the spike a long way out; it doesn't look that unusual to me. Also, he holds his bass rather "sideways on" compared to the current norm. So maybe not perfect by a teacher's standards anyway. I'm around 5'9" and have a rather long scale 4/4 bass, probably have it a bit higher than Danny (only 4" of spike out), in part to get my bowing arm in a comfy place and also to reach the higher notes, a teacher noted that I was bowing over the fingerboard and raising the bass would put my bow lower down; if playing purely pizz it can go down a bit. I wouldn't obssess about bass height. It's comfort and being able to reach all the notes you want to play that matter, if you put it too high then half and first position will be uncomfortable (your lower arm is higher up and will tire quickly, and too low will stop you reaching the highest notes (if you ever go there) - combined size of man and bass DT can doubtless reach all he notes he needs with the bass fairly low. Have a look at the recomended music to listen to thread and you'll see all kinds of stance - including people playing "new dutch school" method in which you sit with both feet on the floor, the bass quite low and sloped a long way out, more like a cello. One of the wonderful things about double bass is the variety (in size, shape, sound and method of playing the damned thing). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 31 minutes ago, NickA said: Danny T is a pretty big bloke, he's standing up and his bass isn't huge; he already has the spike a long way out; it doesn't look that unusual to me. Also, he holds his bass rather "sideways on" compared to the current norm. So maybe not perfect by a teacher's standards anyway. I'm around 5'9" and have a rather long scale 4/4 bass, probably have it a bit higher than Danny (only 4" of spike out), in part to get my bowing arm in a comfy place and also to reach the higher notes, a teacher noted that I was bowing over the fingerboard and raising the bass would put my bow lower down; if playing purely pizz it can go down a bit. I wouldn't obssess about bass height. It's comfort and being able to reach all the notes you want to play that matter, if you put it too high then half and first position will be uncomfortable (your lower arm is higher up and will tire quickly, and too low will stop you reaching the highest notes (if you ever go there) - combined size of man and bass DT can doubtless reach all he notes he needs with the bass fairly low. Have a look at the recomended music to listen to thread and you'll see all kinds of stance - including people playing "new dutch school" method in which you sit with both feet on the floor, the bass quite low and sloped a long way out, more like a cello. One of the wonderful things about double bass is the variety (in size, shape, sound and method of playing the damned thing). I dropped my EUB so that the nut is around my eye level (like Danny), as opposed to forehead height that beginner’s guides seem to favour. Ooh, that’s better, feels more comfy and I seem to play more in tune too. Result! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 My bass is so big that I'd have to stand on a box to get the nut at eye level!!! Exageration: standing up to play pizz, the nut is a couple of inches above eye level. If it's comfy, do it. I'm guessing you can reach the upper registers more easily on an EUB than on a DB as you don't have all that wood work to reach around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 1 hour ago, NickA said: My bass is so big that I'd have to stand on a box to get the nut at eye level!!! Exageration: standing up to play pizz, the nut is a couple of inches above eye level. If it's comfy, do it. I'm guessing you can reach the upper registers more easily on an EUB than on a DB as you don't have all that wood work to reach around! Yeah it’s super easy, but I regard that as a bad thing. You can get stick on rubber thingies that, once attached, can indicate where the body begins on a proper DB and I think I might get a couple so that if I’m called on to play a DB, I won’t have upper register reach shock. TBH I try and play everything in the first 5 positions and don’t stray too far south at all. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickD Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 This has just popped up on there, looks like they're trying to get a documentary off the ground... I hope it happens! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 I would be all over a Danny Thompson documentary... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 The most wondrously musical DB player i've ever heard. If anyone doesnt know the Solid Air album by John Martyn, it's worth every penny. Thompson is prolific on it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_Utj4Aljc 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 Danny’s tone is just to die for IMO. I first became aware of him when this sound emanated from a friend’s hifi… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCrane Posted May 5, 2023 Author Share Posted May 5, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, fleabag said: The most wondrously musical DB player i've ever heard. If anyone doesnt know the Solid Air album by John Martyn, it's worth every penny. Thompson is prolific on it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg_Utj4Aljc I would pay good money just to watch Danny tuning up. The work he did with John on the BBC's Transatlantic Sessions is well worth checking out (and features a stellar rendition of Solid Air). Edited May 5, 2023 by MrCrane 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 5, 2023 Share Posted May 5, 2023 (edited) I've got a lot of Danny Thompson on Alexis Korner records. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sreIXSY6Qk Fantastic player. I learnt electric bass copying DT's bass lines. Here's a more recent session with Eric Bibb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds1faZB4QSc Edited May 5, 2023 by chris_b 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted May 6, 2023 Share Posted May 6, 2023 Danny really going for it. Superstar 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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