Rayman Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 I've been umming and ahhing about trying double bass for ages. I guess my questions is, how does one get to [i]try[/i] upright for a while before making any decisions? I've been a jazz fan for many years, but I've only ever played rock electric bass, so I know that a transition would be difficult. Trouble is, I don't know [i]anyone[/i] who's an upright player in the South Manchester area where I live. Does anyone know of any teachers around here? Another point is of course money. I have very little so buying an instument will be difficult, and even if I could raise some money, it would be for a budget bass I suppose. What sort of instrument is worth buying for under a grand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 I had bad experiences in this regard and would recommend patience. Find a teacher EVEN BEFORE YOU GET A BASS so you can discuss this kind of stuff with hem. They may even come with you to buy your first bass. You will probably have to travel to buy (this isn't like popping up the local Spar) but, more to the point, you may need to travel more than once in order to 'shop around'. If in doubt, DON'T BUY. I did and had a bad experience, not financially, the dealer I bought it off bought it back for almost the same price I paid for it, but it was a bass that was too small for me (6' 1") and I ended up with a hand injury that has never really gone away. I hope you have more luck that I did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Is there a violin/cello shop anywhere near you? They usually have some sort of rental scheme running and should be able to sort you out with a rental bass. I hired one for £25 per month so it's pretty affordable. If you want to buy your own, you could do a lot worse than [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_33_02.htm"]this[/url]. The bassist in my local jazz collective plays one and it sounds and plays fine. I'm sure it's not up there with an instrument costing £3k ( I'm by no means an expert in these matters) but the Thomann bass is very playable and it sounds like a double bass. You'll also have change from your £1000 for a proper set up and maybe even a nice set of strings. The next step is to find a sympathetic teacher, or even just an experienced player to show you the correct basic left and right hand techniques so that you don't damage yourself and maybe show you a few standard jazz riffs. From there, all you have to do is practice and then get out and play. Easy. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kembo_dee Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Hi Mate, In Manchester there is Matt Owens who is a great double bassist who also teaches. There is John Thorne who played for Lamb he is Manchester based. I would go to Matt&Phreds on Oldham St and watch some Jazz and then speak to whoever is playing afterwards, I have found most double bass players are really helpful. [url="http://www.myspace.com/mjobassmusic"]http://www.myspace.com/mjobassmusic[/url] [url="http://www.jonthorne.co.uk/Jon_Thorne/Home.html"]http://www.jonthorne.co.uk/Jon_Thorne/Home.html[/url] [url="http://www.mattandphreds.com/"]http://www.mattandphreds.com/[/url] cheers Kembo [quote name='Rayman' post='608444' date='Sep 25 2009, 10:21 AM']I've been umming and ahhing about trying double bass for ages. I guess my questions is, how does one get to [i]try[/i] upright for a while before making any decisions? I've been a jazz fan for many years, but I've only ever played rock electric bass, so I know that a transition would be difficult. Trouble is, I don't know [i]anyone[/i] who's an upright player in the South Manchester area where I live. Does anyone know of any teachers around here? Another point is of course money. I have very little so buying an instument will be difficult, and even if I could raise some money, it would be for a budget bass I suppose. What sort of instrument is worth buying for under a grand?[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Thanks very much for that folks, I'll have a look into it. If it's important, I'm 6'3" and 17 stone, don't know if that has any influence on the size of bass I'd need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 If you just want a bit of a tinker, Im up blackpool way and have a Stagg EDB. Its not a double bass, but might give you a feel either way? We need to arrange another NW bassbash i think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Phibes Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 You might want tocheck this guy out too - [url="http://www.bass-ace.co.uk/bass_lesssons.html"]http://www.bass-ace.co.uk/bass_lesssons.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 [quote name='Dr Phibes' post='608978' date='Sep 26 2009, 02:32 AM']You might want tocheck this guy out too - [url="http://www.bass-ace.co.uk/bass_lesssons.html"]http://www.bass-ace.co.uk/bass_lesssons.html[/url][/quote] It's not me, honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 [quote name='kembo_dee' post='608577' date='Sep 25 2009, 12:51 PM']Hi Mate, In Manchester there is Matt Owens who is a great double bassist who also teaches. There is John Thorne who played for Lamb he is Manchester based. I would go to Matt&Phreds on Oldham St and watch some Jazz and then speak to whoever is playing afterwards, I have found most double bass players are really helpful. [url="http://www.myspace.com/mjobassmusic"]http://www.myspace.com/mjobassmusic[/url] [url="http://www.jonthorne.co.uk/Jon_Thorne/Home.html"]http://www.jonthorne.co.uk/Jon_Thorne/Home.html[/url] [url="http://www.mattandphreds.com/"]http://www.mattandphreds.com/[/url] cheers Kembo[/quote] I taught Matt at Salford he is a very dilligent guy when it comes to learning which I would guess would make him a good teacher, I have no knowlwdge of Johns teaching skills (don't even know if he does teach) but he's a gem of a guy. I would suggest finding a classical teacher to start with and get a bit of proper technique under your belt, our own Major Minor is in Altrincham and plays for the BBC Philharmonic if he doesn't teach himself I'm sure he will have colleagues that do. once you have the basics solid then go to a jazzer to learn about harmony, and how the bass works in Jazz. I would of course be touting to teach you myself but I moved south 5 years ago. I'd be happy to give you a one off when I'm up there (got a few gigs up north in the coming months) most of all do it properly... as Bilbo said it can go horribly wrong if you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted September 26, 2009 Author Share Posted September 26, 2009 Thanks again for that. I'll have a look around and see who's available around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdstrings Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Hi Rayman, I too would advocate getting some lessons from a professional double bassist. I myself didn't start playing double bass until I was about 24 and had lessons for about a year (not a lot -just a one or two a month) from a great classical player. This gave me the basic technique on which I could build. [I now make a living from playing double bass (mainly jazz etc) and never had a jazz double bass lesson in my life.] I'm probably about half your size (well at leat half your weight!) but double bass playing can be very demanding on areas of the body which perhaps are not used to doing certain tasks -especially if you're starting later in life. I think it's easy to run into problems down the line if you pick up bad habits or go about things in an 'incorrect' way. I know many bassists, some of whom were self taught, who have had physical problems as a result of bass playing. Also, I would recommend learing to play with a bow -it does wonders for your tuning, tone and sustain. I also know at leat one player who learned to play unconventionally and has found that this acts as a barrier to improving their technique and progressing. Once you get going I would also reommend trying to get hold of a method book by Knut Guettler(?). I think he's a professor at the conservatoire in Oslo and I remember this book was fundamental in my understanding of how playing the bass works in a mechanical/physical sense. This may not sound like a bunch of laughs(....) but it was really good to understand the science behind playing -why it works and what might be causing it not to work! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 Hi Rayman I would be happy to give you a short "consultation" lesson so you can see if DB suits you. I live in the Altrincham area but ideally it would be best for you to come to the BBC in Manchester and do it there. This applies to anyone else in the Manchester area who is contemplating adding DB/EUB to their arsenal. PM me if you want to take it further. The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted October 12, 2009 Author Share Posted October 12, 2009 Thanks a lot for that Major, I'll be in touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 [quote name='Rayman' post='624450' date='Oct 12 2009, 08:36 PM']Thanks a lot for that Major, I'll be in touch.[/quote] Rayman I've just been booked to do a sort of Double Bass Masterclass / Demonstration thingy at BassDay Uk at the RNCM on nov 22. I've got my trio and girl singer coming along to help me do a performance session, with some chat, and the possibility for attendees to "have-a-go" on my bass with a few pointers from myself. This will all take place in the Lord Rhodes Room from 12 midday till about 2.30 (got another gig to dash off to). So do come along if you can. I'm planning to let non DB players have 5 mins each to try the instrument out. The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcordez Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 [quote name='kembo_dee' post='608577' date='Sep 25 2009, 12:51 PM']Hi Mate, In Manchester there is Matt Owens who is a great double bassist who also teaches. There is John Thorne who played for Lamb he is Manchester based. I would go to Matt&Phreds on Oldham St and watch some Jazz and then speak to whoever is playing afterwards, I have found most double bass players are really helpful. [url="http://www.myspace.com/mjobassmusic"]http://www.myspace.com/mjobassmusic[/url] [url="http://www.jonthorne.co.uk/Jon_Thorne/Home.html"]http://www.jonthorne.co.uk/Jon_Thorne/Home.html[/url] [url="http://www.mattandphreds.com/"]http://www.mattandphreds.com/[/url] cheers Kembo[/quote] Jon Thorne is really worth going to, he's so good that i travel up from Bristol just to get lessons with him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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