I posted here a little while back saying I'd ordered (for hire) a double bass on a whim and had no idea what to do with it when it actually arrived. Got some good advice and encouraging remarks so thought I'd make another quick post just to let you know whats been happening.

It arrived - a rather large box probably suitably sized for a coffin so god knows what the neighbours are thinking. I gingerly unpacked it and got my hands on the first double bass I've actually been next to... big aren't they.

One of the many things I didn't think about when I ordered this beast, was the set up. I'd kind of niavely assumed it'd be ready to play out of the box - obviously I now know better. Setting up an upright on your own, without ever having played one and with only a web page to guide you is one of the scariest things I've ever done. Particularly after having read about the hideous effects if the bridge isn't positioned correctly and perfectly straight. Thankfully nothing went wrong.

Next: tuning. Also quite scary - creaking noises when tuning a guitar are annoying and maybe "off-putting". Creaking noises when tuning your first double bass are pant-wetting, eyes-closed affairs where you're just praying nothing snaps and takes your face off with it. I am happy to announce that this too went ok.

So I sit back admiring my handywork (I'm such a drama queen some times I know), and think about the fun I'm going to have slapping those strings around with some Horrorpops, Nekromantix, Demented Are Go etc. etc. backing me on the CD player. Hahahah... slight overestimation of my natural abilities there. For some reason I thought playing this would be easier.

But I'm getting there.

Oh, and if anyone sees my piano teacher, the blisters and torn skin on my fingers is from piano practice ok.

I confess I still get a few butterflies in the stomach when restringing cellos!

LZi

Well done!

Tuning the bass strings on my clarsach is bad enough

Sounds like you're having fun

Absolutely, I'm having a great time with it. Even took two days off work this week just so I can spend more time playing.

I still tend to be going through scales... in a desperate attempt to learn where the notes are since there are no frets to help.

And whilst it did come with a bow, I had one try with it and made such a horrible noise that I burried it in the backgarden.

If you are at the stage of finding where the notes are in the first couple positions, you might go to my website (www.stringskills.com) and go to the section called Finger Patterns. There are charts, notation and sound files for learning the placement of fingers. Let me know if you have any trouble using these.

As for the bow: you really ought to consider using the bow. If you can sustain pitches you will be able to hear intonation much easier than if you are plucking.

Of course, getting a decent sound with the bow will take a while. Learn how to hold it properly, then make sure the bowhair is making a 90 degree angle to the string. Controlling this angle will depend on small but ever-changing adaptations in your fingers, wrist and elbow. If you are not holding the bow right, these small changes will be difficult or impossible.

If you need help with hand positions, let me know. There are several places on the web with good pictures and descriptions.

Gabe Villasurda
www.stringskills.com

Thanks for the advice Gabe, its much appreciated.

I had a quick look at your site, seems there's loads of good information on there so have bookmarked it for when I get a chance to really go through it. Great stuff.

Cheers.

Thanks for the update Rink, glad to hear it's all going well. Keep us posted!

Heehee viola is bad enough.

Not so much of an update this time... though my scales and arpegios are progressing ok... but I heard strange folk talk about a fabled artifact known as the double bass mute.

So yesterday I set upon my quest to find one. And despite the obvious danger, I now have one of these in my posession. In fact, I had one years ago but we called them hockey pucks back then.

Anyway, said mute came with no instructions and the chap in the shop didn't know how to fit them. Can anyone give me a clue? I thought I'd try and be considerate to the neighbours (thin walls) who might not want to listen to a walking bassline at three in the morning... although if they don't then there's clearly something wrong with them.

What shape is it? How they fit to the bridge depends on what sort they are!

From your description of a hockey puck I'm guessing it's one of the round ones?

Struggling to think how best to describe fitting it. I have a feeling this has been discussed before, though not for a bass - I'll see if I can find the topic.

http://forums.abrsm.org/index.php?s=&s...st&p=247782

Topic all about mutes, including a couple of attempts to describe how to fit one

Thanks Sarah, I think your post in the linked topic will certainly help.

You were right, I bought the round one (think it's a Tourte) and after looking at it in perplexity for half an hour or so, decided to post on here. I should've used the search function though.

Thank you for your help. You're a star.

You're welcome

Once you've worked it out, it's easy - and it's far easier to show than to explain! But yes in the first instance it's not terribly clear what on earth you do with it

To be honest, Rink, a Tourte mute won't make much difference. The round ones are used for orchestral playing and don't really do much to mute the sound greatly. What you need is a practise mute. I don't know if they exist for double bass, but they look like a rubber comb and the sit across the entire bridge (as opposed to over two strings like the round ones). Try only to use it at night though, during the day you'll hear intonation and tone better if you leave it off.

Allan

Cheers Allan,

I'll give this one a try and see if its any good - if not, I now know what to look for next time.

Though I can't imagine either will do much to deaden the sound of me slapping strings against the fingerboard... neighbours will just have to learn to love it as much as I'm beginning to.

Hopefully it'll scrub off enough sound to let me quietly practice scales etc. (no slaps) at silly hours though.