Hey everybody, I did post this topic on the General Forum awhile ago, but think I might get some more constructive answers by re-posting it on here, with all you String players!

See, I play bass guitar, and have just passed Grade 5 on LCM. I'd like to start playing the double bass. As far as I can see, the two instruments seem pretty similiar, I'd just have to get used to using a bow, and used to having no frets on the neck. But other than that, I'm guessing that general fretting of notes is similar? Is that right? Is there anyone who plays both instruments out there? Or could someone who plays double bass give me some info?

Thanks,
Matt

Hi Matt,

I can't speak from playing acoustic double bass but I've handled a bass guitar and have a working knowledge of the double bass for reasons other than playing.

Yes, you have to learn fretless. Basically, the scale length of a dbl bass is longer than even the longest scale bass guitars. I had an Ibanez (standard 4-string) bass (guitar) with a long scale. I think it was 86cm (34"?) whereas a standard double bass is about 106 cm (42"?).

So the stretches will be bigger and you'll need more agility to reach around the lower notes. As to bowing, this is something all string players have to go through...hopefully with not too much pain!



Edit:
There's also the problem of mobility. Pop musicians have done a few stage tricks with double basses but you can't move around like you can with guitar. Not easily but that doesn't mean there won't be a first!

Ok, thanks Franchonard, very much appreciated.
Anyone else out there got any opinions/experience on this matter?
Matt

Still not quite the same, but I play a little bit of classical guitar (about grade 3) and a little bit of violin (not even grade 1 yet). I've found almost no similarities - the way of holding down the strings, the posture, everything - even plucking the violin strings seems to be done differently to plucking the guitar! Also coaxing the bow into behaving is quite hard work.

Having said all that - at least you will start off being able to read the right clef, playing in time, etc - I think you should try to borrow a double bass and its player for ten minutes and get them to give you an idea of how to play, so you can make your own mind up.

Good luck

You'll have to build up the muscles in your right hand - I found they're different to guitar ones. And pizz bass is harder. You'll probably already have calluses on your right hand, but you'll develop them on the left as well, in particular on the side of your thumb when you get up that high.
If you want to play in orchestras, which I'd definitely recommend cos it's so much fun, you'll need basic classical stuff like arco/pizz etc, but tremolo, col legno, sul D etc you can pretty much work out as you go along.
Once you've decided you want to learn, DON'T teach yourself. I have a year without a teacher at about Gr3, and now at DipABRSM I'm still working on my bow hold...
I'd also advise you to start playing standing up, because it's much easier to learn how to play sitting down than vice versa, and you can get a louder, more resonant solo sound that way.

I've played the Double Bass for about 5 years and the bass guitar for about 2. The hand is placed in the same place on both instruments to create the right note but it did feel strange to begin with for me having frets and not using a bow but I got used to it so I can imagine you can do the same. It is usual to sit on a high stool(depending on the size of your double bass) when playing because the instrument is big and difficult to bow with when you stand up. I think its great to play both of them and you probably will too.