Did you ever attempt to play Upright Bass -- how did it go?

[Duanestuermer]

I started on electric in the late 60s, then began double bass lessons around 71, and became a music performance major in 73 (classical, and jazz). Studied with 3 orchestra players, and played it in the university symphony, and partially switching with electric in a fusion type group. Although I still own a Palatino electric upright, I barely play it, and most calls to work have been on B guitar, and I now prefer fretless bass.
The sound response on an upright is very different than that of a bass guitar, and can be disconcerting.
A bass guitar gives an instantaneous full sound, while an upright is not the same, in a band situation, especially if you have played B guitar for a long time.
Trying to play one is physically fairly difficult to do in comparison to the ease of B guitar, unless you really dedicate the time to mastering it. Back in the 70s I'd practice up to 4 hours per day to keep bowing chops reasonable, and to play in tune in pizz or arco.
The cost of a decent one is also quite staggering, although the electric uprights can be reasonable (though their sound is questionable to say the least).
Depending on your tolerance for personal mediocrity upright can be quite the challenge, and will be an uphill battle to attain any degree of competence.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Electric bass players -- if you started on electric bass, did you ever try to play the upright bass? If so, how did it go?

A good poser. Yes, I have played an upright on numerous occasions. I am nowhere near as good as I am on an Electric, and certainly nowhere near as technically proficient than our brothers that play classical orchestral work. With those guys, the bowing technique alone just to get the proper tone or sound out of them takes years of study and practice. I have a son in the Marine Corps band program ( mostly jazz and big band music) and nephew that is a budding classical bassist, 3 rated scholastic bassist in The state of Montana @ age 13 I might add, and my neighbor across the street is studying at Shenandoah Music conservatory majoring in classical double bass. All three of them asked me for advice on how to play the upright at one point or another, but I had the good sense not to teach them my bad habits, and advised them to find someone that really knows that craft.

 

[PauFerro]

, if you are raising this poll because you are looking to make the jump, I will say this. If you have a good ear (and from your previous postings, I suspect that you might), you will find it easier than someone who doesn't. I have friends with perfect pitch that were not bass players that have picked up my DB and noodled around and within minutes can play something identifiable on it (albeit not with great technical prowess... just at a recognizable level). Whereas, I've also have relatively good bass guitarists who had "ok" ears try it and find it a completely fruitless endeavor.

I already made the jump. Been gigging steadily with it, sight reading and soloing in the lower register for about 9 months now. My ears are OK, although there are certainly others who have better ears than I do. There are always places on the fingerboard here and there where I miss, but I have learned to make adjustments by moving the orientation of my finger to bring it back in tune. The scale of the bass I use is shorter than most uprights so the intonation challenge seems to be much greater than when I try the regular sized instrument. Same is true with my 30" fretless electric.

One thing that is interesting to me is how the upright changed the way I solo. I have a tendency to slide up to notes that have a corresponding open string tone in my solos. Originally, I did it to check my intonation when practicing. But it created an interesting texture to the note, so I do that a lot now in live performance. I will slide up to the fifth fret on the A string and then play the open D string right after it. Same with the Low G on the E -- will play the Low G string and then the open, higher G string right after. And it checks my intonation while also texturing the note. Any excuse to check intonation I tend to take it!!

 

[singlemalt]

I was lucky to borrow one and live with it for six months or so.

I decided it wasn't for me. The commitment and expense of taking the concept forward was daunting. Practice time was limited because they are fairly loud and keeping the peace in the house is key. Moving one is a hassle, amplifying the sound takes a whole new approach, and the learning curve is steep.

I figured my limited time was better spent doing what I already do and like.

I returned the bass and drove away with a sense of relief. Glad I didn't go down that rabbit hole any further than I did. Sold the pick up and preamp here on TB.

There is a reason the P bass revolutionized bass player's lives.

 

[Linnin]

Electric bass players -- if you started on electric bass, did you ever try to play the upright bass? If so, how did it go?

I attempted to play one at a friend's house. A lefty playing a double bass violin right handed was pretty awkward. Developing a tune-as-you-play ability would take a lot of time & effort. Give me my trusty old Fender Precision any day. Thank You Saint Leo!

 

[tedsalt]

I bought a Kay Orchestra model for my daughter who had had several years of piano and could read, when she was in seventh grade. In high school she went to state every year. I piddled around on it once in a while.

Last year, before she moved, I was asked by our ex church music director, who now lived half way across the country, if I would play bass for a wedding, and if I had access to an upright. So I asked my daughter if I could use her upright.

He flew in on a Friday, we rehearsed that evening (three piece, acoustic guitar, upright, and drums), then the next day at the state park where the marriage would be held. I thought my playing was just ok, but an older couple were hiking in the park and came down, saying they loved the music, and asked for our business card. This was just a one time deal. It came off pretty well.

The Kay upright is now half way across the country with my daughter (in the other direction).

I've got a Dean Pace eub / project that I'm slowly working on to see if it can get anywhere near simulating a decent eub.

 

[Muttleybass]

Tried one in the store, thought it could be really cool, but too low on the priority list. Wouldn't mind one, but money is better spent on other things.

 

[Frank77]

Electric bass players -- if you started on electric bass, did you ever try to play the upright bass? If so, how did it go?

It went very well, after one year of lessons and daily practice. BG technique is NOT directly transferable to DB : Trying to wing it without a teacher is an almost guaranteed path to failure.

 

[bass12]

My total playing experience is probably less than 20 minutes, from a few times after jam sessions when people have let me play around on their uprights. It seems like it would be really fun! But the combination of the price, space, and time requirements have kept me from it so far. Maybe when I retire....



How so? I'm curious.

There's a traditional methodology to the teaching/learning of upright which is missing with electric bass. I'm not saying there haven't been methodologies developed in the electric world but there is a much clearer, time-tested path where the double bass is concerned. The clarity offered by this focused approach has helped me to better concretize concepts which are applicable to bass playing as a whole. I have also had to step back and slow things down as part of the process of learning upright. This has forced me to pay attention to some of the details which I skimmed over playing electric. I have to play more simply on upright and my focus on creating full, even sounds has made my electric playing better. There are a lot of notions regarding bass playing and music in general that I was already aware of, but studying double bass has forced me to go deeper into some of these notions. Again, I'm not saying that one couldn't take the same approach with electric; but the upright has forced me to clear my head and focus in ways I never consciously did with electric bass (an instrument that came pretty naturally to me). I feel like a more grounded player since taking up double bass. Could also be my hitting middle age.

 

[Chili_Time]

I was in the local store recently to get a book and there was a upright next to the checkout area. I asked the guy if they ever sell any and he said he'd sold 8 this year. I was kind of surprised. While I think I would enjoy it I just don't have time to learn/play electric bass, keys AND upright so maybe at a future date.

 

[Duanestuermer]

A comment about the artistry of an upright.
A fretted bass allows just "so"much artistic expression, because the fret restricts somewhat.
A fretless bass guitar allows an artistic player an ease of expression in an exponential leap.
But because of the space on the fingerboard, and variety of bowing and other techniques that can be employed on upright, there is another exponential leap that can be made of almost unlimited expression.
Granted your basic audience will not notice any of it, but if you do more than just play some tunes, or chunk away in a band, an upright is nirvana for a serious bassist with imagination.

 

[megarat]

I borrowed my instructor's 1/2-double bass for a few weeks. I really enjoyed it, and it was surprisingly easy to pick up. (Note that I typically play fretless electric bass, and that my instructor had installed some dots on the side of the upright's fingerboard to mark several fingering positions.)

I was surprised how tired my hands got, especially my left/fingerboard hand. It would typically get worn out after one song.

I would probably take up the upright myself if space wasn't an issue. (Well, that and my 9yo son, who loves to play crazy games with his friends that puts any piece of woodwork in the same room at risk of destruction.) Hopefully I can pick it up later.

 

[pjbassist]

Played EB in Marching Band & Jazz Band in High School, so the Director told me I HAD to play DB in Concert Band, never really all that good, but I was self taught.

Major in music in College, no such thing as Electric Bass Major, so again studied/played DB. My instructor hated me, he was an old German guy who would smack my hands for bad positioning or fingering technique and say "The Electric Company can't help you out with this young man, you need more hand strength!" Needless to say, it was a joyous time that altered my interest in DB.

About 10 years ago I was playing bass for a College production of Babes In Arms (the most incredible band and music I've ever played for a musical) It called for a DB, so I borrowed one and tried to shed for days...I just wasn't feeling it, so I begged the director to let me use Electric, he agreed and I slayed that bandstand every night!

 

[Tampabass]

My total playing experience is probably less than 20 minutes, from a few times after jam sessions when people have let me play around on their uprights. It seems like it would be really fun! But the combination of the price, space, and time requirements have kept me from it so far. Maybe when I retire....



How so? I'm curious.

Upright is a very physical instrument, far more taxing on hands, joints, muscles, etc, than bass guitar. So if you're going to play one, play it while you're young. Because when you get older, you'll find that lugging around and playing an upright may be too demanding. Or more demanding than you think it's worth. I'm starting to feel some of that now, and I'm 56.
Also, you should give the upright another chance. 20 minutes isn't enough to tell whether you'll like it or want to pursue it. See if you can borrow one for a week or two from someone. The physical response and sound of an upright is very different from bass guitar. More gratifying, in many respects, and it "sits" differently in a band's sound. Definitely more of an organic and earthy presence. I've been playing BG since I was 13, and didn't seriously begin playing upright until I was in my '20s. So glad I kept at it. I routinely play both these days.

 

[Krikcet]

I've played electric bass for 3 years or so, walked into my local store and saw the first upright I've ever seen up close, $400 plywood "rockabilly black". Quit my job that day and applied for music school. That was 5 months ago and it has literally consumed my life. I still gig with my electric very regularly, but practice upright almost exclusively.

 

[CalBuzz51]

I'm currently attempting to play a friend's upright, well enough to play a few country songs for a friends party on Dec 9.

I know I don't want to get hurt, all that's needed is 1-5 over 1-4-5, we'll only play for max 40 mins. I'm fine hitting roots only or sitting out if it gets to be too much.

I am working on developing callouses on my right hand index, slightly to the side as opposed to the ones on top for EBG. I think my technique is good but need repetitions. I'm trying to anchor off the fretboard for low E string, it's a funny feeling to be "floating" for me. Going slow and steady. I have a couple accomplished players I will call for lessons.

I have a pretty good ear, at our last rehearsal the BL really liked how I was coming along. But I think expectations are rightfully low. I've simplified my lines to the minimum on every song, and it's going to take a long while to zone on where the notes are so that it's not such a conscious process.

 

[steve_ss]

Last summer I took a one week wood working class to build a banjo. During the week we learned the teacher played mandolin in a bluegrass band and was having his banjo player come in at the end of the week to give us an intro banjo lesson. In a moment of stupidity, I said I was learning to play pass guitar, so the teacher said he would bring in his upright bass so I could play that in the class jam session at the end of the week. Friday comes around, 3 of the other banjo students get a lesson (2 others had been playing for a few years and were pretty good), I'm handed the upright, two violin students in the building come to join us, and before I know it, for the FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I'm playing bluegrass on an upright bass in front of an audience of about 30 people for a good 20 minutes to songs I've never heard before.

I'm not going to say I did well, but I learned very quickly when in doubt about what to play, just play very softly. Thank heaven I can't upload the video for everyone to see.

 

[Joedog]

Back in the stone age, I fooled around w/one in High School jazz band for a year. I picked it up reasonably quickly, but certainly didn't master it. Of course back then I wasn't all that proficient at bass guitar either. I actually played 3 instruments in that band.....trumpet, guitar, and bass. I guess you could say 4 if you classify electric and stand up bass separately. Maybe I had issues making a choice and sticking w/it? For about 15 years I had the same issue w/women! Now I am more than content with one instrument (EB) and one woman. Makes life a LOT simpler!

 

[AdamK]

Yeah, so I was kind of forced to start playing upright bass when I entered a new school my sophomore year of high school. I joined the Jazz Band and was required to do Orchestra as well so they stuck me on this upright (at the time a half size) aaaaand I hated it... I absolutely loathed it everyday. It didn't take too long to learn how to play it, but it just doesn't sound good to me. I can appreciate talented jazz bassists doing walking lines in some music, but overall it's not for me. My jazz band teacher wanted me to try it in the jazz band but that didn't stick for more than a day. Glad to be away from it now. It was a chore! Taxing on the hands. And a good workout when transporting.

 

[Inara]

I've owned a few. I don't currently own one now, but for a few years I gigged almost exclusively on double bass, from about 2006-2010. I had played electric bass (primarily fretless) for a good number of years before that. One cool thing I noticed is that after spending some time with the upright, my electrics felt like toys ... they felt soooo effortless to play. It was a nice feeling.

I'm getting the bug again, and I think 2018 will see a double bass in my hands again. I really miss it.