mcbn Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Ive been playing electric bass for about 9 years now. For roughly the last 3 years Ive wanted to learn the upright bass. About 3 weeks ago I decided that I was going to take the plunge and get an upright. Link Getting into an upright bass is not an inexpensive thing to do. Sure you can rent a bass for about $65 a month with a $500 deposit, but why toss down the deposit if you can avoid it? What Ive done is found a decent student level bass for what I consider a great deal. I did take some risk buying on eBay without playing the instrument first, but I am comfortable with the level of risk involved. While the seller has little feedback history he answered emails quickly and a few local double bassists I know said I should go for it. I do know a couple of upright players here in town and have found a teacher. The fact that the violinist in my band plays with a few local symphonies really helps (shes on the Houston Symphony Orchestra sub-list and gigs with them regularly). The plan (ahh plans) is to take lessons and actually learn the instrument & theory. Ive been working on my reading for the last few weeks and it is coming along fairly well. Here is an eBay picture. Ill post up a few more after I pick the bass up tomorrow. http://i12.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/c7/2a/e0ec_1.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Fantastic. This could be a long term project! Davo "We will make you bob your head whether you want to or not". - David Sisk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edro Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I'd be interested in reading how things are going for you with the upright. If I ever get back into gigging again, a URB or EUB would be nice. Nice new-to-you fish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Congrats, NUTT--you won't regret learning URB... Yes, Immediately take lessons (absolutely mandatory to learn how to hold your new lover--err--bass..). I suggest learning from the F. Simandl "New Method for the Double Bass" book--this is an excellent book to learn positioning (and sight reading as well.) Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Gollihur Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Getting a teacher, even for the short term, if necessary, is very important. Getting the fundamentals right can be critical, not establishing good habits right off can limit your growth as a player (speaking first-hand). Simandl is the classic, and is useful if you have a teacher- it's not a DIY book. I have found some books/DVDs that are pretty darn good if self-instruction is a must. 1000 Upright Bass Links, Luthier Directory, Teacher Directory - http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm [highlight] - Life is too short for bad tone - [/highlight] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbn Posted December 3, 2007 Author Share Posted December 3, 2007 Congrats, NUTT--you won't regret learning URB... Yes, Immediately take lessons (absolutely mandatory to learn how to hold your new lover--err--bass..). Getting a teacher, even for the short term, if necessary, is very important. Getting the fundamentals right can be critical, not establishing good habits right off can limit your growth as a player (speaking first-hand). Thanks for the advice, it will be followed. I have done quite a bit of reading on the DB forums @ Talkbass and Bob's links page. As hard as it might be, I don't plan on even touching the bass until I've had my first lesson. I'm going to try to schedule that lesson for Wednesday of this week though so I should be okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil W Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Nice one! Keep us informed. It has always been a dream of mine to be play one of these. http://philwbass.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidMPires Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 same here www.myspace.com/davidbassportugal "And then the magical unicorn will come prancing down the rainbow and we'll all join hands for a rousing chorus of Kumbaya." - by davio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Cool, Nutt! I had an EUB for about a year, and just decided it wasn't for me and that I should just really concentrate on electric bass instead. But that's me...glad you're making a stretch into something new! Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottomgottem Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Congrats, NUTT! I've wanted to take that plunge for a long time. Maybe someday. My whole trick is to keep the tune well out in front. If I play Tchaikovsky, I play his melodies and skip his spiritual struggle. ~Liberace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbn Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 I'm picking the new fish up this afternoon. I'm pretty excited. Pictures will be posted tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbn Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 I got the new fish home. Understatement of the evening: I have no idea what I'm doing with this thing. I'm excited about my first lesson (although it isn't yet scheduled). Anyone have any idea what the strings are? I'm guessing Helicore Orchestra by the silks, but as that is only an uneducated guess. http://usera.imagecave.com/NUTT/db/knilling-2007-12-04002.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/NUTT/db/knilling-2007-12-04003.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/NUTT/db/knilling-2007-12-04005.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/NUTT/db/knilling-2007-12-04008.jpg http://usera.imagecave.com/NUTT/db/knilling-2007-12-04010.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 She's beautiful! I'm jealous! Best with your new adventure! Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke73 Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Great looking bass NUTT! Well done I'm looking forward to taking the URB plunge one day (I very nearly bought one this year, but have decided to make a commitment to spending some more serious time with my electric bass before I diversify) http://www.myspace.com/twoshortrocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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