Books on URB playing?????

[basshunter]

Any recommendations on books for double bass TECHINIQUE? I am less interested in books on scales and such than I am in something that discusses proper positions and physical techniques.

I know the Simandl book is supposed ot be the standard but the reviews I find of it seem somewhat contradictory (surprise, surprise). Ray Brown's book seems to be all about scales and lines from what I can tell, so that's not what I am looking for. RUfus Reid's Evolving Bassist seems like it maight have what I'm looking for, but again, the reviews are sort of useless.

So I turn to you, all knowing members of ebassist, for advice. What say y'all? :D

[bassment zombie]

It looks like these dudes have it covered in spades - I say drop 'em a line! :banana6:

http://www.sickabilly.com/images/photos/gallery/233830.jpg

http://img26.photobucket.com/albums/v78/sistinas/nekromantix/Ottobar-5-19-04--32.jpg

[basshunter]

SOmething tells me that's not quite what I was looking for...:dunno:

[bassment zombie]

SOmething tells me that's not quite what I was looking for...:dunno:
:rofl:

[basshunter]

:rofl:

Oh sure, laugh at my expense :(









;)

[Grant Sharkey]

Three words.

Just. Ask. Bob.

I picked up the rudiments of URB playing in a few weeks with a little practice AND a lot of listening. Especially with the bow. Learn about the different bows you can get, about rosin and about bowing positions from wikipedia or something - then teach yourself. I don't know anyone with the same style of playing on a URB.

Sometimes there's nothng better than getting a hold of your big wood and stroking it with horse hair whilst fingering the other end...getting covered in sticky white rosin and making it growl and groan at your command...

...maybe i should write this book. :D

[bnyswonger]

I never took any lessons...so I'm not real confident in giving advice. It's just a big fretless played vertically, so I'd say the same things apply in learning to play fretless. Get a tuner out and check your intonation constantly until you get familiar with the fingerbaord. I used little stick on dots for fake inlays for a while. Your bow grip will depend on the type of bow you get - for starters I'd get a fiberglass bow...they're reasonably priced and not bad.

It's a bass - you'll figure it out! Did you buy GMs?

[basshunter]

It's a bass - you'll figure it out! Did you buy GMs?

Thanks Bob & Grant! I've taught myself to play enough instruments before, and I've played URBs here and there in the past, I'm sure I'll do fine. Just looking for something to start me off. I'l figure it out.

Bob, yeah, trading GM the Spector and some cash. I'll pick it up when I'm up in Burlington 3-9-11 :cool:

[BrianD]

The thing I like about the Simandl book is that it gets you familiar with the entire fingerboard. The very first few pages offer tips and pics on proper right and left hand position, posture and height.
It begins with simple scale patterns that get you familiar with that particular position, then moves on to combine the last one (or few) that you have learned. When I say scale, I mean etude-like exercises based around a scale. For example, the first exercise is for 1/2 position and revolves around the F major and Bb major scales.
They are all great exercises for developing your ear, and your hand strength. The URB is a very physical instrument and will beat the shit out of you, but it is entirely worth it. One other thing to keep in mind is that the Simandl book uses the 1-2-4 fingering technique until you get up to about thumb position.
Good luck!

[Zamfir]

Not an URB player yet, but the Rufus Reid book (Evolving Bassist?) will have a lot of what you're looking for IIRC, including pics.

There are also some pics in the Ray Brown book.

You could probably use a teacher just to confirm things for a few lessons, I"m guessing. I know I'd head that route when the time comes.

[Otis The Bulldog]

Congrats on your URB. I'd love to learn how to play one. I've never had the pleasure of trying to play one.

But I told myself I'm going to buy myself one for my 40th. Only 10 years and 3 months to go...

[basshunter]

Thanks Brian. I'm thinking I'll pick up Simandl and Rufus Reid's books. As usual, I'll end up just winging it in the end anyway, but I'd like some reference points. :)

Z, lessons are great, but I ain't got the time right now. :shrug:

[basshunter]

But I told myself I'm going to buy myself one for my 40th. Only 10 years and 3 months to go...

Thanks Otis. This is basically my early b-day present to myself. I'll get it a month before #37 :)

[BrianD]

I second getting a teacher--probably one of the best things I've ever done. It really helped me become more confident and competent. Plus my teacher was really cool. :cool:

[GrooveMonkey]

I just packed up the URB in it's gig bag today and set it aside in my music room. Can't wait for the meetup in VT!

I'm glad this bass is going to a good home where it'll get played. Here's a really bad cell phone picture of my Guitarist playing it on his front porch.

[basshunter]

I second getting a teacher--probably one of the best things I've ever done. It really helped me become more confident and competent. Plus my teacher was really cool. :cool:

I have an old friend who has been playing since she was 4!! :eek: She said she'll give me some lessons after she has her baby in May. :cool:

[basshunter]

I just packed up the URB in it's gig bag today and set it aside in my music room. Can't wait for the meetup in VT!

I'm glad this bass is going to a good home where it'll get played. Here's a really bad cell phone picture of my Guitarist playing it on his front porch.

Yeah, I'm psyched. Plus this is such a radical departure from anything I have that when I told MrsBHtobe about it, she said "Now THAT will be really cool!" Usually when I tell her I'm getting a new bass, the reaction is :rolleyes:

Think about your schedule for Friday. THat's the day I have the most flexibility because it's just travel and set-up. Maybe we can meet up at the Sheraton for the exchange and then head into town for beers and what not. I can do Saturday too, but I won't get out of the show till about 8. Think about it. :)

[takeout]

BrianD - who'd you go to here in KC? Johnny Hamill? Gerald Spaits? Bob Bowman?

[thrash_jazz]

I'm not sure about books, but from my experience I'd honestly recommend getting a teacher instead. When I was playing a bit of upright I thought I was getting somewhere until I got a teacher and then I realized I was doing just about everything wrong.

IMO, for us electric players, the temptation to try and play the upright the same way is simply too great - and good upright technique has about as much to do with electric technique as a car does to a boat.

[BrianD]

BrianD - who'd you go to here in KC? Johnny Hamill? Gerald Spaits? Bob Bowman?

I took from Gerald Spaits for about 2 1/2 years. He was great-- and pretty inexpensive as well. I think I paid $15/half hour. He's at the Tune Shop in Prairie Village.

[Zamfir]

Z, lessons are great, but I ain't got the time right now. :shrug:

Same here. Like I said, when the time comes. ;)

[Thunderbroom]

I have this:

http://www.urbbob.com/todphildvd.jpg

[Les Izzmor]

I have this:

http://www.urbbob.com/todphildvd.jpg

That guy kinda looks like you. Then again. I've been drinking. So. I could be wrong.

[takeout]

Bassius' lessons on YouTube. Great technique video tutorials, pizzicato or arco. Left hand as well.

[basshunter]

Bassius' lessons on YouTube. Great technique video tutorials, pizzicato or arco. Left hand as well.

Shit, I'd forgotten about those!! Thanks for the reminder!