29
votes
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Why the difference between double and electric bass fingering?
I play both basses, am influenced by Mingus (among others) and have heard and played this bass line many times before so here is the skinny:
First, there is no reason to play this differently on ...
- 25.1k
22
votes
Accepted
What is at the tip of large string concert instruments, and does it damage the floor?
The device is an 'endpin' or just 'spike'.
Floor damage is prevented by addition of a protector, variously called endpin stoppers, pinstops, donuts, black holes, endpin anchors, endpin holders, spike ...
- 27.7k
21
votes
What is at the tip of large string concert instruments, and does it damage the floor?
This is really an "extra" answer augmenting, since Tetsujin has the important part.
Yes, endpin spikes definitely can damage floors. The cellist's main concern is that their instrument stay ...
- 15.9k
17
votes
How difficult is the transition from upright bass to electric bass?
Honestly, it's dead easy.
The transition the other way, electric to upright, is much harder.
I can't really add much more except anecdote. I've played both in my life, but started on electric & ...
- 27.7k
16
votes
Double basses in Beethoven's Eroica
Beethoven wrote those low notes even though he knew they were not playable on the instruments available. The subject of Beethoven's disregard for the range of the bass has been much discussed. Stephen ...
- 19.6k
14
votes
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What does 'Poco Meno' mean?
Generally it is to do with speed/tempo. Poco= a little, meno = less, so, a teensy bit slower. Slower than marked, or slower than you played the bit before. Often followed by 'mosso'.
- 190k
14
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Why are double stops rarely written for double basses, compared to other strings?
First I’d like to point out that all the info provided by @BenCrowell is on the money. I would just like to add a few points from the perspective of a bassist.
The bass does lend itself to some ...
- 25.1k
13
votes
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What is this extension on the scroll of a double bass?
It's an extension that allows the low E string to drop to low C. A lot of modern orchestral music has been written for extended range basses, and so professional bassists should have this. There are ...
- 22.3k
11
votes
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What is different in double bass bows with black hair?
I'm assuming we are talking about natural horse hair and not synthetics.
From what I understand, the white hair is finer and preferred by violin and viola players. The black hair is the coarsest and ...
- 1,447
10
votes
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Double bass harmonics are slightly flat?
If you're using a tuner, then you can safely use the octave harmonic to tune. She is wrong in saying blanketly that "the harmonics are slightly flat". Some are flat, some are sharp, some ...
- 7,491
10
votes
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Mysterious plastic tube arriving with double bass strings
This was posted by Bob Gollihur of Gollihur music, a reputable bass dealer in the US on a bass forum:
Got an official response from Thomastik on the other board:
Re: Plastic on Thomastik
I love ...
- 25.1k
10
votes
Why the difference between double and electric bass fingering?
Electric bass and upright bass are completely different instruments. They happen to have their strings tuned to the same notes, but that's roughly where the similarity ends.
An electric bass is ...
- 35.3k
9
votes
Accepted
What are some good options for playing a note written below the standard range of a double bass?
Since the standard 4 string double bass only goes down to E, and the cello down to C, this has been an issue for centuries. Many 4 string basses these days have an extension device fitted to the E ...
- 5,057
9
votes
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Double basses in Beethoven's Eroica
I would strongly advise against Solution #2 (tuning the string down). Especially if this is a school/amateur orchestra (as you say), this could wreak absolute havoc. I have enough experience giving, ...
- 84k
9
votes
Accepted
Are there any violin family instruments built without a left shoulder?
As far as double basses are concerned, it's not uncommon to see a body with something like this:
Just a normal double bass body, with a left shoulder cutaway (if it is really called like that). They ...
- 31.3k
9
votes
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String/Strap attached to Christian McBride's bass?
Looks like he has a soft pad between the body and his hip/abdomen. The strap just holds it in place
- 14.9k
8
votes
Why is there a natural accidental on this C?
The measure in question is a straightforward melodic minor scale. It is an "Etude for String Bass" so presumably there are no other instruments possibly playing (or having played) a different C. ...
- 81
8
votes
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Is it common for an orchestra to have 5 string double basses?
Extended range basses have become all but standard in professional orchestras. Lots of music uses it, so you might as well have it. In the US, the preference (for whatever reason) is for the E-...
- 22.3k
8
votes
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As there's a "double" bass, is there such a thing as a "single" bass?
Double Bass does not imply a Single Bass instrument:
but I was under the impression that the cello was a "tenor"
instrument, rather than a "bass" one.
Perhaps the cello is a tenor instrument in ...
- 6,823
8
votes
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Range implications of C extension on double bass
Look at this video, particularly from 1'35"
You finger from the left (player's view). The 'clips' are on the right. They don't obstruct fingering.
- 90.6k
7
votes
Accepted
Is a white Double Bass okay for practice?
Seemingly odd question! I guess they'll both sound and play about the same, and if it's mainly for home practice, colour shouldn't be an issue. One of the reasons solid colours are cheaper is that the ...
- 190k
7
votes
Accepted
How do you play a low Eb on a double bass?
TL;DR
The score generally leaves plenty of space to detune and retune the E string, and there are many E naturals that would clearly be better played open. There is also no scordatura indication in ...
- 82.8k
7
votes
Why the difference between double and electric bass fingering?
Just guessing here: Uprights tend to sound better/louder in the lower registers since there is "more string" involve in the same note, so there is more mechanical energy if you fret it as ...
- 1,780
6
votes
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Octaves doubling on double bass in "Sometimes I'm happy" by Lester Young?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slam_Stewart
"Leroy Eliot "Slam" Stewart (September 21, 1914 – December 10, 1987) was an African American jazz bass player whose trademark style was his ability to bow ...
- 1,450
6
votes
Accepted
Advice for a classical guitarist and Jazz bassist
Jazz bass pizz. is normally played more by the side of the finger and so you might be able to avoid your long fingernails with some practice. Long nails would be more of a problem for classical ...
- 5,057
6
votes
Accepted
Bowing signs (?) in Lajos Montag's double bass method
The are defined in the introduction. The arrows mean "full bow" and the other symbol (which is fairly standard) means "at the frog".
See the picture for the full set of symbols - apologies for the ...
- 76
6
votes
Tuning cello in 4ths
Historically there have been some jazz bassists who have also played cello and tuned it in 4ths, I recall Oscar Pettiford was one of them. He even recorded it a few times.
As @Old_Brixtonian mentioned ...
- 25.1k
6
votes
Tuning cello in 4ths
I strongly recommend renting if you can't afford even a beater bass. Even if you do tune a cello in 4ths, the resonances will be different. And more important, the bow hand positions and pressure/...
- 14.9k
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