Topic: Instruments and other music related chat

[smokester]

I was thinking of learning the double bass as it's something I've always wanted to do. I can't really find any reasons not to, but I can't help feeling that it's a bit of a fanciful idea.

[dweez]

Nothing's wrong with "fanciful ideas". They feed the soul. As we get older and "mature" (HA!), we find more and more of a draw on our time, "being adults" and responsible. Things like this, that we do for ourselves, help our mental health and well-being. I say go for it. (Also, as it's music-related, I will always be supportive of that)

[8ullfrog]

I have a bass guitar, it's a great dust collector. I should have learned more during the pandemic.

I was reading about eustacian tubes, didn't even realize mine were locked up. I was just looking for the best way to adjust my headphones, and instead found instructions on how to get my head checked.

Specifically, I was experiencing "fullness". Makes sense, I've never really been able to "pop" my ears to equalize pressure. If I do the hold your breath and pop your ears thing, air shoots out of my eyes.

[smokester]

1) You haven't got a double bass
2) It's hard

Advice from a non-musician:

Start with one bass, move on to the double, and when you get really bored you can try a triple.

I don't have a double bass as I was strictly working on the chin first. As a matter of fact: I think I've mastered the quad with that, as it stands.

I have very big, powerful hands and I think they're well suited to the double bass. I was pants at the piano as fingering between 2 black keys resulted in me playing 3 notes at once. Not good unless they're a triad - or yakuza for that matter.

I looked around last night and there are quite a few tutors local to me. If I did embark on this fanciful adventure, I wonder should I buy one of the skinny, electric double bass or an old fashioned wooden one? I would like to be able to practice without annoying the cat or other members of the family.

[8ullfrog]

My bass amp has a headphone jack.

I also went to a swap meet and got an even smaller bass amp that runs off a 9v battery. Also has a headphone jack.

My guitar has a 9v battery to run the electronic features, but my roommate has lost it and has yet to replace it. I don't even know how to replace the plastic socket. It's an Ibanez.

aww, they make a bunch of cute little ones now, mine is super ugly.

[goldshirt*9]

Rent a lock-up in a different postcode.

 

[smokester]

Rent a lock-up in a different postcode.

Already have that but I need petrol to get there.

I was looking a full size double basses and they're pretty huge. I think I'd have to evict one of the children to be able to house it.

Win-win, then.

[dweez]

Just had a laugh picturing smokester riding a bicycle to his rent lock-up with a double-bass strapped to his back.

[smokester]

Just had a laugh picturing smokester riding a bicycle to his rent lock-up with a double-bass strapped to his back.

All the parents around here take their kids to school in/on cargo bikes. I could always buy one of those and fit right in.

[smokester]

Split and moved this topic here as it was starting to breathe on its own.

Here's the latest question: it seems that most, if not all the tutors want to teach remotely. With that in mind, would it not be better to just buy a video course and see how I went with that?

In the past I really needed to have a face-to-face with my piano teacher otherwise I wouldn't practice or learn whatever tune I needed to. Having him scowl at my lack of progress was motivating. I don't think I'd be the same if he was scowling via a video call.

[8ullfrog]

one of my more shameful demonoid downloads was a dance fitness course.

I am neither a dancer nor fit now, goes to show how well that worked out.

[smokester]

one of my more shameful demonoid downloads was a dance fitness course.

I am neither a dancer nor fit now, goes to show how well that worked out.

That's my point really. Still, I don't want to bail on the idea at this early stage.

Just watch YouTube - isn't that what all the cool kids do?

Considering how few kids are cool these days, I'm not sure how the numbers stack up with that argument.

[6pairsofshoes]

Here's a potentially stupid question:  is a double bass strung the same way as a single bass, with two identical fretboards?  And, if you are learning to play bass, wouldn't mastering a single fretboard be advisable before moving up to a more complex instrument?  Or have you been playing bass all along?

My husband is/was a luthier for many years and I could ask him this question (he's in the next room) but I really should do my homework.  It's a really boring class, so I'm on here.  I'm going to return to the work, now.

[6pairsofshoes]

I was puzzled by the photo of the instrument with three necks.  Kind of like the Cerberus of instruments.  I associate what you are calling "double bass" with an acoustical bass.  The term "bass guitar" has always rankled me because it's not a guitar.

Anyway, I once picked up a violin and created a sound that could have peeled paint.  How parents deal with their children while in Suzuki lessons without losing their sanity is a big mystery.  The only string instruments (aside from a piano) that I've played with any regularity were a simple 6 string acoustical guitar and a 5 string banjo.  I didn't get very far with the latter.  Should've stuck with the guitar.  Or the piano.

[dweez]

Yeah, it's just the stand-up bass (largest of the violin family).