Double Bass Standing and Sitting Positions

[@georgefulton8152]

I never tire of reviewing the fundamentals. I find that reviewing them always yields little nuggets of brilliance, and often find my basic fundamentals have drifted off target a little, resulting in causing me to work too hard, or not efficiently, etc. It's great to practice the fundamentals as though picking up the bass for the first time. THIS is exactly what is beautiful about your explanations - they are SO clear - and provide meaning behind the little things which end up being the huge things during a performance. I don't think I've seen a better explanation of position in any video. It's so clear that I feel I can walk away from the video and instantly remember it by virtue of your meaningful explanations. This is the kind of teaching which really leads to gains in performance. My hat is way off to you on this. Now I want to revisit everything you've taught here as though for the first time. GREAT video.

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hi George, thanks very much for your generous comments! It is very good to brush up on basics, I do it often when I feel that something is not working as well as expected. I had very good teachers so anything I share is credit to them and the years of experience in normal one to one teaching. Always been a fan of trying to convey things simply and clearly. There’s no secrets in music as I am sure you know, it evolves in you by regarding it day to day and a small step at the time. Really glad to know that these video lessons are helpful to you! Best wishes, Zoltan

[@MisterstereoOso]

Hi Zoltan, just to echo some of the other comments, this vlog is really helpful to we “novices”...you really are a “ user friendly” teacher ! I hope to sign up sometime soon but in the meantime these vlogs are a huge help in getting started, big THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge.

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Great! These lessons are here to help..in case you'd like to dig deeper there are free courses on the website: www.zoltansbasslounge.com/ Best wishes with your learning Tony

[@dwalk764]

Hi Zoltan, I first saw you at Scott's Bass Lessons. I've been playing electric bass with a jazz band and want to move over to upright. Thanks for providing these lessons. You are a very good teacher.

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hi, I am glad you can make use of these lessons! Cheers,Zoltan

[@jimappleby9378]

Zoltan, I've been playing (strumming) a guitar for many years (I'm in my 60's) and have wanted to learn the upright bass for quite a while. I plan to play "crooners' style, country, and perhaps even learn to use the bow and play classical. Unfortunately, there aren't many choices in my area, either in teachers or rental instruments. So I've been perusing the internet searching for basic training videos to help me learn while I'm searching for an instrument, hopefully to rent first. Fortunately, there are many upright bass videos showing styles and techniques (slap, rockabilly, jazz, etc.). Unfortunately, I haven't found any that cover all the basics ... the very basics, complete with suggested lessons. ... until now. You're videos are by far the most informative and helpful, at least to me ... a beginner's beginner. I appreciate the detail with which you explain everything. Thanks for your lessons and I look forward to viewing more of them soon. Jim A.

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hi Jim, Thanks very much for your kind comment!! Well, I've been teaching the usual way for decades now and getting into filming what I'd usually teach to someone in person was a bit of a challenge at first. So it's great to hear that my efforts are paying off and these clips are helping you. Got a lot more stuff to film at this point but please let me know what it is you are really interested in learning right now and if I can I will make a video or two to cover it. Hope you are well and will find an instrument soon! All the best, Zoltan

[@MACeron-sv7og]

This video taught me a lot of things thanks

[@MACeron-sv7og]

I am only 11

[@darenburns]

This is great info Zoltan, thanks and hope you are doing well!

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hey Daren, thank you! Hope all is well with you too!

[@puppetskin]

I'm a beginner kontrabass player, I am enjoying playing my new bass with it staying on the stand. I don't have to be concerned with it moving and I can focus on the left hand and bowing. Do you see any detriments to playing this way? I only play at home for my own pleasure.

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hi, no not really. I sit a lot of the times which is similar to what you are doing as the bass sits very securely as i play. The only thing i would say, if you ever want to play away from your room you'll need to learn either to sit or stand. It is much easier to sit with your bass, so that may be a good way to go..Best wishes, Zoltan

[@kittycatt738]

Dear Zoltan Dekany, thank you for your great videos! I have been looking for informative ways to reduce severe back pain on my left side after I play the double bass in a sitting posture. I am just shy of 5 ft and play a 3/4 size double bass [the only bass I can find at the moment]. I use a stool I just about have to hop up on but no matter what height I change the end pin to, I always get quite bad pains after playing. I sincerely hope I can find some solutions that do not require me to stop playing!

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hi, thanks very much for the nice comment, i am pleased the videos are useful. Very sorry to hear about your backpain! Just a quick question, do you raise your left arm and shoulder while playing? that could contribute to backpain, also if you curve your back and "slouch" onto the bass when playing in higher positions could add to your problems. Try keeping your spine straight and move your upper body back and forth from your lower back. Really hope this will get better for you and you wont have to stop playing!

[@KriZeZZ]

Hi there, first of all, nice video! Next, I have a question: At the end of your lesson you talk a little about left hand technique and that you use your arm weight to pull the string down and that it's a big privilege of playing the bass while sitting. But if you go to the E-string, would you put your arm up, so that you still use your arm weight? And how high would you put it? I hope you could answer this.

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hi Krizezz, Sorry for the delay, i am doing 5 west end shows in London at the moment, and part of a tour, so working flat out... What you need to do is to bring your arm in towards the E string so you maintain as much of the posture of your arm and hand as you had on the G string. Take a look at this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHaYgn-eeq-pgM0 start at 2:37. I explain exactly that issue, and it is the same sitting or standing. The E string is slightly harder to access simply because of its geographical location on the fingerboard, so if your wrist will bend slightly is not a problem. So as you come over to the lower strings, always bring your shoulder in a little bit at the time. Hope this helps, Let me know how you get on, Zoltan ps.:what is your real first name?

[@KriZeZZ]

Hi Zoltan, Thanks you very much for your response. I also watched te video you send me and it made it more clear. I think it's going to be fine, I already made a lot of progress with the left arm- technique; I used to squeeze with my thumb and it worked for like 8.5 years of playing. But then I started to play much more difficult classical music than I used too, and my hand cramped at the fast pieces. Now I play maybe almost 10 year by the way. Good luck with your shows! Christian

[@zoltansbasslounge]

Hey Christian, I used to squeeze my thumb too and cramped my left hand a lot years ago. Actually much like you when i started to play more complex and faster music, i had to readjust my left hand technique. You must be a really evolved player at this point, assume you have a teacher? Its really important to have lessons, i think these online videos are helpful and great as resources, but i beleive they dont replace a good one to one teacher. From my own teaching experience, it is much different having a student with you then talking to a camera. Hope all is well with you, Cheers, Zoltan ps.:it's nice to know your first name..

[@KriZeZZ]

Hey Zoltan, Thank you very much for you reply! Yes I have a teacher for classical music and she helped me with it, but I also had found a lot of information on youtube. And yes everything is alright with me! I hope everything is with you also. thanks, Christian