Introduction to the Bass: Left Hand Technique

Bassist and vocalist Nicki Parrott guides you through warm-ups to develop proper left hand technique on the bass to reduce injury and build intonation.
Learn more by visiting the Jazz Academy at academy.jazz.org
Nicki Parrott - Bass
Eric Suquet - Director
Bill Thomas - Director of Photography
Aaron Chandler - Sound Engineer
Seton Hawkins - Producer
Recorded November 4, 2014

[@marcoleonardis1840]

The teacher is Nicki Parrott, one of the best contemporary jazz singer / bassist, with 28 albums in 2017

[@TonyfromBham]

Man, I can listen to this woman talk about learning to improve one's jazz playing all day--and I don't play bass.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Me too, Tony! All these Lincoln Center videos are wonderful.

[@RobertSilvestri86]

Agree. Not only that, but I wish I were her bass.

[@Setheskivias]

Me too. She just has a certain je ne sais quoi, a certain charisma. Very in formative.

[@basslover1345]

Wow, I love this lady. The best teacher in KZbin

[@donaldswan1587]

Damn, your intonation is incredible. Watched some other vids too. You really give us noobs something to reach for!

[@williamayres4634]

Thank you Nicki, this was helpful. I started really concentrating about third finger at the octave this morning while practicing. We met about 20 years ago through Michael Moore, one of our common teachers. We've seen you often at Shanghai Jazz and WPU with Cat Russell and FDU with DIVA over the years. You are one of those players who is inspirational to those of us who are perpetual students.

[@hhohn]

Wow, excellent intonation and skills. Thank you for the instruction. I really appreciate it.

[@starlightghometheater2365]

Gerard Stroh!! Nicki Parrott!! Thankyou So Much On The Double Bass and I Got Back into Playing Double Bass!!! I Played Double Bass in Junior High and High School and I Play Classical Music and After High School I had to Give it up Because of the Price of A Double Bass!! About 2010 I Got Back into Playing Double Bass and First I got A Cheap Electric Double Bass and 2020 I Decighted To Get A Real Acoustic Double Bass and it is Awesome!!! I Also Play Bass Guitar and Piano and Organ and Lead Guitar But I Never Learn The Thumb Fingering on the Double Bass so I am Learning It Watching Your Videos!!! I am 61 Years Old and I never Lost How to Play the Double Bass and I was Born With Perfit Pitch So That Helps Me Because the Double Bass Does Not Have Frets!!! I know How to use the French and German Bow and I love Classical & Jazz and Rock & Country Music!! Thankyou Nicki Parrott!!!

[@gdbrabenec]

The fundamental warm-up and practice regimen I've been looking for. What a musician! ♥️

[@grizelda4526]

Thank you. My first upright arrives this week and I can’t wait to get started. I can see I’m going to be looking for a lot of your videos!

[@fireemblemistrash75]

Which one did you get? Carved, hybrid, laminated?

[@boatsandbitsandbobs]

So it was a year ago how did you get on since? Hope you over the pain and enjoying playing ur dB. I actually just got one now and never tried before

[@DKlassicsG]

I've learned more from this video, that I have from several ''lessons'' on youtube. Thanks for this!

[@egmedicus]

Excellent!! I got a teacher. Thank you. Please more beginners lessons.

[@gonnfishy2987]

This is intoxicating. Wish i still played DB and had seen this during that time

[@BradleyThomasbassman]

excellent demonstration on thumb position playing! I learned something!

[@SeanVplayer]

So Much good information, So Much good advice on avoiding injury, Great lesson! Thank You!

[@olivierpachet3423]

Thanks a lot Miss Parrott. Interesting and clear.

[@PootaurStuff]

Nicki doesnt know it, but the very first electric contra double bass I am about to make will be named in her honor! I thinks she is the BEST player around, and she has a lovely look, and so talented. Nicky is just so incredible! If I lived near her, I would build her a custom made hollow body bass, maybe with rose, leaf, and vine patterns raise above the surface... not down into the wood like lazy talentless carvers do. And a lot of gold leaf work to go with it!!! Nicki is a total darling!!!

[@MichaelFClef]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful. And beautiful playing.

[@Carryon392]

Great tone. Many thanks, Ms. Parrott.

[@user-sj1kf2uj9o]

The most beatіfull double bass player in the world !

[@jazzbrew68]

Wonderful tone. Great lesson.

[@bethjay5225]

Such effortless thumb position playing. Wow!

[@michallukes7878]

Wow, she is so wow. Her skill is so wow. Just wow!

[@aaronboelbaai7813]

beautiful sound Nicky....wauww

[@markmazzy5667]

thanks Nicki, great stuff.

[@sidneybarrett8941]

She puts more content into seven minutes that the other videos put in fifteen.

[@vasconcellosdecastro]

Great bass player and also a great teacher!

[@MrSilver261]

good fingering and left hand technique (im in love !)

So Australian! - starting with G'Day :-)

[@seraphthecreator]

She should be repatriated. Make a change from the trash that keeps coming back.

[@vladimirnekhno4059]

Cool Nicki! THx a lot!

[@HGQjazz]

Nicki is adorable.

[@paulkiss1981]

There must be some marks on that fingerboard, otherwise how do they know precisely where to push strings??

[@cemalyucel]

very very master teacher...

[@EnriqueSampaio]

Very, very good lesson, thanks a lot1

[@aarongonzales]

Good tips for a beginner!

[@javierpicon2558]

Great!

[@crispinimini]

the teacher more inteligent, skill and wonderful.

[@Jkaterchannel]

Classy!

[@gerardstroh9970]

Hi Nicki Parrott** My Name Is Gerard Stroh In Tracy Ca. In The Usa and I Played The Double Bass In Junior High and High School and I Have Not Sence Play The Double Bass the 1980's But around 5 Years Ago I Got Back Into It and I got A Electric Stick Upright Bass It Was OK But They Did Not Had The Real Double Bass Sound So About 2 Weeks Ago I Order Me One Online and I Got It 2 Days Ago and I am Having A Goodtime With It and I am 59 and Going To Be 60 Years Old On My Next Birthday Nicki Parrott*** I Played Classical Music My First Love Of Music But Never Learn The Upper Part Of The Neck after The Octive Like The 12 Fret On The Guitar and I Play All The Instruments In A Band All From The Piano + Guitar + Lead Guitar + Slide Guitar + Bass + Guitar + Mandolin + Banjo + Double Bass and Play At The Violin Nicki Parrott**** So I Want To Get Good At Playing Up On The Neck On The Fingerboard and Been Waiching Videos Plus Your Video Too and They Are Great Nicki Parrott*** You The Only String Basses That Plays Double Bass And Sings Is Very Awesome Nicki Parrott*** What Type Of Strings Do You Use On Your Double Bass Nicki Parrott*** I Have Not Forgottin How To Play The Double Bass Nicki infact It's All Coming Back Like It Was Yesterday Nicki Parrott*** I Love Your Channel and Keep Up The Good Work On Your Channel and also Your Bass Playing and Your Singing Voice*** Bye Nicki Parrott** From Gerard Stroh**

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

love it!!

[@banzaibomb4980]

By referring to the standup as a "acoustic bass", does that lead to confusion between a standup and a guitar style hollow body bass?

[@aeneasstrozier8944]

BanzaiBomb since double basses are far more common that acoustic bass guitars, you acoustic bass usually means stand up bass unless clarified by saying acoustic bas guitar

[@danielvenancio5443]

Hi, great class, thanks. I have a question, is thumb position possible on the four strings or only D and G? 🙏🏻

[@lindseyjohn4789]

How high are your strings?

[@maximfinojenok228]

+

[@reginebaratte5932]

C est tres bien mais çà devrait être en Français

[@stephenstrings]

I thought about you . . . . Yes I will. Thanks Nicki.

[@stephenstrings]

Oh no . . I can't get started . That would be true.

[@tomcat27557]

does't anyone play the upright bass overhanded?

[@deldia]

Like a guitar?

[@1stIndia]

Oh, ok! I've been holding my durn mouth wrong! 👍😏

[@cooper5431]

Let's start with the g string ...

[@ulrichjackisch7637]

get it operate asap the only way

[@ulrichjackisch7637]

SIMILAR TO VIOLAN

[@raidaman1]

Hell...looks like I'm in for a long haul, switching from electric.

[@charlyblue355]

Thanks for your tips, beautiful woman

[@themusiccovenant]

She is.......