How to Learn the Upright Bass
Learning to play a musical instrument is a rewarding task, whether you are young or old, male or female. The upright bass, also known as the double bass, contrabass or string bass is a versatile instrument with the ability to be played with a bow or plucked strings in a pizzicato style. It can be an easy instrument and exciting instrument for beginners to learn. The upright bass is an excellent addition to many types of musical band, ranging from jazz and bluegrass to classical and quartets.
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Instructions
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Find an upright bass to use for practice. If you do not own a bass it is possible a school will allow you to use theirs or find one you can rent. Purchasing an upright bass can range from $960 to $1,600 or more, so you might not want to buy one immediately, depending on your budget. Also upright basses range in size so if you are still growing you may want to wait before purchasing a smaller bass you might later outgrow. An electric bass is very similar to the upright bass in that it plays the same notes and the music is read the same way but there are some obvious differences, such as the lack of the bow on an electric bass, the lack of frets on an upright bass and the differences in how the two instruments are held.
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Find a teacher and/or learning material with which to learn on your own. While it might be cheaper to try to learn on your own, beginners can expect to benefit greatly from a teacher's instructions. A teacher can help a student get off to the right start by avoiding bad habits he will later have to unlearn. If a student chooses to go on his own or supplement his instruction there are many resources available, ranging from books, to online resources, to DVDs. It can be challenging to find teachers for the upright bass and it is considered an easier instrument to learn so learning on your own can be a good initial option.
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Practice as much as you can. Studies have shown that the amount of practicing is the No. 1 factor in how far he progresses. Whether you want to be a famous jazz musician or just develop a new hobby, practice should always be something you enjoy.
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Tips & Warnings
It can help to keep a practice log so you know how many hours per week you are putting into the learning process.
Practicing while in front of the TV can be a great way to improve skills.
Upright basses, while durable, are large and heavy and can be challenging to transport.
