How to Hold a Bass Fiddle

Video Transcript

"On behalf of Expert Village, I'm Steve Anthony here in New York City. Today we're going to talk a little bit about Country Bass Fiddle techniques for beginners. Well, since this video is designed for beginners, let's talk a little bit about the instrument that we're working with today. This is the largest member of the violin family. It's known as the Bass Violin. We also know it affectionately as the Dog House, Gut Bucket, Stand-up Bass, Up-right Bass, there are many different ways of naming this instrument. It varies, it is very different from an electric Bass in. obviously, that it stands up. The strings are bigger, heavier, there are no frets on the neck. Which, again, even though you're a beginner I'm sure you know all these things already, but we'll go over it for those who might not. Generally, your posture for playing the Bass, you want the nut to be right about at your forehead level. That's the way a lot of people find it comfortable so your hand and wrist, so your left hand can be in a comfortable position. As far as playing with your right hand, you want your fingers just about at the bottom of the neck. You don't really want to be playing up here, you don't get the full tone. You can see the difference there. And you pull the string almost like you're drawing back on a bow and arrow."