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Right Hand Technique for Double/Upright Bass Lesson with Geoff Chalmers.
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- Опубликовано: 12 авг 2024
- ► www.discoverdoublebass.com - All our lessons & courses in one place + free double bass player resources!
Do you want a bigger tone and better time? If so you need to really focus in on your right-hand technique.
Playing with efficient use of your right hand is an essential skill for all upright bassists, but especially jazz bassists. It really pays off to isolate the right hand and focus in on ways to improve your time and your tone. In this lesson, I give an in-depth look at how you can develop these essential skills.
A lot of bassists are so focused on their left hand and their tuning they forget about how important right-hand technique is to their tone, and their time.
I hope you find this lesson helpful, let me know how you get on.
Geoff Chalmers
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I am a full time teacher of 22 years in a non-musical profession -- just want to say I think you are a very good teacher. I don't get impatient learning from you because everything you say is relevant. Great job with these videos...
Thanks Brent, i really appreciate that. Cheers Geoff :-)
Yes. Exactly! well put! Also where is the 2nd lesson? the sitting one?
Same!
I agree! Such nice, humble presentation with excellent content and technical information from an obviously sensitive professional musician. I'l love to have a pint with Geoff at the Old Dart!
As a brand new player I find your information valuable and your style easy to follow. Many thanks
awesome lesson. i went from electric bass to standup. didn't watch these videos and have had really bad shoulder issues, both left and right. fixed the left hand, figuring that was the main problem. then low and behold - the RIGHT HAND is just as important - use the weight of the arm, forearm and hand. THANKS DUDE!!!
Extremely good teaching! Thanks!
Love these lessons; they are so helpful. Thank you so much!
bought my first upright last year after a decade of gigging and recording countless hours on electric bass and feeling stagnant. thanks helping balance the love / hate relationship I have with my new instrument.
LOVELY WAY TO TRANSCEND THE KNOWLEDGE... THANK YOU!
Brilliant lesson, thanks. That is precisely what I wanted to know. I know where to come for the answers now! Cheers.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you very much!
thanks for the video! i watched left first. good thing i have had that right. but my right needs work and this helps
great stuff Geoff, makes all the difference having clear advice, thanks
+Haematic My pleasure, thanks for checking out the video. Cheers Geoff :-)
It is amazing!!
Great lesson Geoff
Very helpful Thanks
I learn an incredible amount from every single video, especially the basics. You are an incredible gifted teacher who just happens to have unbelievably wonderful bass tone. Bravo.
+Eric Garland Thanks so much Eric, that's made my day. cheers Geoff :-)
Great lassen, thankx😊 10:11
Thanks Geoff. Trying now to generate a tone I can live with (still). These "basic" lessons are always great to reference.
Thanks Keith, I really appreciate that :-)
Great job man,😺 everyone loves the sound of the upright bass. Ray Brown is one of my fave,ur very good as well,I liked the one did on voice leading with the 3rd,great technique, keep making these 👍
Thanks a lot! :-) I'm also a huge RB fan. He's still THE sound of jazz bass :-)
thank you. excellent lesson!
Thanks for watching :-)
Man, I really love this channel. My favourite DB channel in RUclips. Thanks, Geoff
Glad you enjoy it! Thanks so much :-)
Lovely lessons. Thank you so much!
+David Hazlitt My pleasure, cheers Geoff :-)
Thanks for one more great lesson!
I'm glad you liked it :-)
Great tips for a newbie like me
Glad you enjoyed it :-)
This lesson is awesome!
Thanks Daniel, I really appreciate that! Cheers Geoff :-)
just got my first DB today after years of playing electric bass. these lessons are really great to help ensure I see off bad habits before they become entrenched. Many thanks
Paul Kindermann Thanks Paul, I'm really glad you are enjoying them. I also started on electric and getting the technique sorted made a big difference for me. Best of luck with your practice, cheers Geoff :-)
Thank you, this was so helpful! Your videos are so informative and well explained, I look forward to seeing more in the future!
Oh, and could you recommend any other RUclips bassists for me to learn from?
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the lessons. Chris Fitzgerald is great... Check out Andy Anderson's bowing lessons, also Zoltan Dekany has a great channel.
great great channel🔥
Thanks, Slante
Thanks for these videos! My right-hand technique is actually my left hand technique because I play left-handed.These videos are awesome and have improved my playing a-lot, so thanks!
jaydude311 Thanks, I really appreciate that. Good luck with your playing, cheers Geoff :-)
Thanks,. Great Stuff and I don't pick my Bass up till tomorrow, so you are giving me heaps of knowledge to start me playing.
Fantastic, enjoy your new bass :-)
awesome Geoff thanks for all your technique lessons, the mirror is a great idea
Hey Timothy, I'm glad you enjoyed it and the mirror thing was a big help to me...I've also got great results from filming myself with my phone on the music stand and it's always amazing how you can't spot the little things when you are playing, and recording/filming really helps. Have a great week, cheers Geoff
No point in playing the bass unless you make sure you are looking cool :)
dude, you're an really good teacher. tnx!
+Willem Eijk Thanks Willem, have a great weekend, cheers Geoff :-)
Awesome video!
Glad you enjoyed it :-)
thank you. you are very helpful. I was playing with my finger tips and now am trying to break the habit but it is difficult. hopefully a little more practice. the notes do sound more consistent though. your a great teacher.
Thanks, great to hear you're enjoying the lessons and I hope your practice is going well :-)
I got the gnarliest blisters you have ever seen after playing the upright bass for the first time.
Getting my first DB tomorrow, and it feels very exciting to start completely over! I’ve been geeking on these videos all week! They’re really well done!
Have fun and enjoy the new bass :-)
I wish you the best...I start my journey later this morning...just waiting for them to open
@@PabloLopez-ey2rw Awesome, I can tell you after day one that its definitely gonna take a lot more physical discipline than the bass guitar. I feel like I've lifted weights with my left arm!
...same boat !!... I pick mine up end of January !! So excited, doing heaps of research..
Enjoy!!
@@violettownmicroenterprises1528 it’s been a year and a half now, and making slow but steady progress with a great teacher, I’m loving it, but sure wish I’d have taken it up 20 years earlier lol.
I only just discovered you, by accident.
I mainly play 'normal' electric bass, but got myself an acoustic Takamine B10 recently. I can play this standing up like a double or like a bass guitar. Beautiful sounds. Your lesson here opened up a whole new world for me. Thank you so much, this will help me a great deal, left and right hand use. I also think playing my Takamine either way, it will teach me lots and improve my electric bass guitar playing. You teach well, conveying the essentials, in both explainations and practic. Thanks
Thanks for watching and it's great to hear you enjoyed the video :-)
Loving these lessons! Long time electric player here. Saving up my nickels to get an upright! Thanks for posting ❤😃
Glad you like them and best of luck with finding your first double bass 👍😀
Very cool Geoff...Thanks for this lesson...Can you do a video about NHOP three figners tehnique? :) Thanks
This realy helped my start bass in middle school thanks
j wood thanks, that's great to hear. Best of luck with your playing, Cheers Geoff :-)
super good
Thanks :-)
Man is that a great sounding bass.... great player too!
Thanks Scott 🙏🏻
Great video. Thank you. I was wondering what strings you’re using on this bass, in this video. Very nice growl on your tone
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. The strings are Pirastro Evah Pirazzi, Weich gauge.
Very interesting comment about timing. Just today I watched the Adam neeley interview with Jeff Berlin, and one such question was 'is groove most important'? Jeff's answer made a lot of sense (obviously context not withstanding) he stated the steps of thought processes involved playing a phrase or piece. For example if I said Geoff, play the first eight bars of the stooges, I wanna be your dog. We can safely assume the thought processes would be something like this.
1.what are the notes
2.where are the notes
3.How are those notes played (groove).
I agree, I'd be interested to hear what you think of this. Cheers.
After several years away from a long classical performance career, I'm finding these instructions very helpful. However, I would prefer to keep my pizzicato well above the end of the fingerboard, because I will still be sometimes playing arco. Thank you for these helpful tips.
Glad you enjoyed the videos, thanks for watching :-)
Hi Geoff, great stuff on this channel, been following you for some time now. What action do you use for pizzicato?
Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it. I think it's about 7mm on the E side to around 4mm on the G. I would describe it as medium/low. It could go slightly lower, but not much without a problem with rattle.
Would one ever play without anchoring the thumb? Great right-hand technique lesson! Thank you.
For most people the thumb always rests against the side of the fingerboard, but it's not pressing, just lightly resting and it can move about as you cross strings. I don't think I would ever completely loose contact with the fingerboard though.
Thanks man! Your videos are awesome! I've developed a habit of playing with my index and middle finger to pluck the strings? Is this all right?
+dodoproductions14 Thanks for checking out the lessons and it's great to hear they are helping. I think index and middle is a good combination and helps you get more flesh under the string so I say go for it, especially if it's mostly the edge of the 1st finger coming into contact with the string.
I have had some right wrist pain I am new to double bass and I think its because I anchor too stiff on the thumb. I think it will help to take your advice to keep supple and easy and move the whole arm. I think a 'hard' anchor to the board has caused me tendon pain. Thanks Geoff!
+Mike Law great to hear the lesson has helped. You're right that the thumbs should both be very relaxed and just help to position the hand, but not to grip the bass. Best of luck with your practice, the arm weight concept takes time, but it should make everything a lot easier. Cheers Geoff :-)
i would say something about how great these lessons are but every other comment is still relevant!
Thanks so much, I always appreciate the feedback :-)
Can we use this on cello ?
Hi Geoff! Thank you so much for your lessons, they are fantastic, extremely helpful and easy to follow and understand.
I had a random question about my tuner. I just started lessons a couple months ago and have all the nifty gadgets, but I just want to make sure I am using the tuner correctly. I know that sounds crazy, but when I use the tuner for the bass at school, it brings up the correct string notes for me to tune. But, when I play my bass at home, the tuner was on a totally different note! For example, I was trying to tune the A string, but the note on the tuner was fluctuating between E and A! I mean it sounded like it was in tune and I played against my piano, but I just want to make sure I am tuning correctly.
Another example was that I was tuning the E string and my tuner was showing D#, but I kept turning the peg, basically thinking it has to be a super flat E, and it eventually started showing the E tone on the tuner. So, I did thought that would happen with the A string, but it fluctuates between E and A. :-/
Strings are totally new to me, so any advice would be helpful. I love the lessons, though, so clear and realistic; awesome job!
+Krystal Scruggs that's a tough one to answer without seeing the tuner, but my guess is that it's struggling to pick up the sound clearly. This is generally more of a problem on the lower strings.
I've found that using the harmonic at the 1 octave point of the string (equivalent of 12th fret on a bass guitar) works better than using the open string. I've also found that using the bow is better than playing pizz when tuning with a tuner too. .
I hope that helps, cheers Geoff
Ahhh, got it, thank you! I actually thought about maybe playing an actual note instead of the open string, so that is super helpful that you brought that up as an option. I have the Snark Tuner, and you were correct, it was picking up other sounds (even very slight) and couldn't narrow down my pizz of the E string clearly. I started using the bow to tune the strings, and finally got it to read properly. Now working on learning to listen for proper tune without the visual aid of my tuner ... and my left hand (ahhhh, challenging for me for some reason!). Thank you so much, Geoff, for all of your help, it's spot on!
+Krystal Scruggs thanks that's great to hear :-) Best of luck with your practice and have a great week, cheers Geoff
I really like what you played at 7:28, as well as your intro. What is this type of playing called? I notice you slide in and out of notes using octaves and let a lot of open strings vibrate together. Thanks for the lesson.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I think I was playing a lick based in the key of G7 with lots of bluesy slides up to the 3rd and 7th.
Really nice tone on that E. What brand are you using?
Thanks, the strings are Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Weich.
Great video! One question, how much force to you put into plucking your strings? I got a blister on my index from plucking to hard, but I can't play any softer because my tone and volume will diminish. Thanks!
Thanks for checking out the video. There's not much tension, but a fair amount of power using arm weight. That's the key to understanding that aspect as just using minimal power will sound weaker than utilising the full weight of the hand and arm, plus allow you to play for longer. Blisters are a pain but they will get better with time as you build up calluses.
Hi, Geoff! Great instructions on right hand technique. Now: as you play at the end of the fingerboard, do you ever get rosin from the strings sticking on to your fingers? This sometimes slows my notes down and gets me out of time. And then I find myself playing higher up the fingerboard just to escape the glue, even though it compromises the tone and attack. If you too have this little problem, how do you handle it? (Please don't tell me to buy a second bass for playing classical... ) :)
Best regards,
Martin
That's a great point. I don't find it's a big problem as I always try to bow just below the fingerboard and my fingers don't go quite that far..but I do generally wipe the rosin clean on a jazz gig if I'm not using the bow. I also had a teacher who drilled into me not to bow above the fingerboard, so that also helps for this issue..but I think carrying a hand cloth to wipe that area clean before the gig is helpful. I keep mine behind the tailpiece.
I just started watching these vids so if this questions is answered in another please direct me there but....when you're actually walking a line at tempo, and more specifically something up tempo (like giant steps/Cherokee tempo) how much arm movement do you actually make?
The faster you go the less arm movement you can use and eventually you end up picking with 2 fingers like bass guitar at really fast tempos. I hope that helps, cheers Geoff
Hey Geoff, I was wondering if you could help me with something. I feel like I have a good right hand technique, but my bass doesn't make the nice woody sound that I hear from a lot of other basses. In fact, it sounds very bad. I'm wondering if that just has to do with the bass itself of if it's my technique?
It's really hard to tell without seeing the bass, but practically any bass should sound good if played with great technique. Obviously a top quality instrument will sound better still, but even a cheap plywood bass will sound really good if played with the right technique,strings and set up. I always recommend getting a good set of strings and having your bass set up if its hard to play. Those two things can make a huge difference and give you the best chance. However, without good right hand technique it will never sound great. Try playing other peoples instruments and see how you get on, can you draw a great tone from their basses? Perhaps ask for some feedback on your bass to see if they think it needs work. As long as you spend most of your time on your technique and do the best you can with your set up you do great. Good luck with your practice, Cheers Geoff
I am a beginner trying to learn in a very short amount of time. I switched from violin to bass because my orchestra didn't have any bass players. Do you have any tips on bowing and pitzing?
Great to hear you're making the switch to double bass and we do have many free lessons on arco and pizz technique you can check out in our lessons library: discoverdoublebass.com/lessons-library/
tips on playing crazy fast? like christian mcbride fast
Big question as there's a lot of different things you need to get there, but here's some quick ideas.
1. Aim to play with as much relaxation as possible. Make sure you're using arm weight in both hands where possible.
2. Memorise the chord progression. Learn language Eg, walking or soloing patterns.
3. Practice string crossing with the right hand as they can trip you up.
4. Use hammer ons and pull offs.
5. Practice playing fast, but start at a slow tempo and build up the speed. Use a metronome to keep a record of your speed and give you something to check how accurate you are.
6. Learn to feel the pulse on 2 & 4 at slow/medium tempos...but as you get to 300bpm and faster work on feeling the pulse on 1&3 or even just 1. (use the metronome for this).
7. Develop your left hand technique by learning how to shift and navigate the fingerboard fluidly.
...and don't forget to keep as relaxed as possible the whole time.
Good luck, cheers Geoff
Hi Geoff, What pickup do you use? Thanks
+Nathan Blair I use the Fishman Full Circle for live gigs and a Heil PR40 mic for the lessons.
Thanks for these lessons! I'm learning fast. But my double bass teacher told me that I have to learn with the bow before use fingers... because I need learn by that way for be admited in a orchestra. What do you think?
(Perdón si no se entendió, el inglés no es mi idioma principal)
I like both pizz and the bow and would always recommend both...but if you were playing mostly classical then it would make sense to use the bow predominantly. Best of luck with your practice, cheers Geoff :-)
Thanks!
Hi Geoff, I'm Ryan... Thanks for you videos, it's really helpful.. One thing, do you know how to make every single string on double bass become more balance? I mean, in my double bass (I have Clevinger electric double bass), the 4th string (E) had a weak signal, can you help me? Thanks Geoff...
+muhammad gusrianto It may be that the E string is too low, that's often the case. Also if you do get a quieter string on the double bass it does tend to be the E string. Some players use a heavier gauge string on the E to combat this. I think it's also possible it could be related to the pickup, but you could test that by playing acoustically to see if it's still weaker...lastly there's the issue of technique and as the E string is bigger it does take a bit more work to get moving, so I would check your technique by playing in front of a mirror and make sure you are using arm weight. So, it's a tricky one as it could be a few things, but hopefully that gives you some areas to explore. Good luck, cheers Geoff
Thank's for your quick reply, I really appreciate it. And for my problem, I would try to find the causes base on your email, it's really guide me. I'll let you know what really happened on my E string soon. Thank's a lot Geoff...
Is there a difference in the setup of classical and jazz bass? Is it ok to start playing jazz on a classical bass?
There can be, often the string heights are a touch higher for classical, especially on the lower strings. They need more clearance as the strings oscillate wider when played with the bow. The main difference is that classical players often use different sets of strings to jazz players. . but i wouldn't let any of that put you off and just get started with what you have. The double bass is an amazing instrument and I hope you enjoy your new bass!
Thank you so much. I must say, I absolutely love that instrument I got. I know, there're even better ones out there but for a start it feels very good! It makes lots of fun! I felt that when playing the bass I instantly got an amazing feeling for timy and rhythm, more than I felt on the piano before. And after my bass session even the piano session started swinging for the first time. Absolutely worth the money :))) Thank you so much for your tutorials!!!
I know this video is 9 yrs old but I figure I'll ask anyway.
I move my thumb according to what string I play as I do with bass guitar. So when I play on the E string, my thumb is on the fingerboard, when I play on the A string, my thumb is on the E string, and so on.
Just wondering if this an acceptable technique and if it will hinder my progress?
IMO, that approach will slow you down and isn't the best way to approach right hand technique on upright bass. I think the concepts in this video are a better starting place, but anything is possible. It's really a personal decision.
Best of luck with all your playing and feel free to check out our lessons library if you're looking for more on right hand technique discoverdoublebass.com/lessons-library/
I'm looking to buy my first double bass and have 2 options for a similar price: Strunal 50/4 or Rudolph RB-234-G 3/4. Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations?
I'm afraid I've not played those two basses, but Strunal is a decent brand that I've heard of. There are so many variables it's hard to recommend instruments without playing them. Best of luck on your search and I hope you find a great instrument that you love playing.
@@DiscoverDoubleBass Thanks - I appreciate the reply. The search goes on.
Lesson starts at 0:55
hi ..is same technique for electric doublebass?
Yes it's the same. Good luck with your practice, cheers Geoff
Hello, Geoff! It's interesting what you said about not using two fingirs like in electric bass so you can endure fast tempos and/or long tunes. But, at the same time, a double bass teacher here told me that your time precision cannot depend on your arm, especially if you're playing fast or long tunes (because the strength or weight is not "focused" on the string...am I clear?). What would you suggest me?
I mean...he doesn't play like an electric bass, but basically he told me not to play with my arm as a flipper (as if I were a seal) because that's not good for time precision.
I think that it's hard to tell as he's describing a motion you were making and I that means we could be misinterpreting his meaning. I would always recommend the use of arm/hand weight in general playing and switching to 2 fingers when the tempo gets too fast. This is really standard technique. It could be that you were over using your elbow? I'm not sure, but the use of arm/hand weight won't effect your rhythmical accuracy, unless you were trying to use it at a tempo that was too fast and you couldn't keep up with the tempo... but my best guess is that your teacher was referencing an unusual movement you were doing as I don't know of any bass teachers who don't recommend using arm/hand weight for jazz pizz.
I see. Yes, it might have been that I was doing it incorrectly, like moving too much as you say (and "arriving" late to the string).Thank's for your time, Geoff! Greetings from Argentina.
Thanks and good luck with all your practice, cheers Geoff :-)
Lovely! May I ask what strings you use??
***** Thanks Chris, I use Pirastro Evah Pirazzi weich strings in all my videos. Cheers Geoff
Discover Double Bass Thanks!! You think they are good with Magnetic pickups?? I'm looking for that kind of attack and I find Thomastik Spirocore very mellow
Discover Double Bass Thanks!! You think they are good with Magnetic pickups?? I'm looking for that kind of attack and I find Thomastik Spirocore very mellow
***** I'm not sure as the Evahs are darker than the spiros in my view. Also they have a synthetic core so may not work with the magnetic pickup. I also like D'Addario zyex which are a touch brighter than Evahs, but not as bright as spiros. Also if you are using the regular (orchestra) gauge spiros it may be worth considering trying the weich (light) gauge...I hope that helps, good luck :-)
Does one forsake tone for speed?
The faster you play the less you can use hand/arm weight and more you are forced to use your fingertips. Both of which change the tone and make it a 'lighter' tone..... but it's not apparent to the listeners as the notes sound for less time.
I like to think of it the other way around...that the slower you play the more important it is to really focus on your tone. You also have more time to focus on that aspect.
I am from a small town and would like to rent to own a double bass, just getting into it, but I am struggling to find someone who rents to own basses. Can you give me some direction of how to get into a double bass without putting out tons of money right away?
Sure, I would recommend you do the usual searches for local bass shops which may have rental schemes. If that's not successful then you might want to search for a local teacher who could recommend a hire place, or even have an instrument to hire themselves. Also, the double bass forums on talkbass.com are well worth searching and possibly posting to ask for help as there's a lot of players on there who might be able to help.
Best of luck with your search. :-)
I want to learn how to play the upright bass and I’m 16. Am I still in the right time?
Yes! That's a great time to start and I really hope you go for it! :-)
Hey, thanks for replying you can count on me🎶👍🏻
Hey I’ve been playing jazz double bass for years but I’ve never really seen other double bassists play until recently. I have developed a technique where I use all three fingers, perpendicular to the fingerboard (finger tips). This provides a large warm sound. Even though this isn’t the ‘correct’ technique, I don’t hear a difference between a traditional technique and my technique. So is there any need to change my technique? Thanks.
I think it's all about now comfortable you are playing for long periods. If that's ok and you like the tone then there's no reason to change. Three fingers played perpendicular is often used by bassists looking for more speed. Check out the great Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.
ruclips.net/video/veYYa58QAZY/видео.html
Discover Double Bass thanks that’s very helpful. Bass = best instrument ever 👌👌🔥🔥🔥
Why is a normal acoustic bass called *double* bass in English? What has been doubled?
From what I heard, it's because we double cellos in orchestras. There are alternatives such as upright bass, contrabass, and string bass.
@@danielkhan1 Yes, upright bass, contrabass and string bass are the terms used in my language. But what has doubled cellos to do with the bass?
ohhh, but when your lessons in french please ...... ???
The way you engage your arm seems unhealthy in the long run.. looks like the old chicken wing...
Excelent videos! Ive been playing bass guitar for 8 years and im really curious about playing a double bass as well, but im very confunsed on where to start, what double bass should i buy, any tips would really go a long way :)
psnshavo002 Hi, great to hear you are getting into upright. I would prioritise getting a bass that's well set up with decent strings. Asking local teachers if they know of a preowned instrument is worth doing, or checking at local music shop as if it's already set up then it will be a lot easier to play. I hope you find something, upright is a lot of fun and it's great if you also play electric bass. Cheers Geoff :-)