Author Topic: Instruments and other music related chat  (Read 6223 times)

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Offline smokester

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Instruments and other music related chat
« on: September 30, 2021, 02:19:21 PM »
I was thinking of learning the double bass as it's something I've always wanted to do. I can't really find any reasons not to, but I can't help feeling that it's a bit of a fanciful idea.

Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until the day after.

There is an exception to every rule, apart from this one.

Offline dweez

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2021, 04:01:37 PM »
Nothing's wrong with "fanciful ideas". They feed the soul. As we get older and "mature" (HA!), we find more and more of a draw on our time, "being adults" and responsible. Things like this, that we do for ourselves, help our mental health and well-being. I say go for it. (Also, as it's music-related, I will always be supportive of that)
--dweez

Offline 8ullfrog

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2021, 08:10:33 PM »
I have a bass guitar, it's a great dust collector. I should have learned more during the pandemic.

I was reading about eustacian tubes, didn't even realize mine were locked up. I was just looking for the best way to adjust my headphones, and instead found instructions on how to get my head checked.

Specifically, I was experiencing "fullness". Makes sense, I've never really been able to "pop" my ears to equalize pressure. If I do the hold your breath and pop your ears thing, air shoots out of my eyes.

Offline smokester

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2021, 04:58:21 AM »
1) You haven't got a double bass
2) It's hard

Advice from a non-musician:

Start with one bass, move on to the double, and when you get really bored you can try a triple.



I don't have a double bass as I was strictly working on the chin first. As a matter of fact: I think I've mastered the quad with that, as it stands.

I have very big, powerful hands and I think they're well suited to the double bass. I was pants at the piano as fingering between 2 black keys resulted in me playing 3 notes at once. Not good unless they're a triad - or yakuza for that matter.

I looked around last night and there are quite a few tutors local to me. If I did embark on this fanciful adventure, I wonder should I buy one of the skinny, electric double bass or an old fashioned wooden one? I would like to be able to practice without annoying the cat or other members of the family.
Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until the day after.

There is an exception to every rule, apart from this one.

Offline 8ullfrog

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2021, 07:42:25 AM »
My bass amp has a headphone jack.

I also went to a swap meet and got an even smaller bass amp that runs off a 9v battery. Also has a headphone jack.

My guitar has a 9v battery to run the electronic features, but my roommate has lost it and has yet to replace it. I don't even know how to replace the plastic socket. It's an Ibanez.

aww, they make a bunch of cute little ones now, mine is super ugly.

Offline goldshirt*9

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2021, 08:34:01 AM »
Rent a lock-up in a different postcode.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Offline smokester

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2021, 09:25:47 AM »
Rent a lock-up in a different postcode.

Already have that but I need petrol to get there.

I was looking a full size double basses and they're pretty huge. I think I'd have to evict one of the children to be able to house it.

Win-win, then.
Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until the day after.

There is an exception to every rule, apart from this one.

Offline dweez

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2021, 09:33:24 AM »
Just had a laugh picturing smokester riding a bicycle to his rent lock-up with a double-bass strapped to his back.
--dweez

Offline smokester

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #8 on: October 01, 2021, 10:18:35 AM »
Just had a laugh picturing smokester riding a bicycle to his rent lock-up with a double-bass strapped to his back.

All the parents around here take their kids to school in/on cargo bikes. I could always buy one of those and fit right in.
Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until the day after.

There is an exception to every rule, apart from this one.

Offline smokester

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2021, 10:52:28 AM »
Split and moved this topic here as it was starting to breathe on its own.

Here's the latest question: it seems that most, if not all the tutors want to teach remotely. With that in mind, would it not be better to just buy a video course and see how I went with that?

In the past I really needed to have a face-to-face with my piano teacher otherwise I wouldn't practice or learn whatever tune I needed to. Having him scowl at my lack of progress was motivating. I don't think I'd be the same if he was scowling via a video call.
Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until the day after.

There is an exception to every rule, apart from this one.

Offline 8ullfrog

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2021, 11:04:39 AM »
one of my more shameful demonoid downloads was a dance fitness course.

I am neither a dancer nor fit now, goes to show how well that worked out.

Offline smokester

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2021, 03:09:51 PM »
one of my more shameful demonoid downloads was a dance fitness course.

I am neither a dancer nor fit now, goes to show how well that worked out.

That's my point really. Still, I don't want to bail on the idea at this early stage.

Just watch YouTube - isn't that what all the cool kids do?

Considering how few kids are cool these days, I'm not sure how the numbers stack up with that argument.
Don't put off until tomorrow, what you can put off until the day after.

There is an exception to every rule, apart from this one.

Offline 6pairsofshoes

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #12 on: October 02, 2021, 10:19:18 AM »
Here's a potentially stupid question:  is a double bass strung the same way as a single bass, with two identical fretboards?  And, if you are learning to play bass, wouldn't mastering a single fretboard be advisable before moving up to a more complex instrument?  Or have you been playing bass all along?

My husband is/was a luthier for many years and I could ask him this question (he's in the next room) but I really should do my homework.  It's a really boring class, so I'm on here.  I'm going to return to the work, now.

Offline 6pairsofshoes

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #13 on: October 02, 2021, 12:57:32 PM »
I was puzzled by the photo of the instrument with three necks.  Kind of like the Cerberus of instruments.  I associate what you are calling "double bass" with an acoustical bass.  The term "bass guitar" has always rankled me because it's not a guitar.

Anyway, I once picked up a violin and created a sound that could have peeled paint.  How parents deal with their children while in Suzuki lessons without losing their sanity is a big mystery.  The only string instruments (aside from a piano) that I've played with any regularity were a simple 6 string acoustical guitar and a 5 string banjo.  I didn't get very far with the latter.  Should've stuck with the guitar.  Or the piano.

Offline dweez

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Re: Instruments and other music related chat
« Reply #14 on: October 02, 2021, 01:25:28 PM »
Yeah, it's just the stand-up bass (largest of the violin family).

--dweez