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Many electric bass players would love to also play the double bass, but the differences between these instruments can be overwhelming. Also, the availability of double basses to experiment with (unless you take the plunge and buy one up front) and the opportunities to have an experienced double bassist lay down the ground rules for playing the instrument are slim unless you pay to take private lessons.
Points to Consider
Double basses have a much longer string length. Electric basses have an average string length of 32 inches, where double basses have an average string length of 42 inches (this can vary from 40 to 44, so if you are looking for a bass ask yourself: "are my hands big enough to play this instrument comfortably?")
Due to the considerably longer string length, left hand technique is very different. Where on electric bass all four fingers (pointer, middle, ring and pinky or 1-4) are used one finger per fret, on the double bass all four fingers are never used together because it would be impossible to play in tune. In the lower positions the ring finger is omitted, so if you wanted to play F-F#-G on the E string in the lowest position, you would use the 1-2-4 (instead of 1-2-3 on electric). As you approach the octave harmonic (12th fret on the electric bass) the 3rd finger is substituted for the pinky (3 instead of 4) and used all the way into the highest positions. The higher positions on the bass are called "Thumb Position" because starting on the octave harmonic, the thumb is brought around the neck and used as any other finger: thumb, 1,2,3.
How you close the string on the double bass is also different than on an electric. An electric bass has approximately 20-30 pounds of string tension on it, making it possible to squeeze the string with the hand without a high risk of injury. The double bass, on the other hand, has over 100 pounds of string tension, making it necessary to pull the string back with the weight of your arm. Failure to use the larger muscle groups of your arm as much as possible can result in injury.
One of the most obvious differences is that the double bass is played vertically; the electric bass is played horizontally. The vertical nature of the double bass causes the use of an adjustable endpin. As a general rule, the endpin should be set at the height where the nut (the piece of ebony at the bottom of the pegbox holding the strings in the designated spacing) is level with the player's eyebrow. Note: playing vertically rather than horizontally can be much more comfortable when done correctly -- it is closer to the body's natural position while playing horizontally causes a twist at the elbow/wrist.
A starting point for holding the double bass:
- Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart.
- Step forward with your left foot so that the heel of your left foot is a few inches farther than the line of your right toes.
- Place the bass in front of your left toes and lean the bass into your body so the back corner of the bass is in line with your rib cage and the nut is level with your eyebrow (if the endpin is set at the proper height). The exact distances vary from person to person based on height, width, and proportion.
Plucking the string (pizzicato)
Much like resting your thumb on the pick-up of an electric bass for stability, rest your thumb on the side of the fingerboard close to the bridge end. The placement of the hand closer/farther away from the bridge affects the character of the tone. Then, experiment with the angle your fingers approach the string and how deep into the fingertip you are contacting the string. As an example, if your fingers are closer to the bridge, at a right angle to the strings, and you are contacting the string with the very tip of the finger, then a sharp, focused and nasal sound will occur. If you are well onto the fingerboard with your fingers parallel to the string and you are contacting the string deep on the finger, a broad, less focused, softer sound will occur.
Bowing the string (arco)
The concept of bowing is completely foreign to electric bassists. (Unless you are experimenting in the style of Jimmy Page!) Holding the bow should be as relaxed as possible. Place your thumb in the corner where the frog meets the stick, and let the fingers of the hand fan across the top of the stick. Think of the triangle formed between thumb, pointer and pinky as giving you control over the bow. Keeping your wrist bent slightly upward and your elbow straight but loose, place the bow on the string at the frog end and draw a bow all the way to the tip. Now your elbow should still be straight but loose and your wrist should be bent even more upward when you arrive at the tip. This is a down-bow; repeat the process in reverse from tip to frog for an up-bow. Always try to use only the weight of your arm at first (don't press), keep the bow parallel to the bridge throughout the bow stroke and always maintain bow tracking, i.e. keep the bow on the exact same point on the string throughout the bow stroke. In general, the midway point between the bridge and the fingerboard is best at the beginning.
Hopefully this can give you an overview of the things to consider when transitioning to the double bass from the electric bass. To explore these issues further, consult Franz Simandl's New Methods for the Double Bass. It has been the beginner double bassist's bible for over 100 years and very systematically develops the use of the left hand and the bow. Also, a good teacher will always help speed you along the road to proficient double bass playing!
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