Jun 02 2009
Double Bass - NOT A Big Guitar
The double bass, upright bass, acoustic bass, contrabass. Whatever name you choose, it’s a beautiful sounding and beautiful looking instrument. I’ve been playing double bass for about nine years.
Here’s a picture of one, in case you have trouble picturing it in your head:
The fellow playing the bass is Viktor Krauss.
‘I know what a double bass is, why are you posting a picture of a double bass?’ you might be asking. Well, it seems that some folks have trouble recognising this instrument. Over nine years of gigging with this instrument, I have heard the words ‘that’s a big guitar’ more times than I could possibly care to remember. Or ‘that’s a big violin’ - closer to the truth, but still…. I guess it’s a cross I have to bear, the same way drummers deal with drummer jokes or being called ‘Ringo’ every time they walk into a gig with their drums. Although someone called me ‘Ringo’ once when I walked in with my bass!
I suppose I take issue with this whole ‘big guitar’ idea because it’s just… wrong! If I had a large amount of spare money lying around, I’d love to take out full page ads in every newspaper in the world, run ads on television and all over the internet, with a picture of a double bass, saying ‘I am a double bass. I am NOT a big guitar. Please remember me and address me correctly.’
Or perhaps I should just let it go….?
Nick
‘I bet you wish you learnt the flute mate’…….ha real funny ya drunk wanger, arrrrgh it never gets old
Yeah, I forgot about that one… It’s always flute or piccolo…
The flute comment is amazing isn’t it? I’ve heard it on virtually every gig I’ve ever done. It just shows you how many people’s brains are wired exactly the same way….
I’d say you’ll agree with me here - I’ve NEVER wished I took up the flute…
Oh boy! aren’t people clever and amusing.
I think it’s to do with the way musicians are perceived in society at large.
Personally,as a drummer,I’ve been on a crusade most of my life to convince and show people that not all drummers are morons who just beat the crap out of the instrument. So far not a lot of luck.
By the way, how DO you get that thing under your chin?
*groan* They don’t get any better, do they?
Well my classical wind trio often gets asked “Know any AC?DC?” chortle chortle.
You should do an arrangement of ‘Back In Black’ - that’ll take the wind out of their sails!