Got a crazy notion - Learning to play Double Bass

[Slide Panda]

Back in HS I learned to play electric bass.  Was decent, despite my lack concerted practice, but stopped once I hit senior year and haven't played since.. and I graduated HS in '95.

But I've always dug stand up bass and I'm getting a bug to re learn how to play (rockabilly, garage boogie styles) since it's a totally different animal.

So, anyone here play one?  Got any tips beyond what expert.com can show me?  Any thoughts on how to acquire a beginner bass and note vacate my bank account?

[Buckethead]

Not sure quite what you're looking to spend, but this looks like a pretty good place to start.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'd imagine you'd be able to rent one, which is a good starting point for any stringed instrument.

[Slide Panda]

Renting.. hmm that's a good notion.  I'll have to check around.. though  I have no clue how I'd transport one of these things...  Maybe it is time to trade in the ole Saloon (as Mr Clarkson would say) for that Element...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Renting.. hmm that's a good notion.  I'll have to check around.. though  I have no clue how I'd transport one of these things...  Maybe it is time to trade in the ole Saloon (as Mr Clarkson would say) for that Element...

Sidecar 

[Slide Panda]

Sidecar 

Bass-pod 9000?  That'd be a sight on the road

[Buckethead]

Or in the ditch of the first corner you came to.

[somegirl]

I personally think it is really difficult to learn any stringed instrument from a book or a video.  Consider signing up for at least a few beginning lessons, there's nothing like that hands-on, specific feedback that you can get.

In addition, a teacher should be able to help you locate a suitable rental or suggest resources for finding a used instrument.

[Fresh Pants]

Back in HS I learned to play electric bass.  Was decent, despite my lack concerted practice, but stopped once I hit senior year and haven't played since.. and I graduated HS in '95.

But I've always dug stand up bass and I'm getting a bug to re learn how to play (rockabilly, garage boogie styles) since it's a totally different animal.

So, anyone here play one?  Got any tips beyond what expert.com can show me?  Any thoughts on how to acquire a beginner bass and note vacate my bank account?

If you have a dry clutch on your duc, that's alrady a good start to developing needed left hand strength. 
I've been toying with the idea of getting an electric upright bass (EUB) at some point. Those look like a blast, and less fragile than a proper upright, but you do tend to sacrifice some tone and character.

I've never thought of the renting route...

+1 on lessons. But remember to practice, I took a few lessons back in high school (played upright in orchestra, and electric in Jazz band) for orchestra, but ended up not learning a whole lot because I didn't bother practicing. Of course, life is different in high school.

Good luck!

[somegirl]

+1 on lessons. But remember to practice, I took a few lessons back in high school (played upright in orchestra, and electric in Jazz band) for orchestra, but ended up not learning a whole lot because I didn't bother practicing. Of course, life is different in high school.

You might be more motivated if the money for the lessons is coming out of your pocket.  That is, as long as you're not the kind of person that pays for a gym membership and never goes.

[Fresh Pants]

You might be more motivated if the money for the lessons is coming out of your pocket.  That is, as long as you're not the kind of person that pays for a gym membership and never goes.

Gym membership? Is that something to do with exercisin'? 

[Buckethead]

Gym membership? Is that something to do with exercisin'? 

Sort of. Its like a gym class you pay to skip.

[Speedbag]

Not many upright bass players out there. 

I personally can't imagine playing a fretless intstrument with any proficiency. I had a hard enough time playing rhythm guitar in my college band from time to time (I was also frontman). Not that beer or 'anything else' had any influence..... 

[somegirl]

I personally can't imagine playing a fretless intstrument with any proficiency.

I'm the opposite, fretted instruments really throw me.  All in what you're used to.

[Timmy Tucker]

I personally think it is really difficult to learn any stringed instrument from a book or a video.  Consider signing up for at least a few beginning lessons, there's nothing like that hands-on, specific feedback that you can get.

+1

I taught myself to play guitar and bass w/o lessons and it definitely handicapped me to a small degree. I finally broke down and took a few lessons after I had been playing about 4-5 years and it was damn near impossible to un-learn a lot of my bad habits and things I was doing "incorrectly".

Also, it really helps to learn some music theory as well. It really pushed me over a plateau in my playing. It helped me grasp the overall instrument better and made me a lot more proficient. Not to mention it added to my confidence in improvising a lot, as I was better able to understand what the other musicians I was playing with were doing.