My ebook, An Alexander Technique Approach to Double Bass Technique, is published on this website in a PDF format. It is very detailed and practical, and it will give you the physical tools you need to take the limits off of your ability to create the accurate bass technique you want without sacrificing your body.
This ebook is also for sale on all AMAZON websites in a KINDLE format.
Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A. (MOVEMENT THERAPY)
Dear Ethan,
I just made a purchase for two ebooks on your website. I would like copies of
The Double Bass ebook
The French Horn ebook
and
The Release of Habit and Fear: The Alexander Technique as a Means to Letting Go of the Physical and Emotional Habits that Block Spiritual Growth
Thank you!
Mark
Hi Ethan,
Many thanks for the ebooks. Both my wife and I are enjoying them. We are both performing musicians. I and my wife play in a symphony.
We have been enjoying them as a supplement to our in person Alexander lessons. I like what you write and find the material eminently applicable.
I have been playing a new bass recently that precipitated my exploration of the Technique. The bass is only 1” deeper in the ribs, but it managed to unearth tension and poor habits that led me to exploring physical therapy and the Alexander Technique.
I have come a long way, but have still been noticing strain in my right side lat muscle near the spine. I suspect it’s a combination of the bass’ position (or mine as a result) not being optimal, and reaching around instead of spiralling the torso for the 1st string. I am still experimenting with stool height and endpin height as well as a bent endpin (in the seated position).
I am wondering if you might have some suggestions and if you may be willing to look at a short video or some stills of different pin heights.
Many thanks for your help.
Best,
Mark
ETHAN:
I don’t have the ability to send you pictures. I am really low tech except for a laptop. I don’t even have a cell phone.
The endpin height is determined by where your left hand is on the neck of the instrument most of the time, and where the bow is on the strings most of the time. So, find a bass height that pleases both hands most of the time. This also means whether you sit or stand, you feel you’re doing the least amount of work, whether you’re fully upright or in a slight monkey (squat). Do not curve your body over the instrument and overwork your thighs and back unnecessarily.
If you need to spiral more to get to the strings, it is a whole body spiral from the hips to the shoulders. If you are holding in the lower back, and not letting the whole torso spiral from the hips up, then you are forcing the shoulders to twist.
I like to use the word spiral, since twisting implies forcing a turning. Think of the whole torso spiraling as a release move for the whole torso. This can really make you aware of internal and external movement in your whole body as you play.
MARK:
Thank you for taking the time to write. After reading your email, I think I have had the pin too low! I think the lat pain was due to bending and reaching to access the 1st string with a too-low pin. I moved it up from the 1st notch to the 4th notch and so far have noticed a big difference. I have the feeling it could go up one more notch as well, or even lower the stool 1”.
I sent a video yesterday at the new height. Any observations or suggestions you may have would be very helpful.
ETHAN:
First you have a great sound, intonation, and technique.
Here is what I observed on the video. When you first started, you didn’t spiral and had to use a stiff rigid arm to reach the first string. Later, as you spiraled, your body backed up your arm, and you were much more at ease with an arm that didn’t need to be locked.
When you play on the higher strings, the right side of your body slightly drops to play. It is up to you whether this is necessary. Can you play all of the strings by spiraling your body without needing to drop your right side to play the higher strings?
Yes, the bass could be a bit higher, which would also assist you in you not having to curve downward with your right side.
MARK:
Thank you for taking the time to look and offer comments. They are very helpful! I had always felt the dropping of the right side but the video and your observation confirms it. I don’t think it is actually necessary and will work to inhibit it.
I did raise the endpin one notch but actually found that causes a little more strain in my back for some reason, more than lowering the stool and keeping the pin the same.
