Standing/Sitting

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

Oh, I don't mean to knock his technique or anything - and sure, whatever works works, even if it looks odd!

But at the same time, there is much to be learned from established techniques too; I think a lot of times we (bass players especially) get ahead of ourselves thinking "well techniques A-Z don't seem to be working for me, I must be unique or a genius" and off we go into developing the next great method, or just abandoning the pursuit of real technique, when the original problem was that we simply didn't understand (or weren't properly taught) some fine, underlying qualities or points of the basic techniques. Kind of like how a great artist throws paint at a wall and it is a masterpiece, but if I throw paint at a wall I'm a vandal (or a retard).

Thomas, I'm listening (well, reading actually) to what you say. I've certainly never considered myself a misunderstood genius! Don't tell the others, but I'm just not very bright. Yes, established techniques stop us reinventing the wheel - a wise man seriously regards what has gone before; what tools the master has chosen. Personally though, as I get older (still younger than Ken), I see the power of intuition - granted I have been playing string instruments for a little over 50 years and maybe I've learnt a technical trick or two. I personally think that good technique is all about remembering the basics...
Am I in tune? Am I playing in time? Am I phrasing? What the hell am I trying to say?

[Bin Hire]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Thomas, I'm listening (well, reading actually) to what you say. I've certainly never considered myself a misunderstood genius! Don't tell the others, but I'm just not very bright. Yes, established techniques stop us reinventing the wheel - a wise man seriously regards what has gone before; what tools the master has chosen. Personally though, as I get older (still younger than Ken), I see the power of intuition - granted I have been playing string instruments for a little over 50 years and maybe I've learnt a technical trick or two. I personally think that good technique is all about remembering the basics...
Am I in tune? Am I playing in time? Am I phrasing? What the hell am I trying to say?

Richard, good technique is also knowing the fingerboard, knowing how to get a good sound with bow and fingers.

[Pete Wood]

I realise I'm coming in late on this debate...

I reckon it's horses for courses. In an orchestra, standing just looks dumb. Vice versa in a band. I think I play better arco standing, but with my current main gig, worship leading and playing at the same time (where I play about 40% arco), sitting would be bad for my voice, so I stand.

BTW, what are these angled endpins people are talking about?

P.s. I like NHOP salute to Jaco Pastorius in the middle. No can dispute his virtuosity, but like Jaco, I've never really liked his tone.

[Eduardo Barbosa]

I play jazz standing, but in my humble opinion I almost feel like in orchestra you should sit....

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Eduardo Barbosa

I play jazz standing, but in my humble opinion I almost feel like in orchestra you should sit....

Yes, it would be silly to be the only person standing.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Yes, it would be silly to be the only person standing.

I just came from rehearsal for Beeth. 9th, and we have 7 basses. 6 of them, including me, sit on our own personal stools. The 7th guy stands. His choice. Better if he's in the back than standing in the middle of us.

[Eduardo Barbosa]

I also think that if you stand, maybe you should be behind the other people.
In my Orchestra there are 6 of us. 3 sit and 3 stand, and we are all mixed up.
Curiously the 3 that sit are the guys, and the 3 that stand are the girls!!! I am kind of afraid to ask why they stand! maybe something to do with being a woman... who knows!!!?
Anyway, for the last concert of the season I am the acting principal and we got another girl to fill in. So... now it's me sitting and 5 women standing!!!
In my opinion it just looks wrong. to me it looks a lot more elegant when the bassists are sitting.