Congratulations on choosing the bass! The bass (pronounced base like in baseball) is the largest and deepest sounding instrument in the stringed instrument family. As a music student, or a parent of a music student, you will want to know these basics soon after buying or renting your instrument from West Music.
Parts of the String Bass & Bow
Click on the image to enlarge.
Removing Your Bass from its Soft Shell Case
The bass is made from wood and can be susceptible to scratches if not handled with care. Following these tips or instructions from the music instructor will help prevent damage to the instrument:
- Start by taking out the bow and placing it in a safe place.
- Unzip both sides of the case.
- Slowly take the soft case off the instrument.
- In a slow rolling motion starting from the bottom, carefully lay down the bass on its side.
To put it back into the case:
- Hold the bass in your left hand and the case with your right.
- Carefully put the case back over the instrument.
- Zip fully closed.
Below is a clip from Alfred Music showing you these steps in more detail. Alfred Music is the publisher of the popular Sound Innovations method book series, designed to help young students learn to play.
[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/Hgx758a-tWs” width=”360″ height=”240″]
Adjusting the Endpin
The first time you adjust the endpin it should be with the help of a teacher so that it’s at the correct height. Once you learn what the correct height looks like, you can take the following steps to adjust it yourself.
- Stand facing the fingerboard of your upright instrument.
- Adjust the endpin until the bridge touches just below your knuckle. The fingerboard nut should be about the same level as the middle of your forehead.
- To avoid possibly scratching the floors or having the instrument slipping, use an endpin rest.
Below is another clip from Alfred Music to show you how to adjust your endpin.
Related Articles
- Finger Placement for String Instruments
- String Instrument Care Tips
- 7 Tips for Practicing
- Practice Tips for Young Musicians
Have questions? Need advice? West Music is here for you! Give our school orchestra experts a call at 800-373-2000.
Adapted from Alfred Music’s Sound Innovations for String Orchestra 1: String Bass.
Special thanks to our partners at Alfred Music for providing us smartmusic® videos and additional materials.
Aaron Hansen is an experienced K-6 General Music educator, passionate about bringing music to life through the Orff Approach. He holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Aaron has completed comprehensive Orff Teacher Training, including three levels at the University of St. Thomas and an Orff Master Class. His dedication to the Orff method took him to the Summer International Course at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. Aaron also shares his expertise by teaching movement at various Orff Teacher Training Courses and conducting workshops for local Orff Chapters.
