Playing the Double Bass

Not long ago(august), I rented a double bass and started lessons. I'm currently playing the piano as well, and am trying to improve on both. I'm considerably less skilled on double bass than piano, though I'm not especially skilled at piano either. This means I know enough to practice basic skills and sight reading, and am still working on bowing and only a few hand positions. Piano takes a lot of time and energy and I haven't gotten close to solid in my practicing habits with the bass.

So I'm wondering, and for your information, I'm 17; is it realistic to think I'd ever have the skill to play at a level satisfactory for the symphony orchestra at my age?

Also, I'm completely fascinated with string quartets and as you probably know, bass is not part of a string quartet; don't ask me how, but I was talked into starting bass(deciding between bass and cello, I was going to start one or the other) and I have a great teacher so I don't want to just quit while I'm at it and start cello(or nothing and just stick with piano); how easy is it to transition to cello once you are a proficient bassist and then become a proficient cellist, is there as much of a correlation as it seems there could be?

And then there's the matter of whether I'd ever be good enough to play with a string quartet or have the resources to find an amateur group.

So, I have an interest(and therefore goals) in composing, and string quartet playing(and competent piano playing if not concert level, at least so I understand music). Do you think this is realistic? Do you have any advice for me, I need help, and piano is my strongest point right now; I tend to think of it as a tool for experiencing and understanding music placing priority on the possibility of playing a stringed instrument. Ask if you need more information.

Yes. That's perfectly realistic. The question is, do you practice both every day and how much? How good are you at self correcting your playing? The better you are at this, the more you can theoretically handle as far as the balancing act that is maintaining some skills on two instruments.

There's nothing wrong with the bass that I would give up for the 'cello. Sure, you don't get to play in a string quartet, but there are quintets. I wrote a piece for cellos+basses quintet also, hehe. And there's some neat solo repertoire out there, actually. Your life really will be in the orchestra, though, most likely. If I were you I'd push myself. Try and learn more difficult stuff than I can handle at the moment and work carefully. Why? Because when you join a youth or school orchestra you'll get some difficult music thrown in your direction from time to time. I went through this with the violin. My teacher had me on the very basics for a year then I joined youth orchestra. Ah, what the hell, 1st violin. HOLY CR... THAT'S A LOT OF NOTES *panic* ... so I made an effort to catch up. I pushed myself to reach that bar and it didn't take long to reach it once I saw what I was aiming for. So perhaps don't be afraid you're not skilled enough for the orchestra yet, but more that once you're in the orchestra, you'll rise to the occasion through the experience. Also, I was sixteen when I started the orchestra, not something like... 8 or 10... or 4. Seventeen isn't bad. You have your work cut out for you, but don't be discouraged. Remember - the worst thing you can do is wait.

I don't practice much right now, but I'm still getting started. I have confidence that I am capable of practicing effectively as I learned how to actually read music and memorize a whole new level of piano pieces over the summer without any guidance. I'm still very shaky on my bowing technique thus my hand gets tired, though I can produce a pretty good sound. Its a beautiful instrument, but I'm still finding my motivation, as I certainly have the time to practice. Thanks for your input.

Do it man. Bass is great. Your pretty lucky I think. I'm trying to learn piano coming from the bass world. So, don't worry about it. Practice, try, do your best. You fail when you give up.