How long did it take to learn double bass?

I was just curious as to how long it took many of you to feel comfortable playing double bass at speeds of 150bpm+

it takes a different amount of time for everyone. before i started playing double, i had tried out plenty of pedals from looking for which ones to buy and jamming with friends so i felt kinda comfortable. it took me about a week (and i play every day) to get totally and completely comfortable. as for speed, thats what takes some more time. just remember, its just like learning to play with your hands and building chops there, keep that in mind.

I'm with you man...I'm itching to pick up a pedal and get back into it. I've been a single pedal guy for many, many years and only dabbled in doubles when I was a younger lad. I have a 9000 now...but I don't see many people on here talking about them...bad pedal? Too much money? Not worth it?

I was thinking about saving for one...or using Uncle Sam's money back to me.

I'll let you know...

I've never clocked myself. Didn'ty know 150bpm was more musically important than 148bpm or 149bpm.

It's vital...in at least *one* form of um...music....

"Damn Dave...you are 2 bpm short of a true lawnmower sound..."

I'm still working at musical control.

The DW 9000 is a killer pedal, but yeah...way too expensive. I don't see all that much difference between it and a 7000.

I've been playing with two bass drums for about 3 years now. I can use the second pedal just fine but I'm nowhere near as good with it as I want to be.

While speed seems to be the thing these days, any idiot can play fast to a point.

Learn to double slowly with control and accuracy first. 80bpm...that will help you later.

As for how long...as soon as I got my double pedal I could do it - just not for long, and not perfectly. I'm still working it out a year and a few months later, but, having said that, nothing I play *demands* doubles or much that I can't manage with one foot.

How long is a subjective question in more ways than one. Anyway, it depends on how much daily time you put into it and how motivated you are to reach that goal.

The question of playing double bass is subjective also. To play single strokes(1/8's, 1/16's or 1/8 note triplets) with (1/4's, 1/8's, 1/16's on the ride hand) and 2 and 4 on the snare or quads around the drums(2 hands, 2 feet)could probably be done in 3-6 months of consistent daily practice?

No doubt. If you have good feet, the pedals practically spin by themselves. But now try and articulate some figures - at any tempo. Haha...

Yeah...and I'm spoiled because I got my single at an unreal and silly price. I look at the ones in the stores every time I have to pick up sticks or whatnot and the price just takes my breath away.

Daniel

Speed is a tool that can be use musically. To develop speed you need to work with a metronome consistantly, and increase the tempo over time to increase your over all speed. It's important to develop your weakest foot, b/c you are only as fast as your slowest limb. If you are looking to play blazing fast 220+ bpm you need to think of it more like training, to develop/refine your technique and endurance to be able to maintain those tempos. For me just sitting down and playing 16ths at 150 bpm isn't a problem. I've been playing double bass for about 15 years, and have worked on developing consistancy throughout that time. Where I run into trouble is around the 220 bpm mark (16th notes), and the wheels fall off by 240ish. Remember to stay relaxed at all tempos, tension will kill your speed and that's why I have such a quick fall off after 220 bpm.

Yeah, the other thing is to flip the switch on and off, per say, to ensure that when you do get to doing the doubles (or not) that you're not shifting the tempo...

I find it much more difficult (and isn't THAT the most important thing :poke: ) to play at 65 bpm.....

Indeed!

Are you doing singles or doubles on the 16th notes at 220?

singles

in response to the dw pedals comment, i actually like the 8000s just as much as the 9s, but iron cobras are just as awesome.

and yeah, i agree that you should practice playing slower first, it will make you way more consistant when you play at a faster speed

I've been playing double for about 10 years and I'm still learning. Some beats are damn near impossible to transfer.

the fastest way to get control of your feet, imo, is to take it SLOW... quite ironic eh? treat your feet just like you treated your hands at the start. simple rhythms at slow tempos, focusing on placement, precision, and details. and when doing this dont just play straight sixteenth notes, use rests. it turns out to be more difficult that way and you benefit more from it.

+1...The rest is just masterbation.

I've just started (2 months) and I can play 160 bpm (I think that is right) with Pearl 120 pedals, probably faster with IC, I'll let you know if they make that big of a difference once I get them.