Returning When You No Longer Own a Double Bass

Many double bassists first encountered the instrument through a school CCA, youth orchestra or tertiary ensemble. The bass belonged to the institution, remained in its rehearsal room and was available as long as the player continued participating in the group.

When that period ended, access to the instrument often ended with it.

Years later, someone may feel drawn towards playing again, only to realise that they no longer have a double bass—or perhaps never owned one in the first place. Unlike returning to a smaller instrument, buying a double bass involves considerable questions of cost, space, transport and maintenance.

This can make returning appear more difficult than it needs to be.

You do not necessarily need to own a double bass before exploring a return. However, if you eventually hope to rebuild your playing consistently, you will need reliable access to a reasonably suitable instrument.

Returning Does Not Have to Begin With Buying

Purchasing a double bass can be a substantial commitment. If you are still uncertain about returning, it may not need to be your first step.

Before buying an instrument, it can be useful to find out:

* Whether you still enjoy playing after the initial feeling of nostalgia

* How your body responds to the instrument now

* What kind of playing you hope to resume

* How frequently you can realistically practise

* Whether you have sufficient space to store a bass safely

* How you would transport it when necessary

Your previous experience may give you a useful starting point, but your present circumstances may be quite different from when you last played regularly.

The immediate question is therefore not simply, “Do I need to buy a double bass?”

A more useful question may be:

What kind of access do I need for what I presently hope to do?

How Much Access Do You Actually Need?

Different reasons for returning require different levels of access.

If you simply want to reconnect with the instrument and find out what playing feels like again, occasional initial access may be sufficient. You may not yet require an instrument at home every day.

If you hope to resume lessons, rebuild your technique or prepare to join an ensemble, you will need more dependable access. Progress becomes difficult when several weeks pass between every opportunity to play.

Someone preparing to return to orchestral playing will eventually need enough practice time to rebuild physical stamina, familiarity with the fingerboard and confidence with repertoire. Occasional access alone is unlikely to support that indefinitely.

It is perfectly reasonable to begin cautiously. However, the amount of access should eventually match the seriousness of the goal.

Possible Ways to Regain Access to a Double Bass

There are several possible routes, although availability in Singapore can vary considerably.

Using an instrument belonging to an ensemble

Some orchestras, schools or community groups may have instruments available for their members. This can make returning possible without immediately purchasing a bass.

However, access to the instrument will usually come with a commitment to the group. You may be expected to attend rehearsals regularly, prepare repertoire and participate in performances.

This arrangement can work well if you are genuinely ready to join the ensemble. It is less suitable if you are joining primarily to gain access to an instrument while remaining uncertain about the rehearsal and performance commitment.

Before agreeing, it is worth understanding both the musical expectations and the amount of time you will be required to give.

Renting an instrument

Double bass rental arrangements are relatively uncommon in Singapore, but they may occasionally be available.

Rental can provide a temporary route back without the immediate cost of ownership. However, the suitability, condition and terms of the instrument still need to be considered. A bass that is difficult to play may create unnecessary physical strain or give a misleading impression of how much ability you have lost.

The practicalities of delivery, collection, maintenance and responsibility for damage should also be understood before entering a rental arrangement.

Using an instrument at a lesson or practice venue

Certain teachers or studios may have a double bass available for lessons or practice by prior arrangement.

This should not be assumed to be an open rental service. Double basses are personal and relatively delicate instruments, and the owner may need to understand the player’s background and intended use before permitting access. Unsupervised practice may only be considered after some familiarity and trust have been established.

Nevertheless, access to a suitable instrument in a controlled setting can provide a useful first step. It allows a returning player to explore the instrument again before deciding whether a longer-term arrangement is necessary.

Purchasing a used or new instrument

Once your intention to continue becomes clearer, purchasing an instrument may offer the most reliable access.

Ownership makes regular practice easier and removes the need to coordinate every playing session around an institution, rental provider or practice venue. However, it also brings questions of budget, suitability, storage, transport and maintenance.

I have discussed these considerations more fully in my earlier guide to purchasing a double bass. The important point here is that buying an instrument does not have to be the condition that allows your return to begin.

Not Every Available Double Bass Will Be Suitable

When returning after a long break, it is easy to attribute every difficulty to lost ability. Sometimes, however, the instrument itself is contributing to the problem.

Instrument size is one consideration. Although the three-quarter-sized double bass is commonly used by adults, an adult of smaller physical build may be more comfortable with a half-sized instrument. The most appropriate choice depends on the player’s physical proportions and the instrument’s particular dimensions, rather than the size label alone.

The setup of the bass also matters. Nut height, bridge height and fingerboard scoop all affect the height and resistance of the strings. If these are poorly adjusted, stopping the strings may require far more effort than necessary. This can make the left hand tire quickly and make playing feel discouragingly difficult.

The general condition of the instrument should also be considered. Old or unsuitable strings, a warped or poorly shaped bridge, an uneven fingerboard or an unreliable bow can interfere with both comfort and sound production.

A returning player does not need a perfect or expensive instrument for the first few sessions. However, the bass should be functional enough that its problems are not mistaken for the player’s limitations.

Avoid Choosing Entirely From Memory

It may be tempting to look for the same kind of bass you remember using in school or to buy an instrument according to the level you previously reached.

However, you are not necessarily returning to the same circumstances.

You may now be practising at home rather than in a school rehearsal room. Storage space and transport may matter more than they did previously. Your physical comfort may have changed, and your present goals may be very different from the goals you had as a student.

Your preferences may also become clearer only after you have spent some time playing again.

For this reason, it is worth resisting the urge to make an immediate emotional purchase simply because you have decided to return. Regaining some practical contact with the instrument first can help you make a more informed choice later.

When Does Purchasing Begin to Make Sense?

Ownership becomes more practical when:

* You have established a realistic intention to continue

* You need regular access that other arrangements cannot provide

* You have a clearer idea of the instrument size and setup that suit you

* You have an appropriate place to store the bass

* You understand how you will transport and maintain it

* The financial commitment is proportionate to your goals

This is not about proving that you are sufficiently committed before you are “allowed” to own an instrument. It is simply about avoiding a major purchase before you understand what your present return will require.

Your First Instrument Arrangement Does Not Have to Be Permanent

The first bass you use after returning does not necessarily have to become your long-term instrument.

A temporary arrangement can still help you discover:

* What remains familiar

* Which aspects of playing need rebuilding

* Whether anything feels physically uncomfortable

* How much time you can genuinely devote to practice

* Whether your desire to continue remains after the initial excitement

* What you would eventually want from your own instrument

Even a few carefully planned sessions can replace speculation with useful information.

Access Before Ownership

Returning to the double bass does not have to begin with buying one.

It can begin by finding a realistic opportunity to play again, observing how the instrument feels now and deciding what level of access your present goals require.

If the return becomes sustainable, ownership may eventually be the most practical solution. Until then, the lack of a personal instrument need not prevent you from taking the first step.

If you are considering returning but are unsure about instrument access, suitability or the most appropriate way to begin, a consultation can help you assess your present circumstances before making a larger commitment.