A humorous introduction to the double bass | Bret Simner | TEDxBasel
Рет қаралды 783,446
7 жыл бұрынWhy is a double bass called a double bass? Bret Simner shares his history with the instrument and beautifully plays a piece by Johann Baptist Vanhal on his classical double bass - both music and instrument were created around 1760.
The intro animation was produced as a collaboration between TEDxBasel and the Hochschule Luzern. This animation was created by Bianca Caderas, Helen Bosand and Zea Schaad.
Find out more about this event and the other ideas that were shared at www.tedxbasel.com/
Bret Simner is a native of Queens, New York, and a graduate of the Juilliard School. An early music specialist, he has studied at preeminent music schools across Europe and North America. He currently serves as principal bassist of Barockorchester Cantus Firmus. He has appeared as a guest lecturer and soloist on the Viennese bass, and in ensemble work in the US and across Europe. He lives in Basel with his wife and son.
Favorite TED talk: Adam Grant, The surprising habits of original thinkers
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx
@meta5175 7 жыл бұрын
How other people see: violin, violin, big violin, giant violin
@gto1607 6 жыл бұрын
And the friggen big huge mther of all basses.
@toxiccat2081 6 жыл бұрын
Natasha Jiang What about the octobasse? MEGA violin?
@SauceKingg 6 жыл бұрын
Violin, violin .😂😂😂
@isabel7428 6 жыл бұрын
Natasha Jiang baby cello, cello child, cello, grandpa cello
@anilkraft1479 5 жыл бұрын
InkedFopdoodle violin viola bass viola and double bass viola
@DaveScottAggie 7 жыл бұрын
Those fret bands interested me too. I first started in orchestra when I was 11. I knew what a violin and a cello were. The teacher asked what I wanted to play, so I asked for the cello. He was trying to fill out parts and had enough cellos already. He said they had openings for viola and bass. I had never heard of a viola - he said it was kind of like the violin. I wasn't sure. I said what about the bass? He said "what kind of car do your parents have?" I said "a station wagon". He told me that the bass would be great for me :) I did not major in music, but I still play in a community orchestra, and sometimes at church.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Great story David. Thanks for sharing!
@adisillusionedidiotandpast7865 6 жыл бұрын
David Scott I locrian'd in music
@ibdavidc 6 жыл бұрын
Great story . . . but for the record, the other bass player drove a VW Beetle, and he got his bass in no problems. :-)
@squidwardqtentacles6816 5 жыл бұрын
Sometimes I have to transport my bass in my dad's two door Hyundai Tiburon. It's all about the angle
@masonminnicks984 5 жыл бұрын
The same shot happend to me except I got the viola instead of the double bass
@giovil 7 жыл бұрын
a 5 string double bass with frets. WOW
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
You have a keen eye! ;)
@gto1607 6 жыл бұрын
I didn't even notice. thanks for pointing that out. I assumed it was a four especially because it looks very old and a 5 string double is a modern thing.
@PanglossDr 6 жыл бұрын
If I'd had frets on the fiddle I learned as a child I might not have made people cover their ears.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
It couldn't have been that bad! When I played the villa as a kid, it was pretty bad!
@buckshotandthepepperbox3042 6 жыл бұрын
Was it originally a three stringer? She's got quite a neck. Do the frets make her a gamba? Well done.
@marcscordato4385 6 жыл бұрын
Never seen a fretted double bass before. There is something about the sound of a double bass, it seems so honest and sincere it pleads it longs it Yearns.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Indeed, this is a period instrument. Back in the time of Mozart, most basses were fretted. This went out of style in the late 18th and early 19th century. Thanks so much for watching and for your thoughts!
@doblofiber992 5 жыл бұрын
The fretts are handmade by old stings, that worn off... and viola da gamba was also fretted this way.
@rdavis666 4 жыл бұрын
My music teacher used slivers of sellotape to mark finger positions on both cellos & bass which of course had no frets.
@praz.official 6 жыл бұрын
That bow's color difference threw me off completely. I was like, "why's he playing with it upside down...oh wait."
@daravila 6 жыл бұрын
Praz M same
@aanyan5253 5 жыл бұрын
Same
@Leon-vc2qh 4 жыл бұрын
Prasanth Madana OMG same
@sebastianrojas9719 4 жыл бұрын
Prasanth Madana same🤣
@mochievious1552 4 жыл бұрын
Same!!
@AlexRamirez-bf4fy 6 жыл бұрын
8/4th sized cello
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
That's one way of thinking about it!
@gto1607 6 жыл бұрын
Is it a a 3/4 size double. Most likely for portability.
@leocomerford 6 жыл бұрын
Careful, you're wandering into the 'it's a big cello!' 'no, it's an updated gamba!' wars...
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
You're right! Much blood has been shed in this battle!
@SpaceCowboy57 6 жыл бұрын
1/2 size octobasse.
@nickeman132 5 жыл бұрын
What musicians' see: Violin Viola Cello Double Bass Octobasse What non-musicians see: Violin Violin Big Violin Bigger Violin Oh what the f
@BE-NOT-AFRAID 5 жыл бұрын
Octobasse is the one my friends said "I give" to when naming it.
@snickydoodle4744 5 жыл бұрын
What twosetters see: Violin Firewood Cello Double Bass
@Princess18505 4 жыл бұрын
Im a bassist and when i see the octobasse i see a "what the abomination"
@chaotixthefox 3 жыл бұрын
@@Princess18505 The octobasse is quite nice to hear though!
@bogdang7726 3 жыл бұрын
Tenor violin, piccolo violin.
@nou6990 5 жыл бұрын
The similar applies to saxophone; Soprano: golden clarinet Alto: sax Tenor: sax Baritone: what?
@jmconnollyus 5 жыл бұрын
to say nothing of bass (not the fish), contrabass (even more not the fish), sopranino, C melody, etc., ... It's interesting to go back and watch the looney tunes cartoons to hear all the bass sax in the music.
@ireneahumada5025 5 жыл бұрын
I was walking by careying my double bass and a bunch of teenagers were sat down chatting, and I heard "look, wtf, it's a giant violin" that was really funny😂😂
@hamjazz 3 жыл бұрын
How do you get that under your chin?? --If I had a neck like yours,I'd have no trouble.
@JacqueHarper Жыл бұрын
@@hamjazz Under the chin isn't nearly as big a problem as stabbing yourself with the endpin.
@bluetannery1527 5 жыл бұрын
As an electric bass player, this instrument endlessly fascinates me. I’ve had exactly one opportunity to play a 3/4 bass and it was so much fun. I’m in the process of figuring out how to play more without spending over a thousand dollars on it hahaha
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
Will, why don't you rent for a bit and see if you like it? Thanks for watching!
@bluetannery1527 5 жыл бұрын
Bret Simner That’s a really good idea i’ve spent the past half hour researching that
@bluetannery1527 5 жыл бұрын
Bret Simner Oh Mr. Simner- What’s the name of the piece you played? I thought it was amazing
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
Vanhall concerto in D!
@hannahnoel3035 5 жыл бұрын
I switched from violin to double Bass so I could be in my high school's jazz band and I can tell you almost no one knows what it is.
@EvilSean62 2 жыл бұрын
also none of them can tell you how much a set of strings are costing
@f5mando 11 ай бұрын
@@EvilSean62 Nor how often they need to be replaced...
@hyperplayability6290 9 ай бұрын
@@EvilSean62 😭NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO DON'T
@ethanl.1699 6 жыл бұрын
My friends are like: Violin=Violin Viola=Bigger Violin Cello=Bigger Bigger Violin Bass=Bigger Bigger Bigger Violin
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Yup, that's kinda how it goes! Thanks for watching and for chiming in!
@mohammedchatir530 6 жыл бұрын
Ethan Lam il
@macm.3889 5 жыл бұрын
(Here’s a joke, please don’t kill me) Which is bigger, a violin or a viola? *Actually* , they’re the same size. A violin just looks a lot smaller next to a violinist’s head.
@timpark02 5 жыл бұрын
More like Viola = Irrelevant
@mikelewis495 5 жыл бұрын
Funny story: the full classical name for "cello" is "violoncello" so..... Not too far off.
@ronforyouruncle4406 7 жыл бұрын
"it's not a cello." that is all you needed to say.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
You're so right on!!!
@coffeeandwords3483 7 жыл бұрын
It's a full-size cello.
@daravila 6 жыл бұрын
Coffee and Words no , its about a 3/1 sized cello
@pellaw8011 4 жыл бұрын
Mine is a 1/8 size (I'm very short). Literally the size of a large cello. My pain is real
@kristenpressner6795 7 жыл бұрын
great job Bret, making the double bass funny and accessible, well done
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Kristen--such a compliment coming from you! Looking forward to your talk as well!
@citrineandmelody2829 2 жыл бұрын
I started playing bass when I was 11, and I just fell in love with it ever since. I’m the only double bass in my orchestra, which just goes to show how practically nobody knows what it is.
@bretsimner754 2 жыл бұрын
Well, that's something that you can show them! Play on!
@thetalllucy2983 6 жыл бұрын
i play double bass, and I shoud be practicing
@violintegral 5 жыл бұрын
No one knows what a viola is, especially ling ling. They're just a myth that's only in nightmares
@nickeman132 5 жыл бұрын
Ling Ling knows the viola. He did not invent it but his greatest rival Long Long
@ian_iz_rainbowz6227 5 жыл бұрын
Well, ling ling practices 40 hours a day so he has many nightmares so of course he knows what it is
@violintegral 5 жыл бұрын
Ling ling does not have time to sleep. Only to practice. God's don't need sleep and can't experience nightmares
@kayakozlowski2757 5 жыл бұрын
nobody can match Ling Ling
@lance4842 5 жыл бұрын
LingLing doesn't need to sleep.
@HBDeus 4 жыл бұрын
Double bass: biggest and lowest OCTOBASS: HOLd MY BoW
@Mossishere 3 жыл бұрын
Triple Contrabass viol- Just gimme a second for someone to try to recreate me so that someone can hold my boy
@maxliu2587 3 жыл бұрын
After all this time my mom still calls my double bass a “cello”
@zaynabmartin3496 Жыл бұрын
Best comment 😂
@robing7517 6 жыл бұрын
I'm forwarding this to my niece. She is eleven and began learning to play bass back in September. She loves it and has named her bass "Felix." Her school orchestra's first concert is this coming Wednesday! Yes, I am very proud if her!!
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
You SHOULD be proud of her!!!! I hope the concert goes well!! Tell her I'm thinking of her!!!
@kristenpressner6795 7 жыл бұрын
Bret, I love that this TEDx talk is among the most popular double bass videos on all of KZfaq! It really speaks to how well done it was. Mixing education, beautiful music and humor. A truly tough ask. Kudos!
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for you're continued support Kristen!
@woutmoerman711 5 жыл бұрын
Nice talk and performance! I play double bass in classical, jazz and church and I think that in the Netherlands the double bass is known to at least half of the population. It's a pity that you've played a piece which doesn't show the beautiful deep low notes of the double bass. What you've played could have sounded better on a cello but the low note is where the beauty is.
@destinyleroy9008 6 жыл бұрын
I love the double bass honestly, it’s an under appreciated and beautiful instrument. I can’t wait to get back into playing, bassists are always in need.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Go for it, then post a video!
@zacharycarman3465 7 жыл бұрын
Thank for bringing light to this instrument. I play the double bass out of Georgia and half of my friends don't even know what the double bass is. It's refreshing to see someone talented like try to show the world this instrument. I was also wondering were you got your Baroque bow from. It's beautifully crafted and were ever you got it I would love to snag one for my self
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
I made the bow myself some years back. Thanks so much for watching and for your kind words!
@richardrea6397 5 жыл бұрын
@@bretsimner754 I really like your bow. And, yes I should go practice too.
@chrisnoran 6 жыл бұрын
"How many of you know what a cello is?" Lil Yachty keeps his hand down
@Shmyrk 5 жыл бұрын
Christopher Noran she blow me like a cellooooo
@fredson_hu 5 жыл бұрын
@@Shmyrk "I thought squidward played the cello"
@spudmckenzie4959 4 жыл бұрын
@@fredson_hu clarinet is what he played
@LouisVDon 3 жыл бұрын
spud mckenzie nah mans played an f oboe which is a major third higher than a b-flat clarinet.
@sissihirvitys 5 жыл бұрын
Wow. I have NEVER seen an acoustic guitar that large!!
@AB-vn2jc 5 жыл бұрын
Justin Y. Fake Justin y
@nutty422 5 жыл бұрын
Fake
@mikebaker5088 6 жыл бұрын
I just stumbled upon this. Thank you for such an interesting talk and performance. I'm always humbled by the things that I can learn by watching things like this.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
It always humble me that I can offer something to someone I've never met. Thanks for checking in, Mike!
@LoganNagol 4 жыл бұрын
The best thing about playing double bass is the people...legit they are always the chilliest most cool people in the orchestra in my 8 years of playing it I only met like 2 out of hundreds that didn’t fit the chill cool stereotype and they didn’t play bass for long
@bretsimner754 4 жыл бұрын
So true!
@IanCallardComp 6 жыл бұрын
I was waiting for him to bust out dragonetti concerto 😂 Ive been playing that piece for a lot of auditions and my mind has subconsciously decided that the concerto is THE double bass piece
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Ian, with the amount that you are practicing, I just hope that you can comfortably sleep without hearing it! Thanks for watching!
@IanCallardComp 6 жыл бұрын
Bret Simner well I really like listening to it when i go to sleep. Especially the second movement. Everytime I listen to it i find some new texture! Truly a masterpiece of the giant violin 😂
@dahliaharoon6367 5 жыл бұрын
OMG ME TOO! Like I thought the exact same thing and I played it for an audition too! But I think eccles sonata is THE bass piece
@TypewriterJustice 6 жыл бұрын
Even more impressive than your excellent presentation & performance is how graciously and helpfully you have followed the comments on this video - an ongoing, repetitive, and, i'm sure, sometimes frustrating task. BRAVO!! As a fellow bassist, i applaud your efforts :)
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
I find people to always be interesting. If we don't lifte each other up, then everything else is pointless. With that, thanks for YOUR support!
@viviansteele9241 3 жыл бұрын
“I got payed to play 2 notes!” Life of a bass player
@tonitovt 6 жыл бұрын
This video still leaves me immersed to continue playing with a passion.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Alas, there really is no other way to play! Thanks for watching!
@violacola 7 жыл бұрын
Are you implying that more people know what a viola is then a double bass? I can speak from personal experience as a violist that this is not true. I did enjoy the talk and the piece played at the end was wonderful, but I just felt astounded that someone could know about a viola (an instrument really only used in orchestra) and not a bass (an instrument common in jazz and blues).
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Great point. My experience is that more people can recognize a bass, but have no idea what it is actually called--hence "that big thing." We'd have to do a survey of about 1000 people to really get a fair sampling on this issue. Where shall we start? Thanks for your thoughts and for watching as well!
@sorayaimperial 5 жыл бұрын
From name, I actually know what a viola is and not a double bass. This because in Portuguese we also call it a Viola but we call it a Contrabaixo, which means roughly Contrabass (like the contrabassoon). Without looking at the instrument, I'd assume it wasn't the same thing! Also, when I was a kid, I just assumed it was all cellos (which we call violoncelo or rabecão).
@nivek326 7 жыл бұрын
are those frets?? moveable ones?
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Yes, self-tied from gut and 100% moveable! Thanks for watching!
@nivek326 7 жыл бұрын
Bret Simer and gut strings?
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Yes, the uppers are from Carlo Chiesa, and the lowers from Nicholas Baldock.
@holdendaugherty1760 7 жыл бұрын
Bret Simer Great performance! looking for an affordable double bass. (Even a cheap cello)
@sohappy2468 7 жыл бұрын
Holden Daugherty, the best sounds come from better basses. Don't risk getting an extremely cheap instrument.
@genesisf155 5 жыл бұрын
I love playing double bass. I played for two years but due to moving i had to give it up. After 2 more years my mom on my birthday suprised me and bought me my own! I cried as soon as my bow grazed the bass. I soon named her leviousa. And i absolutely love her!
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
Congrats!
@EmiLia-us4cz 7 жыл бұрын
Wow that was so cool! Great performance, always love to see a fellow string player with a passion for their instrument
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. Glad you liked it!
@squidwardqtentacles6816 5 жыл бұрын
omg so many people have come up to me be and been like: "woah that's a big cello" 😑😑😑😑
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
All I can say is get used to it! In many ways it only gets worse with time! Thanks for watching!
@erionlewis8006 4 жыл бұрын
I hate that!!
@CesarJoseee 7 жыл бұрын
Woah, that's a big cello.
@MonsieurArlequin 6 жыл бұрын
I like to joke that I play the very big viola, it irritates the more snobbish players but hilarious to the other bassist
@joeval12x23 6 жыл бұрын
I thought it was a guitar
@morten1 6 жыл бұрын
HUGE violin
@daravila 6 жыл бұрын
To whoever is in school in an orchestra and your teacher talks to the violinists and violists , and they say , hold your instrument with your chin , and you try . Ive played cell for 3 years
@toxiccat2081 6 жыл бұрын
The Reptilian Wizard Lizard *Triggered*
@f5mando 11 ай бұрын
This was fascinating to watch and hear, Bret. I see 5 strings, but only four tuning pegs. Lower frets, and it looks 3/4 size on my screen. *I couldn't find a 'stand-up bass' player, so was forced to hire an electric bass player for my band once, but I wouldn't do it again, unless of course, the money was right....!
@lukenjanahavas 7 жыл бұрын
So great, Bret! Couldn't believe it when I saw this video down the right sidebar. You're damn right I want to see a Ted Talk about the Double Bass. Just wish it were longer. You did a great job!
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Sara. Nice to hear from an Eastman colleague after all these years!
@sfacademyorchestra 7 жыл бұрын
Well done Bret!
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@kieratroost4685 5 жыл бұрын
the five strings really caught me off guard. I play the bass and never knew those existed
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
Kiera Troost they’re quite popular in Europe!
@stormbreaker1773 6 жыл бұрын
I remember accompany a double bass player in my high school class with this piece. I really love how the bass was in the spotlight with a very cool solo at the end.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
You know, a pianist was the thing missing at the event. Shame that you weren't around! Thanks for watching and for your thoughts!
@djoy81 5 жыл бұрын
Bret, you make it look so easy. Thanks for sharing! I was lucky enough to learn the double bass in primary and secondary school. Then I moved over to electric bass in uni and NS Stick a few years ago. I finally came back full circle (sort of) with an Ibanez UB804 this year. French holder over here...
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
Cool, thanks for sharing!
@James_Wisniewski 3 жыл бұрын
I just noticed he's playing a five-string bass. I didn't even know contrabass came with five strings.
@AdrienRako 5 жыл бұрын
3:34 Tubist at the center left was sad and his wife tried to make him feel better
@johngaither9263 8 ай бұрын
I played the bass in a high school band with no string program. I transferred from a school that did and was hunted up by the director who was creating a 40's type stage band for competition. I had to join the regular band to do so and VIOLA there I was. Marching season was a problem, but the director only did the minimum and the rest was concert music.
@bretsimner754 8 ай бұрын
I'm so sorry that your experience wasn't more positive.
@TheHurricanePrint Жыл бұрын
Thanks Bret. I've played the electric bass (Fender currently) for many years and I've always been fascinated with the double bass. I've never tried to play one, but recently started thinking about taking one up. I was searching for info on KZfaq and came across your video. Excellent presentation and playing. I was also amazed at the fretted aspect of your instrument. I read from the comments that it's a period instrument. Very interesting. Regards and well done from Ireland. 🙂
@bretsimner754 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching, John, and what a lovely story. Let me know if you decide to come over to the double bass. I have a Fender Jazz bass as well! Cheers, Bret
@nivek326 7 жыл бұрын
what kind of bow is that?
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
This is a baroque bow that I made in my workshop out of Canadian Maple. Thanks for asking!
@twistedparadoxELITE 7 жыл бұрын
baroque bow
@CGreyL3 7 жыл бұрын
twistedparadoxELITE If it ain't baroque don't fix it.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Great pun. I suppose we all walked right int that one!
@Im0nJupiter 7 жыл бұрын
Looks dragonetti esque
@kyberbricks3781 6 жыл бұрын
Beautiful playing, and very interesting, I dont see many 5 string double basses often! 😄
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Come to Europe--you'll see them everywhere!
@azzurres1 6 жыл бұрын
It tell you about that instrument one thing: you will feel its sound when you are in front of it life... tv isnt a good place for it.. listen to cello and double bass live and it will open your heart.
@missingno3391 6 жыл бұрын
When he plays the harmonics in his performance at the end it sounds very similar to a harp. Very beautiful!
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@finalscore2983 5 жыл бұрын
5 string double bass leaves me saying "OH DADDY!"
@spudmckenzie4959 4 жыл бұрын
I want one aswell
@kennethgibson5728 6 жыл бұрын
that bass must be worth the price of a house..
@beepboopbobop 4 жыл бұрын
My dreams were crushed when school closed because I just started learning the double bass and I absolutely loved it.
@bretsimner754 4 жыл бұрын
So sorry--you can still do virtual lessons though!
@avidrucker 6 жыл бұрын
Awesome talk and awesome playing Bret. Much respect and your student as always ~ Avi
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! Nice to hear from you!!!
@Andrew-cc9pr 7 жыл бұрын
"The double bass is he lowest in the strings family" what about the octobass😂
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Touché, Andrew, you got me there!!!!
@seikoocekili_6063 7 жыл бұрын
Andrew Pihonak octobass is a double bass on steroids
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Interesting way to think of it! I haven't heard that one before!
@ratpatooti 7 жыл бұрын
The octobass sounds like a broken lawnmower. I really don't feel like it has a purpose in an orchestra but I could be wrong.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
You know, I must applaud your boldness; the octobass has become so fashionable that no one seems willing to give a country opinion. Have you ever heard one live?
@FostersLab 7 жыл бұрын
Really appreciated this talk, informative, funny, pleasing to the ear. And the fact that you answer most of the comments under this video is very nice :) By any chance, do you have an idea of when the term "upright bass" appeared, and why? I always wondered. In France, we call this instrument "contrebasse", which is actually a more specific term than the "contrabass" you use in english to describe lower-ptiched string instruments, I believe. Cheers from France!
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thank so much for your kind words. I honestly have no idea when the term "upright bass" originated; great question though. The instrument has had so many names through the years that no one can agree. Thanks for watching!
@thehollytree1532 7 жыл бұрын
I don't know much about the name but as a upright bassist who plays jazz i think it might come from the electric bass being played on its side (fret board horizontal) whereas the double is played more 'upright'. I certainly hear the term more from jazz than orchestral players
@iandickeson3510 6 жыл бұрын
I played Bass and Tuba in school and keep it up today. I think learning the fundamentals on Tuba helped with bass alot.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Absolutely!!!
@ChinekeFoundation 7 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Bravo Bret... this was educational as well as entertaining! x
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@lancethrustworthy 7 жыл бұрын
Okay. Cool, now where's the full length version? He's demonstrated that a full length talk would be good. Where is it?
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
I'd love to do it sometime Dan! Thanks for watching!
@generalloof5659 5 жыл бұрын
Ling ling called. They don't approve of the 5 string bass.
@sincelerynightcore2539 6 жыл бұрын
10/10 Best Tedx intro, would watch again.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for for your support!
@carolwidder2699 5 жыл бұрын
My all time favorite double bass concerto.
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
All three movements are great! Thanks for watching!
@Lepewhi 7 жыл бұрын
Bravo, If I didn't already play the viola, I would have played the bass.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Well, we need the great violists as well! Thanks for watching!
@daravila 6 жыл бұрын
Bret Simner when i fisrt picked and instrument, there wasnt an option for bass , i chose cello
@Pepper-cd9yr 5 жыл бұрын
1:21 i can't stop laughing at his huge breath
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
The mike was reeeallllly sensitive....... LOL...you're so right!
@johnalcorn2967 Жыл бұрын
In 6th grade I played Violin...in 7th grade I was put into the BAND...(why?)...I could not do many of the things my band instructor asked of me including "could I whistle? No Sir"...ok then you're a sousaphone player...LOL. This carried on through the next 8 years into college (Wabaunsee CC in Sugar Grove Illinois) where in the spring of my second year our Professor came to me and said "I've formed a 5 piece stage band and you're the String Bass player, we have a performance a week from Tuesday. I responded I do not know to play the String Bass. Well John you had better learn because we have a gig a week from Tuesday...and that my friends is how I learned to play the String Bass.
@akgypsy 6 жыл бұрын
Very interesting and informative. I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments, and your responses to them, as well. I have considered getting a double bass, and I even have a vehicle large enough to transport it, but my musical styles are generally reggae, blues, rock, classic rock, and country, so I stick with electric. It's certainly more easily portable. I play a 5 string fretless, though, and love the tone over a fretted instrument. I was also raised playing classical piano, flute, and oboe, but fell in love with bass at age 16, and have now been playing pretty much exclusively bass since I was in my late 30's. Am now 67 and still rocking, but will always love classical music. Thanks for a lovely talk and demo of Vanhal's piece.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much. If you can find a bass, I say go for it! Our time on this earth is to try new things. Why not add to your musical arsenal? Rock on! B
@Atlas65 5 жыл бұрын
5:11 "Bass solo, take one"
@qtube9234 5 жыл бұрын
how do you stop your violin from being stolen? you put it in a viola case
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
Nice one! My wife is actually a violist! 🤣
@becgedge7609 3 ай бұрын
Man those two notes for Jaws are soooo intense!!!
@mcmh9523 5 жыл бұрын
Beautiful instrument with beautiful sound. It's interesting to see so much resemblances this instrument has to the ancient violone. Fretted fingerboard with five strings along with some other viol-esque touches...
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
It IS a violone! Great eye!
@williamjc7195 7 жыл бұрын
I'm a bit confused. I saw vid that stated the bass as known now, was standardized around 1800.A consensus of musicians, composers, and instrument makers(artists). yes/no? Also ,why is cello tuned differently?
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your question. First, a cello is tuned in 5ths mainly because the notes are closer together, hence more notes can be played in one position. The tuning of the bass was still varied throughout the 1800s depending on the country. Still, 4ths became the norm. Some bassists do play in 5ths though! Many thanks for watching!
@JohnDoe-dh8xc 7 жыл бұрын
Bret Simer Playing in fifths takes all the tension off 4th and 3rd strings. The first has a bit more tension to is but not much. Overall it is fun to play.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
I assume you use a solo string for the high A? Bravo for doing this!
@JohnDoe-dh8xc 7 жыл бұрын
Bret Simer No but I am considering switching to a slight lighter guage for that A. However it's only a whole step so it's not quite as drastic as a low C. I should add I'm doing this on an electric bass and the scale length reacts far differently.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Sounds interesting!
@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245 5 жыл бұрын
"Double bass is the lowest in the bass family." What about Sunn O)))?
@kaveersinanan3957 7 жыл бұрын
wonderful!!
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@4saken404 Жыл бұрын
I can't get over how chonking HUGE those tuning pegs are!
@bretsimner754 11 ай бұрын
They're viennese pegs!
@ellamcginley524 7 жыл бұрын
I used to play viola and actually play double bass
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
My wife is a violist! There's a bunch of music from the classical period for bass and viola--not that one could play both at the same time! Thanks for watching!
@benren10 6 жыл бұрын
Does that bass have frets????
@nicklloyd9165 7 жыл бұрын
Nice job Brett! Takes balls to get up there, keep things interesting, and keep it flowing.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thank so much Nick! Nice to hear from you. Keep making great basses!
@coreydavidson3501 Жыл бұрын
Thank you! I never knew why it was called double bass. My son started out with cello and quickly moved to the bass. I didn't realize quite how much bigger it was and a new car to fit 4 people. the bass, and the stool was in order. He then wanted to be an orchestra teacher and now says he wants to be a luthier. We will see.
@bretsimner754 Жыл бұрын
Sounds like such an interesting path! You must be a truly nurturing and supporting parent. Well done!😍
@shawhennessey3178 7 жыл бұрын
Geeze, and I thought my electric bass was big.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Well, don't forget, you need to carry an amp as well! Thanks for watching!
@jonnypayne598 4 жыл бұрын
Me too😁
@ShootAUT 5 жыл бұрын
I wonder what his teacher got paid for playing *those* two notes.
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
The late Homer Mensch!
@carmelogaa521 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you TEDx!
@bretsimner754 2 жыл бұрын
Thank YOU for watching!
@agustinabazan8327 6 жыл бұрын
I really love thia video, i'm so proud to play this beautiful instrument♡
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
That's so nice to hear! Thanks for watching!
@tmbs1139 7 жыл бұрын
is that...a fretted bass?
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Yes, a period Viennese bass. Thanks for your question!
@zoroxtreme867 4 жыл бұрын
Also 5 strings
@rayjones3212 7 жыл бұрын
Now that I know why it is called a double bass, why is it also called a "doghouse bass?"
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
That is a great question. I have no idea!
@UrFriendlyNeighborhoodBassist- 5 ай бұрын
I think it’s funny how most people just see violin, violin, occasionally cello, then also cello but when the cello isn’t there it’s just more violins lol
@bretsimner754 5 ай бұрын
So true!
@CharlesStClair-tb9iy Жыл бұрын
When I was in high school, I played trombone in the school concert band and jazz band. One day, I was rummaging around on the stage and found an old double bass. It was made of aluminum and probably hadn't been played in years. It was in pretty bad shape and I got permission from the band director to take it to my friend's dad's auto body shop and try to take out the dents and see if we could make it playable. He stripped the paint off it, pounded out the dents, and repainted it making it look like wood grain. I bought some strings for it and taught myself to play it. I played it in the jazz band and in a Dixieland band through high school. I gave it up because being a rock and roll star was cooler than playing "When the Saints Go Marching In." I wonder where that bass ended up.
@bretsimner754 Жыл бұрын
Do you still play? When I was at Juilliard, we found an old aluminum bass in an abandoned locker. While the sound was ok, the bell-like sound when you rested it down on the floor was horrible! 😃Thanks for watching and for sharing your story! Cheers, Bret
@kirk4522 7 жыл бұрын
why does he have 5 strings I only have 4
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
This is because the bass is in Viennese tuning. This tuning was used with five strings. In "normal" tuning, however, the choice of 4 or 5 strings is up to the individual. Let's not forget that the 3-string bass was the norm in Italy in the time of Verdi!
@zxinsWorld 6 жыл бұрын
"Lowest of the orchestral string instrument[s family]" Uh no, that title goes to octobasses.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
OK, you got me there!
@philipyao5989 5 жыл бұрын
zxin's World contraoctobass
@KrishnaKumar-np3tw 5 жыл бұрын
very enjoyable talk.
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
I'm so glad you liked it, Krishna. Thanks for watching!
@empereurjustinien2082 7 жыл бұрын
you are a killer bass player my friend i'm a guitar playe/electric bassists who just picked up an upright thanks a lot for the video
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@jacktowers7533 5 жыл бұрын
A 5 string double bass with frets, all you gotta do is add a cutaway and it will complete the trifecta of blasphemy XD
@literallyh3093 7 жыл бұрын
why not play some skrillex on that thing
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
What is that? Enlighten me!
@literallyh3093 7 жыл бұрын
Sonny John Moore, known professionally as Skrillex, is an American electronic music producer. I feel playing modern songs on the Double Bass would attract some much needed attention to it. Asking if you could play some skrillex was an exaggeration of the idea although if possible it would prove to be most amusing.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Just checked it out. Would be cool though--maybe with reverb. ;)
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Cool. Thanks so much for your research!
@Towel1e 7 жыл бұрын
Because that instrument was made for music.
@fenjazz4 6 жыл бұрын
Wow fret lines on the board and around the neck! Cool
@hoanghuynh4034 Жыл бұрын
Viola De Gamba .... Convertible Double bass to Beautiful Viola de gamba 5 to 7 strings . So versatile instrument
@bretsimner754 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching!
@mrcarrot155 5 жыл бұрын
Its a violin on steroids
@bretsimner754 5 жыл бұрын
Indeed!
@Disc147 6 жыл бұрын
Hey what about octobass, stop repressing minority instruments gosh. Even if there are only seven in them we know of.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
True. Have you ever played one? I still haven't had the opportunity!
@Disc147 6 жыл бұрын
Bret Simner unfortunately not Australia isn't well known for it's love of historical instruments. I hope the joke was explicit rather than implicit.
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
No problem!
@daravila 6 жыл бұрын
I wish i could play a bass or any other type of bass , ive played for 3 years on the cello
@bretsimner754 6 жыл бұрын
Now is a great time to start!
@HonJazzz 2 жыл бұрын
Bravo!
@bretsimner754 2 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much!
@HonJazzz 2 жыл бұрын
@@bretsimner754 I appreciate you for doing this. I’ve been playing bass guitar for a few years and I’m looking to start taking double bass lessons. Thanks for the inspiration.
@bretsimner754 2 жыл бұрын
@@HonJazzz You've got this!
@ardzeuq2860 7 жыл бұрын
This is awesome.
@bretsimner754 7 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
TEDx Talks
Рет қаралды 1,2 МЛН
TEDx Talks
Рет қаралды 338