String instrument · Double bass
Learning the double bass
The instrument that supports the base of the orchestra. Intonation is relatively forgiving; stamina and size are the wall
- Rental
- ₩50,000–100,000 a month
- Purchase
- Beginner (plywood) ₩1,000,000–2,500,000
- Lessons
- One-on-one (fewer teachers, overlapping with jazz bass) · once a week, 40–60 minutes
- Lesson fee
- One-on-one ₩160,000–320,000 a month, ₩50,000–100,000 an hour · almost no groups
- Time to first piece
- 1–2 months
- Tuning
- E–A–D–G, fourths (other strings are in fifths)
- Clef
- Bass clef (sounds an octave lower than written)
- Transposition
- Sounds an octave lower
- Size
- About 180 cm · standing or on a high stool
Difficulty (more ● means harder)
- First sound
- ●●○○○
- Pitch
- ●●●○○
- Breath and bow
- ●●●○○
- Sight-reading
- ●●○○○
- Stamina
- ●●●●●
Noise ●●●○○ · Low-note vibrations travel through the floor. A practice room helps
What you need to start
Instrument, bow (French/German), case · endpin stopper · rosin (for bass, sticky) · tuner · tall stool (optional) · transport wheels
Set up your posture and left-hand shape (1-2-4) early so your hand doesn't get hurt. Early lessons recommended
First 2 years roadmap
Weeks 1–2
- Standing/sitting posture, endpin height
- Bow hold (French or German)
- Open strings E, A, D, G
Hurdle: Finger strength and calluses
Months 1–3
- Half position and first position (fingers 1-2-4)
- G and D major scales, lower range
- Bass clef
Books: Simandl Book 1, Suzuki Bass Book 1
Pieces: Double bass beginner pieces from Suzuki
Months 3–6
- Second and third positions, shifting
- Pizzicato (for jazz and pop too)
- Simple bass lines
Hurdle: The distances between shifts are large, so the pitch wavers
Months 6–12
- Up to fourth position
- Long bow tones, dynamics
- Reading orchestra parts
Pieces: Dragonetti's Waltz for double bass
Years 1–2
- Introduction to thumb position
- Vibrato
- Ready to join an amateur orchestra: basses are welcome
Books: Simandl Book 2, Billè etudes
Pieces: Capuzzi's Sonata for double bass, Marcello's Sonata in E minor for bass
The hardest parts and tips
Size, transport, stamina
You play and carry an instrument taller than you are
Tip: A wheeled case, keep the instrument at the practice room or group, alternate standing and sitting
Finger strength and spacing
The strings are thick and the fingers are spread about a hand's width apart
Tip: Keep the 1-2-4 hand shape, practice in short, frequent sessions, and stop right away if your wrist hurts
Shifting distance
A half step is more than 5 cm apart, so 'estimating' is hard
Tip: Use fingerboard markers, check by ringing with open strings, and practice slow slides
FAQ
- How much do double bass lessons cost?
- One-on-one: ₩160,000–320,000 a month, ₩50,000–100,000 per hour · Groups are almost nonexistent (Seoul; varies by teacher and region). The lesson format is one-on-one (fewer teachers, overlapping with jazz bass), usually once a week for 40–60 minutes.
- How much does it cost to start the double bass?
- Rental is ₩50,000–100,000 a month; buying a beginner (plywood) instrument costs ₩1,000,000–2,500,000 (a wheeled case and a car are practically necessary for transport).
- How long does it take to play a simple piece on the double bass?
- With steady practice, you can usually play a simple melody in 1–2 months. Get your posture and left-hand shape (1-2-4) right at the start so your hand doesn't get hurt. Lessons are recommended early on
- Why are size, transport, and stamina hard on the double bass?
- You play and carry an instrument taller than you are. Tip: a wheeled case, leaving the instrument at the practice room or with your group, and alternating between standing and sitting.
- Why are finger strength and spacing hard on the double bass?
- The strings are thick, and the gaps between fingers are about a hand wide. Tip: keep the 1-2-4 hand shape, practice in short, frequent sessions, and stop right away if your wrist hurts.
Costs and timelines are commonly cited ranges for Seoul in 2026 and vary a lot by person.