Bass is definitly best!

Double bass philosophy is perfectly appropriate at this time of the day. Quotes from François Rabbath's 3rd book of "Nouvelle Technique de la Contrebasse" It's astonishing:

A physical and psychological approach to the double bass

How is it that most double bassist are incapable of finding a way to hold the instrument without inflicting torture on the body? How is it that they have not discovered the use of the force of inertia (my note: disposition to remain inactive)?

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Each player's own physique and personality must determine his relationship with the instrument. One must carry out one's own research on oneself and one's instrument.

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Instead of the obstinate repetition of a movement to overcome an obstacle, we must learn to find the cause of the obstacle.

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MOVEMENT - SPACE - TIME

Movement = fingering. The fingering determines different movement of the hand, and consequently of the arm. These movements must be considered in their entirety: the placing of the fingers is only a detail in a larger conception of movement. This idea of movement must become the guiding line for the fingering (the opposite of the usual relation).

Space ... The word "space" must be remembered. I never say a note is out of tune; I say the space is not correct.

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Travelling along the fingerboard of an instrument with complete confidence, eliminating trial and error, chance, achieving an accurate space-time movement to reach a note, wandering freely across conqured and familiar territory, that is the dream of every instrumentalist.

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In order to reach this goal, it is essential to become concious of one's own body and movements. Unfortunately we are not prepared for this. Instead of being taught to develop our movements, we are often forced to reduce them ... This results in short and cramped movements - physical blockages which are multiplied by the fear of the instrument's difficulty (perpetuated by most teachers). In fact the player's movement should be as natural and familiar to him as walking.

The double bass!

I love playing the bass. It's full of opportunities!

It's amazing playing the orchestra. It's actually real fun training your technique, finding new and even sometimes easier ways of doing things. The freedom of choise this gives you!

Don't fight nature, bass is best!