My Plan for Returning to the Double Bass After a Break
Have you ever stopped playing the double bass for several weeks? It’s a strange feeling. At first, you enjoy the break. But when you return, it feels like climbing a steep hill—your calluses are gone, your muscles don’t respond the same way, and what once felt natural now feels awkward. That’s exactly what happened to me. First came the holiday break, then I got sick and spent weeks without playing, and before I could fully come back, I had to take a long trip. Now, after almost two months away from the instrument, I’m finally picking it up again. So I put together this guide for anyone who, like me, is returning to the double bass after some time away. And if you don’t need it now, save it—you’ll need it eventually.
1. Before You Play, Stretch and Wake Up the Body
We work with our body, so we need to keep it active and available. After a long break, easing back in is essential. Your muscles need time to remember how to move and gradually regain strength. Stretching is key—it helps you transition smoothly and prevents unnecessary injuries.
2. Right Hand: Rebuilding Memory and Sound
The best way to return to the double bass is to start with the basics. These exercises may look simple, but they rebuild muscle memory and help you regain stability. One of my favorite books for bow work is Les Coups d’Archet à la Contrebasse by P. Hellouin. I love how it focuses on fundamentals: bow speed, weight distribution, and keeping a consistent sound across the entire bow.
In the video below, I share a few exercises inspired by this book to help you recover precision and control.
3. Left Hand: Strength, Agility, and Intonation
Keep it simple. Scales are always the best starting point. They reconnect you with intonation, refine your ear, and help you feel comfortable on the fingerboard again. After that, I like working on agility with repeating patterns across different positions. These exercises rebuild coordination and control after a break. Great examples can be found in books by Franco Petracchi, Petia Bagovska, and Simandl.
Finally, I add interval exercises: first staying in one position to build strength and accuracy, then moving along the same string to improve shifts, intonation, and note precision.
In the video below, I share step-by-step exercises to help you regain strength and mobility in your left hand.
4. Play Something You Already Know
Before jumping into a new piece, start with something familiar. Returning to a piece you already know helps you reconnect with musicality without feeling overwhelmed.
• Choose a piece you enjoy and feel comfortable with.
• Play it calmly, focusing on expression and fluidity.
• Use this moment to remember how to make music—to shape phrases and let technique support interpretation.
• Once you feel confident and in control, then start something new.
Videos
Here are both videos together—one focusing on the right hand, the other on the left—so you can return to the double bass in a balanced and progressive way.
