Thumb Position: the secret to an even sound
One of the biggest challenges when starting thumb position on the double bass is achieving a steady, clean sound—free of squeaks, whistles, or unwanted buzzes. Although this position may feel harder at first because it’s new, it’s actually simpler than it seems. At least, that’s how I like to see it and teach it. The physical distance between notes is smaller, so intonation is often easier to identify (since we’re an octave higher), and playing feels more comfortable.
How to keep an even sound in the high register?
Once we begin to build strength and agility in the left hand in this area of the bass, keeping a good sound across the fingerboard can be tricky. The challenge lies in the physics of the strings: low notes vibrate more widely because the distance between the left hand and the bow is greater, giving them more room to vibrate. High notes, on the other hand, have a faster, smaller vibration, since the space to vibrate is reduced (our left hand gets closer to the bow). This means that, as we move up, we need to use more bow to compensate for the smaller space and avoid losing vibration—keeping a full sound.
I’d like to share 3 practical tips for studying thumb position on the double bass:
In the high register it’s crucial to expand bow usage horizontally, whether you’re playing détaché, legato, or spiccato. Increasing bow travel on high notes helps keep the sound strong and projecting, preventing it from becoming thin, weak, or producing squeaks and noise.
Keeping the contact point closer to the bridge also helps, because it increases the vibrating length of the string. This is especially important when playing harmonics. Keep in mind that the closer you bow to the fingerboard, the less space the string has to vibrate.
Good posture in thumb position is essential. Often, when reaching the highest notes, we end up wrestling with the instrument—and yes, I get it, it’s a big instrument! But with proper technique, we can play along the fingerboard without hurting our back and shoulders. Remember, our body is our instrument; we need to take care of it to keep a healthy musical life. Keep your back as straight as possible, let your weight drop onto your heels, and align your shoulders.
You can find more on this topic in books like “The Science
of String Instruments” by Thomas D. Rossing, which explains how strings vibrate differently depending on their length. Pedagogues such as Robert Gerle, in “The Art of Bowing Practice,” also mention that using more bow in the high register is key to getting a balanced sound, regardless of whether you play French or German bow. It’s a simple adjustment, but essential for a good sound across the entire fingerboard.
