Double bass · Advanced
Thumb Position
The upper register, where the bass becomes a cello
Above fifth position, the Simandl system gives way to thumb position, the left thumb becomes a capo, and the fingerboard suddenly opens into a new register. This is where the bass solo repertoire lives.
Before this module
What this module covers
Why Thumb Position Exists
Placing the Thumb
Thumb Position in Half Thumb
Full Thumb Position
Shifting Within Thumb Position
Fluency in the High Register
What comes next
Practise with a free reference
- Free metronome
Use a steady pulse while you count or repeat a short phrase.
- Double bass tuner
Check the open-string reference before comparing stopped notes.
- Double bass first-position chart
A lower-position reference only; it does not show every accidental, extension or shift in this module.
- Public scale references
Read pitch sequences and play reference examples. Available routines do not establish an exam syllabus requirement.
Planning this part of your learning
- Where should I start with thumb position?
- The curriculum places Two Voices at Once before this module. Review those topics if they are unfamiliar. The first lesson is “Why Thumb Position Exists”: The physical logic of using the thumb as a movable nut in the upper register. The order is a study guide, not proof that every learner needs the same pace.
- How long is the thumb position module?
- The 6 listed lessons total approximately 144 minutes of material. That estimate describes lesson content, not the practice time needed to become comfortable with the upper register, where the bass becomes a cello. Revisit one task at a time and use feedback from a teacher where physical technique is involved.
- What can I try here without an account?
- The thumb position description, lesson sequence and prerequisite links are public. There is no full worked lesson sample for this module yet. The linked public tools and references are free. A free account includes the complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five lessons in music theory, with saved progress and no expiry. Later lessons require the relevant paid package.
Open this module in Arco
Lessons include the synchronised staff, keyboard, and fingerboard view, recorded double bass playback, and quizzes that track your answers. The complete five-lesson foundation module in each instrument and five music theory lessons are free with an account, including saved progress and no time limit. Later lessons require the relevant paid package. Public samples do not assess physical technique or certify exam readiness.