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Upright Double Bass Humidity

Upright double bass humidity

Keeping your upright double bass at the proper humidity level is very important.  Seasonal changes, (whether it be from travel or changing seasons) can really create havoc on a bass.  There are at least 2 major factors when dealing with humidity (or lack thereof): The overall level of dryness and sudden changes from wet to dry or even dry to wet. Keeping your bass in relative parameters of dryness, helps keep the super highs or low humidity changes less traumatic.  (For example, in the winter, with the dry and cold, do not keep your bass in too wet of an environment. (In the winter, too wet would be in excess of 50% because).  Keeping the bass had a higher humidity would normally be fine, but when it goes out (into a much dryer room, the bass will get a too much of a “shock” from the sudden dryness.  Stay within some parameters, 40-50% is perfect.  Even 55% would be ok depending where you are going out into.  Some humidity levels in halls (in winter) can go down into the teens.

Some simple ways to protect the bass in the winter:

1) If you can keep your bass in a special room with a humidifier, that’s great.  Just remember not to go too high.

2) Use Dampits.  These are the green sponge type humidifiers that are hung inside of the upright bass f-holes.  A quick note about these:  These are my personal favorite.  I use 4 Dampits.  Using 4 will help keep me from trying to over saturate using the normal 2.  You don’t want to ever drip in your upright bass!  I squeeze the excess water out before putting them in the bass and when I am not playing, I keep my cover on the bass.  That helps keep the moisture from escaping.  I notice that even when the bass is not super dry, the wood vibrates so much better.  Also, if you live in an area with hard water, it’s good to wipe off the tops of the Dampits that touch against the bass so that they will not leave a water spot.  I’ve noticed some new Dampit knockoffs lately that don’t hold the same amount of water and tend to drip too easily.  (Only get the Dampit brand.)

3) I also heard of another idea (in the winter) for those living in small apartments suffering from too dry conditions.  Simply splashing water droplets on the carpet or rug can significantly help bring up the humidity. This is not practical to have to do every day.  One of my Japanese upright bass player friends has a very small apartment in Tokyo and when he starts getting static shocks and the bass gets super dry, he sprinkles water all over the carpets. (Let’s call that one Bass Blessing!) haaa!  But it actually works!

4) Are you in a college or do you have to keep your bass in a locker?  Keep a bucket of water in the corner with a hand towel clipped on the top edge inside the bucket.  This acts as a wick and will humidify the locker enclosure ( I still like my Dampits though!)

The best way to monitor humidity and the cheapest, is a cheap digital gauge one can find at a nearby Radio Shack. For $30, you can post it near where your bass is normally stored. Don’t trust those silly little color coded cards with the Dampits.

If you live in a region of the country that has super humid summers and cold, dry winters, you might want to consider having 2 sound posts.  Sometimes these posts can really vary in length.  This will keep you happy (as your bass will sound better if the post is not too short or too long and keep your bass from needless soundpost cracks.  (you can sometimes see the strings dropping closer to the fingerboard, the sound post side of the top tilted upwards or the E-string side f-hole pointed inward a bit. Time to get that post checked then. When I lived near Chicago, I learned a lot of upright bass players there had a winter and a summer post.

You’ll notice that once you become more aware of your surroundings and the humidity levels, you will be better able to control or create better conditions for your upright bass.  Just watching the string height changes, or how a bass is responding (changing) could be enough for you be aware of your post getting too tight.  Any carved upright bass will sound the best if the wood has some moisture in the wood and will be much less susceptible to cracks.

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About the Author

Owner and operator of the String Emporium, LLC. Specializing in the sale and procurement of upright basses.

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The Unloading Method in Olympic Weightlifting GAS (Part IV)

The Unloading Method in Olympic Weightlifting

GAS (Part IV)

 

The Unload Week Method

Up to this point we have paid little attention to total weekly (as opposed to daily) volume, load and intensity changes, other than nothing that they changed little, if at all, from week to week our example programs. There are several methods to vary weekly volume, load and intensity, just as there are to vary them daily.

Perhaps the simplest and most effective is called the unload week method, which is often used by the competitive lifters. It works like this:

 

After every two or three weeks of hard training, depending on your experience level and the duration of your current program, you plan an overall light week. This light week has considerably lower total volume and load and lower intensity. Let’s say for example you are doing core exercises for four sets of five reps during the heavier workout weeks. During the unload week you could do them for three sets of three reps.

 

For three core exercises the total weekly volume would drop from 180 reps in the work weeks  (4 sets X 5 reps X 3 exercises X 3 days = 180reps / week)     to

81 reps (3 sets X 3 reps X 3 exercises X 3 days = 81 reps / week) (a 45 percent decrease!).

 

This is more of reduction than needed to produce more variation, but it is typical of what some top competitors actually do. Normal ranges for unload week decreases are five or six sets dropping to three and five or six reps dropping to three reps per set.

 

The total weekly volume decrease should be in the range of 30 to 50 percent. The amount of weight used in each exercise drops much less, may be 10 percent each day of the week, resulting in about a 10 percent  reduction in intensity for unload week. As an example, let’s look at what happens with one core exercise, such as the overhead press. During a work load on the heavy day, you might be doing as:

Heavy Week Days

80 pounds X 5 sets X 3reps

Volume  = 15 reps

Load       = 1200 pounds

Intensity = 80 pounds / rep

 

Light Week Days

70 pounds X 3 sets X 3 reps

Volume   = 9 reps

Load        = 630 pounds

Intensity  = 70 pounds / rep

 

Volume was reduced  40 percent

Load was reduced       47 percent

Intensity was reduced 12 percent

 

Remember, this is the only one method for the varying weekly volume, load, and intensity. Others involve adding or excluding assistance and even core exercises, from week to week, or changing the number of training days per week to produce the desired program variation. These methods are all advanced, and you need not to worry about unload weeks until you have been training for at least a few months, and may be a year or more, depending on your physical condition and how your body responds to exercise.

 

The Plateau System

The relationship between the number of reps done per set and the goals of training program should be clear and as per requirement of the athlete. It should be considered that higher repetitions help in the development of endurance, and lower reps for help in the development of strength of athlete’s.

Plateau system is mostly used for the experienced athletes especially in Olympic style weightlifting. After warm – up the weight stayed constant – for example,

100 pounds X 5 reps X 1 set  then  120 pounds X 5 reps X 3 sets.

In a plateau priority system is not uncommon for advanced lifters to do as many as five sets at the high weight. Five reps were used in many of our examples to emphasis strength gains. You can use the same type of plateau system with higher or lower reps per set depending on your goals or the phases of a training cycle you are in.

 

The Step System

Another system of sets and reps is to keep the reps fixed – say, three per set but increase the weight in each set until a maximum is reached. An example would be

80 pounds X 3, 90 pounds X 3, 100 pound X 3, 110 pounds X 3, 120 pounds X 3.

Experts do not highly recommend this system, but direct that it can be use occasionally just as variety, perhaps in place of 80 pounds X 3, 100 pound X 3, 120 pounds X 3. 120 pounds X 3, 120 pounds X 3 or for determining the maximum weight you could lift for three reps of a given exercise. All the warm-up sets in the above sequence will tend to hold the maximum weight, especially if you are doing more than three reps per set, but you can still get a good estimate of your 3RM – that is maximum weight for three reps, or 3 Rep Max.

 

The Pyramid System

The pyramid system of sets and reps too can be used to add the variety to your program. It also can be used to estimate your 1 RM. The maximum weight you can lift for one rep in an exercise. In a pyramid, the weight used in each set increases while reps per set decrease. An example would be 80 pounds X 10 reps, 90pounds X 8 reps, 100 pounds X 6 reps, 110 pounds X 4 reps, 120 pounds X 2 reps, 130 pounds X 1rep, 100 pounds X 5 reps.

Note that the last set for medium weight and reps for the purpose of “tapering off” rather than stopping abruptly, after a maximum weight.

Pyramids are generally used only with core – type exercises, not assistance or single joint exercises.

Pyramid can occasionally be used to add variety to a plateau system program, or can be used for a separate phase of cycle.

For example:

Three weeks of 12 rep sets

Three weeks of   6 rep sets

Three weeks of   3 rep sets

Three weeks of pyramids

 

This would be followed by a week off from weight training before starting a new cycle.

The Reverse Pyramid System

Some people are “reverse” the pyramid for example, they might do sets of 8, 6, 4,2,1,2,4,6,8 reps, with the weight increasing as the reps decrease and decreasing as the reps increase. This sequence represents a lot of work; Dr. Seley does not recommend it for most trainees.

He strongly advises against doing a pure reverse pyramid, such as 1,2,4,6,8,10 reps, since such a sequence lacks specific warm-up. The idea behind a pure reverse pyramid is that it allows you to handle the heaviest weight before any fatigue develops. It is true that all the sets and reps before the single rep set in a standard pyramid will cause some fatigue and slightly decrease the maximum weight you can lift. But if you are in good shape, the effect will be small. If you want to lift a truer maximum, simply warm-up with low rep sets, but always warm-up before lifting heavy weights. A typical sequence, if your maximum squat were, for example, 120 pounds, would be:

60 X 3, 80 X 3, 100 X 2, 115 X 1, 125 X 1, (for new personal record, called PR), 90 X 5.

 

Muscular Endurance and Endurance Training

There are several important considerations relative to training for muscular endurance and endurance oriented programs that you should keep in mind:

 

1. When muscle groups become stronger, they work at lower percentage of their maximum contractile force when performing at a given absolute work load. This means they won’t fatigue as fast at that work load as they would with the original strength level, which is an improvement in endurance.

 

2. Using very high reps, 20 or more, is not the best way to develop muscular endurance for endurance oriented activities. It is better to use weight workout to build strength and to rely on the endurance activity it self to build the endurance. Increased strength, of course, will aid in the developing endurance as discussed above. If, however, for some reason such as injury or bad weather, you can’t do the endurance activity, then higher rep sets in weight lifting can be satisfactory short-term alternative.

 

3. Research has shown that endurance or aerobic type exercise can have negative effect on performance in explosive power oriented activities, as well as on strength levels, particularly for highly trained strength power athletes. Power refers to large forces being generated rapidly, as for sprinting, jumping, throwing and Olympic style weightlifting. Clearly, the fast twitch type muscle fibers with their high tension development and contraction speed are important for power activities. Research into muscle adaptations has shown that with extensive aerobic exercise, fast twitch fibers can develop a large capability for oxidative metabolism, as with slow twitch fibers. This type of fiber is then referred to as an “intermediate” fiber, with contraction tension and speed being between the typical values found for “normal” fast and slow twitch fibers. Such and adaptation is one important cause of the reduced power potential resulting from extensive endurance training.

You should not interpret the above information to mean that strength – power athlete should never any endurance type exercise. The recovery process after high intensity, short duration work is very dependent on oxidative metabolism. Thus, it is reasonable for for even a power oriented athlete to do some training that will maintain the oxidative system at an adequate level. Similarly, a long distance runner may need to sprint at the end of a race or retain a certain strength level in key muscle groups to maintain proper running form during a race. The value of an athlete including some of the apparently opposing types of exercise in training is real, but it must be done is proper amounts at selected times during a conditioning cycle.

 

Training Programs Can Produce Different Results

The similar weight training programs can produce quite different results in similar individuals due to seemingly minor changes in factors such as reps per set and diet. Consider two similar individuals, A and B, who do the same five or six exercises three days a week. A does 10 or 12 reps preset and eats a balanced, low calorie diet. B does 5 or 6 reps per set and every thing in sight (the so called “see food” diet). A would be expected to lose body fat, lose or maintain body weight, and develop stronger muscles with good definition. B would expect to gain or maintain body fat, gain body weight, and develop larger and much stronger muscles but with less definition.

Sex differences also effect the results of a given strength program. Women tend to develop less muscle size and definition and tend to maintain higher body fat levels, due to hormonal differences.

 

Fast Movement and Olympic Weightlifting

Finally the speed at which you do the exercise movements also affect the way your body adapts to them. As a general rule, if the muscle groups being exercised are used “explosively” in the activity you are training for, then some of the time you should do appropriate exercise movement fast. This will help in the neuromuscular learning, training your nervous system and in the recruitment of fast motor units. It will also prepare your tendons and other connective tissue to better withstand rapidly developed forces and large accelerations. These considerations are obviously of great importance for athletes who in the sport of Olympic weightlifting are almost always moving in an explosive manner.

 

I would like to mention at the end of last part of GAS that a scientific loading and unloading system in the sport of Olympic weightlifting is the key to success and the way to achieve the high level results. Dividing all training process in to phases and then division of these phases in to weeks is the most scientific work and a coach with the knowledge based on solid and modern information can get the results as per plan.

 

 

 

By:

Khizer Hayat Raja

Sr. Lecturer in Physical Education & Sports

International Weightlifting Coach & Expert

E mail: wlexpert@yahoo.com

 

 

About the Author

Affiliated with Olympic style weightlifting since 1989. First as player and from 1998 as a coach.  Author of a book and keen in research work.

Presently serving as Sr. Lecturer in Physical Education and Sports at a College. Coaching and training many Juniors & Seniors in Olympic style weightlifting. Produced many National and International weightlifters within and out side the country.

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Physique 57 3 Disc Workout Series Volume 2 $49.95 The Wait is Finally Over… Physique 57 is proud to announce its new DVD Workout Series Volume 2. An energetic three-DVD set starring Tanya Becker, Creator of the Physique 57 technique, and Shelly Knight, Physique 57′s Director of Training, West Coast, along with a great mix of Physique 57 instructors and clients. The three-disc DVD Series that produces rapid, obvious results includes: Classic …

Egoscue: Pain Free Workout Series Vol. 1 and 2 $17.62 PAIN FREE WORKOUT SERIES VOL 1 & 2 – DVD Movie…

Pure Barre: Pershing Square 1: Ballet, Dance, Pilates Fusion Workout $10.66 Lift your seat, tone your thighs and arms, flatten your abs, and burn fat in record-breaking time with the Pure Barre Technique DVD series! The Pure Barre Pershing Square Volume 1 DVD is for the beginner to intermediate Pure Barre enthusiast who wants the most effective workout possible. This 45-minute full body workout will not waste your time as Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective way to c…

FLX-10 Twin Speaker Headset w/ volume control $24.50 FLX-10 Twin Speaker Headset w/ volume control…

A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar – Composite Book/CD Pack $0 Now Available With CDs! This multi-volume method was developed to allow students to study the art of classical guitar within a new, more con-temporary framework. For private, class or self-instruction. Book One features an all-new format that incorporates chord frames and symbols, as well as a record to assist in tuning and to provide accompaniments for at-home practice. Book One also introduces beginning fingerboard technique and music theory. Book Two and Three build upon the techniques learned in Book One.

Essential Elements for Choir Teacher Resource Kit – Book with CD $0 Includes lesson plans, activities and reproducible student pages for music theory, history, listening, assessment, cross-cultural activities and more and is compatible with any volume or level of EE for Choir. The professional Listening CD included is the kit is designed for use with many of the lessons.

Object-Oriented Design $65.6 Designed as a companion volume to the acclaimed Object- Oriented Analysis, this book focuses on the middle part of the software lifecycle: the activitiy of design. It shows readers how to apply object-oriented design, and how to tailor and expand the method to suit specific organization and project needs.

The Rhythm Reader II – (A Practical Rhythm Reading Course) $0 Here is a follow-up to Audrey Snyder’s popular rhythm reading method. Designed for choirs, bands, orchestras and general music classes, ‘The Rhythm Reader II’ promotes quick comprehension with solid rhythm reading resulting in only a few minutes of use each rehearsal. Volume II continues the sequential curriculum by offering instruction and practice in ties, dotted rhythms, cut time and other meters, sixteenth note combinations, compound meters, triplets and more. The concepts are introduced logically and sequentially throughout more than 100 exercises. Optional recorded accompaniments on the CD promote high motivation and success for all students. These recordings feature a wide variety of styles and timbres from classical to reggae, string quartet to rock, making learning to sight-read FUN!

USED: Only Love 1985-1989 $6.99 It’s Only Love 1985-1989 follows the pattern of JCI’s It’s Only series, offering a seemingly random collection of 20 hits from a given genre or style for a period of five years. These songs weren’t necessarily the biggest hits of these five years, although there are a number of classics and smashes here. It may be hard to deduce exactly why these songs were chosen — especially since the compilers apparently define the “love” genre as anything vaguely romantic, muiscally or lyrically — but the end results are nevertheless quite entertaining. All of the songs are featured in their original hit versions, not remakes, which isn’t always the case with midline collections. Furthermore, there a few cuts that aren’t easy to find on other collections or even greatest-hits albums, which means it’s interesting to collectors as well as casual fans. Most importantly, each volume captures the feeling of the era, even if it’s missing several big hits, and that’s what makes the series a nice introductory overview for curious listeners. Among the highlights on It’s Only Love 1985-1989 are Starship’s “Sara,” Eric Carmen’s “Make Me Lose Control,” Mr. Mister’s “Is It Love,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere,” Hall & Oates’ “Method of Modern Love,” General Public’s “Tendernexx,” Debbie Gibson’s “Out of the Blue,” Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up,” INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart,” Sheila E’s “A Love Bizarre,” Chris DeBurgh’s “Lady in Red,” Winger’s “Headed for a Heartbreak,” Cutting Crew’s “(I Just) Died in Your Arms” and Jack Wagner’s “All I Need,” the second-best pop song ever sung by a male soap opera actor. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

USED: URBAL BEATS V3 0899 $4.99 The third volume in Urb magazine’s series charting the growth and expansion of electronica adds tracks from a few sources dance fans are unfamiliar with. Next to constantly anthologized artists like Moby, Underworld, and Orbital are appearances from Method Man, the Latin rap band Ozomatli, Florida breaksman DJ Icey, and Asian Dub Foundation. Given such a wide range of sounds on one album, Urbal Beats, Vol. 3 works quite well for veteran dance fans as well as beginners struggling to find a foothold in an often confusing scene. ~ Keith Farley, All Music Guide

eMedia Guitar Method Deluxe (2 Volume Bundle) $99.95 2 Volume Set that includes Guitar Method and Intermediate Guitar Method. The newest version of the world’s best-selling beginning guitar CD-ROM! Now with Interactive Feedback on Melodies. Over 160 comprehensive lessons cover everything from the basics to chord strumming, playing melodies, and fingerpicking. A modern rock chapter includes various strumming styles, movable power chords, and power chord riffs. Over 50 large-format videos from instructor Kevin Garry, Ph.D., include split-screens and close-ups of both hands. Learning guitar is made fun with over 70 songs, including famous hits from artists such as Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, and Steve Miller. Many of the songs are recorded live with multi-track full band accompaniment. As the songs play, an animated fretboard guides you through the fingerings, and MIDI tracks allow you to slow down and loop parts of the music for practice. This latest version includes larger easy-to-read screens, enhanced audio and video, and custom animated fretboard skins. The new Note and Finger Tracker provides interactive feedback. Play into your computerÍs microphone to see what note youÍre playing on the fretboard as music notation. YouÍll be able to correct your playing and learn to read music faster. eMedia Guitar Method is the ultimate way to learn how to play guitar!

eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method Deluxe (2 Volume Bundle) $99.95 2 Volume Set that includes Piano & Keyboard Method and Intermediate Piano & Keyboard Method. This new version of eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method offers everything you need to learn how to play! Piano instructor, Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., who has taught at the renowned Juilliard School of Music, guides you through over 300 step-by-step full-screen lessons. New Instant Feedback works with both electronic keyboards and acoustic pianos! It listens as you play melodies and shows whether youÍre playing correctly! The lessons start with the basics, such as hand position, rhythm, and playing on black keys, and move on to reading music notation, sight reading, scales, and much more. Techniques are demonstrated with over 70 videos viewable in full-screen mode. Learn songs and exercises from music notation as an animated keyboard guides you through fingerings. Songs and exercises are provided as both live-recorded audio and variable-speed MIDI tracks which let you slow the music down as needed. Colorful MIDI accompaniments help make practicing fun! You will learn over 100 popular classical, blues, pop, and rock songs, including hit songs from artists such as Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, and Elton John! Interactive review and ear training quizzes help reinforce new concepts and develop your ear. When used with an electronic MIDI keyboard, you get Interactive Evaluation Feedback with detailed specifics on your playing, including which notes and rhythms were wrong and how to correct them. In addition, the new Note Tracker shows you what note you’re playing and makes learning music notation easy. This latest version also offers fully scalable lesson screens and an option for full-screen video. Other accessories include a built-in digital metronome and a recorder. eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method is the ultimate way to learn how to play piano or keyboard!

who does everyone think is the more creative guitarist, jerry garcia or jorma kaukonen?

Jerry Garcia,

JORMA KAUKONEN – Hesitation Blues

Steady As She Goes $11.24 Hot Tuna is back with Steady As She Goes, their first all-new studio album in 20 years! Founding members Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady masterfully blend Americana rock with blues and acoustic folk on a record that hits their full spectrum of styles from electric and acoustic Hot Tuna to their days in Jefferson Airplane. Reaching a zenith of their historic career, Steady As She Goes is an absolu…

Quah $2.76 Jorma’s first solo album, recorded in 1974 right after the Airplane broke up, is one of THE great acoustic guitar albums of all time; it’s also one of the hardest to find on CD, previously available in a limited pressing. But this new, deluxe reissue from RCA sets things right with new digital remastering, new notes and four unreleased bonus tracks, including a version of Embryonic Journey ! Recom…

Jefferson Airplane: Fly Jefferson Airplane $8.49 JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Fly Jefferson Airplane (2004 US Regions 1 & 4 NTSC DVD documenting an 8-year period of one of the greatest bands to emerge from San Francisco in the 60s. The story is told through brand new interviews with all band members andmanager Bill Thompson with complete vintage performances of their biggest hits [including Somebody To Love and White Rabbit] from TV shows and concer…

The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen: Blues, Rags & Originals Video One [VHS] $24.95 Jorma Kaukonen’s first musical influences were the fingerpicking blues of Blind Blake, Rev. Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy and other traditional players. From those inspirations, he built the acoustic guitar style that has made him a top guitarist and a legendary figure in the pop music world. Homespun Video is proud to present this insightful video lesson. Jorma breaks down his fingerpicking style…

The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen: Blues, Rags & Originals, Video Two [VHS] $39.94 Jorma Kaukonen teaches favorites from his personal repertoire and expands upon the techniques that make his arrangements so memorable. You’ll learn runs, chord shapes, bass runs, right-hand picking, rhythmic figures, “back picking,” double-time patterns, vibrato, harmonized scales, string bends and much more. Songs include the folk/blues “I Know You Rider,” Jorma’s original “Water Song,” and the p…

The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen: Blues, Rags & Originals, Video Three [VHS] $39.94 On this repertoire-building lesson, Jorma delves into seven of the traditional and original guitar pieces that have become his trademark, taking them apart lick-by-lick for the inermediate level player….

The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen, 3 DVD Set $41.52 These 3 guitar lessons teach Jorma’s traditional fingerpicking stylings as well as his more contemporary original guitar compositions that make up the Hot Tuna phenomenon. The legendary rock and blues guitarist explores, in detail, many of the songs, licks and instrumentals he learned from Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, Big Bill Broonzy, and other great players. Add to your repertoire, improve your…

The Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen: Detailed Analysis of 8 Classic Songs and Instrumentals (Listen & Learn) $12.57 The renowned guitarist for Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna teaches eight of his classic songs and instrumentals. He performs each piece, then breaks them down in detail for the benefit of learning guitarists. Jorma has an avid following, and this product…

Jorma Kaukonen $54.00 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Jorma Ludwik Kaukonen Jr. (born December 23, 1940, Washington, D.C.) is an American blues, folk and rock guitarist, and an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Born to a Finnish American father and an American born Russian Jewish mother, Kaukonen was a founding…

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