This article is written by Toru Hoshino, a jazz bassist and instructor based in Japan who teaches online lessons to students worldwide. In this article, he shares the habits he relies on for carrying an upright bass around a big city by train.
A question came up recently in my online community from someone living outside of a major city:
“How do you actually move a double bass around when you’re getting around a big city?”
I live in Tokyo and mostly get around by train, and thinking about it, there’s actually quite a bit I pay attention to. Here are the five things I consider most important.
Contents
5 Things I Do When Moving Around the City With an Upright Bass
1. A Dedicated Wheel Cart Is Non-Negotiable
Carrying an upright bass on just the case strap alone is brutal. I use a dedicated wheel attachment, sometimes called a “bass buggy.”
It’s a bit of an investment, but the wheels are very sturdy — if you’re doing a lot of walking, this is essential.
2. Always Take the Elevator
Carrying an upright bass up and down stairs is genuinely rough, so I always use the elevator at any station that has one.
3. Pick the Wider Ticket Gate
If the gate is narrow, the wheels can clip the edges, so I always go through the wider gate.
4. Stand in the Corner Near the Doors
On the train, I aim for the corner spot next to the seats near the doors. Even if the train isn’t crowded, I generally stay standing rather than sitting.
5. Avoid Crowds and Rush Hour
I try to travel at times when it’s not too crowded whenever I can.
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This is exactly the kind of thing that’s hard to fix alone — and where having a teacher makes all the difference.
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Students from around the world are using this to fix exactly these kinds of issues and steadily improve their jazz bass skills.