Low C Woes

[cryfok]

The community orchestra I play in is performing a piece that requires a long, heavy sustained arco on a low C, and many other passages that require Eb through Db. Unfortunately, no one in the section has an extension. The section with the sustained C is a quiet, beautiful passage, and (having de-tuned to play it in rehearsal) far, far too tempting to play and so we don't want to pass it up by playing the octave above.

The principal of the section and I have had many lengthy conversations about how to handle this:

First, we were thinking it would be worthwhile to restring our basses with a low B tuned up a half-step (leaving the strings low to high C-A-D-G), but we then decided that renders the rest of the concert challenging at best.

Second, we were thinking about tuning in fifths. This is a pretty neat idea, and, having done a lot of research on it (Silvio Dalla Torre has a pretty convincing story on his site) I'm really quite fascinated by "the new Dutch school" and their crazy heavy bows and fifths tuning and improved consonant harmonics etc. Obviously, this would require a new set of strings, and relearning 3 out of 4 strings for the rest of the programme... well, let's just say it'd be like learning a new instrument, at least in the immediate sense.

Third (where we are now), I'm detuning my E and A to fifths tuning (low-to-high, C-G-D-G) for this piece alone, and he's considering getting a new C string and switching it before and after this piece. My method helps to some degree, but the low tension of the strings (it's fine for the sustained section, but the more twiddly bits sound like i'm playing with rubberbands) and re-learning of the note placement leaves a ton to be desired. And, obviously, in the case of the principal, re-stringing is a similarly less than ideal solution.

At our last rehearsal, we were tempted to throw in the towel, but as I mentioned above, it's just too luscious to hear that low C and we'd rather not let it go unless we absolutely have to.

Thought I'd come here and solicit advice. Here's what I'm wondering now - does anyone know of a place where I/we might be able to rent a 5-string or a C-extension bass for the next two weeks at a less-than-prohibitive expense in the Brooklyn, NY area? I'd be willing to fork over a couple hundred (maybe), but more than that seems totally silly. I'd be willing to play on a decent-but-not-great bass for this piece alone (obviously, we don't want it to sound poor, but I'd be more than happy to play on an instrument that isn't high-end for this purpose).

Are there other alternatives we're overlooking?

Thanks a ton.

J

[bobalew]

How important is it that the entire section play the C? Could a few players tune down while the others lay out or play the octave? You don't want to destabilize the whole section for the whole show with odd tuning, but perhaps you could get it done with a few folk who could detune/retune while the rest stand by.

Restringing just seems to be asking for unintended complications.

[cryfok]

thanks so much for your response.

the principal and i would be the only two detuning (out of a section of 7). unfortunately there's no room to re-tune during the piece - it's all out of whack for the 3 movements or not at all.

[riverbum]

if you can't find a 5 string then how about borrowing another 4 string and tune it for the one song. this may not be be practical for transporting purposes. could save a lot of work...

[bejoyous]

If the rest of the piece is not too notey below A, I would recommend just detuning the E-string down to a low-C for that piece. If you put on a low-B string tuned up to a C, then you are stuck with it for weeks.

I wouldn`t recommend trying to retune the string back up for the rest of the piece though. It will take a lot of time from the rest of the piece and it probably won`t be stable either.

[TBDBassman]

Would it be impossible to rent a 5 string bass or maybe borrow one? I'm not sure how many are out there...

[mjt0229]

Can I ask what piece it is?

I've faced these sorts of issues in the past, and I've always intended to get an extension put on my bass, but haven't found anyone interested in doing the work.

[cryfok]

i would love to rent or borrow a 5-string. anyone know who does this in the nyc area? (gage is, last i checked, WAY out of the range i'm prepared to play in.)

the piece is lowell liebermann's concerto for piccolo and orchestra. don't ask.

[mjt0229]

Piccolo concerto? Aren't those illegal in NYC?

[bobalew]

I like the term "twiddly bits" but I'm afraid to say it out loud.

[Don Carrigan]

Dear Cryfolk1:
You don't give us much information, not even your gender. Do you play side saddle? Cowboy upright? Do you extend insurance coverage? How long do you need a 5 string? Which planet are you in alligence to today? Can you afford transportation to and fro for a told ot 500 miles? Will you agree to sleep with a 5 string, shotgun across your chest (loaded, of course). Are you on probation? Work release? Half-way house? Just who are you?, like maybe a name.
Don Carrigan, owner of 1820 Prescott 5 string bass to kill for.

[cryfok]

Don, I just sent you a PM.

[billyfalconer]

Originally Posted by mjt0229

I've always intended to get an extension put on my bass, but haven't found anyone interested in doing the work.

Hammond Ashley, or the other shops in WA and OR, won't do it?