Practicing chromatic scales

Funkateer · #1 10-09-2004, 08:34 AM

Coming from BG, I am used to fingering chromatic scales in all positions using all 4 left hand fingers. I understand that on uprights, the 3rd finger doesn't see much action until thumb position, and mostly follows the 4th finger around. What is the correct fingering for chromatic scales? 1 1 2 4 going up and 4 4 2 1 going down?

anonymous0726 · #2 10-09-2004, 10:24 AM

O 1-2-4 1-2-4 1-2-4 1-2-3 and then the arguments ensue. I go T-1-2-3 T-1-2-3 T-1-2-3.

Wil Davis · #3 10-09-2004, 01:10 PM

Thomas B. Gale makes some interesting points about chromatic fingering in the half/first positions (see his "Technical Foundation Studies for Double Bass - Vols. 1 & 2") - he suggests a general rule: "…when searching for the fingering to achieve the highest velocity possible in a given passage or excerpt, start by eliminating all repeated fingers such as 1-1 or 2-2".

Fascinating reading…

- Wil