Do Orchestral Bassists ever feel "Under-utilised" ....?

[Bruce Lindfield]

Especially in more modern repertoire?

So, went to the Proms last night, to see the Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Simon Rattle and especially the second half, which was given over to a peformance of Messiaen's "Eclairs sur l'Au-dela".

So, I enjoyed the concert enormously, but I was sitting opposite the DB section, who spent most of their time, standing, holding their basses and only got to play towards the end, in one movement - out of eleven!!

And when they did, their audible contribution was four, slow plucked notes, repeated a few times! Honestly, this is the only time, I've been to see a professional orchestra and thought I could have played the DB part!!

So, most of the time I was enjoying the music, but I couldn't help occasionally turning my attention to what those guys were thinking about the situation?

So - do you think they're so professional, they are just happy for a great overall performance from the orchestra ... and to get paid?

Or are they thinking - what a waste of their talents, to be standing here on a hot, humid night, waiting around just for a few notes they could have played with both hands tied behind their backs!!

Or what.....?

[Matt Ides]

When I played in a symphony orchestra on occasion the bass section would have smaller parts to play.

As a Bassist you are in a supporting role, either orch or jazz ensemble.

Plus, can't ever overlook the small contribution to the entire piece of music. Many instruments have small parts in the orchestra, not just the bass.

To answer your question, it never bothered me.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by ssab67

Plus, can't ever overlook the small contribution to the entire piece of music.

That's true - it is actually mentioned in the programme notes :

"8.The Stars and the Glory
The longest and most elaborate movement , beginning with a subterranean four-note figure on double basses and contra-bass clarinet...."

I suppose the c-b clarinet guy was in a similar position, although they tend to double on other types...?

[Wil Davis]

Well, I bet they're thankful that they get paid by the gig rather than by the note…

- Wil

[Heifetzbass]

So, really, they get paid more per note than the violinists...

It is all how you rationalize things.
BG

[Davehenning]

How do you think the poor bastard standing around with the triangle feels?

But seriously, I have to agree with ssab67, the bass in general and most orchestral playing is about being a team player. I would love to be in a orchestra section. IME, the music going on around me when I am not playing is usually just as satisfying.

[T Sony]

I attended a few symphony orchestra concerts a few years back and remember the double bass section being very active in terms of parts to play. However, certain movements the bass sections would be silent then have a critical role such as a large crescendo from piano to forte in 8th notes. Very inspiring to say the least!

As for the double bassists complaining about not playing much or have very little part? I think at that level they're more concerned with the over all production and sound of the entire orchestra instead of small parts.

[Damon Rondeau]

Originally Posted by ssab67

As a Bassist you are in a supporting role, either orch or jazz ensemble.

So true. However, your average jazz bassist isn't standing around counting 97 bars before he plays two...

[Danny Adair]

In my experience it kinda depends on the composition. I've been thoroughly uninspired by very challenging and complex works while in other pieces I got amazing chills by just playing some simple and quiet ostinato, or even sitting out entire movments onstage during performances.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Damon Rondeau

So true. However, your average jazz bassist isn't standing around counting 97 bars before he plays two...

That's right - I'm very happy to be supportive as a bassist, but I like to be involved!

So, generally Double Basses are pretty well occupied in most orchestras - I've been to hundreds and hundreds of orchestral concerts and the strings as a whole, usually get a lot of playing!

It just struck me about this particular piece and I was wondering what the DB players were thinking - so here we are a world-class orchestra, coming from Germany to Britain and for the most part, I am standing around....

So - this is a long, 11-movement piece and the Double Basses only play anything in movement 8 - and then it's only a 4-note repeating figure!!

[jneuman]

Originally Posted by ssab67

When I played in a symphony orchestra on occasion the bass section would have smaller parts to play.

As a Bassist you are in a supporting role, either orch or jazz ensemble.

Plus, can't ever overlook the small contribution to the entire piece of music. Many instruments have small parts in the orchestra, not just the bass.

To answer your question, it never bothered me.

One trumpet player I played with had special glasses to allow him to read the newspaper on the floor during long rests and tacets. I thinkd brass players have it worse than basses.

[godoze]

any idea how difficult it is not to lose your place while you are tacit for 250 measures ? I usually count bcakwards to avoid losing my place.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by Don Zebrauskas

any idea how difficult it is not to lose your place while you are tacit for 250 measures ? I usually count backwards to avoid losing my place.

I may be missing some humour here...but to be serious, wouldn't it be easier to count on from some "significant event" in the piece that you couldn't miss - or maybe even pick a few, to make absolutely sure...?