Chromatic passages

[TomGale]

Ever since the dawn of bassdom, I always see an A chromatic scale (1 octave) fingered open A, 1-1 2 4 open D, 1-1 2 4, open G 1, 2. I can't think of a lesson book that doesn't have that in there someplace. But I think there is something better.
The 1-1 2 4. is always limited by that first finger both playing the note and then having to shift. I use a much better and faster fingering. How about; open, 1 2-1 2. While the 2nd finger is playing the pitch, the 1st is already moving toward the next pitch. You are shifting a 1/2 step further but the speed and ease more than makes up for that. Try it on open G, G#, A, A#, and B.
Tom Gale
ASODB.com

[nickbass]

I use open 1-2-3-4 with the hand moving progressively through its shape to focus the energy through one finger at a time, thus avoiding the danger involved in trying to stretch the hand and transmit a lot of pressure through it simultaneously!

[JimGullen]

Originally Posted by TomGale

How about; open, 1 2-1 2.

Do you then jump to the D-string and repeat or do you stay on the A-string and use 4 for D? If you do that you've haven't wasted the bigger shift than you "needed". Of course, if you do this, you have a bigger shift once you do go to the D-string than you would have otherwise.

So we have faster, but bigger shifts (up and down). I'm interested in trying this. I wonder which I'll come to prefer?

As I'm thinking about this, I'm hearing "no wasted effort (e.g too big a shift)", and I'm also thinking "If you're gonna shift, SHIFT!" :-) I wonder which I'll come to prefer?

Thanks for getting me thinking!

Best regards!

Jim

[sibass89]

There is a reason on most chromatic scales why that is done. As an avid user of open hand technique I agree with the common fingering system used for chromatic scales. For many teachers this is also used as a shifting exercise. Also, many times when play with an open hand position we tend to think about large distances and a chromatic scale will end very sharp. By using a closed hand position, it relays the close intervals of our ears into our hands.

[TomGale]

I never recommend using the open hand (4 finger tech) in the lower positions. Too much of a chance for injury for players just learning it. I start mixing the open and closed on C# (1st finger on the G) - on C if I really need to. Tom Martin also starts mixing on C#. When trying to figure what to use - usually very rapid chromatic figures - I count the notes. 3 = 1,2,4 (or 3). 4 = 1,2,- 1,2., 5 = 1,2,- 1,2,4. 6 = 1,2,4 - 1,2,4. 7 = 1,2, - 1,2, - 1,2,4.
This keeps the hand small and focused rather than spread out and you don't use the same-finger shift - 1 - 1 or 2 - 2. That will slow you down.
Tom Gale
ASODB.com

[neilG]

Originally Posted by TomGale

Ever since the dawn of bassdom, I always see an A chromatic scale (1 octave) fingered open A, 1-1 2 4 open D, 1-1 2 4, open G 1, 2. I can't think of a lesson book that doesn't have that in there someplace.
ASODB.com

One should be able to do that same scale using 1-1, 2-2 or 4-4 shifts, sounding the same, IMNSHO.

[TomGale]

Originally Posted by neilG

One should be able to do that same scale using 1-1, 2-2 or 4-4 shifts, sounding the same, IMNSHO.

I was talking about very rapid chromatic passages. The above shifts would really slow you down.
TG

[Stan Haskins]

Originally Posted by TomGale

I was talking about very rapid chromatic passages. The above shifts would really slow you down.
TG

I agree. BUt I don't really know what you guys mean with "open hand" and "closed hand". do you mean extending for four fingers, as opposed to using 1-2-4?

Tom, I like those shifting patterns you posted. (2-note through 7-note) ELegant.

Are any of you familiar with "undershifting" (I think that's the term I heard, but I may have made it up)? If I had to explain it, I'd say it's easier to shift up to a lower finger (like 1 or 2) and land in tune, whle it's more effective to shift down to a higher finger (like 3 or 4). I was introduced to this second or third hand - it was apparently a big point of Portnoi's fingering system. Your initial post made me think of it.

Thanks for the ideas!

[TomGale]

Open = the 4 finger tech, Franke, etc. 1,2,3,4 = minor third
ex; D1, D#2, E3, F4.

Closed = 1,2,4. 1 full step D1, D#2, E4.

TG