Double Bass Any ideas? Villa Lobos B.B #4

[LouisF]

Any ideas on the attached?

The problem isn't so much the notes/fingering or staccato bowing. It's that after 6 or 8 bars of repetitive movement, my old arthritic hands just cramp up and jam, whether I use 1-2 or 2-4 etc (and I still have the Mendelssohn 5th to do after intermission).

Frankly, I think if I just play the 16th on 1 and 3 (or take the rest on those beats) no one will know (not even this guest conductor). If I try to play through it, both my hands and the music turn to mush.

Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[the_Ryan]

I'd probably use 1-3 for most of this page (using 1-2-4 on the gestures with the G-flat). I've found 1-3 to be the most comfortable way to play one half step until block position because there needs to be much less spread in the hand compared to 1-2 half steps. It's not something I've really codified, my main rule is if 1-3 is more comfortable than 1-2 in a passage I'll substitute 2 with 3.

 

[Brilee]

I'd hang out on the A string for the whole section. A lot easier on the hand than on D.

 

[Paps]

Yes, the rhythm can be simplified by removing a few of the notes!
I would concentrate on the note on the beat and the note leading into the beat where they occur and whatever else seems to fit the rhythm with minimal effort.
As rehearsals progress, you may then find it easier to fit in a few extra notes, such as the note after the beat.
I've never played the piece, but assume it's a moderately fast 2 beats/bar.

 

[PaulCannon]

Since it's so quiet, you should take it as an exercise in keeping everything loose and relaxed.

You're almost certainly over compensating and squeezing because of the syncopation. The problem might well be stemming from right arm stress, but the pain is manifesting in the left hand.

It might not be obvious, but the bowings will have a big impact on all of this. I would suggest playing the 16th "pickups" on a down bow, with the up bow as a natural reflexive consequence to the down bow (down-up: "ta-da!"). The two notes together are one, soft and easy motion. Done correctly, this should promote a loose, relaxed bowing. When the right arm is relaxed, the left arm will also relax.

You can work on this with a metronome and open strings to start, in order to focus on the right arm alone before adding the repetitive fingerings.

 

[LouisF]

Thanks, everyone. Very helpful.