Double Bass Bach orchestral suite 2 fingering suggestions

[Les Fret]

I am studying the Bach orchestral suite No. 2 (BWV1067) now.
Just wondering what fingerings you use for some passages like measure 191 and 195 of the ouverture (the measures where the fingering is written above the notes). I play it one position with pivoting (see fingerings in the attached music). You have to consider the fast speed here. With shifting this will be more awkward I think.

How do you handle these passages?

 

[PaulCannon]

I shift. Trombone fingerings work well when you can shift smoothly with constant contact with the string. Generally, I don't like to pivot in fast passages -- particularly in first position.

The earlier passages in the Overture work well with a low-thumb fingering, if you're in to that kind of thing.

 

[Les Fret]

What do you mean by trombone fingerings?
and which measures in the ouverture do you mean exactly by the low thumb fingering?

There is no 'better' fingering I can think of then pivoting in measure 195 (the one with the G# and A#). Anything else seems more awkward.

 

[PaulCannon]

Shifting 1-1-1 or 4-4-4 in a controlled slide without letting your arm jerk you around.

I don't have a part in front of me, and your scan cut off the bar numbers, so I'm not sure what to tell you. The low-thumb stuff is the first entrance on the fugue statement.

 

[neilG]

What do you mean by trombone fingerings?
and which measures in the ouverture do you mean exactly by the low thumb fingering?

There is no 'better' fingering I can think of then pivoting in measure 195 (the one with the G# and A#). Anything else seems more awkward.

In 195, why don't you try starting with first finger on the A# and go to a 4th finger G# on the D string. Work it out from there.

 

[eerbrev]

What do you mean by trombone fingerings?
and which measures in the ouverture do you mean exactly by the low thumb fingering?

There is no 'better' fingering I can think of then pivoting in measure 195 (the one with the G# and A#). Anything else seems more awkward.

what string are you doing it on? if you do it up on the d string until the G# in the bar you could do it as 2-4-2-4-1-4-1(on g)-2(on D)then do the B minor run starting on G (with just a little shift back to the a natural).

Idunno, take my fingering for how much you paid for it.

eerbrev

 

[Les Fret]

what string are you doing it on? if you do it up on the d string until the G# in the bar you could do it as 2-4-2-4-1-4-1(on g)-2(on D)then do the B minor run starting on G (with just a little shift back to the a natural).

I was playing it all in the 1/2 position. Also tried your fingering but that still involves some pivoting and shifting. But it a good options though.

Shifting 1-1-1 or 4-4-4 in a controlled slide without letting your arm jerk you around.

Yes, also tried the shifting thing. Especially in measure 195 and 196 (the measures with the D# in it). But the passage D# B C# D# (measure 196) feels awkward when playing the D# and B with 1 because you have to use 1 on two strings and shift at the same time. That's the reason why I do the pivoting here (so playing the B with 2).

 

[PaulCannon]

But the passage D# B C# D# (measure 196) feels awkward when playing the D# and B with 1 because you have to use 1 on two strings and shift at the same time.

D# - B - C# - D# - (E?)
Try 1 2 - 1 4 - 1 playing the second D# on the A string.

 

[Les Fret]

Thank you all for the suggestions! These kind of passages don't lie well on the bass and would be much more easy with a four finger system. But then you will have more intonation problems in the low positions.

 

[bejoyous]

That looks like good fingering. The only thing I would play differently is in the second measure where the notes are C#, B, C# - there is no need to pivot there.

Keys with lots of sharps and flats will always involve lots of little pivots. Might as well get used to it and practice them so they are in tune.

 

[eerbrev]

Thank you all for the suggestions! These kind of passages don't lie well on the bass and would be much more easy with a four finger system. But then you will have more intonation problems in the low positions.

just don't use all four fingers in lower positions? use it around the neck block or where you feel comfortable with the intonation. Just because you use one technique sometimes doesn't mean you have to be locked into using it everywhere!