• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Back in the saddle

David Potts

David Potts

Aug 31, 2007
1,485
1,502
Sydney Australia
#1
As I dust off the cobwebs on the bass, as well as my fingers and brain, for my first gig since March I am reminded of what a good DAILY exercise J S Bach's Air on a G string (3rd Orchestral Suite) would be for everyone to consider. It is a lovely reality check for a lot of reasons, both musical and technical, and for me it is a test of right shoulder endurance if the repeat is played. Hmmm. It might be easier with German bow (Aargh, I hate to admit it !!)

Tonight I am the one Bass in a group of 15 strings and I am expecting to come home exhausted. The rest of the program is relatively easy except for a piece by Columbian composer, Dr. Daniel Rojas, called Little Serenade - Fiesta, that has some awkward reading of off-beat rythms.

But it feels great to be back in the saddle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: csrund, Seanto, Chris Fitzgerald and 14 others
#3
I survived - just! No sharing of stands and careful social distancing were observed. Another bass player turned up - an ex-student that I had not seen for years. Unless I have already had some time sharing with them I find find the two-bass combination much less comfortable than being alone or three players upwards. Small (sometimes large) differences in intonation and timing are much more evident and distracting. Hopefully the next rehearsal will allow us to incorporate more sense of style and musicianship before our live streamed open air performance at the end of next week.

Predictably the Bach Air was a test of everything, being so spread out by Covid. And the conductor went straight back to the top with repeats then rehearsed sections. I am surprised by how well I have recovered overnight.

But it is still great to be back in the saddle !!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Seanto, Tom Lane, John Chambliss and 1 other person
#4
I agree a section of two upright basses can be awful for the players :vomit:. IMHO it starts to sound and feel like a section with four, and really starts to get nice at six or more. Unfortunately very few orchestras have big bass sections these days :(.

Of course, if both players are great, maybe it works fine.

From the audiences perspective, I think it's probably better with two than one. IMHO, they tend to be more concerned with hearing the bass, than the bass being perfect.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back