Double Bass Do most orchestral players sit?

[robobass]

I've never seen anyone stand in bass section in a major orchestra (Excepting period ensembles, are there examples?). One reason is that almost no one wants to stand all the way through the rehearsals, and you wouldn't want to perform standing if you've rehearsed sitting. Another issue is that if you stand while your stand partner sits, it might be hard to position the music stand so that you are both comfortable. Personally I sit for classical and stand for jazz, excepting recording, when I sit no matter what the music. Once those headphones are on I am terrified, and feel much more secure seated.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

Thanks for the input. Another question I have regarding sitting technique is about endpin height. Do you leave your endpin the same height as if you were standing and just lean the bass more or do you shorten it?

Whatever works for you, but most people shorten it.

 

[404usernamenotfound]

I've never seen anyone stand in bass section in a major orchestra (Excepting period ensembles, are there examples?). One reason is that almost no one wants to stand all the way through the rehearsals, and you wouldn't want to perform standing if you've rehearsed sitting. Another issue is that if you stand while your stand partner sits, it might be hard to position the music stand so that you are both comfortable. Personally I sit for classical and stand for jazz, excepting recording, when I sit no matter what the music. Once those headphones are on I am terrified, and feel much more secure seated.

There are a few examples I've seen of professional orchestras of people standing
About half of the Detroit Symphony
Some of the Cleveland Orchestra, including Max Dimoff (principal) and 1-2 other guys in the section
I've seen a few other orchestras (Pittsburgh/NSO) that do entirely sit, but it's by no means a rule.

 

[tstone]

Last time I went to the San Francisco Symphony -- about a month ago -- I was watching the bass section, as always. Eight seated, two standing. There's also always a mix of French and German bows, though I don't recall the breakdown there.

 

[Phil Smith]

Does it make a difference when playing jazz? I'm not really much of a jazzer, (still trying to figure it out) and student teacher (pianist) insisted that if I stood up, it'd make my pizz stronger (or something like that... He didn't really explain how it'd help). Is this legit advice, or was he talking out of his butt?

I think he's just trying to find a way to make your pizz stronger because after all, when you look at videos a lot of Jazz cats are standing.

Whether you sit or stand your pizz is either strong or it isn't.

 

[jacobh]

I’ve only seen one full-sized orchestra where everyone stood which was something like the EU or Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. Even in parts of Europe which have a big tradition of standing to do solo playing it’s just not done in orchestras.

I’m surprised that more don’t do it, though. I find my ability to do horrible things to my back whilst sitting in orchestral rehearsals is quite strong; it’s very easy to lock yourself into a slightly awkward position which, 3 hours later, has done some damage. When I stand, I find my back is usually fine because I move far more and just have better posture. After some practice it no longer bothers me to stand for six or more hours in a day. Sometimes I can get away with standing, other times not; it just depends on the band I’m playing with.

 

[basso obscura]

It can be pretty annoying, if your on a tight stage where the basses are placed in rows, to be stuck behind someone who's over 6 ft. and standing. Kind of hard to see through them.

 

[boylebass]

For me

jazz standing
classical sitting

That's my preference. The schlep factor is part of it. One hand must carry the stool/amp.

There's been a few 9-1 jazz gigs where I wish I had a stool for the 4th set.

mb

 

[Tom Gale]

I lay down whenever possible......
Tom Gale