Double Bass Eccles sonata 4th movement.

[MartinBorgen]

Had a few days with lots of extra time to practise, so I included the Eccles sonata, 4th movement to get some varity. I'm not really sure how I want to finger the bars 13-18 and 25-32. Anyone knows a graceful way to do it?

 

[Ryanpet42]

Here are my fingerings in those places you mentioned and any octave G's are harmonics:

In 13 and 17 I do thumb 3
14 and 18 I do 1 3
15 I do either 2 3 or 3 3
16 I do 2 1
25 I do 1 1
26 I do 1 4
27 1 3; do not keep your first finger down and use the harmonic D
28 I do T 3
29 I do T T
30 I do T 1
31 I do T 3 using harmonic D
32 I do T 3
For 25-32, keep either thumb or first finger down on the F on the A string

If you need any more feel free to ask.

 

[Ryanpet42]

There really is no way to do it that feels comfortable...remember, it was originally a Violin sonata.

 

[MartinBorgen]

Ah, thanks. seems like the most logcial way - pretty much what I already did but It felt so akward that I had to ask.

Thanks!

 

[Ryanpet42]

Eccles fourth movement is easily one of the more awkward pieces you will ever have to play. The most awkward piece you will ever play is any movements of the Bach Six Suites for Cello...even when transposed to a more bass-friendly key.

 

[NicholasF]

There really is no way to do it that feels comfortable...remember, it was originally a Violin sonata.

Violin? You mean a baby bass right?

 

[Ryanpet42]

In my edition it says that it was originally for Violin and Piano.

 

[MartinBorgen]

In my edition it says that it was originally for Violin and Piano.

Probably violin and continuo, which would probably mean a Harpsichord in the context.

Interesting though - on the wikipedia page, it mentions twelve sonatas for bass, and I always thought this was one of them. But perhaps the wikipedia article is just plain wrong, and he only wrote twelve sonatas for violin?

 

[Ryanpet42]

Harpsichord would make sense as Eccles was a Baroque composer.