Double Bass Fingering help in J.C. Bach Quartet?

[Michael Eisenman]

Johann Christian Bach Quartet for Flute, Violin, Viola, and Violoncello (or string quartet) WB 58. The first movement, Allegro, contains the following:

Any thoughts about the best way to play this on a bass in 4ths (especially the F#-A in the first measure)?

I'm trying a couple of different approaches, but I'm not sure that the first 32nd note is going to happen.

Thanks.

 

[PaulCannon]

Pivot up the D string. 0-1-4. Either bar across with the 4th finger for the high D, or keep going up for the D harmonic with 3.

 

[Les Fret]

Yes what Paul said. Play it on the D string with 0144 (the high D on the G string with 4). For the next bar stay in the same position and play 0214 (G on the the D string with second finger, or as an open string).

Other option would be to use string crossings: 0411 (4 on the A string) and next bar 0041 (4 on the D string). Might be more awkward but worth a try.

 

[Michael Eisenman]

Thanks, guys. I've tried several methods for the F# measure. I also tried thumb on F# (0-T-4-4); as well as 0-1-4 and the D harmonic not at the octave, but at G on the D string—didn't like that. I'll continue to work on 0-1-4-4 and 0-0-1-4; I can make the stretches.

Thanks again.