Double Bass Fingering recommendations on Tenpenny Bit jig

[Krikcet]

I'm trying to learn some irish/trad fiddle-style arco tunes. I've had a hard time finding any suggestions on how to handle 4ths/double-stops in thumb position. The fingering I shared above is what I think makes sense, but I was wondering if anybody had any input on that.

 

[AGCurry]

I would try 1-1-1-1-T-1 for the first measure, barring the D and G strings with the thumb.
Every D is thumb, and every E is 1. The only difficult thing is the very last measure; I would shift for the low G rather than try to play it on the E string.

 

[the_Ryan]

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I'm trying to learn some irish/trad fiddle-style arco tunes. I've had a hard time finding any suggestions on how to handle 4ths/double-stops in thumb position. The fingering I shared above is what I think makes sense, but I was wondering if anybody had any input on that.

1-2 or 2-3 forks or (if you can, it takes a while to build up for stopped notes) barred/rolled thumb knuckle and nail fourths are the best ways to play fourths in TP. I’d probably play the E > A as a 1-2 fork. I try to avoid playing fourths in TP with the same finger because unlike in low positions you can’t really barre or push/pull the fingers, meaning that the finger has to be picked up and moved to the next string, which is hard to play cleanly and even when executed well there are still gaps in the sound.

For the 7th bar I might use a +-1-2-3 fingering rather than the G harmonic and for the last bar I’d probably play 3-1-+ on the A string (setting it up by playing the last note of bar 7 with 1 or playing it with thumb and crabbing), but those are more matters of taste.

 

[Krikcet]

1-2 or 2-3 forks or (if you can, it takes a while to build up for stopped notes) barred/rolled thumb knuckle and nail fourths are the best ways to play fourths in TP. I’d probably play the E > A as a 1-2 fork. I try to avoid playing fourths in TP with the same finger because unlike in low positions you can’t really barre or push/pull the fingers, meaning that the finger has to be picked up and moved to the next string, which is hard to play cleanly and even when executed well there are still gaps in the sound.

For the 7th bar I might use a +-1-2-3 fingering rather than the G harmonic and for the last bar I’d probably play 3-1-+ on the A string (setting it up by playing the last note of bar 7 with 1 or playing it with thumb and crabbing), but those are more matters of taste.

The 1-2 fork actually feels better than I thought. I'm still getting the hang of thumb position playing, so I'm still filling my bag of tricks.

I've been playing pretty much the whole tune on the D and G strings as I have an easier time getting a tone that I like.

 

[Co.]

Are you going to play this one or two octaves lower than written pitch?
Two octaves down, I would use a lot of forkes or parallel fingerings. One octave below written pitch, I would try to use a lot of harmonics so very different, non-intuitive fingerings. Also depends on the exact tempo. Some of the fingerings for natural harmonics involve strange string crossings, that might be hard to execute in very fast tempos. Then I would substitude some harmonics with pressed notes to avoid unnecessary string crossings, still favouring a lot of forked/parallel fingerings.

 

[the_Ryan]

Are you going to play this one or two octaves lower than written pitch?
Two octaves down, I would use a lot of forkes or parallel fingerings. One octave below written pitch, I would try to use a lot of harmonics so very different, non-intuitive fingerings. Also depends on the exact tempo. Some of the fingerings for natural harmonics involve strange string crossings, that might be hard to execute in very fast tempos. Then I would substitude some harmonics with pressed notes to avoid unnecessary string crossings, still favouring a lot of forked/parallel fingerings.

I was assuming OP is playing it an octave lower than written (two octaves lower than sounding).

 

[Krikcet]

I think I'm playing it one octave lower than written, so right around the octave harmonics. Where the 12th fret would be.

 

[Co.]

I think I'm playing it one octave lower than written, so right around the octave harmonics. Where the 12th fret would be.

That would be two octaves lower than written to me.

 

[Krikcet]

That would be two octaves lower than written to me.

Oh yeah, I guess you're right.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I think it depends on the tune. Sometimes I use individual fingers, the fork as you guys call it. The fork is essential if you are rocking back and forth between the two or even playing them together. The other option is changing the key in order to use harmonics in fourths which can transform a clunky tune into a more fiddle sounding version. In general always look for harmonics for fiddling, they are in tune and airy. I often play fourths with the same finger, not barred, just high speed fingering. It takes practice but you can do it with practice. I’ll play through this tune tomorrow and really see how I would play it. Rhythm and feel are king. It has to feel Irish, to dance, or these tunes just sound classical.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Ok. I played it. I used the first finger e to first finger a. I played the first note down bow with accent and the second note up bow with a triplets ornament. I liked having my hand in a relaxed but somewhat open position to facilitate the b and keep the flow of the phrase.

 

[garrett2]

For one octave down I found it easiest to slide from the E to the A with the 2. I'm sure a triplet sounds great. Then to play it pretty much 1-2-3 except with T on the D harmonic.

 

[Jason Sypher]

It might also be noted that any kind of barre of two harmonics (usually with a thumb) is a very useful tool in this kind of style of bowing. It rings out, has a light clear sound and is of course perfectly in tune. I don't think I'd do it it this melody but it is possible to play the higher harmonics of A and E on the D and A strings keeping the whole passage in one hand position. You can also utilize the same harmonics an octave down, below thumb position, if you want to play the tune in a lower register. Don't get too hung up always playing these tunes in thumb position, they often sound really great in the lower registers as well. If the feel and rhythm is happening they will still sing. Another side note is to pizz these tunes occasionally. You will be surprised how they pop when played in unison with a fiddler, uiliean pipe or whatever. People always seem to really like the pizzed melodies.